Anybody know of any 1st gen Tacos with LS1 conversions?

When you say stock I am assuming you are talking about stock GM?

 

Yes I am using the ECU from a 2001 Camaro SS, just swapped everything right in so its all still stock for now, well I mean as stock as an LS1 swap can get, lol.

 

Had a friend recently get a CTS-V with the LS6. Crazy fast. Couldn't imagine a Taco with that kind of power.

 

Are there any videos of this thing?

 

I'm gettin ants in my pants speedfreek when you gonna button this thing up and quench some v8 wetdreams in here???

This reminds me of when I was young there was an old buddy of mine who had a 65 GTO. Saturday nights we always went "cruising" down in San Mateo, Ca.. Thursday afternoon he got a bug up his ass to pull the 389 out of there and put in his 400. He was done by Saturday night about 7:00 and we were cruising that thing by 9:00

Whats the holdup man???!!

 

Sorry guys been working a ton and havent had time for much lately, plus I am getting ready to pull the motor back out and build it into a 383 stroker!!

I bought the drivetrain from a guy who claimed it had 41K miles on it which it does not, I would guess it has 100K+ and a compression check tells me that its getting close to failing a balance test (10% +/- compression between cylinders).

So I am going to pull it so I can freshen it up, while I am at it I will do a cam and possibly some good heads, still undecided on compression ratio since I know some sort of forced induction is probably in my future..

I will get some vids soon, gotta find someone to hold the camera for me...

 

how did you do the electrical stuff. I know nothing about electrical with all the computer stuff

 

Been working on cars for over 30 years so I know my way around...

Dont really know how to answer your question since it is vague.

Get diagrams for both vehicles and get busy..

 

Wow been over a year since the last post!

Still havent pulled the motor out yet to build it, just been driving it every day, still have no videos (yeah I know....) but I will make some, I dont think many people have heard or even seen it for that matter.

The only changes I have done is now I have programming/Tuning software (HP Tuners Pro) and swapped the diff gears from a 3.15 to a 3.90 and is for sure quicker now, but not even close to quick enough, my truck gets amazing traction for what it is, so I can add more power and still get it to the ground.

I think the next step is building a low boost turbo system and then I will pull the motor and wick it up after a refresh, I dont trust the motor on more than about 5psi being absolutely stock with unknown mileage.

My goal is forged rotating assembly, some better flowing heads, an Edelbrock intake and boost by means of turbocharger. Once my truck can keep up with my Camaro I know I will be getting close to fast, lol Definitely not there yet! I would guess I am putting down a little over 300 @ the wheels, but the torque curve is insane!

Yeah yeah, less talk, more pictures/vids..

 

What about putting the edelbrock supercharger on that motor and forged internals would be nice

 

If you pay, I will play..

A new or even used SC is prohibitive at this point due to the cost, even used high mileage ones are going for $4K and up! I can build a full turbo setup for about half of that with new components.

But that would be my 1st option by a longshot, slap on an SC and be done. I have space and it would be so much easier. But I have more time than money, plus I like to custom build stuff!

Its going to be quite the task trying to fit all that tubing and stuff when I fab up the turbo system, I am thinking I am just going to build a custom mid-mount turbo setup, thats under the truck right behind the cab, but who knows, I change my mind a lot depending on the direction of the wind that day, lol.

 

Like the sts turbo kit I saw that on PowerBlock on spike and the turbo goes under the cab and they ran the filter into a tool box pretty sweet

 

so how much would you charge for something like this?? ball park figure. i just want to dream about it a little bit and start saving my pennies.

AMAZING work by the way.

 

Probably around $10K depending on a few things, and if its 4wd, could be much higher depending on clearance, my 2wd is really tight already.

Motor and trans run from $3000 and up in most cases if you want a real LS1, most people opt for a 5.3 for about 1/3 the price, but they dont come with the T56 as far as I know, I think most are autos since they come from the trucks..

If I had to charge for all the hours it took me it might be cost prohibitive...

 

Gotta factor in the beer breaks

My brother in law helped me swap coil overs last night. Woulda been done in a couple hours, but took four hours with beer breaks and bs'ing.

 

funny shit i was just talking about doing this to my truck today next time your in havasu hit me up would love to see it in person i have a fealing within the nxt few months im going to attempt this!

 

I hope you can weld aluminum and custom build your own headers..I should be heading out to Havasu in the next few weeks..do you ride motorcycles? Always looking for more people to ride with out there.

As a matter of fact that picture looks like a place that is down the powerline road towards Standard wash. However I am sure lots of places look similar.

 

you are correct call it donut moutain.. weld aluminum yes my buddy can and headers well theres a first for everything lol

 

you in to chopers or street bikes?

 

Dirt bike racer