LS3 - Z06 Engine Swap

Hi Sam,

We used the same motor mount locations, and to do this, we made an aluminum plate that mounts to the frame, and then used the stock LS motor mounts.

We purchased the stock computer & wiring system for the LS and put the computer in the rear by the transaxle. We are actually going to redo our engine compartment and put the fuse box and the computer where the solenoid is.

Here are all the pictures from our motor swap...

Photobucket Pictures

Thanks for your interest!!

I know that panteras are harder to start when they are hot and like to burn starters.Do you have any issues starting? Also how much weight do you figure was removed now that the motor is aluminum Thanks

There are absolutely no starting issues. It starts right up when it's cold or when it is hot. It basically runs the same as a 2011 Corvette.

And the engine removed probably 200-300 lbs.

How aboud the sound?

Arno

It sounds awesome. It doesn't have as much of the
resonance sound that the Cleveland had but it still has some. The Cleveland
had a more traditional old school hot rod kind of sound where the LS376 has
a more modern, fast reving, mean kind of sound. It idles fairly smooth
compared to the Cleveland. Here is a video clip where you can hear the motor
a bit at minute 2:20...

http://www.vimeo.com/20090269

The motor sounds great.Did you buy all the parts new or did you find a parts car to use?

Thanks! And yes we bought a brand new 2010 Crate motor from Chevrolet. And what's funny is, it came with a Warranty so we could drive up to a Chevy dealer with a 1973 Pantera and get service done on it. (Not that we ever would)

Awesome job, Chris.
This power transplant seems to be a fraction of traditional motor upgrades on a $/hp ratio. Not to mention, that the Z06 engine would be trouble free for tens of thousands of miles.
I would definately have gone this route if I wasn't so into stacks and 180's.
Will

Just to put some of the Vett's in their place, I just returned from the Sandhill Open Road Challenge and in the 1 mile Shootout my Pantera 150.4; 157.3; and 158 mph. Thats pretty close to a 2011 vett's runs of 159.5; 159.5; and 161.4. I'm not complaining. This was also my first time at the drags.

Mark

I still am fascinated by this swap. If I did not have a perfectly, newly rebuilt 351C I would strongly consider this swap.

I have so much $$$$$$ in my car (and its not done) that I just can't justify another outlay of money this large - even with the selling of my 351C parts, etc.

However, I was just thinking of how cool a LS motor would sound with 180's?

quote:

However, I was just thinking of how cool a LS motor would sound with 180's?

Ok, you talked me into it. 180's on my LS motor is on the to do list...

quote:

I just returned from the Sandhill Open Road Challenge and in the 1 mile Shootout my Pantera 150.4; 157.3; and 158 mph

Must be those awesome shocks you put on your car!!!

Yes the car rode very well with the shocks. I'm very pleased. Met up with the guys from RideTech while I was there.

My plan is to eventually transplant an LS engine into my Pantera or another project Pantera. I drive my Pantera every day and the LS swap eliminates many power plant issues associated w/an old school cleveland. for example, crappy fuel issues, double pinned dist gear shear, fuel milage, throttle cables, cooling issues, MSD failure, clutch replacement, etc... Kennedy has an adapter and I think Kennedy said it takes an off the shelf clutch for a Camaro. Search you tube for "LS cam shaft"... They sound pretty darn good w/a mild cam. I love the old school power plant but driving it every day makes it tough. Ten gallons of gas is about forty bucks, that won't last me long...

quote:

Kennedy has an adapter and I think Kennedy said it takes an off the shelf clutch for a Camaro

I stock the Bellhousing and the clutch is a Summit Racing purchase...

Hi scott,

Thanx for the reply on the sound. The LS has arrived ! In the beginning of next year, I will tell you how a LS sounds with 48-IDA webers and 180 exhaust !!!!


Arno

quote:

The LS has arrived !

The LS swap is gaining steam. I know of 4 cars that are either putting an LS in now or in the very near future.

The fit is INCREDIBLE. The HP per Dollar ratio is also great. The LS376 has a carburetor-ed version that is 515HP. With the weight savings and the great HP numbers the car really comes alive.

What was the most difficult issue to resolve for this swap??... Also, was the intake a straight forward remove/rotate 180/install??... Thanks...

quote:

What was the most difficult issue to resolve for this swap??... Also, was the intake a straight forward remove/rotate 180/install??... Thanks...

I needed to make an adapter to point the water neck down but it was actually pretty easy to make if you have access to a lathe.

To rotate the intake 180 you have to remove the valley cover and machine off the boss that is used for the oil pressure sending unit. After the boss is machined off and plugged the intake can be rotated.

cool, thanks....

quote:

Originally posted by ehpantera:
Just to put some of the Vett's in their place, I just returned from the Sandhill Open Road Challenge and in the 1 mile Shootout my Pantera 150.4; 157.3; and 158 mph. Thats pretty close to a 2011 vett's runs of 159.5; 159.5; and 161.4. I'm not complaining. This was also my first time at the drags.
Mark

I saw this on Hot Rod TV last night...very cool!