m1noel

No, I called them twice, and they didn't return my calls so I sent it to speartech. They should have received it yesterday. I think the reason it went so well and quickly is because you and Mas280 gave me so much help with questions before I really started, so I haven't really had the trial and error I would have had. I had a huge pile of parts ready before the engine bay was even painted. Mike

I am really almost done with the LS2/T56 swap. The wiring is done. Intake, radiator, heater hoses, and AC are all hooked up. I noticed my rack boots are bad so will be changing them. My computer is not back yet and I need to get to the exhaust shop. I'm getting goose bumps and its not all because its 25 degrees here. Mike

Get the JTR book and the Helm's manuals for the donor car. Make sure you get the gas pedal assembly and the clutch master cyl. And get all the hoses and stuff they will let you have. Also the MAF. Then you will need to get a 98-02 firebird/camaro oil pan, windage tray, pickup tube and dipstick and tube. And a camaro/firebird motor mount for the left side. If the donor is a GTO, you will need a shifter, like a B&M. And make sure you get all the harness and ECM. Once again, get the books. And last but certainly not least- Make friends with MAS280 and Ulises on this site! Mike

Davy- Thanks, I don't know why I didn't think of JTR when I was talking to them yesterday. Called today- Mike says 17. At least he does'nt think it has changed since '97. Its even in the JTR TBI book I didn't look in. I tried LS1tech.com too but had no luck there. Mike

Sorry, I've searched for this and asked everyone I could think of that might know without posting. I need to know how many teeth are on the speed sensor gear in my T56- its from an 05 GTO if that makes a difference. Thanks, Mike

Since that last update I have installed the radiator and fan, fuel pressure regulator, and hooked up the AC. Brant the wiring guru is coming over Saturday to help me with that mess. Then soon its off to the exhaust shop! I was hoping to have it running by March or April but everything is going really fast, and IVe only been working on it for a few minutes here and there.

I got the clutch master with the engine, along with the gas pedal, brake master and pedal and clutch pedal and a bunch of other stuff I'll never use. I got the oil pan through my local gm dealer- at jobber price it was less than they were going for on E-bay. Make sure you get the windage tray and pick up also, and it is a lot easier to get the camaro-firebird dipstick and tube too. I don't know where to send you for the clutch master, sorry. That is the AC as supplied by John's where the power steering pump used to be. It is a new, shorter, pump and uses John's brackets. It requires a srock camaro belt and gets rid of the second accessory belt that drove only the old ac pump. John can also supply hoses that have the correct fittings to hook it all back up. Very handy if you want to run air. By the way, I only started this about a month ago and the car was in the body shop for 3 weeks of that to get the bay painted and repair where the nimrod backed his 4X4 onto the hood. I couldn't believe how well everything fits. mike

I lost a couple of pages on the web site- they are back now.

Its taken me years and more years just to start this project, a lot of it went in to just deciding what I really wanted. One thing I did do right when I was younger was this- When something needed fixed, if at all possible I would do it myself- buy the book, buy the right tools to do the job. That way I would always have the book, the tools, and the knowledge to do that job or a similar one again. Oh yeah, when in doubt, have a good circle of experts to ask.

Mas280, Thanks for posting the pics Mike

I finally got my kid to show me how to do pics and stuff- new link in my signature will get you there- The old 280 is finally came back from the paint shop Monday the 13th. The new LS2 went in Saturday and today after work the headers went in. Thanks again to Ulises and Mas280 for all their help so far. Mike

You might also look at the JCI kit. While I am not installing a carbed sbc and don't have to worry about a distributor, I have been pretty impressed with their LS kit, and they have been really great to work with. I have purchased some stuff from JTR also and have been treated well there too.

Yeah, sound great Sergio, I can't wait. I just got mine back from the shop getting the engine bay painted Monday night. Started putting in the JCI mounts last night. Built a new clutch rod and intalled the master. Everything is going well, thanks to all the help I am getting from you and MAS280.

some things are different, depends on what all you buy from them. Trans mounts varied, drive shaft flanges varied, etc.

Well, give me some time and I will post the before and after weights for my 78 280. I did weigh mine just before I started stripping it for the swap. Mine seemed to lose a little weight when I took off the fuel injection many years ago but I did not weigh it then. As it was with half tank gas with the few other mods to the L6 and with a roll bar, front strut bar it was exactly 1400 front, 1420 rear. As soon as I finish the LS2/T56 swap I will post the new weights. I may do something with the huge bumpers but I will weigh it before I do.

Ok, I liked where this was leading until S.B. posted a pic. UHGGGG!

yeah, the z wiring is simple, and I took out the fuel injection years ago. Its getting the LS2 and all of its wiring figured out to make it work that scares me. I'm sure I will be able to figure it out, I have the wiring diagrams for both cars. But just looking at the harness for the GTO is somewhat overwhelming. I just need to start un-harnessing it and jump in.

Took the L28 out yesterday and got the engine compartment ready for the paint booth. Can't wait to get it back and start the LS2 transplant. The wiring still scares the hell out of me but I'm sure I'll muddle through with all your help. Pic's to come.

Congrats Sergio, Man I wish I was done with mine. Can't wait to at least get started on the swap. The garage is filling up with stuff. Its like Christmas when the UPS driver comes. Mike

Sounds like all you guys are making great progress. I've only been working on this car for 25 years. lol. I got my engine/trans package this weekend but stuff is missing, like the C1 harness!!! Spalding said they don't have any of the stuff, don't know where it went, and told me to get prices on the new parts I need. Am working on that now. The only other really important thing is the MAF. The JTR headers came last week, JCI shipped mounts and some of the other stuff Friday. I'm trying to sell the L28/5sp before I pull it. The genius that backed in to the car while parked last week did come up with the bucks for a new hood and the rest of the repairs- I'll wait to do that till the engine is out and can paint the engine bay at the same time. My goal is to have it done by the first warm day of spring. The only real scary part for me is the wiring. Mas280 has been a real help so far. I know he and others have used Jesse for their ECM reprogramming but I don't know him or how to get ahold of him. Can you help? Mike

Vinh- I'm really enjoying the details you are posting with your pic's. I am almost ready to start my LS2 swap. Everything is on the way, I am picking up the engine/trans this weekend. Things were going well till some numb-nuts backed his 4X4 onto my hood yesterday. So now more paint work again. Oh well, have to paint the engine compartment anyway. Mike

Just from the pic's I'm guessing that is probably an early 280. You can check the build date on the driver's door jam. If its not there you can search from the VIN.

I have searched this site but can't find any real input as to which radiator will do the best job cooling a v8 such as the LS2 I am about to start swapping into my 78. Who's is best? Johns? JTR? MSA? Aluminum? Brass tanks? Plastic tanks? I'm also interested in weight savings. Thanks Mike

I am definately going to have to have the ecm reprogrammed. I talked to Jeff at Howard- he can't support the throttle by wire at this time. As I know this project is going to take a while, I may-repeat may- build my own harness or rework the stock harness.