HELP!!! LS3 in a 69 Camaro

[Moseley618]

Guys I would like to find out where the best and cheapest place is to get a new 480 horse LS3. What is the cheapest anyone has seen this engine? What do I need besides the engine ie: pedals, starter, ecu, that is all I know of. I need everything to make it fit in a 69 w/ stock sub-frame. I would also like to know what headers will work and are not $3000. Also, what trans a T56 or the new TR6060? Pros and cons? This is the story, my mom bought the car new and it was passed down to me. Started the project 5 years ago with my dad. Since then he had heart problems and I now live 6 hours away. Took it to a local shop that is good a year ago and they have not done much but they are getting ready to start so I need help with a parts list.

Thanks

Kevin

[6spdcamaro]

If your not set on using a brand new engine, you can pick one up from cleveland pick apart with very low mileage. It will come with computer, harness, pedals, tranny, clutch, etc. You'll need to get the harness reworked, and most likely a new oil pan. I used american racing headers. I'm pretty happy with the quality of them.

[64pontiac]

The best set of headers you could buy for the best value I think is hands down Dynatech Musclemaxx headers for the first gen camaros with an ls1..... they are beautiful 1 7/8 headers with a nice 4 bolt dome style collector (3inch) and come with stainless stubs to weld to your exhaust, header bolts, and mls gaskets. The only drawback is you have to make a custom coil pack wire with, say, msd wire and plug ends due to the routing of cylinder 3 exhaust tube around the stock steering box. BUT they clear VERY NICELY, are ceramic coated, and have the best price out there.

I sell a ton of these and I would highly recommend them to you.

As far as engine pricing, I find that it doesnt vary toooo much from source to source, unless you walk up to a dealership that doesn't really move a bunch of motors from GMP. For me, (if i'm buying new crate engines) I would take into consideration shipping etc over a slightly cheaper price...... A motor that is 200 bucks cheaper but all the way across the country will end up being more expensive in freight!

I have dealt with cleveland pick a part, along with a couple other yards for used motors, and I trust them 100%. You definately get a good motor from them.

To put that motor in with a 6 speed, you will need motor/trans mounts.... something like the ATS (american touring specialties) aluminum adapter plates for the motor. They put an ls motor in wherever a small block chevy was. I believe they still have t56 crossmembers too.....

ECU/Pedal/harness/etc MAY come in a controller package depending on what you buy. Mast motorsports is one setup, although pricier, that comes tuned with a standalone harness, pedal, o2 sensors, air filter, ecu, etc to get you up and running. GM Performance parts has a nice package available for a good price to get the ls3 up and running, and if your not going to tinker with tuning and modifying the motor too much its a great way to go. I would lean to something like the mast system if you really want to tweak the motor. But if you are buying a crate motor, see if you can work a deal for the controller too!

Or if your buying used from a place like cleveland pick a part, chances are you will get an ecu and harness. Then you can send it away to someone like Hotwire auto, Speartech, etc etc and get your harness reworked (or buy a new one from them) and get your ecu unlocked/tuned etc.

You may want to consider a fuel tank/fuel pump combo like Ricks Stainless, or you can get oem style stamped tanks with in tank pumps from companies like SPI (Canadian made) that wont break the bank as much. Also a rad/electric fan combo is nice too. Alot of efi harnesses (aftermarket) come with fan relays and fuel pump relays built in.

What else...... theres more but thats a good start. I am only mentioning companies to help out and answer the question, I tried to mention as many as I can that support the forum, if I made a mistake Im sorry! Just trying to help! There are a bunch of supporting vendors that retail all these items your looking for.... I have been meaning to become a supporting vendor too since I keep talking about my shop! But Im probably a ways away from you , so someone should post that can help you out better!

Cheers!

[Moseley618]

Thanks for the help guys. I was really going to get a new one because if I got a used one I would be to tempted to tear into it for more power. Then I would have bigger heads, cam and higher compression running on E85 with twin turbos. I really can't leave things alone. My thinking is that if it is new and has a warrenty I would leave it alone for a couple of years. I read a post from a guy somewhere that bought a LS3 480 from his local dealer for $5400. I would really like to get that deal. If I did buy a good used LS3, what would it cost? What Transmission T56 or TR6060 which may be called T56 Magnum I found it on a site for less than the T56. So confused.

[ProdigyCustoms]

We have a all new 540HP LS3 that is only $6400 and for $3900 more we can supply

GMPP ECM and harness, accelerator, etc
Stainless Works headers
Motor mount adapters
Radiator with dual 13" fans, hoses, etc
Accessories drive system with A/C, PS and Alternator
Misc sender adapters

[6spdcamaro]

http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=28483
That's the package I was talking about. Only 1000 miles. From a price standpoint you can't beat it. But it will take about an additional 1100 bucks to retrofit it.

If I was buying a new engine, I would definitely look at franks package. It sounds like a good deal.

[Beegs]

If I was buying a new engine, I would definitely look at franks package. It sounds like a good deal.

I wouldn't be looking at Frank's package, his wife will beat you. :lol:

[Moseley618]

Thanks guys. Frank that sounds like a pretty good deal. What about a 6sp trans? I also need everything to do a 69 camaro from interior to bolts and wiring. Thanks

[XLexusTech]

Thanks guys. Frank that sounds like a pretty good deal. What about a 6sp trans? I also need everything to do a 69 camaro from interior to bolts and wiring. Thanks

X2 same info needed... sounds tempting......

[sperger1]

We have a all new 540HP LS3 that is only $6400 and for $3900 more we can supply

GMPP ECM and harness, accelerator, etc
Stainless Works headers
Motor mount adapters
Radiator with dual 13" fans, hoses, etc
Accessories drive system with A/C, PS and Alternator
Misc sender adapters

Frank,

Is this a gmpp crate engine? What accessory drive? Also what. Backspacing on a DSE narrowed miser 9 mini tubs and quadralink?

[Rybar]

FYI from what I remember Fesler had some low mileage LS3 and L99 pullouts out of 5th gen Camaros he was selling complete and for a pretty good deal.

[ProdigyCustoms]

Frank,

Is this a gmpp crate engine? What accessory drive? Also what. Backspacing on a DSE narrowed miser 9 mini tubs and quadralink?

These are brand new crate motors we add our cam and springs to. If you want to spray nitrous or supercharge we can do forge pistons for only $400 more.

As for your backspacing, depends on the width of the rear, but 6" BS on a 12" wheel with a 56" rear is dead on.

[sperger1]

Frank,

Do you have a deal on a TVS supercharger to go on your forged piston LS3? What would the price be? I tried to call today but your were out and I did not get a chance to call back.

Let me ask this a different way, can we purchase the cammed ls3 with forged pistons and later add the TVS.

What about transmission, has to be an automatic... my wife. Building the car as a surprise for her.