LS Swap systems that work with Ridetech Tru Turn system for 1rst gen Fbody

[Stovebolter]

Hoping we can get a thread going that can get people that have a Tru Turn system going in the right direction for LS swap system that will work for the 1rst gen F body.

Please list what LS swap mounts, header, transmission crossmember, and oil pan combinations you are using. List what modifications you had to make to get clearances.... if any. And your over thoughts on this system. Maybe we can help some folks avert some sleepless nights trying to figure this out. Lol.

I'll be doing the LS swap this spring. As far as the Tru turn system with the conventional small block drivetrain, mine works great. And this system is a very nicely engineered package. A very very noticeable difference in handling. I did have to alter the inner and outer fenders for tire clearance. And I did go with a 9.5" tire with 5.75" bs so I gained a 1/2" of clearance. JFYI.

[Sideshow]

^ great topic. I'll be doing the same next year. the advice is much appreciated.

[Z06vette]

We used the following on a buddy's 69:

*Small block GM engine stands (short/wide)
*Dirty Dingo DD 3 position adj mounts
*Holly Pan- 1st design (req shim eng stands 1/4" for x-member clearance)
*Mast pan requires no shims; should work w tru-turn based on rough measurements
*Iroc steering box
*Dynatech headers (these do hang low- id cut 4 bolt flange off & use slip-on connection w/ thin band clamp if the car will be lowered more than 2". Cyl # 5 & 7 plug wires will need some creative routing to keep them off the header tubes. MSD wires with bendable boots seem to work best
*Speed Tech trans crossmember - T-56 6 speed

We used Fbody accessories. The alt is very close to the frame in one spot, but with the shimmed stands it was fine. Will need slight clearancing without shimmed engine stands. We'll be using the C6 accessroies on that one.

That was the only tru turn swap I have done. I'll be doing another for a friend around march/april and will use the mast pan & try some other headers. This will be a 6 speed as well.

[Stovebolter]

Thanks for the info!

[mikeextrafast]

Ls3
Holley mounts
Holley oil pan
Hooker headers
Holley cross member
Everything fit great, wish the rest of the build was that easy

[Z06vette]

So all the new holley swap parts fit w tru turn? I had read they wouldn't work. Any pics? Scott

[Rod P]

I used real simple parts on my own car, here's the parts and numbers


TALL 1969 350 factory engine mounts
#7-519 Prothane engine plate and mount kit
#20140 Moroso Pan and the correct pick up
#LS10 Sanderson Headers
#20-143 Holley Accessory Drive Kit
factory 4 speed trans cross member(modified the trans mount slots 1inch longer)
#TM32AN-T Tanks inc fuel tank, with internal pump


http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx162/crazyshopmonkey/2014%20events/sema%202014/63954_10152471213165233_286242430317494320_n_zps54 ccbdd2.jpg

[rallystyle]

the holley system does work with the mid length headers. for there long tube you have to mod 1 tube on the pass side and there is a pdf you can download thats linked on the ls1tech thread.
http://ls1tech.com/forums/conversions-hybrids/1707895-new-hooker-holley-1st-gen-parts-compatibility-ridetech-truturn-6.html
post 119

speed tech says there system works with no mods having to be made.
http://www.speedtechperformance.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=product/product_id=383/category_id=142/mode=prod/prd383.htm

[Carbo]

We used the following on a buddy's 69:

*Small block GM engine stands (short/wide)
*Dirty Dingo DD 3 position adj mounts
*Holly Pan- 1st design (req shim eng stands 1/4" for x-member clearance)
*Mast pan requires no shims; should work w tru-turn based on rough measurements
*Iroc steering box
*Dynatech headers (these do hang low- id cut 4 bolt flange off & use slip-on connection w/ thin band clamp if the car will be lowered more than 2". Cyl # 5 & 7 plug wires will need some creative routing to keep them off the header tubes. MSD wires with bendable boots seem to work best
*Speed Tech trans crossmember - T-56 6 speed

We used Fbody accessories. The alt is very close to the frame in one spot, but with the shimmed stands it was fine. Will need slight clearancing without shimmed engine stands. We'll be using the C6 accessroies on that one.

That was the only tru turn swap I have done. I'll be doing another for a friend around march/april and will use the mast pan & try some other headers. This will be a 6 speed as well.

A buddy of mine did pretty much the same setup on a build and not only did everything fit nicely it put the engine in the stock location as the original SBC. That made it nice for the TKO that was reused so basically from the bellhousing back everything stayed the same. Not sure how it would work with the Tru Turn though.

[Blake Foster]

http://www.speedtechperformance.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=product/product_id=383/category_id=29/mode=prod/prd383.htm

Here it is. an LS swap kit SPECIFICALLY designed for the TRU TURN.

Not sure what more you would want???
unless it is the T56 install kit?

http://www.speedtechperformance.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=product/product_id=386/category_id=30/mode=prod/prd386.htm

that should EASILY answer the OP question I would think.

[Carbo]

http://www.speedtechperformance.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=product/product_id=383/category_id=29/mode=prod/prd383.htm

Here it is. an LS swap kit SPECIFICALLY designed for the TRU TURN.

Not sure what more you would want???
unless it is the T56 install kit?

http://www.speedtechperformance.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=product/product_id=386/category_id=30/mode=prod/prd386.htm

that should EASILY answer the OP question I would think.

Blake, does this kit (particularly the engine mounts) put the LS engine in the stock location where the SBC originally was positioned?

[Rod P]

great looking install kit!!!!!I will try this one on the new build


http://www.speedtechperformance.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=product/product_id=383/category_id=29/mode=prod/prd383.htm

Here it is. an LS swap kit SPECIFICALLY designed for the TRU TURN.

Not sure what more you would want???
unless it is the T56 install kit?

http://www.speedtechperformance.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=product/product_id=386/category_id=30/mode=prod/prd386.htm

that should EASILY answer the OP question I would think.

[simbad's68]

Blake, does this kit (particularly the engine mounts) put the LS engine in the stock location where the SBC originally was positioned?

Blake,
I'm installing a LS3 w/ F body belt drive system. With notching the frame on a first gen F body, will the compressor have clearance issue. My understanding is the True Turn swap kit uses a different frame stand.

[Blake Foster]

Blake,
I'm installing a LS3 w/ F body belt drive system. With notching the frame on a first gen F body, will the compressor have clearance issue. My understanding is the True Turn swap kit uses a different frame stand.

Yes it should work. if it doesn't get a bigger grinder! :lmao:

[Stovebolter]

Thanks Blake. That system does look great. Unfortunately for me, at this time I'm wanting the interior to be somewhat stock in appearance. Doesnt look like the floor pan add-on would allow the use of a stock center console? I'm actually considering not even using a console, but want to use the factory carpet. Se la vie.

I pulled the trigger on a set of long tube stainless headers 2276-7 with Hooker, Holley 12618 new gen (latest design) mounts, and the 302-2 Holley pan. Already using their X member for my TH400 which also works for the T56 I picked up from a fella in Indy yesterday. The headers will need the mod, and possibly the pan. It appears there are some people doing this set up without having to mod the pan by using 5.8" idler and pitman arm. We'll see what happens. I have a TIG so I may have to do my first aluminum mod with it. Lol. I'll update this when I get this swap started. Probably this spring. I'm collecting parts now.

Let's keep this thread going. I see this benefiting members in the future.

[130fe]

stock subframe-
LS3
street and performance mounts
autokraft oil pan
Stainless Works headers
ATS (Speedtech) T56 crossmember

Great clearance all around.

[Carbo]

stock subframe-
LS3
street and performance mounts
autokraft oil pan
Stainless Works headers
ATS (Speedtech) T56 crossmember

Great clearance all around.

Hey Chris,

Did your mounts place the engine in the stock location as the SBC? I'm trying to accomplish what John did to Steve's car by reusing the TKO.

[Blake Foster]

Thanks Blake. That system does look great. Unfortunately for me, at this time I'm wanting the interior to be somewhat stock in appearance. Doesnt look like the floor pan add-on would allow the use of a stock center console? I'm actually considering not even using a console, but want to use the factory carpet. Se la vie.

I pulled the trigger on a set of long tube stainless headers 2276-7 with Hooker, Holley 12618 new gen (latest design) mounts, and the 302-2 Holley pan. Already using their X member for my TH400 which also works for the T56 I picked up from a fella in Indy yesterday. The headers will need the mod, and possibly the pan. It appears there are some people doing this set up without having to mod the pan by using 5.8" idler and pitman arm. We'll see what happens. I have a TIG so I may have to do my first aluminum mod with it. Lol. I'll update this when I get this swap started. Probably this spring. I'm collecting parts now.



Let's keep this thread going. I see this benefiting members in the future.

yes the trans cover WILL work with the 69 factory console if you are wanting to use the gauges you will need to modify the mount to lift it up a bit. guess you need to decide what is more important engine/trans fit and alignment or the stock appearing interior???

[Stovebolter]

yes the trans cover WILL work with the 69 factory console if you are wanting to use the gauges you will need to modify the mount to lift it up a bit. guess you need to decide what is more important engine/trans fit and alignment or the stock appearing interior???

Both are important. And yes I can have my cake and eat it too. I've seen plenty of people say their car drives great and they run nothing but a stick in the floor. They've maintained the 3 degrees down and a stock interior. That's easy to find. What's hard is finding a system that works with the Ridetech Tru Turn system. Your system must sit high in the frame?

It's my understanding that Holley/Hooker did have drivetrain alignment issues early on with their one fits all mounts, but have since corrected the issue with the second generation of parts for this swap. Please correct me if someone knows otherwise?

[Blake Foster]

Both are important. And yes I can have my cake and eat it too. I've seen plenty of people say their car drives great and they run nothing but a stick in the floor. They've maintained the 3 degrees down and a stock interior. That's easy to find. What's hard is finding a system that works with the Ridetech Tru Turn system. Your system must sit high in the frame?

It's my understanding that Holley/Hooker did have drivetrain alignment issues early on with their one fits all mounts, but have since corrected the issue with the second generation of parts for this swap. Please correct me if someone knows otherwise?

It does not sit any higher than any other LS it is moved back slightly so the inner tie rod ends clear the pan, the other key is the pan shape.
we have found that yes you can runt the t56 with the stock floor, that is how the original ATS T56 cross member is, (which we still sell) but have also found that when the car gets really low the driveshaft runs uphill to the rear end which makes for some undesirable combined angles. by lifting up the tail shaft you can eliminate that situation as well it raises the header collectors to increase the ground clearance so there is more than one benifet to the system.

[jlwdvm]

Stock Sub frame
Texas Speed 570hp LS3
T56 trans
Tru Turn
Holley Kit: 302 pan, ceramic 1.75" long tubes, cross member, motor mounts

Everything went together great...drive line angle at 3 degrees. I had to dimple a header tube on both sides due to inner tie rod interference. I also had to grind a very small amount off of a corner on the Tru Turn tie rod relocating bracket for oil pan clearance...mainly for piece of mind. I also had to go to a smaller power steering pulley to get extra space at the drivers upper A-arm.

Now to get the 275's to clear the inner fenders!

http://www.pro-touring.com/threads/102040-1969-Firebird-TA-clone-track-car-build/page4

[130fe]

Hey Chris,

Did your mounts place the engine in the stock location as the SBC? I'm trying to accomplish what John did to Steve's car by reusing the TKO.

S&P said their mounts are stock location. Sent you a PM.

[Carbo]

S&P said their mounts are stock location. Sent you a PM.

Got it Chris...thanks. PM replied.