LSx Valiant Build. Take a look inside...

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67autocross said:
You don't want to do the LS swap....to much space under the hood.

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Of course. When you replace the factory K-frame with a tubular setup, remove the torsion bars, throw in a rack-n-pinion instead of a steering box, and get rid of all of the steering linkages any small block based engine will look like there's room for days in an A-body.

I get why people like LS engines. They're cheap, plentiful, and can make power. But they just bore me sometimes. To swap it for a car that already came with a V8 doesn't make sense to me as it will perform similar to the car it was in before. A 500 hp LS and a 500 hp Gen III Hemi will still feel like a 500 hp V8 at the end of the day. However, when you throw it in an RX-7 or a 240SX that came with rotaries or turbo 4's; now you completely change the entire dynamic of the car and give the car a new perspective. That's when an LS swap is intriguing.
 
MuuMuu101 said:
I get why people like LS engines. They're cheap, plentiful, and can make power. But they just bore me sometimes. To swap it for a car that already came with a V8 doesn't make sense to me as it will perform similar to the car it was in before. A 500 hp LS and a 500 hp Gen III Hemi will still feel like a 500 hp V8 at the end of the day. However, when you throw it in an RX-7 or a 240SX that came with rotaries or turbo 4's; now you completely change the entire dynamic of the car and give the car a new perspective. That's when an LS swap is intriguing.
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but it won't feel like a 500hp small block, big block, or gen 2 hemi. I think you're making an unfair comparison of Gen III vs LS. Most people looking to go LS aren't coming from a GenIII(Excluding the gray LX challenger from drag week.)

Are LS swaps boring and over done? Yep, but there is a good reason why they are done in so many cars. So it may never win a car show award, but it will a great performer that could be daily driven. Unfortunately I can't say my small block efi'd car is a good daily. :(
 
magnumdust said:
but it won't feel like a 500hp small block, big block, or gen 2 hemi. I think you're making an unfair comparison of Gen III vs LS. Most people looking to go LS aren't coming from a GenIII(Excluding the gray LX challenger from drag week.)

Are LS swaps boring and over done? Yep, but there is a good reason why they are done in so many cars. So it may never win a car show award, but it will a great performer that could be daily driven. Unfortunately I can't say my small block efi'd car is a good daily. :(
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Right, odds are someone won't switch between one 500hp V8 to another. But if I gave you a 500 hp Gen III Valiant for instance, assuming you never have driven a 500 hp LS Valiant, are you going to say, "Nope, this one isn't good enough because it's more expensive," or "No, this definitely doesn't feel like an LS. An LS would be so much better in X, Y, and Z." My point is, at the end of the day, whether you swap to a small block, Gen III Hemi, LS, or whatever V8 you can choose, if they're making about the same power and are about the same weight (within 100 lbs to disclude a big block or Gen II Hemi) the car is going to feel relatively the same (like a V8 muscle car).

Again, I'm not hating on LS swaps. I've seen a lot of cool ones out here in Cali. They're great daily driver/performing engines. I've thought about attempting one someday in the future. But if I were to do one, it would be in a Chevy (interchangeable parts and easy swap kits are readily available) or something different that would completely change the dynamics of the car completely (like the 240sx or RX-7 I mentioned before).
 
MuuMuu101 said:
Right, odds are someone won't switch between one 500hp V8 to another. But if I gave you a 500 hp Gen III Valiant for instance, assuming you never have driven a 500 hp LS Valiant, are you going to say, "Nope, this one isn't good enough because it's more expensive," or "No, this definitely doesn't feel like an LS. An LS would be so much better in X, Y, and Z." My point is, at the end of the day, whether you swap to a small block, Gen III Hemi, LS, or whatever V8 you can choose, if they're making about the same power and are about the same weight (within 100 lbs to disclude a big block or Gen II Hemi) the car is going to feel relatively the same (like a V8 muscle car).

Again, I'm not hating on LS swaps. I've seen a lot of cool ones out here in Cali. They're great daily driver/performing engines. I've thought about attempting one someday in the future. But if I were to do one, it would be in a Chevy (interchangeable parts and easy swap kits are readily available) or something different that would completely change the dynamics of the car completely (like the 240sx or RX-7 I mentioned before).
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I'd contend you would feel a difference between the gen3/LS & an older engine at 500hp. Just simply because the older engine is working harder to make the power. My (hopefully) 300ish hp 5.9 sure doesn't run and feel like a 300hp LS.

The problem with me doing an LS in a chevy is....have you seen most old chevy's?? I dig the mid 60s chevelles, the 2nd gen camaros, vegas and not much else. Aside from the vega, those cars have gotten pricey.
 
I know I can't afford a Gen 3 hemi swap at the moment, but that doesn't mean I'm going to run out and put an Ls in my car because it was cheap,have some class man!
 
[/QUOTE]The distributor conversion thing though, I really don't get my self. Unless your trying to turn 8000 + RPM. Eric L[/QUOTE]

I think your missing the point on this, its not about better performance. The thing with the distributor on the gen lll is for people wanting it old skool, and no computer. Maybe they are putting it in a model A street rod or something like that. Maybe its about somebody who likes, or is more comfortable with old skool tuneability and not laptop tuning. Everyone is different. I prefer tuning carbs, recurving distributors, and using a timing light to using laptops and dealing with, EFI, fuel and spark maps, and crank triggers. Although i am running a mopar electronic distributor with a (GASP) !!! GM 4 pin HEI, so i am not too much of a knuckle dragger. I know these are better than dual points.

The first engine to be dropped in my 67 is gonna be a 318. Only because i have one, it runs really good, and doesnt smoke. Plus i dont have the scratch right now to build the 360 i have in the corner of the shop. I got the block, crank, procomp heads, and a nice performer rpm intake, but i dont have the machine shop funds right now to redo the block and buy the parts needed so i can put it together. I figure a mild cam, and a quick freshen up of the bottom end and i will enjoy the teener until i get the 360 built.

To me, I think if the difference is that an old mopar gets pulled outta the weeds and runs around with LS power vs rotting away, i'd prefer to see it with LS power. I hear the hopped up LS cars runnin around my neighborhood, and i cant deny damn they sound great. That doesnt mean i wouldent want to see pentastar power under the hood, not by a longshot, but driving is better than rotting, plus its not like swapping an LS isnt reversable. You can always drop out the LS modded K and go back to old skool and mopar fairly easily. Or go hemi denny and have him set it up for both mopar and LS, to make swapping em even easier.
 
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thesiren74 said:
I know I can't afford a Gen 3 hemi swap at the moment, but that doesn't mean I'm going to run out and put an Ls in my car because it was cheap,have some class man!
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What exactly is "classless" about using a better engine that allows you to daily drive a classic?? Maybe car show people will be upset, but who cares about them? Car shows are mind numbing.
 
It doesn't matter what you do to a car. there will always be some people that disagree with what you have done if it strays away from the norm. Old hot rodders use to use Cadillac motors in what ever they had. Because that was what was available to them. I'm sure all the flat head guys thought just the same as some of you do. Not what they would have done. So the point is it's your car do what you want. Knowing if resale value is a concern you might want to rethink your options. My car will be in the same boat as a LS swap. I'm not using a LS in my build but it wont appeal to everyone. It will either be a love it or hate it situation.
 
I say screw it, if they want to weigh in on how you build your car they can pitch in to pay for it, otherwise they can have an opinion.......but they can keep it to themselves
 
prrc said:
It doesn't matter what you do to a car. there will always be some people that disagree with what you have done if it strays away from the norm. Old hot rodders use to use Cadillac motors in whatever they had. Because that was what was available to them. I'm sure all the flat head guys thought just the same as some of you do. Not what they would have done. So the point is it's your car do what you want. Knowing if resale value is a concern you might want to rethink your options. My car will be in the same boat as a LS swap. I'm not using a LS in my build but it won't appeal to everyone. It will either be a love it or hate it situation.
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DING DING DING!! We have a winner!

lxmodguy said:
I say screw it, if they want to weigh in on how you build your car they can pitch in to pay for it, otherwise they can have an opinion.......but they can keep it to themselves
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And another!! But, as mentioned elsewhere in this thread and in daily life, opinions...assholes, some assembly required. Water off a duck's back bro--they don't live your life.

If I were looking for the quickest way to get something running, from a logic, and as prorac1 mentioned, "dollars and sense" perspective, a used LS engine is damn near impossible to argue, especially if you have the fab capability to make it happen. Parts bin engineering is what keeps the hobby affordable and even if I might have my own personal reservations about some of the folks who do LS swaps (personality wise), the logic is there. Mopars are already expensive enough to deal with for most drivetrain parts (especially the rears), why overburden oneself with adding more money than necessary just to have a "correct" engine in it, unless that's what's important to you?
 
txstang84 said:
DING DING DING!! We have a winner!



And another!! But, as mentioned elsewhere in this thread and in daily life, opinions...assholes, some assembly required. Water off a duck's back bro--they don't live your life.

If I were looking for the quickest way to get something running, from a logic, and as prorac1 mentioned, "dollars and sense" perspective, a used LS engine is damn near impossible to argue, especially if you have the fab capability to make it happen. Parts bin engineering is what keeps the hobby affordable and even if I might have my own personal reservations about some of the folks who do LS swaps (personality wise), the logic is there. Mopars are already expensive enough to deal with for most drivetrain parts (especially the rears), why overburden oneself with adding more money than necessary just to have a "correct" engine in it, unless that's what's important to you?
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Thats why the furd xploder sport trac rears are popular. Lets break it down

8.8 with popular gear ratios.
Sport trac uses 3.73 ratio standard
Same as Mopar 5 on 4&1/2 stud pattern
Trac lok LSD
Rear disc brakes
Price $200 at junkyard
$50 extra right side axle to shorten, then install.

Xploder axle cant be beat for the price.
 
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And if you're OK with setting up used gears, 4.10/4.30/4.56s are available everywhere on the secondhand market from mustang guys trading up or down ratios.
 
txstang84 said:
And if you're OK with setting up used gears, 4.10/4.30/4.56s are available everywhere on the secondhand market from mustang guys trading up or down ratios.
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Easy to shorten left side 3" and install a RH axle on the left side. Honestly if i wasnt so close to having everything to assemble my 8&3/4 for the 67 notch, i would have done a pick n pull exploder rear, and never looked back.

We will be doing that one on the 69 notch, and using dippy fmj spindle front brakes. No bump steer if using geometry corrected tubular UCAs. Hey Txstang84 ask Jim Scott about that one lol. He gave me a tutorial on mopar disc brake spindles one day. FMJs are extremely close to 73 up A body spindles, exact actually except for the upper ball joint attach point being 1/4" taller.
 
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moparmat2000 said:
Easy to shorten left side 3" and install a RH axle on the left side. Honestly if i wasnt so close to having everything to assemble my 8&3/4 for the 67 notch, i would have done a pick n pull exploder rear, and never looked back.

We will be doing that one on the 69 notch, and using dippy fmj spindle front brakes. No bump steer if using geometry corrected tubular UCAs. Hey Txstang84 ask Jim Scott about that one lol. He gave me a tutorial on mopar disc brake spindles one day. FMJs are extremely close to 73 up A body spindles, exact actually except for the upper ball joint attach point being 1/4" taller.
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Yeah, I've done a pretty good bit of reading on specifically that subject. Hence the reason I wasn't the least bit concerned when I picked up a set of FMJ spindles and some of the big rotor brackets. I still need to buy a set of calipers, bearings, seals, etc, but I have the rotors to swap in the Cordoba big brakes.
 
You guys realize the Original Poster hasn't been seen here since
March 11, 2014...Gee, I wonder why?
 
Yeah, I noticed...

I think people have already addressed why he left. If it's that big of a deal to keep a thread going without the OP, then mods will lock or delete the thread. Personally, I'd like to see someone revive it with their LS powered project because it gives insight as to the different methods people use to modify their cars to fit something that didn't come equipped from the factory...
 
We just installed an 8.8 into my sons 63 valiant. Pics are in our build thread. It really is as easy as it sounds.

I had to slip at least one non mopar part into the build. Lol.
 
txstang84 said:
Yeah, I noticed...

I think people have already addressed why he left. If it's that big of a deal to keep a thread going without the OP, then mods will lock or delete the thread. Personally, I'd like to see someone revive it with their LS powered project because it gives insight as to the different methods people use to modify their cars to fit something that didn't come equipped from the factory...
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I have an LS that will be going into our 69 Dart. Progress will be slow...tossing around the idea of a build thread but when it turns ugly that will be the end of it. Notice I said when, not if.
 
inkjunkie said:
I have an LS that will be going into our 69 Dart. Progress will be slow...tossing around the idea of a build thread but when it turns ugly that will be the end of it. Notice I said when, not if.
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Yea yea Doug , you've been saying that for years now. It's 2017 , I joined fabo over 6 years ago and you haven't even pulled the 318 out yet LMFAO
Oh and BTW, I refuse to muck up any build thread you put together even if it means a Chevy in a Mopar LOL
 
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inkjunkie said:
I have an LS that will be going into our 69 Dart. Progress will be slow...tossing around the idea of a build thread but when it turns ugly that will be the end of it. Notice I said when, not if.
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Oh, if the build thread gets ugly. I was gonna say, I seen you and pretty wasn't gonna be my first description.
:rofl:
 
Why are so many people afraid, of LS swaps? They DO MAKE HORSEPOWER,and are COMPLETELY SOUL LESS ,and BORING....... To each ,their own......
 
73AbodEE said:
Yea yea Doug , you've been saying that for years now. It's 2017 , I joined fabo over 6 years ago and you haven't even pulled the 318 out yet LMFAO
Oh and BTW, I refuse to muck up any build thread you put together even it means a Chevy in a Mopar LOL
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318? My sh?tbox had a /. Fixed income & falling apart physically makes things a bit of a challenge...
 
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