How to Install gauges for your LS swap

[Cutlass]

Here's a good write-up on how to install gauges for your LS swap.

http://www.ls1.com/forums/f6/how-ins...ite-up-121134/

I'd say most people are gonna want to install a Coolant Temp gauge, Oil Pressure gauge, and Tachometer.

For Coolant temp, it looks like the options are:

• Using the coolant plug in the passenger head near #8 plug. This is the same location as the factory temp sensor on the driver's side
• Using the block freeze plug by tapping it for a sensor.
• Using a radiator hose adaptor like these: Hose Adapters
• Or using a brass tee in the coolant bypass/steam hose like this:
  

For Oil Pressure

• Use a oil filter sandwich adapter
• Or drill and tap the cooler block of plate above the oil filter:
  

[Firebirdjones]

The oil pressure trick is what I used on my swap, however I went a different route on the mechanical coolant gauge.
Since older mechanical coolant gauges use a 1/2 pipe thread sender, there is no adapter that works on the LS engines with their tiny metric threaded holes in the cylinder heads. The only adapters made are for newer electric gauges (smaller sender) So I simply drilled and tapped the hole for 1/2 pipe thread, problem solved Here are some pics......

Here is the tiny metric hole..


As you can see there is a major size difference..I have the hole drilled and tapped at this point


And here it is installed along with the proper size drill bit and tap.

[tatertot91]

Thanks for posting this up.
Sure lots of people doing swaps are looking for this kind of info

[Cutlass]

i like what you did there FBJ!!

[Firebirdjones]

Thanks Cutlass. There is alot of little stuff to these swaps like this that typical magazines don't cover or bother to mention. They all appear to make these swaps seem easy and that everyone should do it.
I had to fabricate and modify alot of stuff to make it work. Took me a solid 3 weeks working non stop from start to finish. That doesn't include getting the new 6.0 ready, and building a new 4L60E to go with it.
It's the little things like this that are a big help I believe. Thanks for getting this started. This could be a great Forum section.

[jwcarguy]

We used the brass adapter fittings that autometer makes

they worked out great

[Firebirdjones]

The only adapters I'm aware of from them require you to use their gauges. I assume that's what you did here?
I adapted the factory OEM NPT style gauges to a metric engine so I could keep the inside looking stock.

[jwcarguy]

Yeah, sorry, I just assumed they were using aftermarket gauges in their swap, not factory units

[Firebirdjones]

No need to appologize sir. I had thought maybe they finally started making adapters to convert metric style engines to american threaded factory gauges...

[SMWS6TA]

Why isn't this sticky???

[Firebirdjones]

Why isn't this sticky???

It's old I guess, and my pictures never stay up long anyway. I guess if someone were interested in making this a sticky I could provide someone with the pictures that have the ability to post them perminantly.