Just Saying Hello

**el-camino-bill** · 08-21-2009, 01:36 PM

I am a new member. I have just completed a LS1 swap into my 1969 el Camino. I have some questions that I hope to get some help with. I also have gained a lot of experience from doing this swap. I will say it is definitely a major difference having the 5.3 between the frame rails.

Have a good one,

Bill

**allbaugh_04** · 08-21-2009, 06:09 PM

Hello, feel free to share pictures of your car. I bet that camino really hauls now.

**KahanaReef** · 08-21-2009, 06:11 PM

Yes! Please post pictures

And, welcome to the site

**cant.b.caught.z28** · 11-05-2009, 03:57 PM

bringing this back from the dead... recently I have been thinking about an ls1 swap into an el camino. It would be an 81 el camino, so not exactly the same as the OP's setup, but anything would help.. I just need someone to tell me what exactly i'd be gettin into

**FORD RECOVERY EXPERT** · 11-05-2009, 04:01 PM

Welcome Bill.

**toi tyme** · 11-05-2009, 04:15 PM

Welcome to the site

**SiggyZ** · 11-06-2009, 07:18 AM

Welcome aboard Bill!

**el-camino-bill** · 11-06-2009, 11:26 AM

Well I hope this information is helpful. The main reason that I wanted to put an LS engine in my el Camino is for reliablitiy. I read an article in Car Craft about a year and a half ago and they installed an LS engine into a 1967 el Camino. So I started to do my reasearch. I think the biggest thing to over come is the fact that the computer factor. I had worked on fuel injected cars before so that was not a big deal. Actually fuel injection is fairly straight forward and a very good system. The install was fairly straight forward also. The key is to make sure you have done your research. I had to make the following changes to the engine, prior to install. The Oil pan had to be changed. There are a number of companies who make after market oil pans for these swaps. I am not real familiar with the 81 el Camino. I have seen an LS engine in that model though. The person got the engine out of a Camaro. I did not find out if he had to make a change to the oil pan. I do know that it looked good and ran fine. He also had the 4l60E trans. On my swap I also had to change out the exhaust for headers. I was planning on doing that anyway. Since I used a 5.3 out of a Silverado I also had to change out the intake manifold, fuel rail and fuel injectors. Had I wanted to go to a bgger injector I could have used the 5.7 injectors that came with the intake manifold. I also changed out the fuel tank. I got a Stainless steel tank from Ricks Hot Rods in Texas. It was complete with pump and sending unit. All I had to do was plumb it in. I had the wiring harness modified by a company called wait for me performance. Wiring the enginewas really straight forward. Just plug in and go. I also had to modify the cross member for the transmission. I also had to get the adapter engine mounts, from trans dapt. Again there are numerous companies who make these also. I had to change the altenator power steering and a/c bracket also. I purchased that set up from KWIK Performance. As I went through the swap it seemed like a bunch of little projects to accomplish the main goal. After I got the engine and trans all hooked up and the fluids checked I turned the key and it fired right up. Wow what a difference. It was just like a newer car. Just start it up and take off. I am planning on putting together a bunch of pictures and a detailed commentary on how I did the swap from begining to end. The only other thing is if your el Camino has to be smogged you will need to make sure that you get all of the oxygen sensors and install catalytic converters. That is not that big a deal though.

Good luck and have fun.