Preliminary LS set up '71 T/A
 

As I previously mentioned, I going to switch to an LS. This is my set up but is still a work in progress.

I don't have any advice on your LS swap but I applaud you. Around here, that's sacrilegious, but I'm personally all for it. The LS engines are among the best in the world, and far better than any Pontiac engine could ever dream to be. People here like to applaud what the Japanese, Koreans, Sweds are doing, but they ignore what GM has done with the LS engines.

Don't get me wrong, I, too. LOVE Pontiac engines, but I've learned that they are far outclassed by the LS engines. I have one in one of my classic Pontiacs. I also have them in my 2004 and 2006 GTOs. I recently acquired a 1971 GTO, and it, too, will get an LS of some stripe.

Looks good. Nice work on making the shaker work.

Yes, Sacrilegious for me too. Definitely a tough decision but I still have the motor in my signature. Its very easily switched back.

Is the shaker bolted to the hood?

Shaker
 

Currently the shaker is attached to the hood temporarily. I already have a plan to restore to operational. I'm waiting on tig welder repair. This set up puts the throttle body way above the fenders. Who'd have thought a smaller engine would have been so tall? This set up is taller than a Super Victor on a Pontiac. Going back to shaker is actually going to be cake.

Excellent. About to swap in an L99 from a 2010 SS into a 1981 non turbo TA. Never thought I would do a swap but what the heck

Me Too...It was a tough decision...I figured I would try it. If I didn't like it, I have different vehicles I could put the LS in. So, really not a waste. I will say it was not not cheap. It cost me more for parts to install than it did to buy the motor and do all the upgrades to the motor itself. Sheesh !

What was your deciding factor in going LS?

I drive my car a lot and I drive in different states. I was looking for reliability and ease of getting parts in case of a break down. I never had a problem with the Pontiac engine, it never left me stuck, but nothing on the Pontiac engine was Pontiac, look at my signature. Everything was aftermarket like valve train and so forth. So, As hard as it is to get stock Pontiac parts, aftermarket are definitely not happening without online order(possible hotel stay). I mean you can't even get a water pump or intake/exhaust gaskets at a local parts store anymore (without at least a warehouse run). I figured with an LS I would have a better chance getting off the shelf parts. Granted not much is "stock" on the LS either but factory parts almost always interchange. I hope what I'm saying is making sense.

Valid argument, but, realize that even the LS has gone through a number of changes, Gen III, IV, and V have their' own differences, and compatibility of parts can still be a challenge.

Primer:

https://www.onallcylinders.com/2017/...engine-family/

Knowing what the donor car was for the powerplant is a good start for parts sourcing, and the less you change from original, the easier it is. But obviously, in many cases, at least some things need to be changed for a swap.

Comparatively, parts are not inexpensive either. To do an LS 'right', is much more than doing a traditional engine, and make the same power. In a lot of cases, traditional engines are less expensive to make the same power, or more.

I like swaps for the basic reason that it reaches the 'roots' of 'hot rodding', and has been done forever. I am also a big fan of the LS engines, and in some cases I too would want one, I just can't afford it! But you have to understand, just because you drop one between your frame rails, it's not an instant recipe for reliability.

Subscribing. Very interested in how folks make out on these types of projects, gives ideas of future projects, and real world experiences. Thank you for taking the dive!

.

Gen III and Gen IV are very interchangeable. Gen V starts to get a little hairy.

What A/C compressor is that?

Its an R4.