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View Full Version : LS1 conversion into my ski boat!!!....



davus
15-09-2008, 10:34 PM
Howdy Guys,

Well, as the topic says, I have decided to embark on a project to swap the 350 chev in my boat out for an LS1.

Ive already identified a few parts im going to need to make it happen.

The exhaust manifolds will need to be swapped. The exhaust manifolds have a seperatre water jacket running through them to keep them cool. Because the heads are different between the LS1 and the 350 chev (LT1) the exhaust manifolds dont fit. Bloody things cost $800 just for the headers!.

The sump will also need to be modified. Given that the engine has to sit in the boat backwards (intake to the rear) the front (or rear in this case) of the sump sits too low meaning the motor wont sit in all the way.

I think ill also need to get a new bell housing (which is actually bolted to where the timing gear goes!), given that the timing case on the LT1 and the LS1 are different as well.

Here's a question im throwing out there.........One of the things im trying to find out is what I can do about the loom. I already have a PCM (ill use the road runner for a while), and obviously because its pretty much bare bones in the boat, i dont need all the other bells and whistles that the loom can provide.

Can anyone shed any light on wether or not i might have any options for a "cut down" version of a wiring loom purely just to handle running the motor??. Better still, does anyone have one they might want to part with for a reasonable price for the project??. (bit of a classified there).

Anyway, all in all it should be a good fun project. I also have an LS1 twin turbo kit under the house that ive been sitting on for a while. Im thinking of maybe trying to fit it up to the boat as well. ....... but one step at a time me thinks.

I have an LS1 motor with about 50,000 ks on it on an engine stand in the garage, and a 220 200 518 518 112 cam. In other words, im starting to gather all my parts!

Id be really interested to hear anyones ideas, comments, input, slander, etc......

Thanks for reading.

Dave

macca33
15-09-2008, 10:48 PM
Sounds like a grouse project Dave - keep us updated with plenty of pics as you go!

Cheers,

Macca

SVNLTR
15-09-2008, 10:59 PM
Sounds good

i notice that their is a few people putting them into boats lately

hope all goes well

Thanks

Nick--

doubledip
15-09-2008, 11:06 PM
Nice project .... Sideshow and I have done a couple of boats with LSX's in them


LS1 with cable throttle in a Force speed boat
LS2 FBW into another boat (unsure of name)
L76 FBW into a Lewis i think it is - check this thread Australian LS1 and Holden Forums (http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=94924)
the looms as they come factory really cant be stripped down too much more. If you fit a manual loom then it would be the best as you only need to remove the manual gearbox section.. you may or may not run O2's and Air con (2 wires) can also be removed. The other trick/problem is whether you decide to turn the manifold around or not as then things like the TPS and IAC need to be lengthend. In all our boats we have wired we have custom made the harness to suit so the wiring can be kept out of the way of exhaust and run neatly. also you will want to run so of the wires a fair way up teh front for your gauges, igniton and then where ever you want the diagnostics plug etc....

thats some of the things to keep in mind

Smokin SS
15-09-2008, 11:17 PM
PM sent...

ls1vt209
16-09-2008, 01:04 PM
Good luck with it, should make for an interesting and challenging project. Hope you keep us posted with pics along the way.

spanks
16-09-2008, 01:58 PM
What about 4 bbl manifold and msd ignition.That will cut the wiring significantly.

German Statesman
16-09-2008, 04:52 PM
What about 4 bbl manifold and msd ignition.That will cut the wiring significantly.

Don't forget the Holley 650DP and Federal Mongrel 160gph fuel pump :rofl:

sv300 - 75
06-01-2011, 09:56 PM
hey guys, sorry to bring up an old thread but i thought it was easier then starting a new one.

me and a mate are looking at putting an LS1 into a boat we are building and i was wondering how you went with the install???
we dont want to spend 16k for a new mercury v8 when we can convert an LS1 for less then half, well at least we hope.

does anyone have some helpfull hints for our journey, we are just starting out and are after all the advice and experience we can get.

Beejay Cobra
09-01-2011, 07:48 PM
I have just finished an LS1 powered ski boat.

Virtually all of the add on parts are available from Rolco / Kincaid and the wiring was done by Justin and Jim from Sideshows.

A bit of mucking around to make it work, but much cheaper than a PCM engine!

Ben