ls2 into a 1950,s cadillac install

[daf]

i am playing with the idea of putting the ls2 and auto into a 50's cadillac. i am looking for a competant shop to do the work. i have recieved a quote from a holden dealers for complete ls2, trans and all other parts to do the transplant of $15600 but i need a shop to do the work. .any suggestions for someone who has done a similar sort of transplant before. the car currently has the original v8 and auto trans. regards
daf

[JohnS]

15k is way too much, try Holmart

[Mad4Monaros]

Mate you would be able to pick up a LS2 and Auto alot cheaper than that. Shop around, I'm sure you will save yourself a few thousand.

[S2VYSS]

Very cool project mate. There is a guy in melbourne that would be able to do it, Steve at MKAL

[hotbox]

Very cool project mate. There is a guy in melbourne that would be able to do it, Steve at MKAL

Agree MKAL is very good he has done conversions into all sorts of cars.

$15600 should cover the whole job being auto. good luck make sure you post up picks of the build.

[S2VYSS]

I'm not sure how much steve charges, but you can be sure that the work will be of the highest standard around

[German Statesman]

Very interesting....I had a '61 Coupe De Ville and I took measurements of the EFI 454 and a then-new LS1 in a VT2 to see what was needed to hoik the ol' 390 oil leaker and slushy 4 speed Jetaway auto :)

The frames/chassis up to '59 are all similar and interchangeable, but 60s models had the X-frame chassis and very little is the same. The '58 Fleetwood Brougham pioneered airbag suspension but nearly all were recalled and replaced with springs - '59 was re-engineered and an airbag Caddy is the smoothest ride you can get. the good news is that '57 on will have the big a-arms and coils to take aftermarket bags, and are an easy retrofit.

First of all, decide on a model....anything from '54 to '60 is considered a classic (especially coupes and convertibles) and they look great done up - my pick would be a '58 Fleetwood or Series 62 sedan because its the quad headlight look, the big fins (not as big as '59), and its an airbag chassis.

WATCH FOR RUST IN THE FLOORS - this is a Caddy headache especially in convertibles, and its common in the sills too. replacement floors are readily available but it depends on how much you want to spend.

When you update the drivetrain, make sure you fit '67-'70 Eldorado front disc brakes and booster - this is an easy fit and is on the internet. You might want to look at a rack and pinion steering kit too because the standard power assisted ram is effective but has no road feel whatsoever, and driving a 50s-60s caddy is a point and aim exercise rather than feel as you drive - my ex spun our '61 180 degrees trying to take a corner like her Festiva did, and she later said driving the Coupe De Ville was like steering a lounge room :lmao:

The good news - lovely old cruiser to glide around in, turns heads like nothing else, all underneath standard GM bits and easily available through the US. Also a very good reproduction market in the US for labels, badges, repro panels, etc. if you hit something in one, you'll come off best, '63 Chevrolets included :eyes:

The bad news - these are a HUGE car, and take a bit of getting used to - they don't stop like a Commodore, they CERTAINLY don't handle and steer like one :confused: Once you lose one, you lose - you can't correct 3 tons of spongy Yankmobile on 15x5s and 80 profile whitewalls...and that's sphincter-tightening stuff in wet weather. The chrome costs around $2000 per bumper and grille to rechrome, and the intricate bullets and pieces in the '61 grille DO come apart and that's why you see so many for sale pulled apart - an absolute brain-fry to reassemble. Some dodgy American parts guys will treble prices when they hear you've got a Caddy :vpo: i used to quote the GM body prefix (Cadillac/Buick/Oldsmobile shared greenhouses and frames for many years) and leave it at that.

Search the web, have a ball and if you do get one, you'll love it - i miss mine badly and cried like a baby when I sold it :bawl:

Cheers, best of luck. PM me if I can help with contacts and US places.

JOHN

[daf]

hi
thanks john.
the car i already have is a 1955 cadillac, and i love it. it frustrates me that i can not stop the engine leaking a little oil, that it is smelly, runs poorly when cold and has 96rwkw i have done everything i can to extra some power from it but that is the best i can do. i want the 50's style but with modern power. it appears steve might be the guy to contact. does anyone know if his shop has a website?
thanks for the sugestions guys, any other shops i should talk to would a help.
re
daf

thank you for the reply

[SecretSquirrel]

This project is all class! Please keep us informed of how you get on, I'd love to see pictures!

Si

[KeenGolfer]

I'm sure GenTech in Canberra (sponsor) could do the conversion for you. They know their stuff on LSx.

[daf]

I'm sure GenTech in Canberra (sponsor) could do the conversion for you. They know their stuff on LSx.

i have a lot of respect for gentech. i think they are very professional.


15k is way too much, try Holmart

hi
i tried holmart, they got back with a great quote straight away. their price for the engine was excellent.
re
daf

[Phonic]

I would love to see the finished result of an LS2 into an ol'skool classic.

[JohnS]

hi
i tried holmart, they got back with a great quote straight away. their price for the engine was excellent.
re
daf

Daf,

If you go head pls post some updates and pics.

Cheers
John

[daf]

thanks guys
i have contacted gentech and got a quote for labour/install. i will post some pics as i intend to go ahead with this transplant.
re
daf

[German Statesman]

hi
thanks john.
the car i already have is a 1955 cadillac, and i love it. it frustrates me that i can not stop the engine leaking a little oil, that it is smelly, runs poorly when cold and has 96rwkw i have done everything i can to extra some power from it but that is the best i can do. i want the 50's style but with modern power. it appears steve might be the guy to contact. does anyone know if his shop has a website?
thanks for the sugestions guys, any other shops i should talk to would a help.
re
daf

thank you for the reply


Sweet - the '55 is a lovely car :)

Sadly, the 331/365/390 Cad V8s all drip oil - some aftermarket gaskets are better than others, but you would only chase all the oil leaks if you were rebuilding the entire engine...

Speaking of which :nyuk:

The 365 you'll have, will take the '54-'58 Eldorado dual quad carbs on the factory 2 x 4 manifold and the famous batwing air cleaner - these are great carbs and provided 325hp on the stock motor. There is also the '59-'60 Eldo0 tripower triple carb set-up, and they are even more complicated but go even better and pumped out 345hp on the 390s - the sound is great when you wrench them open :bow::bow::bow:

There are still hop-up parts for Caddy motors - Chet Herbert cams, Offenhauser dress up gear and Moon still make some stuff for them too. you can even get adapters so you can fit T400 trans behind them instead of the leisurely Jetaway

If you go a late model LS motor, you'll have the best of modern technology, and modern tech in old school bodies is all the rage.

Cheers

JOHN

[daf]

thanks john
you are right on all those counts. mine already has the dual quad setup. slightly more power but still sluggish. my intention is to remove the motor and trans and put it in my garage. if i was to ever sell the car it would be included. i recently had the engine rebuilt as it had thrown a bearing. new gaskets everywhere by a great mechanic but they still leak oil.
cheers
daf

[German Statesman]

Sounds like you've done all the right things :)

I drove a '61 CDV that had a small block in it and it went very well with heaps less weight, and a '65 that had a 500 in it out of a '70 Fleetwood - now THERE'S an engine, 1hp per cube and you've got a ball tearer :bow:

Did you buy a Series 62 sedan, or Fleetwood?

[daf]

hi
1955 conv

[German Statesman]

Cool - i nearly bought a Coral Blue '55 Coupe De Ville and I'm sorry I didn't. :bawl:

[daf]

Never To Late
Try Ebay

[German Statesman]

Waiting for the $$$ fairy to come back :bawl:

[luvsit]

sounds a very cool project, would love to see the result,
i myself currently involvoed in doing up my hq statesman,
it will be ls1 twin turbo, drivable and fun.

cheers and gl