Chevy & GMC Vans

Hey all,

So I pulled van into the shop today and started to remove everything to drop the motor out the bottom. Everything has gone smoothly so far, but I have run into a couple snags. The big one is the ABS module. WTF do I do with this? My plan is to unbolt it from the fire wall, disconnect it from the proportioning valve and drop it our the bottom with the motor/trans. Has anyone done a V8 swap with ABS, and if so, have you gotten it to work again? If not, does anyone have a clue how to throw it away and setup for non-abs?

Looking into installation, the problem I am going to face is the A/C unit on the LT1. I could really use some as many pictures as possible on LT1 installs. Also, anyone who has solved the intake/boot/MAF/Filter problem please advise. If anyone has pictures please send them to me, I could really use the help. jc ( a t ) xephius.com

Tomorrow I have to drop the motor out, Thursday build the motor, Friday install. Saturday should be my drive home day provided all parts come in and install goes smoothly. Any and all help appreciated!

While I haven't put it back together to see if it will work, I disconnected the lines from the ABS thing and left it in place. (I followed the instructions in the GM service manual for dropping my subframe.)

I don't know how it works on a '95, but on a '96 and newer, you don't do anything with the ABS except disconect the rear brake line from it. You unplug the electrical wires at the ABS and you take the master cylinder loose and let it hang when you drop the sub frame and nothing on the front brakes are disturbed. Again, I'm not sure on a '95, sorry.

I know the astro subframe is very similar to the 2nd gen camaros. The guys from my camaro website who have installed the LT1/LS1 motors notched the frame and boxed it back in for the AC compressors since they are mounted down low. I would imagine you could have custom bracket and hoses made to relocate it up on top.
Where is Neal at? he would be the one to ask.

I already sent him a pic of the frame crossmember notch for a LS1 and a pic of the body raised up with the stuff left hanging on the complete sub frame assy.

There just are'nt that many 95 & up swaps period,regardless of which engine was used.Hopefully you will be able to change all that and document your swap, which in turn will help some other member down the road.

HPbyStan wrote:I already sent him a pic of the frame crossmember notch for a LS1 and a pic of the body raised up with the stuff left hanging on the complete sub frame assy.

HPbyStan,

I have not seen any pictures, when did you send them? Can you resend them, I will keep an eye on my junk folder, but I have not seen anything. Thanks for sending them!

Do a Google search of other Chevy forums with LT1 swaps, as someone mentioned for ideas.......

I'm mid swing with my LT1 swap in my 98. I mounted the engine, tranny to the frame and positioned the power plant so the back of the tranny is the same as the 4.3 was and found out the tranny mount wont line up in ether mounting holes. The A/C compressor is about 1/2 in from the frame, notch? I think I'll use the ABS controller from the 95 Caprice sence the harness will plug in.
I was wondering how high the tail end of the tranny shold be as the caprice had three shims. The power steering pump is on the other side of the engine so I will use the pressure hose from the caprice and find a return line.
The mounts from JTR work great. the exhaust will be a challenge but I'm looking forward to it. The pipes on the caprice are 2 1/4 and I am going to run both on the right side hoping to find a muffler with dual 2 1/4 inlet and a three inch outlet so I can use the stock tail pipe.
If anyone can answer some of these questions much Mahalo. Mike

Xephius wrote:Hey all,

So I pulled van into the shop today and started to remove everything to drop the motor out the bottom. Everything has gone smoothly so far, but I have run into a couple snags. The big one is the ABS module. WTF do I do with this? My plan is to unbolt it from the fire wall, disconnect it from the proportioning valve and drop it our the bottom with the motor/trans. Has anyone done a V8 swap with ABS, and if so, have you gotten it to work again? If not, does anyone have a clue how to throw it away and setup for non-abs?

Looking into installation, the problem I am going to face is the A/C unit on the LT1. I could really use some as many pictures as possible on LT1 installs. Also, anyone who has solved the intake/boot/MAF/Filter problem please advise. If anyone has pictures please send them to me, I could really use the help. jc ( a t ) xephius.com

Tomorrow I have to drop the motor out, Thursday build the motor, Friday install. Saturday should be my drive home day provided all parts come in and install goes smoothly. Any and all help appreciated!

On the top of the engine there is a large flat air resonator that clamps to the air duct, I cut that, nipple and round plastic part above. There is a plastic box with a clamp and sleeve, I cut the sleeve so I could use it to go over the Mass and clamped to the curved duct. I have a cone K&N air filter that clamped to the Mass.

I strongly suggest you try to leave all the other stuff intact. I dunno about your ABS, mine is located under the truck. But if you're careful and identify ALL wiring and stuff, you can pull this swap off and still have ABS, air bags, cruise, speedo etc. As I did.
Then again, I'm incredible...

Then again, I'm incredible...

Mike,
will the outside tail stock from the Astro transmission bolt to the transmission you are now using. A lot of those, the only difference is the rear mount itself. I lost track of which tranny you are now using

peter wrote: Then again, I'm incredible...

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