FuzzKill's LS3/6MT Caprice
Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2017 12:55 pm
Was waiting for the new member build section, and here it is.
My build is mostly complete I guess you could say, but I will update this thread with what I do in the future.
Bought the Caprice from a private seller in Texas, originally was a patrol car in the Carolinas. 9C1, all stock except for the wheels (which I dig very much).
After the long drive from TX back to South Florida, I immediately started acquiring parts for the G8 interior swap. Picked up the console, shifter, front and rear seats, and carpet from a donor G8 and had everything swapped over within a week or two of owning the car. Much improved.
Around the same time I finished that up, I came across a deal I could not pass up on some brand new first gen CTS-V calipers. Snatched them up and put them on the car - was a great upgrade. Also installed new struts all the way around with SS springs for a slight drop. Also installed a VCM OTR intake.
The car ran great, but you could barely tell it was on standing next to it - I ordered a Magnaflow CBE for a G8 and bolted it on without too much trouble. Had to extend the tips and midsection but otherwise like it was made for the car.
About this point is where I went off the deep end. I started gathering parts for an entire drivetrain swap. I was really missing rowing my own gears. I debated just doing an LS3 swap, vs. a DOD delete, vs LS3 w/ manual. Aside from what I had to get from GM, I got a good deal on parts and I made back a good amount selling the L77/6L80E. I've had the car for 3 months at this point.
Got an LS3/TR6060 dropout from a 2011 Camaro SS
Also got a 3.45 LSD diff from same Camaro SS
TSP Stage 1 cam 225/236 .629/.615
Shifter, boot, harness, hydraulics, etc from Pace Performance
Driveshaft shortened locally
GXP engine and Caprice body harness modified with assistance from kras007
BCM reflashed by WAMS
Shifter trim for 6MT VE series II ordered from AUS
All in all, the swap went pretty smoothly and didn't really hit any big snags. Finished product is amazing. Love the slight lope at idle and the engine trans combo is great in this car. Net cost of the swap was only around $4k after I sold the original parts, and because I did all the labor. Everything looks and functions as stock. Cruise works, no warning lights, wrong indicators, etc.
Since I finished the swap the Caprice has been back to DD duties and is averaging about 16MPG in mostly city driving. Straight highway I got 21MPG.
I finally have some more work planned for the Caprice, hopefully getting done in the next week or two.
Ordered some JBA longtube headers, which I will mate up to the Magnaflow CBE. Once that is done, I will be getting the car dyno tuned at a reputable LS tuner. I have HPT but I know I'm not getting the most out of my setup and honestly there is a lot more going on in this tune than what I am used to with the older LS1 PCMs. If everything turns out well I'll probably have them tune my Datsun too
My build is mostly complete I guess you could say, but I will update this thread with what I do in the future.
Bought the Caprice from a private seller in Texas, originally was a patrol car in the Carolinas. 9C1, all stock except for the wheels (which I dig very much).
After the long drive from TX back to South Florida, I immediately started acquiring parts for the G8 interior swap. Picked up the console, shifter, front and rear seats, and carpet from a donor G8 and had everything swapped over within a week or two of owning the car. Much improved.
Around the same time I finished that up, I came across a deal I could not pass up on some brand new first gen CTS-V calipers. Snatched them up and put them on the car - was a great upgrade. Also installed new struts all the way around with SS springs for a slight drop. Also installed a VCM OTR intake.
The car ran great, but you could barely tell it was on standing next to it - I ordered a Magnaflow CBE for a G8 and bolted it on without too much trouble. Had to extend the tips and midsection but otherwise like it was made for the car.
About this point is where I went off the deep end. I started gathering parts for an entire drivetrain swap. I was really missing rowing my own gears. I debated just doing an LS3 swap, vs. a DOD delete, vs LS3 w/ manual. Aside from what I had to get from GM, I got a good deal on parts and I made back a good amount selling the L77/6L80E. I've had the car for 3 months at this point.
Got an LS3/TR6060 dropout from a 2011 Camaro SS
Also got a 3.45 LSD diff from same Camaro SS
TSP Stage 1 cam 225/236 .629/.615
Shifter, boot, harness, hydraulics, etc from Pace Performance
Driveshaft shortened locally
GXP engine and Caprice body harness modified with assistance from kras007
BCM reflashed by WAMS
Shifter trim for 6MT VE series II ordered from AUS
All in all, the swap went pretty smoothly and didn't really hit any big snags. Finished product is amazing. Love the slight lope at idle and the engine trans combo is great in this car. Net cost of the swap was only around $4k after I sold the original parts, and because I did all the labor. Everything looks and functions as stock. Cruise works, no warning lights, wrong indicators, etc.
Since I finished the swap the Caprice has been back to DD duties and is averaging about 16MPG in mostly city driving. Straight highway I got 21MPG.
I finally have some more work planned for the Caprice, hopefully getting done in the next week or two.
Ordered some JBA longtube headers, which I will mate up to the Magnaflow CBE. Once that is done, I will be getting the car dyno tuned at a reputable LS tuner. I have HPT but I know I'm not getting the most out of my setup and honestly there is a lot more going on in this tune than what I am used to with the older LS1 PCMs. If everything turns out well I'll probably have them tune my Datsun too