'00 SL1 LS4 V8 Sleeper Project

[Sean R]

I have been working on this project for awhile now, so I figure it is time to make a thread for the project. As you know, 99% of all s-series engine swap ideas never come to fruition, but this is actually happening. I'm honestly not sure what possessed me to want to do such a crazy project, but a lot of people doubted me. I did get a lot of influence from seeing the LS4 fiero swap Fieroguru (LS1tech and fiero forums) did as somewhat of a direction for the swap.

Pictures and progress will follow.

[Sean R]

The first day I bought this car for $500 for the sole purpose to do a V8 swap in it to build the ultimate sleeper project.

[Sean R]

I took apart the '06 Impala SS LS4 5.3L engine to clean and swap in an LS9 cam. This is a good performing N/A camshaft, but also allows for a possible future turbo addition in the future. I also did a DoD/AFM delete and upgraded the valve springs.





I also test-fitted the '02 Cavalier 5 speed manual transmission which is known as the F23 transmission.

[Sean R]

Then I started doing some test-fitting.










And here with the intake manifold and 102mm throttle body installed.

[01satillac]

Anything pertaining to "LS swap" has my interest! Subscribed!

[fetchitfido]

Won't be the 1st V8 S-Series, but is probably the 1st to not be totally obvious about it. Awesome.

Hope you can find front springs with a high enough rate to not run around fully compressed with that V8 on them

[Sean R]

Thanks guys!

As far as too much weight on the front end... Aluminum block LSx engines are not all that much heavier than an inline 4 (maybe 150lb max). The battery is relocated to the trunk to alleviate this, as well as the current deletion of the front A/C components. I have had the car on the ground before and it does not look like it's squatting much at all (if any) from the slight added weight up front.

I have seen a few people swap in iron block chevy engines in a longitudinal F/R layout before and then put in some rearend from some other car. At that point, it isn't a Saturn anymore in my opinion. In case people don't notice the transverse fwd layout, this car will still drive like an s-series with over 3 times more power and very little weight penalty.

Is this the first s-series fwd V8 swap ever done? I've never seen one done before.

[SLfun]

I'm speechless....this is too good...can't wait to see this thing run!

[Sean R]

Here's some more pictures:

Getting the serpentine belt ran. I probably could use another ribbed idler.













Running the exhaust was pretty tricky on this car and running dual exhaust like I did is practically a miracle.



Driver side pipe (must not have taken a picture of passenger side. oops)



Showing how the exhaust goes under the oil pan (still more clearance than stock)



The mufflers are tucked up under the bumper to hide the fact that it has a dual exhaust on it.



Here it is with full exhaust, test wiring (some stuff needs to get hooked up yet...) It runs.




Yes, the hood fits too!

[01satillac]

There's just something about LS swaps that screams America!

[Sean R]

It's going to be pretty funny when peoples' 'fast cars' get their doors blown off by a stock looking saturn.

[cdxhizors]

Originally Posted by Sean R

It's going to be pretty funny when peoples' 'fast cars' get their doors blown off by a stock looking saturn.

What's even better is you chose a sl1 so even people who know saturns will be confused. Oh that's just a slow sohc..

[Sean R]

It's still a single cam! I won't be lying.

[robb_sc2]

this looks like an incredible amount of work!

[Sean R]

Hundreds and hundreds of hours and a pretty decent amount of money too.

But it's 100% unique and I'll be able to park it anywhere without fear of door dings and scratches.

[Sean R]

Here's an old video of it running a few months ago.

Open headers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQfn...ature=youtu.be

[gas3987]

This is the type of thing that would only ever exist in my imagination. Really cool to see it taking shape!

[Genopsyde]

Awesome job. I too am a member of the Fiero forum. Those guys there sure know how to make anything look simple.

[pj174208]

This is absolutely brilliant! For the longest time I always had the dream of putting a turbo on my little SC2, but just last night me and some buddies had the exact same idea, as I recently acquired an LS4 (long story) that i didn't know what to do with. After seeing this, I am inspired. I sent you a PM and any insight and/or suggestions you have going into this would be greatly appreciated. With any luck, there may be 4 door, and 2 door, LS4 powered S-series out there soon. And who wouldn't wanna see that!

[SC2Sick]

Originally Posted by pj174208

For the longest time I always had the dream of putting a turbo on my little SC2

You wouldn't be the first, or the last. Channel your inner Shia and just do it.