LS Swap '65 Valiant

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JGizmo

JGizmo

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Has anyone LS swapped an early Valiant? Is there even a chance that there's a swap kit available? Any major issues I'd run into if I were to throw a 5.3 in?
 
Does anyone make a kit....

1 laugh 6.jpg
 
I'll state the same thing here that I state everywhere....
IF Ma Mopar made shitty engines or IF they were hard to find, I'd understand ideas like these.
That is not the case though. Not even close.
People see these cheap junkyard LS engines and think they can swap them in an old car and go fast for minimal bucks.
IF you are a master fabricator, it can be done on a tight budget but you're looking at custom oil pans, headers, engine mounts. wiring and possible computer electronics. These early A body cars are cramped so power steering is out. The transmission tunnels are tiny so you're looking at modifications to fit a modern transmission.
This is like buying a hat that is too small, then going to a surgeon to have your head surgically reduced to fit the hat.
A stroked 360 will make more power than you can hook up on the street and those engines fit easily. There are headers available that fit the stock chassis.
This isn't Cuba, man...Cross breeding is not necessary here.
 
You'll have to fab up your own kit. There's a member here who has LS swapped a Dart. It's bad to the bone. It's red. The thread should be easy to find as he updates it regularly. It's a later car like a 75, but you should be able to get some ideas. Good luck with it and keep us posted. It's not a build I would do, because I like keeping Mopar cars Mopar powered, but I have respect for it. I'm not gonna piss all over someone's build.
 
It seems like this is brought up at least once a week lately. I guess nobody can be bothered to use the "search" function anymore. Can count on one hand the number of people who have actually followed through on this.
 
no kit but it cant be all that bad to get bolted into it. maybe use a modified street rod mount. im pretty sure that the LS is narrower then a new hemi so it should fit easier. once bolted in there shouldn't anything really that much different then hooking it up in any other vehicle.
 
I saw a listing of a guy wanting to sell an early valiant with some of the mods necessary to ls swap it. The ad was running for years and I dont know if he was ever able to sell it or if he just gave up. Anything is possible with enough $$$ but just be aware you might be backing yourself into a corner in case you ever want to get rid of it
 
The 6.0 Aluminum LS (Vortec 6000) in my 02 Silverado is awesome. Runs great (I wish I could use that transmission on my Mopar!) its light and makes 330HP/370ft-lbs. It gets shitty MPG of ~10/13 but it is in a 6000 lb L90 body truck. For the hassle, Id go Gen3 hemi. probably as much fab work and youll keep 'in' with the Mopar crowd.
 
There is a kit to put a gen3 hemi in your car. Why not go that route?
 
There are no kits that I know of. Like Rusty said, check out that thread for details. LS motors are cheap compared to other modern powerplants, but not compared to an small block! Wiring is comparatively simple, but again, way more complicated than a holley 4bbl. Transmission options are better, but more expensive than a 904. And you will have to modify the trans tunnel.

That said, I think it’s a great idea! Just be aware that’s it’s not just a matter of bolting it in.
 
Who makes a kit to install an LS in an early Mopar A body? You do!
Who makes headers for an early Mopar A body with an LS? You do!
Who makes a wiring harness for an early Mopar A body with an LS? You do!
My question is Why! I am NOT being rude. I know it is YOUR car. Please do what you want with it. @RustyRatRod correctly said that a Mopar A Body with an LS swap can be "Bad to the Bone." But then again, a Mopar A body with a 340, 360, Gen III hemi, etcetera can be bad to the bone. I guess I just don't understand why one would jump through hoops and work to overcome so many obstacles to put a motor from a Chevy or Ford in their Mopar. If there were no decent Mopar engines available, I might be able to understand it. Kits and parts are readily available to put a Mopar engine into your Mopar. Again; I am not trashing anybody's plans or ideas, I want people to do what they want with their own cars, but I just don't understand it.
 
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