LS swap my 83 Trans Am? $500 LS swap? I don’t think so!!!

Why don’t I LS swap my 83 T/A? I’m too big on originality to undo 40 years of preservation. I also touch on the ever so popular “$500 LS swap” nonsense comments seen all over the internet.

[@suejakubec519]

Great presentation 😊

[@silverwings11035]

You said it perfectly! The Crossfire has nothing to prove and doesn't need to be changed out of your clean Trans Am! Most people younger people never drove a older car and are the first to scream LS engine swap and most never heard of or seen a Crossfire!, which is my favorite style set up! Glad your keeping it all origianl. Most people the day like the bitch and mode about stuff they don't even know about. I daily drive a 82 DeLorean. People love to shit on that not knowing its quick for what it is and reliable when serviced and not have a 100 hands screwing around with it. I have some engine bolt on which really wake the engine up but it is what it is! Like the Crossfire, most never seen a slightly modded PRV engine. After I restored the car almost 8 years ago its been trouble free getting only routine maintenance and oil changes plus I get 30mph highway with the original engine and 5 speed and still running the Bosch K-Jetronic mechanical fuel injection system. Like the Crossfire its limited to how much it can be tuned but its original and I dont need 300hp to 400hp to have fun! Again, Glad to hear you're keeping the original drive train as I would myself. LS swaps are plain boring

[@MultiCfoster]

Agreed, its just a nice cool classic car, enjoy it

[@hephaestus4587]

Thank you for all of your help so far (i may well ask more questions in the near future). I found an 8746 ecu from a Caprice with some wiring and got a Police Caprice chip for it for when I drop the 355 in my 83 T/A.
If you are upto it maybe ask people to send little clips of their crossfire injection cars and what mods they've done?
Thansk for the videos they have had a lot of great info.

[@tonytony-rk6ry]

Joe you have a beautiful well maintain 83Trans am . Keep the Cross fire forever.. to do a Ls swap thats the norm bandwagon approach .When you want to be different you perfect a Crossfire. It take a talented mechanic to tune and work on a crossfire and make it run and perform like your 83 Trans am.. guys also dont understand that the Crossfire holds more value with the original motor in the car from the factory.. A True Car guy want to improve their car with the OE. Thats the thrill and real challenge of owning a Crossfire

[@vinsthirdgens9321]

I feel the same about LS swap! They're great and all but It's just become so mundane a lot of the time. I recently bought a 49 Buick, has the original straight 8 and people were like "it would be so cool if you LS swapped it"...uh no it wouldn't! lol. Great crossfire content btw!

[@Joesmusclecargarage]

Yeah I’ve had my fill of it. I used to be more into performance and racing, but it’s much more enjoyable to just cruise now, especially at $4/gallon. I love uncommon stuff like a straight 8. People argue “they’re not reliable” or “they’re constantly breaking down”, etc. At one time, ALL of these cars were daily drivers. I’ve been building and driving thirdgens for 25 years. I’ve owned 16 of them so far. All of them are reliable as can be. The build quality sucks, but I’ve never been left stranded!

[@brandt_murphy_garage]

Everyone does an LS swap, i half expect to see an LS in most restored classics i see anymore. Especially out here in the east coast.
Potential idea: have you ever thought about swapping a 9 bolt BW rear end into the car? Been thinking about maybe doing that on mine

[@Joesmusclecargarage]

The 9 bolt is ok, but parts availability is almost non-existent. The 7.5/7.625 is almost equal, but a much stronger 10 bolt can be built. Upgrading to 28 spline axles and a Zexel at the very least a a huge improvement

[@brandt_murphy_garage]

@@Joesmusclecargarage I’ve been looking at them for a while. It took me a hot minute but I found a website that sells new cones and the even sell carriers, cones, and gears for a 31 spline upgrade for the axels.
But at the same time, with what you said I’ve seen some healthy built 10 bolts

[@Joesmusclecargarage]

@@brandt_murphy_garage Sounds like overkill to me. I ran a stock 10 bolt with a 26 spline Auburn in my 15th anniversary with a ZZ4 and a 5-speed. Ran 12s on DRs for years with it. The 7.5 held on just fine.

[@TFD1982]

Keep the crossfire!! Too manny ls swaps are done I’d really like to see you try and keep it this it has been super reliable for you ,why change it?

[@Joesmusclecargarage]

I am keeping the Crossfire. I’m not changing anything.

[@TFD1982]

@@Joesmusclecargarage good to hear man I did actually just re-read the title my bad.

[@waynehulbert4060]

I’m new to channel and have watched a lot of them. I have learned a lot from your videos. I have a 1982 Corvette unrestored 40,000 mile. I have a issue with the TPS. I’d like to ask you about this issue but I don’t know if this comment section is the place to do that. I don’t have Facebook or instagram or Twitter. How can I reach out to you. Thanks Wayne

[@Joesmusclecargarage]

Email me at [e-mail]

[@waynehulbert4060]

I sent you an email. Look forward to your thoughts

[@coreykoch3232]

My 83 TA is running at 240 degrees. Is that too hot?

[@Joesmusclecargarage]

For a car with a shrouded clutch fan, yes.