Believe it or not, it worked nearly perfectly. Sutherland told us there was one glitch to figure out: the tach signal. The '04 GTO wiring harness knows how to read the signal from each of the eight distributorless coils only on an LS1 and combine these signals into the correct wavelength to be recognized by its computer. Because the signal sent from the custom wiring harness collected the individual coil signals into the wrong wavelength, Fuel Injection Specialties had to add an inline"signal calibrator" to modify the tach signal into a wavelength readable by the '04 GTO computer. With this one modification, the custom wiring harness worked flawlessly.
The most puzzling obstacle of the LS2 transplant, however, was the coil pack set up. After its installation, the LS2 engine would not run properly. As Hamilton and Hi Speed learned, LS2 coil packs do not work with an LS1 ECM. After trial and error, Hi Speed installed a set of LS1 coilpacks and the GTO motor sprang to life. According to Hamilton and Hi Speed, "It turns out there are several versions of coil packs, and because we used the '04 GTO ECM, we had to use LS1 coilpacks designed for a '98-'02 Trans Am and for the '04 GTO exclusively." The coil pack system sends sparks through Taylor Thundervolt wires to NGK Iridium plugs.
The rest of the modifications to Hamilton's Firebird were a piece of cake. Hawks LSX conversion headers with 1 3/4-inch primaries and 2 1/2-inch collectors are bolted to the LS2 and are coated in silver by Jet-Hot Coatings. Random Technology cats feed into a 3-inch midsection that's connected to a Hooker Aerochamber muffler with dual 3-inch stainless steel tailpipes.
A SPEC Stage 3+ clutch and flywheel transfer the power from the crank to a D&D Performance Tremec T56 with a Viper back-half chosen by Hamilton for its ability to handle significantly more torque than a GM T56 unit. The T56 is mounted to the custom-made transmission crossmember and sends power through a 3-inch chrome-moly driveshaft to a Moser Ford 9 rearend with 3.50 gears, 31-spline axles, and a Detroit True Track differential.
A Bosch Hydroboost power brake system, from Power Brake Service, works off of the power steering pressure. It can create up to 2,000 psi of power assist for the four-wheel disc brakes with no vacuum required and lowers rotor heat by stopping the vehicle in a shorter distance.
Inside the Bird's interior,...
Inside the Bird's interior, we see a custom gauge-filled dash featuring Auto Meter electronic dials, '91 GTA door panels, '99 Firebird front seats and an aftermarket Momo steering wheel and shifter knob. The shifter plate, radio face plate and gauge plate are custom black anodized aluminum.
This Firebird's owner wants...
This Firebird's owner wants any lookers to know he is proud of the LS2 engine in his 80s-era Bird. The chrome oil cap is aftermarket.
The Suspension
The front suspension includes BMR tubular front control arms and Bilstein shocks using Eibach Pro front springs. The power steering is transplanted from a late '80s IROC. Other front suspension modifications include a Hotchkis strut tower brace and a Performance Suspension Technologies front sway bar (32mm).
Hi Speed installed a BMR Xtreme torque arm because "it came with a separate crossbrace to mount the front of the torque arm," according to Hamilton. This not only would increase transmission durability, since the torque arm was no longer mounted to it, but the design of the crossbrace allowed for a cleaner exhaust installation as compared to some other designs. "I also used a custom-made transmission crossmember so the Y-pipe could go right under it," Hamilton said.
Attached to the Moser Ford 9 are Eibach Pro rear springs, Bilstein shocks and BMR tubular steel lower control arms. Handling capability is further accentuated with a Performance Suspension Technologies (PST) sway bar (24mm). Hotchkis subframe connectors tighten up the chassis and BMR tubular upper and lower-adjustable panhard bars locate the rear.
The Dash
To finalize his mission, Hamilton installed a Kenwood stereo with 7 channel EQ,Eclipse 5 channel amp, JBL speakers and 10-inch sub-woofer.
Then, he upgraded the factory dash and cluster with Auto Meter Sport Comp gauges. "The speedometer works off the transmission speed sending unit. The oil pressure works off its own sending unit that came with the gauge; it was mounted on an unused, pre-existing hole above the fuel filter. The temperature gauge had its own sending unit as well," Hamilton says.
To match the interior's theme, Hamilton had a local neighbor and friend (who owned a steel-fabrication shop) cut aluminum panels for the gauge fascia, the radio trim panel and the shifter plate, which was then sanded smooth with 900 grit and anodized black before being mounted with the gauges and attached with button screws into the Bird's original dash. Black mesh was installed above the in-dash speaker grills and the window defogger openings. Silver mesh was used as speaker grilles in the door panels.
The Conclusion
With over 180,000 miles on the chassis and almost 5,000 miles on the LS2 since February 2007, Hamilton loves to spend every day that he can with his Firebird. Currently stationed in Germany, he just couldn't leave it back in the States. So when he shipped off in April 2007, his LS2 Firebird followed. For the time being, he can enjoy the spirit of American adventure where there are no speed limits-on the German Autobahn.
BMR's tubular K-member not...
BMR's tubular K-member not only makes the LS2 swap easier, but also reduces weight up front.
The tubular upper and lower...
The tubular upper and lower control arms contain the Eibach Pro coil spring and soon to be installed Bilstein shocks.
Out back, we see the trick...
Out back, we see the trick BMR panhard rods and torque arm set-up, the exhaust system and the fat PST rear sway bar.