I'm starting to research into everything I need to know to swap the ls1 into the FD. I came across Granny's and read everything and either I'm skipping it but never see any mention of the hood modification that's they say is required. I assume it's some clearancing underneath but that's it. Yes I did look on here for the answer, I have seen there's been a few issues with ordering from them, but it seems to still be the best option.

 

AFAIK, they will make you one of two subframes. One subframe that lowers the steering rack and clears the hood, or one that will clear the steering rack and you'll need to modify the hood.

 

"...lowering the LS1 for stock hood clearance drastically reduces your ground clearance!!! Your cast aluminum oilpan will be the lowest point, and can be quite easily damaged if it bottoms out or is struck by road debris. For this reason alone, we prefer our "higher" engine location for the LS1, even for track cars!"

"Just to be clear, our LS1/3rd gen conversion DOES NOT lower the steering rack or require any bump steer correction. Because our LS1 mounting position DOES NOT require a lowered steering rack location, it DOES require hood modification for engine clearance in the area of the throttle body."

http://members.tripod.com/~grannys/3C8faq.html

Basically, Grant couldn't drop the LS1 lower without having to revise the same LT1/SBC cradle he's been selling since ~2000, so he's trying convince you that it's better to have the engine sit higher in the car and have to modify the hood instead.

 

yeah I know that... I'm just trying to figure out what it is? it's nothing major, just modifying the supports underneath some right? or is this one of those things I won't know until I try it...

 

The hood will not clear a stock T/B and intake with a bump in the hood skin. I've installed an LS1 into an FD with a granny's kit. It will not clear the hood skin.

 

so then what's the solution? cut a hole, get a new hood, or can it be made to fit with aftermarket t/b and intake?

 

I am not aware of any intake/TB that will clear the hood with Grant's kit.

The solution is to either modify the hood to clear, or get a different kit.

 

wtf... maybe I'm not asking correctly but all I want to know is WHAT modification has to be made and noone's answered that. Just told me I have to modify it....

 

small fiberglass or sheet metal bubble around that area.

 

Boy, it's amazing what a quick search on TC will turn up...

 

thank you very much sir! and I did search. found nothing to help.

 

What exactly do you want to know? It's not exactly complex. The hood hits the throttle body. You have to make it taller there. Bang it with a hammer, cut a hole, mold a scoop, slam it really hard till it closes. You have to figure out how to make it clear, there isn't an easy button for it.

 

Maybe there should be an "Evil" button for it.

 

I was trying to figure out why anyone would think cutting a hole in the hood of an FD and having to mold on a bulge to clear the throttle body is easier, cheaper, or preferable to using a simple bolt-on bump steer kit... and then I remembered that we're talking about Grant.

He wouldn't even change his cradle design to allow the use of the proper backing plates for the SBC-style motor mounts we chose, so Bill Hagen went through 5 sets of mounts because of it. His first LS1 kit for the FD was based on the same cradle and John Pham couldn't make an LS1 mount properly with it. Grant refused to take the parts back or issue a refund.

6 years later, he's still building the same damn cradle and trying to make it work.