Retro LS Engine Swap Makeovers

Classic Chevy V8 Style With Retro LS Engine Dress-Up Kits

By Barry Kluczyk – Photography By the Author & Speedway Motors

As LS engine swaps continue to dominate almost all areas of hot rodding, Pro Touring, and more, one of the more creative and fast-evolving trends is dressing modern engines with accessories and components that give them a vintage appearance.

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02 Front view of a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 with an aggressive grille rally stripes and iconic bowtie emblem — Built by Sled Alley and owned by Tom Tomlinson, this COPO-inspired 1969 Camaro restomod has a modern LS7 under the hood.

A few vintage-appearing accessories have been offered for the past few years, but momentum with the trend has accelerated so quickly lately that we felt it was worth examining and outlining the options. Thanks to retailers such as Speedway Motors, and manufacturers including Lokar—with its LS Classic Series range of dress-up components—disguising an LS is easier than ever and can be uncannily authentic-appearing.

03 Detailed engine bay of a 1969 Camaro showcasing the legendary 427 cubic inch V8 with Holley EFI components — The engine has a vintage appearance, including a Holley carburetor-style intake manifold, LS Classic Series valve covers, and a modified cowl-induction air cleaner system. The block, heads, and intake were left natural to emulate the look of the original all-aluminum ZL-1 427 engine.

That can include everything from valve covers and air cleaners designed to look like those from vintage Chevy small- and big-block engines to kits to hide or disguise the ignition coils while emulating the appearance of a plug linked to a convincing-looking “distributor.” There’s even an intake manifold that mimics the style of the original Rochester system on early “Fuelie” Corvettes.

04 Close up of the Camaro's GM cowl induction system emphasizing advanced airflow for maximum engine performance — A GM electronically controlled throttle body is mounted on the intake manifold and hidden under the reproduction air cleaner assembly, which is detailed with the correct decals.

It’s all very clever and comparatively affordable. When the engine is painted classic Chevy Orange the results can make an LS challenging to identify at a glance. Most of the components for these transformations, including the LS coil cover and coil relocation kits, are available from Speedway Motors.

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05 Side angle of the 427 V8 engine with Holley fuel injection system and chrome details for enhanced aesthetics — Completing the Camaro’s underhood appearance is the relocation of the ignition coils. They’re mounted behind the engine, allowing plug wires to also run behind the engine, giving them the appearance of routing to a conventional distributor. Note, too, the Hooker Blackheart cast-iron exhaust manifolds, which also look like factory manifolds.

Taking it even further, Speedway offers the LS Classic Series crate engines from Lokar. These are based on Chevrolet Performance LS3-based crate engines and are dressed—including Chevy Orange paint if desired—to look like vintage Fuelie, 409, big-block, and small-block engines. More on them in a moment.

06 LS engine ignition coil pack setup emphasizing modern high performance spark delivery — The valve cover-mounted ignition coils are a design cue of LS engines that is unsightly at best and a dead giveaway of an engine swap. Relocating them and replacing the valve covers are easy steps in a retro makeover.

How to Build a Retro LS Engine

A convincing retro LS engine is all about replacing or disguising the factory EFI system and the individual ignition coils. The most straightforward and dramatic conversion is swapping the original intake manifold, with its plastic plenum and front-facing throttle body, for a carburetor-style version with the throttle body mounted atop it.

07 LS engine build showing rocker arms and valve springs highlighting precision and durability in performance parts — The same goes for the factory intake manifold. It’s a comparatively easy replacement with a carburetor-style intake that will give an LS swap a more period look under the hood.

Topped off with a vintage-style air cleaner, including those used with cowl-induction hoods, you’ve got a pretty convincing retro appearance. It can be taken to the next level by relocating the ignition coils from the valve covers and replacing them with retro replicas.

08 Holley EFI dual plane intake manifold designed for LS engines optimized for balanced airflow and fuel distribution — Holley’s Mid-Rise EFI intake manifold and fuel rail kit is an excellent choice for the intake manifold swap. It has a classic intake design but with a mounting flange designed for throttle bodies. The manifold is plumbed for the fuel injectors but does not include the fuel rails. But! Speedway kits, PN 9100369 for LS3-style heads and PN 9100368 for cathedral-port heads, include this Holley manifold, the fuel rails, and the related hardware.

LS Classic with Fuel Injection

Let’s start with the intakes and throttle bodies. There are plenty of carburetor-style intakes for LS motors offered from Speedway, including Holley’s PN 9100368 and PN 9100369 kits for LS1 and LS3 heads, respectively, which have the bosses for fuel injectors and include the fuel rails. There’s also the Edelbrock Super Victor intake (PN 32528875) for LS7 heads.

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(c)EdelbrockCorp — Edelbrock’s carb-style intakes for LS engines come in several forms, including those with a flange specifically for a carburetor. For those seeking to retain fuel injection, select a manifold with an EFI flange and pre-machined fuel injector ports such as this aluminum Victor Jr. intake (PN 32528455).

In fact, there are many other LS carb intake options from Holley and Edelbrock that accommodate cathedral and rectangular-port LS heads, but the LS Classic Series produced by Lokar and offered through Speedway is designed for a retro appearance and includes replica air cleaners. Most are designed to use the injectors and drive-by-wire throttle bodies found on LS3 and other Gen IV–type LS engines, but there are kits for use with earlier cathedral-port heads, too.

10 Carbureted style EFI manifold with integrated air filter and fuel rails for retro looks with modern functionality — LS Classic’s range of vintage-appearing intake systems is designed for the most authentic look, starting with this four-barrel system with a classic chrome 14-inch air cleaner for engines with LS3-style rectangular-port heads (PN 491GMLS3006).

They include classic small- and big-block four-barrel-style systems, and the look of the big-block Tri-power setup used on legendary 427/435 Corvette engines, such as the L71 and L89. Several versions of the original Rochester mechanical injection systems used from 1957-65 exist.

11 Complete Holley EFI intake manifold kit includes air filter hardware and fuel rails for LS engine customization — In addition to the intake and air cleaner, the LS Classic kits include the mounting hardware and adapter for a throttle body and fuel rails.

These systems include the manifold, air cleaner, and fuel rails but not the throttle bodies or injectors. Here’s a quick rundown of the available systems:

PN 491GMLS3001, 1957 Fuelie-style system (LS3 heads)
PN 491GMLS3014, 1957 Fuelie-style system (LS1 heads)
PN 491GMLS3002, 1962 Fuelie-style system (LS3 heads)
PN 491GMLS3015, 1962 Fuelie-style system (LS1 heads)
PN 491GMLS3008, 1963 Fuelie-style system (LS3 heads)
PN 491GMLS3016, 1963 Fuelie-style system (LS1 heads)
PN 491LS3004, Tri-Power-style system (LS3 heads)
PN 491LS3006, four-barrel-style system with a 14-inch chrome air cleaner (LS3 heads)
PN 491LS3018, four-barrel-style system, a black, closed-air cleaner similar to fullsize vehicles (LS1 heads)
PN 491LS3019, four-barrel-style system, a black, closed-air cleaner similar to fullsize vehicles (LS3 heads)
PN 491LS3020, L79-style with a chrome, dual-snorkel closed air cleaner (LS1 heads)
PN 491LS3021, L79-style with a chrome, dual-snorkel closed air cleaner (LS3 heads)
PN 491LS3022, 409-style with a black, dual-snorkel closed air cleaner (LS1 heads)
PN 491LS3023, 409-style with a black, dual-snorkel closed air cleaner (LS3 heads)

By the way, if you want to pass off an LS swap in your vintage Ford with a more authentic Dearborn look, there are also kits for a classic 289 Windsor look (PN 491GMLS3024 for LS1 and PN 491GMLS3025 for LS3) and an FE big-block appearance (PN 491GMLS3026 for LS1 and PN 491GMLS3027 for LS3). With a FoMoCo blue LS engine nestled between those shock towers, issues with Ford engine swap compatibility become a thing of the past.

12 Black dual snorkel air cleaner mounted on an LS manifold for improved airflow and vintage styling — LS Classic also has four-barrel-style systems with vintage-appearing closed-air cleaners like those on the 409, L79 small-block, and others. The dual-snorkel style is used with 409 engines. It’s PN 491GMLS3023 for LS3-type heads.

For those foregoing a complete LS Classic Series intake system, many of the carburetor air cleaners are available separately from Speedway. Most included an adapter for the conventional Holley 4150-series base to accommodate a GM four-bolt 92mm drive-by-wire throttle body. A classic is the chrome 14-inch open-element air cleaner (PN 491GMLS3007), but others are available.

13 LS3 intake manifold with a Turbo Jet air cleaner featuring a retro inspired 396 engine badge — The LS Classic Tri-Power intake system mimics the look of the 3×2 induction system of the Corvette’s legendary 427 engines but still breathes through a single throttle body, this one for LS3-type heads (PN 491GMLS3004).

LS Engine Coil Relocation Ideas

The other big giveaway of an LS swap in a vintage vehicle is the stock placement of the eight individual ignition coils on the valve covers. Even without a retro-style makeover, builders have been relocating these components for years to give the engine a cleaner appearance.

14 LS engine dual plane intake manifold kit with triangle air filter and installation hardware for custom applications — Unique among the LS Classic intakes, the Tri-Power system is based on a dual-quad manifold that’s designed to mount twin 92mm throttle bodies.

That means the aftermarket is brimming with relocation brackets and kits with longer plug wires to accommodate their move off the valve covers. The details become more focused when dressing the engine with a more authentic-looking appearance. Some have hidden the coil packs, including moving them inside the factory heater plenum on a vehicle updated with an aftermarket air conditioning system.

15 Polished LS supercharger with integrated throttle body and fuel injectors for high performance upgrades — Perhaps the ultimate vintage LS dress-up comes with LS Classic’s series of Fuelie-style intakes, with plenums emulating the style of the early Rochester mechanical injection systems. They’re offered in 1957, 1962, and 1963 designs. This one is the 1963 style for LS3 heads (PN 491GMLS3008).

LS Engine Distributor Conversion

The ultimate solution is the LS Classic Series “distributor” and spark plug wire set (PN 491GMLS4002), which includes 9-inch-long 7mm plug wires that connect to the ignition coils and pass through a hollow, cast-aluminum distributor body that’s attached to the engine’s valley plate and then connect again at the spark plugs. To pull off the LS fake distributor look, the coils should be mounted low and behind the engine—and that means some careful measurements should be taken to ensure adequate firewall clearance.

16 Billet valley cover for LS engines with a precision machined finish for durability and style — A carb-style intake will require a valley cover plate. Several are available in cast and billet aluminum, including bare and black finishes. This one is Holley’s natural finish cover in billet aluminum (PN 425241367). Don’t forget the complementing gasket to go with it.

It’s a very convincing look. While the LS engine distributor housing itself may be a dummy, the plug wires are simply routed through it—with convincing boots on top of the distributor.

17 Custom oil fill tube with a polished chrome cap for LS engines enhancing engine bay aesthetics — For a more authentic look, LS Classic’s valley plates have a vintage-appearing oil fill tube; PN 491GMLS2001B is for Gen III engines with cathedral-port heads, and PN 491GMLS2002B is for Gen IV engines with rectangular-port heads.

LS Retro Valve Covers & Adapters

Along with relocating the ignition coils, replacing the factory valve covers with vintage-appearing LS swap parts helps complete the package. As with other components, there are plenty of aftermarket LS vintage valve covers that offer classic-looking finned styling and more, but again, it is the LS Classis Series lineup that delivers the most authentic appearance—and they’re offered from Speedway in small-block, big-block, and even W-series styles:

PN 491GMLS3002, small-block cast aluminum with the “Chevrolet” script
PN 491GMLS3003, big-block cast aluminum natural finish (can be painted)
PN 491GMLS3003C, big-block chrome finish
PN 491GMLS3004, 409/W-series cast aluminum natural finish (can be painted)
PN 491GMLS3004C, 409/W-series chrome finish

Vintage-style valve cover decals are the finishing touch. The LS Classic Series components come with their decals, including the classic Tonawanda decals for the valve covers. Still, other reproduction or custom decals can give an engine its final details. Speedway offers several of them.

18 LS ignition coil packs with brackets for high efficiency spark delivery and mounting flexibility — Ignition coil relocation is the next step in the retro makeover and a number of relocation kits and brackets are available, including this kit from ICT Billet (PN 551562), which supports four coils. Two would be needed for an engine, and each kit includes mounting spacers for the coils themselves.

For those seeking authentic vintage valve covers, LS engine valve cover adapters with spacers and the necessary hardware are also available, including the one manufactured by ICT Billet and offered through Speedway (PN 82651535).

19 Roller engine cradle brackets for easy transportation and support during LS engine builds — LS Classic’s relocation kit (PN 491GMLS4001) includes two brackets and the hardware to support eight GM (PN 12573190/ACDelco PN D514A) or equivalent LS3-style coils. With all LS coil relocation ideas, longer plug wires will be required, with their length dependent on the coils’ mounting position.

If we were building our own retro LS, it would be all too easy to order an LS Classic Series intake/air cleaner kit, their coil relocation kit, and “distributor” kit, along with the requisite valve covers. We’d also paint the engine Chevy Orange to round out the subterfuge.

But there’s an even easier way …

20 LS spark plug wire set with boots and terminals for high performance ignition system reliability — With all coil relocations, longer plug wires will be required, with their length dependent on the coils’ mounting position. LS Classic offers a set of 9-inch-long plug wires (PN 491GMLS4005) that will take the wires to the rear of the engine for the look of a rear-mount distributor.

Retro LS Engine Crate Motors

As the name implies, these are brand-new crate engines based on the factory Chevrolet Performance LS376/480 and painted and dressed to emulate vintage Chevy powerplants. Fourteen versions are offered through Speedway, each rated at 495 hp and 473 lb-ft of torque—and each with a two-year warranty.

21 Black distributor and spark plug wire set for small block engines providing reliable ignition and a clean installation — The ultimate ignition subterfuge comes with LS Classic’s Plug Wire and Dummy Distributor kit (PN 491GMLS4002). This kit includes extra-long plug wires that feed through a hollow distributor housing, routing them from the spark plugs to coil relocation brackets mounted behind the engine. The LS fake distributor housing bolts to the rear of the valley tray for a very convincing vintage appearance.

Highlights and features shared with all include:

The engines come painted or unpainted
Each includes a Holley Terminator engine management system with oxygen sensors and transmission control
A Corvette-type water pump, thermostat and balancer
High-performance rear-dump exhaust manifolds
A 14-inch automatic transmission flexplate

22 Distributor installed on an orange small block Chevy engine with chrome valve covers and classic air cleaner — Here’s a look at the installed LS Classic dummy LS engine distributor kit. The plug boots appear attached to the distributor cap, but the wires run through them and connect to the ignition coils. Very clever! Note that the engine block and heads have also been painted Chevy Orange.

Depending on the version, the price range for these ready-to-run retro crate engines starts at about $24,000 and goes to approximately $33,000. A rundown of the versions offered through Speedway includes:

Small-block style with a 14-inch air cleaner

PN 491GMLS9003 (unpainted with cast-finish valve covers)
PN 491GMLS9003 (painted Chevy Orange with cast-finish valve covers)

Fuelie small-block style

PN 491GMLS9016, 1957 style (unpainted with cast-finish valve covers)
PN 491GMLS9014, 1957 style (painted Chevy Orange with cast-finish valve covers)
PN 491GMLS9019, 1962 style (unpainted with cast-finish valve covers)
PN 491GMLS9017, 1962 style (painted Chevy Orange with cast-finish valve covers)
PN 491GMLS9022, 1963 style (unpainted with cast-finish valve covers)
PN 491GMLS9020, 1963 style (painted Chevy Orange with cast-finish valve covers)

Big-block style with a 14-inch air cleaner

PN 491GMLS9006 (unpainted with cast-finish valve covers)
PN 491GMLS9005 (painted Chevy Orange with chrome valve covers)

Tri-Power big-block style with triangular air cleaner

PN 491GMLS9013 (unpainted with cast-finish valve covers)
PN 491GMLS9012 (painted Chevy Orange with chrome valve covers)

409/W-Series style

PN 491GMLS9010 (unpainted with cast-finish valve covers)
PN 491GMLS9009 (painted Chevy Orange with chrome valve covers)

We’ve hit the highlights of giving an LS engine a vintage-appearing makeover. There are many more options for intake manifolds, coil relocation brackets, air cleaners, and more, offering unlimited creativity in crafting a convincing retro appearance. The only limitation is your imagination. MR

Depending on the engine’s desired appearance, there are several vintage LS valve covers to choose from. This set from Holley (PN 425241178) has a retro look, although it’s not an exact replica of a production design. The covers are designed for engines retaining the ignition coils in their stock positions, with the holes providing access to run the plug wires from the coils to the plugs.

24 Polished chrome valve covers for small block Chevy engines designed to enhance engine bay aesthetics — LS Classic’s authentic-looking big-block-style valve covers rely on relocating the coils for a compelling appearance. They’re offered in a natural finish that can be painted or chrome, per the set shown (PN 491GMLS1003C).

These cast-aluminum covers (PN 491GMLS1002) from LS Classic offer a more traditional small-block look, and of course, they rely on the ignition coils’ relocation.

26 Valve cover adapter kit for converting LS engines to use traditional small block Chevy valve covers — This valve cover adapter kit (PN 82651535) from ICT Billet allows authentic Gen 1–style valve covers with the perimeter-style bolt pattern to be used on LS engines.

27 Black billet aluminum valve covers with installation hardware for a sleek modern LS engine look — Another valve cover adapter option comes from Speedway Motors (PN 91084853). With the set, the stock LS valve covers are replaced, allowing the adapters to retain the stock positions for the ignition coils while mounting early Gen 1 small-block valve covers with perimeter-style fasteners. Grooves in the lower sides of the adapters enable unobstructed routing of the plug wires from the coils to the plugs.

28 Cast iron exhaust manifolds by Hooker designed for efficient flow and durability on LS engine builds — An additional detail that lends a more OEM appearance to an LS swap is Holley’s BlackHeart cast-iron exhaust manifolds. They have the look and texture of the factory manifolds at a glance. This set with an OEM-appearing natural finish carries PN 42585026HKR.

29 Assembled small block Chevy engine with LS Classic valve covers and modern EFI system for performance and style — The LS Classic Series range of crate engines is based on Chevrolet Performance’s LS376/480 crate engine and dressed with the company’s vintage appearance accessories. This one, PN 491GMLS9017, emulates the look of a classic Fuelie small-block.

30 Small block Chevy engine with chrome valve covers and a Turbo Jet triangle air cleaner for retro inspired performance — Each LS Classic crate engine is rated at 495 hp and comes with a two-year warranty. They can be painted Chevy Orange, too, like this Tri-Power big-block-style version, PN 491GMLS9012.

SOURCES

Speedway Motors
(800) 979-0122
speedwaymotors.com

Lokar/LS Classic Series
(877) 469-7440
lokar.com

Holley Performance Products
(866) 464-6553
holley.com

Edelbrock
(800) 999-0853
edelbrock.com

ICT Billet
(316) 800-6959
ictbillet.com

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Retro LS Engine Swap Makeovers

Classic Chevy V8 Style With Retro LS Engine Dress-Up Kits

How to Build a Retro LS Engine

LS Classic with Fuel Injection

LS Engine Coil Relocation Ideas

LS Engine Distributor Conversion

LS Retro Valve Covers & Adapters

Retro LS Engine Crate Motors

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