Products to Compare (max of 3)
X
Compare These Parts

LS Swap Radiator Hose Adapter with Steam Port

10/23/2020
Add Article To List

In case you’ve missed it, LS swaps are all the rage. Straight out of the junkyard, these engines can offer impressive performance when swapped into, well, just about anything. We’ve seen them in everything from classic muscle cars to Nissan Sentras and Porsche 911’s.

No matter what your ride is, there are a few nagging issues that can be hard (or expensive) to deal with when installing an LS engine. One of them is the cooling system, specifically the upper radiator hose and the steam lines. Because of the location of the thermostat on the water pump, LS engines have steam lines in the cylinder heads to vent trapped air and prevent hot spots from forming. This is a good thing, but where do they go? Typically, a direct fit LS swap radiator will have an extra port in one of the tanks for this reason. Great, but have you priced one of these radiators lately? That junkyard LS can get expensive in a hurry when you put it behind a thousand-dollar radiator.

This is the 6.0 LQ9 that we swapped into our '72 Chevelle. Visible in this shot is one of the steam lines (just under the crossover between the fuel rails), the low position of the thermostat, and the 1.25" outlet for the upper hose.

That’s where the Speedway Motors LS Swap Hose Adapter comes in. For $24.99 this little part is a lifesaver for budget-minded LS swap. First, that ¼” hose barb will accept the steam line. Problem solved. Next, it adapts the hose from the 1.25” outlet on the LS water pump to the 1.5” inlet on a common radiator. That dramatically opens up the list of radiators that can be used (including our budget-friendly Universal Radiators) with your LS engine.

The Speedway Motors hose adapter is already powdercoated black so it will blend in with the radiator hose.

Instead of emptying the piggy bank for an expensive LS-swap radiator, pick up this hose adapter and spend the money you saved on something fun, like a cam swap or headers!

Update: we're proud to announce that this product was awarded runner up in the best new Street Rod/Custom Car category at SEMA 2020!

Products Featured in this Article

Related Articles

Gen III/IV LS Engine ID Guide
by Speedway Tech Team - Posted in Tech
10/4/2021
Looking to swap the venerable LS engine into your hot rod, muscle car, or classic truck? Take a look at our detailed identification guide for Gen III/IV LS engines before you hit the salvage yard or swap meet!
How To Replicate LS Engine Dimensions with a Steel LS Mock Up Block
by Joe McCollough - Posted in Videos
10/21/2022
The new Steel LS Mock Up Block from Speedway Motors makes it easy to fab mounts and check clearances while LS swapping your car.
LS Swap How-To Guide
by Joe McCollough - Posted in Tech
3/26/2021
LS swaps are nothing new, but they're still a little mysterious to some of us. Here is an overview of what you will need and what you need to know to swap some modern performance into your muscle car, truck, or hot rod!
Engines That Fit My Car: Dimensions for Common Engine Swaps
by Mark Houlahan - Posted in Tech
10/25/2023
Knowing popular engine dimensions and weights are critical to a successful engine swap in your project vehicle
Junkyard LS Swap Identification Guide: Part 1
by Speedway Tech Team - Posted in Tech
10/11/2018
Trying to decide which power plant to use in your latest project? Here's a quick guide of modern V8 engines for hot rodders to consider.
LS Swap Chevelle Guide
by Joe McCollough - Posted in Tech
1/15/2019
Learn about performing an LS Swap in a 1972 Chevelle in this tech article. We'll discuss lessons learned from our Chevelle engine swap using a 500-horse 6.0.
LS Swaps
by Joe McCollough - Posted in News
1/28/2019
LS swaps are nothing new, but they remain a controversial topic. After installing an LS in our Chevelle, we take a look at some of the reasons for and against this trend.
LS Fest 2018
by Joe McCollough - Posted in News
9/18/2018
We hit Holley's LS Fest 2018 at Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and had a blast! Here are a few shots of some of our favorite cars.
Squarebody LS Swap Guide | 73-87 K10 Parts List
by Jefferson Bryant - Posted in Tech
4/25/2024
How to plan and execute a LS swap into any 1973-1987 Chevy/GMC K10 pickup truck.
Chevy 454 Big Block Budget Build: Recipes for 400-600 HP
by Mark Houlahan - Posted in Tech
4/22/2024
The 454 big block Chevy is still a popular build option for when there is no replacement for displacement!