'68 C-10 LQ4 - 4L60e Budget Swap
 

I recently a 68 c-10, 3 spd truck. Pretty original. The plan is to do a budget swap. This project will be an exercise in how "easily" an efi swap can be accomplished.

Here are a few pics of the truck as it sits today. I have begun buying parts.

Re: '68 C-10 LQ4 - 4L60e Budget Swap
 

should I lose the vinyl horses on the sides?

Re: '68 C-10 LQ4 - 4L60e Budget Swap
 

If it ever stops raining I am going to try and fit a gas tank. Looking at a caprice sedan tank and putting the filler behind the rear plate. Or a caprice wagon or camaro ss tank a d using a suburban filler location in te bed side.

Re: '68 C-10 LQ4 - 4L60e Budget Swap
 

Welcome to the most informative chevy truck site on the net. I can't wait to see how easy you do this swap. I am doing a similar swap and I'm a little overwhelmed with the wiring part of it. I will be taking notes....be sure to get plenty of pics. BTW...I would lose the ponies and great project truck you have there.
Mike

Re: '68 C-10 LQ4 - 4L60e Budget Swap
 

lose the horses and put in more horsePOWER !! waiting to see the swap !!

Re: '68 C-10 LQ4 - 4L60e Budget Swap
 

subscribing to keep up with the build. how much are your harnesses?

Re: '68 C-10 LQ4 - 4L60e Budget Swap
 

needs to be a vendor

Re: '68 C-10 LQ4 - 4L60e Budget Swap
 

Subscribed....really looking forward to the swap :metal:

Re: '68 C-10 LQ4 - 4L60e Budget Swap
 

Me too where's the pictures?

Re: '68 C-10 LQ4 - 4L60e Budget Swap
 

I'm just finishing up my 5.3L swap. IMO if you can read a wiring diagram it's not really too hard.

There are a few issues to work through.

My swap wasn't fast though, as it was just a small part of my build that is still ongoing.

Re: '68 C-10 LQ4 - 4L60e Budget Swap
 

Ack, You know I suck at reading a wiring diagram. BTW, I saw your vid....!AWESOME!

Re: '68 C-10 LQ4 - 4L60e Budget Swap
 

Ackattack, you have a sick looking truck. I posted on your thread about the tac module. Did you get it figured out?

I also just bought an 02 ss tank. Should have all the parts for the swap in two weeks.

Re: '68 C-10 LQ4 - 4L60e Budget Swap
 

subscribed

Re: '68 C-10 LQ4 - 4L60e Budget Swap
 

Not yet, it's been cold, and I've been dealing with computer issues. Should get some time to look at it this weekend.

Re: '68 C-10 LQ4 - 4L60e Budget Swap
 

I am going to be pulling the motor, trans, manual column and box very soon if anyone has a need for them. Located in NJ 07719

Re: '68 C-10 LQ4 - 4L60e Budget Swap
 

Failure or success?

Re: '68 C-10 LQ4 - 4L60e Budget Swap
 

must not have been easy after all!:mm:

Re: '68 C-10 LQ4 - 4L60e Budget Swap
 

Actually, I just got started on the conversion, finally. Between moving and the explosion of business lately there hasnt been much time.

Luckily a friend is letting my use his garage for the swap.

Re: '68 C-10 LQ4 - 4L60e Budget Swap
 

Here are a few pics. I have about a day and a half into it.

Pulled the engine and trans.

Test fit the LQ4 and 4L60e.

Using the CPP trans mount, it bolts right up.

First test fit using the stock 6 cyl perches in the stock location with stock rubber mounts. It fits but the stock hummer manifolds dont work.

I got a few sets of manifolds from a dyno shop that I deal with. It turns out that G8 manifolds work.

Used prothane versions of the stock mounts and decided to try the POL perches. They just arrived so they will be going in this weekend.

I like the location of the engine, almost right over the front tires, it should be good for weight transfer.

I mounted the Camaro SS tank and pump as well as the vette filter regulator.

I pulled the orig column and box and fit an auto column and box from an 84.
I will have more pics as the project progresses.

Re: '68 C-10 LQ4 - 4L60e Budget Swap
 

Super progress! glad to see the pictures. Have you kept tabs on your "budget"? How are you doing with that?

Re: '68 C-10 LQ4 - 4L60e Budget Swap
 

I have been keepin tabs and will post anoist when I am done. I figure between $3000 and $3600.

The motor was $1200 and the trans $625.

Re: '68 C-10 LQ4 - 4L60e Budget Swap
 

A few new pics. Here you can see the manifolds.

I am missing an adapter for the steering column. I think i will go with two u-joints from speedway and be done with the rag joint.

Re: '68 C-10 LQ4 - 4L60e Budget Swap
 

Subscribing. I have a LQ4 on the way, going into my 72 GMC. I have many questions too.

Re: '68 C-10 LQ4 - 4L60e Budget Swap
 

I got the POL mounts and they didnt work for me. They move the motor forward about an inch and move it up too high for the trans to clear the tunnel.

Also, the mounts and hardware provided were a real POS.

I am using the prothane version of the stock mount with stock pedestals, i just elongated the bolt holes in the pedestals (frame pads).

The CPP trans mounts bolted right up to the 4l60e without even drilling any new holes.


I am using a used automatic column from a board member. I bought the lokar shift linkage adapter, another POS. the hardware is not good quality, a set screw already fell out as there are only about two threads of engagement.

I am using an 84 metric power steering box and pitman arm, it bolted right up with a little mod. Had to cut a little of the bumper brace out for the front of the box.

I am using a stock 84 c10 PS pressure line, it bolted right up and cost $15.

Harness was installed and was a breeze.

Need to install rad hoses and trans cooler lines and a few odds and ends and i will be on the road.

I will have pictures soon.

Re: '68 C-10 LQ4 - 4L60e Budget Swap
 

doing a similar install myself...I don't think its "installing" the LSx motors thats tough...its all the complete rebuilds that putting one in seem to spawn. :lol:

Re: '68 C-10 LQ4 - 4L60e Budget Swap
 

Why cant you use the original steering column and and shaft and steering box, and just hook up the p/s lines to steering box? Will the stock exhaust manifolds clear steering shaft? I am using ECE motor mounts.

Re: '68 C-10 LQ4 - 4L60e Budget Swap
 

Why doesnt' the stock crossmember work with a 4L60? I have the 2004r in it now, but will be removing and selling, I guess.

Re: '68 C-10 LQ4 - 4L60e Budget Swap
 

thats what I'll be using...a 200-4r

Re: '68 C-10 LQ4 - 4L60e Budget Swap
 

Is there a special bracket for the TV cable?

Re: '68 C-10 LQ4 - 4L60e Budget Swap
 

there are special TV cables, then I have also seen special arms/brackets that you mount to the carb (2 different styles) to correct the arm geometry.

http://static.summitracing.com/globa...p-hp8625_w.jpg

200-4r bracket

Re: '68 C-10 LQ4 - 4L60e Budget Swap
 

Those are for carb'd motors though, right? Are you going to use the computer/EFI on your 6.0? I plan on using the whole engine management system. I have the TV cable adapter from www.bowtieoverdrives.com to hook up to my Holley in the truck now, but need to figure out if I can adapt the 200 4r to the 6.0 or just get a 4L60 to run with the computer on the 6.0.

Re: '68 C-10 LQ4 - 4L60e Budget Swap
 

I have a brand new LY6 6.0L VVT motor. I am not going EFI for now, and will remove the VVT, EFI intake and use a carb and a 4bbl intake, and the MSD-6LS to fire the coil packs. I'll also swap the cam and springs for a hotter setup, but I am waiting for GM to finally release the LSX dual plane intake for standard decks. Its been in the GMPP catalog since '09. If they don't release the dual plane... I'll get the GM L92/LS3 single plane carb intake and the appropriate cam.

You should be able to tune out the tranny...as if it had a 5 speed stick or something. You may just have to get a ecm/pcm from a truck with a manual trans.

Re: '68 C-10 LQ4 - 4L60e Budget Swap
 

Ahhh, ok thanks for the info. I just found this link which answers a lot of my questions. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...&highlight=lq4 Good luck with your build.

Re: '68 C-10 LQ4 - 4L60e Budget Swap
 

Good luck with the build. I'm in the middle of mine as well. What year is the gas tank for and how many gallons. Looks like a fairly nice fit. Nice truck to work on as well.

Re: '68 C-10 LQ4 - 4L60e Budget Swap
 

It's a powdercoated 20 gal. Summit tank with GM sender.

Re: '68 C-10 LQ4 - 4L60e Budget Swap
 

My truck was originally a 3 spd with manual steering.

I had to find an auto column, I want to be able to sit three across (two kids).

Re: '68 C-10 LQ4 - 4L60e Budget Swap
 

I've got that same, albeit used, LY6 from an '07 2500 HD and was pretty sure you couldn't convert it to a manual tune because GM didnt offer a manual behind the LY6. Removing the efi and VVT would change that though, or so I would think

Re: '68 C-10 LQ4 - 4L60e Budget Swap
 

I think VVT "for hot rodding" is still a little ahead of its time. I'm not comfortable with the current engineering designs and fear major breakage in a high performance scenario. I am keeing all my EFI and VVT stuff though...incase one day I decide I would like to have the EFI/VVT and want to swap it back.

Re: '68 C-10 LQ4 - 4L60e Budget Swap
 

You are probably right about it being ahead of its time. I plan to keep mine at near stock power levels for now and keep an eye on what comes up in the world of VVT. I really like what I've seen from Mast Motorsports though, and VVT seems to be a promising direction to go considering the increase in production engine using the technology.

Re: '68 C-10 LQ4 - 4L60e Budget Swap
 

Why not keep the EFI but can the vvt for now?