Tranny Crossmember

[battles72ls-1]

I have a '99 LS1 and I was wanting to know if I will have to move my cross member on my '72 short frame.


Also I'm going to install rear mount fuel tank any suggestions on what is the most economical,will there be any welding involved.


I was debating wheather or not to finish my paint on the frame. I have it primered.

Any input would be appreciated. thanks...

[Longhorn Man]

you left a lot of variables on your first.
On your engine, what tranny are you going to use? What tranny is in your truck now (or was in it last) Are you putting the LS1 in the stock small block location???
I'd say remove the cross member all together, paint everything, then when the time comes to install it, it won't matter where it goes becouse it is all painted up. Just touch up the scratches after instalation. That or do the engine/tranny install now and then remove again for paint.
As for your second Q... the most ecinomical would probably be to locate a blazer/ panel/burb/cowl-chassis truck in the junk yard and rob it of it's stock parts, then clean/seal/repair it and install it like it was on the donor truck.

[shifty]

iI uses the same crossmember. Whether you gotta move it depends on what engine+tranny combo you're using right now and what tranny you're pairing up w/the LS1 (and whether it will still line up the same).

It will be possible to knock the rivets out of the existing xmember and move it back - you have multiple boltholes in the frame so you can do this.

You may also need to pay mind to the hump - whehter you have a tall tranny hump or a short one.

Here's the problem I ran into today:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=179969

See my signature - check the LS1tech thread I have linked in my signature for more info on what you're up against with the LS1 swap. Plan to spend a good $1000+ on parts and other crap - oh yeah - And I suggest HIGHLY that you convert to a newer truck oil pan, oil pickup, dipstick and tube. It makes an incredible difference on the installation and I know oil changes will be much easier now.

[shifty]

PS - The GenIII engine mount kit from ECE (early classic enterprises) costs $250 but it will make your install a hundred times easier. It's what I used.