Pre-LS swap questions

[Angryman117]

The 700R4 and 4L60E are very similar but the cross member on the 60 sits back about an inch or so than the 700. I know this cause I did what you were talking about doing. Thankfully the mounts I have are bolt in and not welded. I was also thinking about getting my drive shaft sized with the 700, good thing I didn't. I got a 99 4L60E from a suburban with the torque converter from a local salvage yard for about $300. How far are you from Hitterdal, MN? I got my engine from there, found on CL for about $550 with everything I need to make the engine run. I am sure they would have a couple of 60's laying around.

[Root2812]

Hitterdal is a long ways from here but there are a lot of yards around here. I just spent all my money on the suspension so I would like to use the tranny I have for the mock up and worry about buying one later.

I wasn't going to bolt or weld the tranny cross member in, I was thinking of just using some clamps to hold it in place while I set the engine mounts. The part I am concerned with is clearance to the firewall and floor so if they have a similar in height and bell housing shape then it will work. were they close enough for you?

[Angryman117]

What engine and transmission mounts are you using again?

[Root2812]

I was going to use these..
http://www.classicparts.com/1941-59-.../#.Un2jbvfnaM8
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/trd-4501/overview/

[Angryman117]

I am using the same transmission mount but different engine. Here is the link to the kit I am using. I don't remember exactly how much room I had but it was tight when I still had the cab on the frame. I had the engine about 2 inches from the cab, plus i do remember the transmission hitting the floor (what was left of it). I am going to put a small hump in anyway just to make sure I have plenty of room. Hope that helps!

[Root2812]

Hey guys. Have any of you used these dirty dingo mounts?
http://dirtydingo.com/store/index.ph...=1_206_305_321

I think I like the design and they look strong but I'd like to hear feedback before I drop that much money. Its either going to be those or these.
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/LS1-LS...unts,7631.html

It looks like the Dirty Dingo mounts will have more flexibility and might be easier to install on my flat boxed frame rails.

thanks

[Clyde65]

DD mounts have been used alot! they allow for front to back movement if you need the room. great product too!

[Root2812]

Hey guys. I just wanted to share a quick update. I got my front suspension all welded in. Next I will start doing the motor and tranny installation. Slow and steady wins the race.

I pulled my frame donor truck into the shop and got to work.

From this




To this


I'm getting closer every day!

[Billett]

Keep up the good work!

[Root2812]

Thanks Billett.

This is my first build so its been fun, educational, and comical at times.

[Billett]

I hear that. This c10 has been my first major engine swap. Not something I'll forget soon!

[Root2812]

So progress continues. I got the front suspension all bolted on and I got a rear suspension ready to go in. I kept dragging my feet on getting a tranny but finally pulled the trigger this afternoon. I got a 2001 2wd 4l60e from a Silverado that had a 4.8L in it. The tranny has only 73,000 miles and cost $644 out the door. The price is good considering I didn't have a core to trade in and the 2wd trannys are not very common around here. I think this will work well with my 2000 5.3 and I think the 2000 wiring and PCM should be compatible. Anyone thing otherwise?

Below are some pics of the front IFS all finished.

[Clyde65]

01 trans and 00 motor? You good to go!

Do you know if your PCM is from the motor or was it sourced separately?

[Root2812]

It came from the same guy I got the motor from. He had a few PCMs on the shelf so its hard to say if it came from the same truck. It does have the right part number for a 2000 PCM and its got the right color connectors.

[solidaxel]

Originally Posted by Root2812

I'll keep you in mind when I get to that phase of the project. I still need to finish my suspension before I get to dropping the motor in.

He did not have a listing for the AD trucks in his site, looked like it stopped at 1955, Is he making one for you?

[Root2812]

Originally Posted by solidaxel

He did not have a listing for the AD trucks in his site, looked like it stopped at 1955, Is he making one for you?

I haven't ordered a radiator yet. He posted saying they make one but I haven't gotten that far. I'm going to wait until I have the motor mounted before I start thinking about a radiator. I'll probably go with a Champion anyway since they have good reviews here on the forum and are only around $200.

[solidaxel]

Did you confirm that the 700R4 case is different than a 4L60E case for the rear motor mount location?
We were going to use a 700R4 case for mock up but now I am concerned there will be different length question

[Root2812]

Originally Posted by oldman3

Would like to know how you feel about this front end, during installation, etc. Have a friend that is thinking about one also...Jim

Jim,
I really liked the quality of the fat man kit. The only thing I'd change are the instructions. They sucked. They have good instructions for locating and welding the cross member in but after that nothing good. I've never put on A-arms, spindles, etc so I was expecting to see torque specs or a list of what bolt goes where. Nope. I figured it out but it was a little disappointing. But the instructions are temporary, the parts were really nice quality and the customer service has been great so far.

[Root2812]

Originally Posted by solidaxel

Did you confirm that the 700R4 case is different than a 4L60E case for the rear motor mount location?
We were going to use a 700R4 case for mock up but now I am concerned there will be different length question

After the guys on here told me they were different I didn't even pull the 700r4 from the donor so I couldn't measure. Its waiting in the donor for my dad to be ready to use it. I will have the 4l60e on Friday when I go to the salvage yard to pick it up and I can measure bell housing surface to tranny mount for you and you can compare to your 700r4 to see how much difference there is.

[Root2812]

Hey guys, I'm finally about to the part you've all been waiting for. I finished my suspension this weekend and by the end of the month I'll have the motor and tranny in. I just wanted to post up some pics so you know I'm still working and I also wanted to ask a question.

Pics first

Rear suspension is done


Chassis on the ground ( its level now but will have a rake when I get weight on the front)


And of course the tranny I told you all about.


So my question.... I set my pinion angle at 4 degrees up. The rear leaf kit wanted 5 degrees angle and I read 3 lots of places. What have you guys used? I asked this over in the 47-59 board but figured I might as well ask the LS guys too. I have the perches tacked in now so if I screwed it up I can still change my pinion angle.

[Root2812]

Well Finally this weekend, the engine found its home in between the frame rails! I haven't finished up the trans cross member yet but at least the engine is in.

I started by getting the tranny and engine mated together and up on the lift.


And I had put the Corvette LS6 exhaust manifolds (heat shields removed) on but I had to take them back off for clearance. Its really really tight!. I'll end up clearancing my frame boxing plates a little to make the exhaust clear.


I used the Dirty Dingo adjustable mounts and had to trim them down to fit but they worked great. The mounts came with 2 rubber isolators for each side but the pics from Dirty Dingo showed one between the mount halves. I assume the second is so the bolts will tighten evenly without distorting the first isolator. I think I'll move the second one to the nut side but for now I put it on top to take up the slack. The one that needs to be between the mounts is.


So after a days work here is what I have.



I have to pull everything apart for paint so this is just mocked up but man that engine looks huge on this tiny frame! Its going to be fun!

Since this old truck had such a small motor before I know front to back clearance will be tight but it will fit. I have everything within a half inch of where it needs to be and my slider mounts have 1 inch of adjustment left each way so I'll be good. It does look like a pusher fan is in my future.

[SparkyRnD]

Originally Posted by solidaxel

He did not have a listing for the AD trucks in his site, looked like it stopped at 1955, Is he making one for you?

Originally Posted by Root2812

I haven't ordered a radiator yet. He posted saying they make one but I haven't gotten that far. I'm going to wait until I have the motor mounted before I start thinking about a radiator. I'll probably go with a Champion anyway since they have good reviews here on the forum and are only around $200.

We updated our site today for the new radiators for the 47-54 models, and we'll be making a new post in the classifieds. The customer we built the prototype for had a GMC, so the mounts for the unit in the pictures are about 1.5" closer to the engine than the Chevy version will be.





Here are some installed pictures (the first two are showing the unit in a GMC cradle, and the third was sitting in front of a Chevy version):

[solidaxel]

Nice Radiator, and I am looking for a new rad. for my 55 1st series G M C!!!

[SparkyRnD]

That is the next one we want to prototype (send me a PM if you are interested)

[solidaxel]

Originally Posted by sparkyrnd

that is the next one we want to prototype (send me a pm if you are interested)

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