L460E questions

[Larry S]

I have a 69 c-10 that I'm planning to put a 1996 vortec 5.7/ l460e into. I went to a local trans shop to find out what will need to be done to make the trans work with my factory 69 speedometer and Im planning to make my truck a floor shift. The guy said " theres no way to put the l460e into that truck and use the factory instrument panel." He says the tach in the 1996 silverado (donor truck) tells the l460e when to shift. So he says, I can install the l460e in my truck and I put it in drive and it would never shift out of its lowest gear. Is this correct? He says I need to set the l460e to the side and find a pre electronic l460, or 700r trans. I hate to do that because the one I have has less that 5k miles on it. Is there a way to make it work, or does anybody make any kind of adapter to do what Im trying to do? As always I appreciate you guys!

[Larry S]

Here' my progress so far. I dont get to work on it as often as Id like.

[pocketpool]

i'm doing the same install. are you using the fuel injection setup? as far as i know you have to use the whole setup with computer and everything to make it work. there is a company that makes a different tail shaft so you can use your factory speedo, i can't remember the company though. also lokar makes a cable shifter kit that will work with your factory column.

[LEEVON]

The ECM that you're using for the engine controls the shift points via input from the Vehicle Speed Sensor in the tailshaft, not the tach. You can use your stock speedo guage if you get a "Cable-X" box which converts VSS signal to cable driven, they run about $300.

[Larry S]

Yeah, I'm going with the injection. I have the complete 1996 donor. I was planning to transplant the harness from the 1996 to the 69, eliminating what isnt needed. The trans guy said the tach in the 1996 sends the signal to the trans to shift and without using the 1996 cluster, that the trans would never upshift out of the lowest gear. I'm no transmission man, I would like to know for sure I can use this trans without spending more than changing to a preelectronic trans. Thanks!!!

[tdave00]

Originally Posted by LEEVON

The ECM that you're using for the engine controls the shift points via input from the Vehicle Speed Sensor in the tailshaft, not the tach. You can use your stock speedo guage if you get a "Cable-X" box which converts VSS signal to cable driven, they run about $300.

Sounds like he has your answer.

[Larry S]

Ok guys. I appreciate the input as always. I was thinking/ hoping that was the case. It looks like a trans shop would know what is going on. I guess not. When he said "there is no way to make that trans work in that truck" I was thinking MAJOR SETBACK. I know Im not the 1st guy to put a l460e in a 67-72.

[pdr510]

Here is a link for a tail housing kit to keep your mechanical speedometer: http://www.shiftworks.com/tailhousing.htm

[WIDESIDE72]

Originally Posted by Larry S

Ok guys. I appreciate the input as always. I was thinking/ hoping that was the case. It looks like a trans shop would know what is going on. I guess not. When he said "there is no way to make that trans work in that truck" I was thinking MAJOR SETBACK. I know Im not the 1st guy to put a l460e in a 67-72.

most repair shops neve4r go "outside the box". If it is not a bolt for bolt exact swap, most have no experience. I have not done this swap, but remember reading somewhere about the Cable X box mentioned above.

[greystoke]

you can get the stand alone computer to control your transmission. I'm putting this same thing in my 69, it's sweet. No TV cable to dink with. You can check out www.gearstar.net

[Wootdog]

I have a LT1 with the 4L60E. I am running the cable X box. As previous persons have stated in that case, I am running the computer setup for the shift points. I have installed the computer that I had programmed by Street and performance. Google them at hotrodlane.cc if I remember right. They can answer any and all questions about the transmission setup you want to try. They do any number of setups with newer engine and tranny swaps for older vehicles. Or you can look up their number and call Lambert there. He is a nice guy and a wealth of information. My two cents.
Kerry

[OhNoJoe]

do a search right here for 4L60. I think Swifty has a very good post on this swap

[TEXAS 68]

I'm also doing this swap and plan on using the cable x. What kind of headers are those? And are you modifying the harness yourself?

[Larry S]

Ive had those headers for a long time and forgot I had em. I think they came off an 84 silverado with a 350. I had to blast and paint them. I almost went and bought a set and just happened to run across them. Yes I am planning to go thru the harness myself. I may change my mind when I get to that point and go painless, but I have the complete donor truck here so I plan to use it.

[schwoch1]

I am using a '94 B body (caprice/impala) LT1 and 4L60E transmission in my '71 GMC and it works great. I am using all of the under hood harness from the Caprice and it runs and works great, all I had to do was program the security system out of the LT1 PCM. Alot of transmission shops can't fathom anything else other than what came from the factory. The PCM (computer) tells the transmission when to shift, so if you are using the stock EFI, the transmission will also work too! The PCM also controls the speedometer. You can use the Abbot CableX or something similar (DO NOT CALL TERF INC, he cannot produce the product he advertises)to run the speedometer. I adapted the electronic speedometer from a S10 to the stock gauge cluster, it can be done, just takes a little ingenuity!
Your swap will work and work well, it will just take a little bit of work. If you are using the stock harness, it will work!!!
Keep us all posted!!!

Mike

[nicolas72gmc]

I've gotta sub this one, too much valuable info here for when I attempt mine.

[nicolas72gmc]

Originally Posted by schwoch1

I am using a '94 B body (caprice/impala) LT1 and 4L60E transmission in my '71 GMC and it works great. I am using all of the under hood harness from the Caprice and it runs and works great, all I had to do was program the security system out of the LT1 PCM. Alot of transmission shops can't fathom anything else other than what came from the factory. The PCM (computer) tells the transmission when to shift, so if you are using the stock EFI, the transmission will also work too! The PCM also controls the speedometer. You can use the Abbot CableX or something similar (DO NOT CALL TERF INC, he cannot produce the product he advertises)to run the speedometer. I adapted the electronic speedometer from a S10 to the stock gauge cluster, it can be done, just takes a little ingenuity!
Your swap will work and work well, it will just take a little bit of work. If you are using the stock harness, it will work!!!
Keep us all posted!!!

Mike

Mike, what kind of power you getting out of that combo?

[Larry S]

Awesome. schwoch1 I'm glad to hear that its working for you. I still have a ways before I actually get to the wiring. I was just trying to plan ahead. I'm going to try to come up with a detailed wiring diagram of my donor truck (1996 silverado) before I start that part of the project. My next phase is I'm going to strip my cab and get it blasted and primed. Thanks to everyone for their input.

[TEXAS 68]

Originally Posted by Larry S

Ive had those headers for a long time and forgot I had em. I think they came off an 84 silverado with a 350. I had to blast and paint them. I almost went and bought a set and just happened to run across them. Yes I am planning to go thru the harness myself. I may change my mind when I get to that point and go painless, but I have the complete donor truck here so I plan to use it.

What are you doing about the egr tube on the driver side header? Here's mine

[OhNoJoe]

http://www.ls1truck.com/forums/front...rans-swap.html

check this out to get some basics

[schwoch1]

Originally Posted by nicolas72gmc

Mike, what kind of power you getting out of that combo?

I never checked it out on a chassis dyno or anything like that (although it is going to go on my shops engine dyno this winter just for the heck of it) but the stock B body was 265 horse, so I am assuming I am in that neighborhood. The only main difference is the non catted dual exhaust of the '71 -vs- the catted dual exhaust of the Caprice. The truck is fun to drive, is one hell of a tire burner and actually rolls down the road with some authority for a 4000 lb vehicle with the aerodynamics of a barn door. I would recomend the swap to anyone in a heartbeat!!!

Mike

[Larry S]

Texas 68, yours looks excellent. I havent thought far enough ahead to know about the egr tube. Id like to see what some others have done.

[ZZ4Blazer]

You could always have the egr programed out of the computer with a tune. That way you could delete it, and not have to worry about modifying your headers.

A performance tune really wakes up those vortec motors too.

[TEXAS 68]

Originally Posted by ZZ4Blazer

You could always have the egr programed out of the computer with a tune. That way you could delete it, and not have to worry about modifying your headers.

A performance tune really wakes up those vortec motors too.

That's what I want to do since the computer needs reprogramed anyway, but I can't find anything to plug the massive hole in the intake.

[rob32472]

Go to the gm performance parts website they have a stand along controller with wiring, software, and all u need a lil pricey but u know it will work correctly. Just my 2 cents