6.0 4L80E in 79 Z28 questions

OsborneConst · 10-27-2009, 09:13:46 PM

Hey everybody I have been looking for a good camaro forum, and it looks like I found it with this one, so this is my first post. I am getting ready to start on my 79 Z28. I will give a brief synopsis now, with full details to come later in a build thread.

The short- I am going to be installing the driveline out of my 2003 1500HD into my 79 Z28. It is a 6.0 with a 4L80E. I have the entire truck, so I have the wiring harness, etc.

The main questions I have are what kind of issues am I going to run into? Is the 4L80E going to fit in the transmission tunnel without modification? Will everything fit under the stock hood, or will I need to go with a cowl induction? I spent quite a bit of time doing research on here, and see that some of you have already done this swap, but I didn't find the info on the tunnel or the hood.

The car is very solid with no rust, except the floor pans which have a few holes in them. I have new pans from classic industries, but don't want to install them first if I need to cut them up anyway. Thanks for all of your input.

badazz81z28 · 10-27-2009, 09:30:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OsborneConst

Hey everybody I have been looking for a good camaro forum, and it looks like I found it with this one, so this is my first post. I am getting ready to start on my 79 Z28. I will give a brief synopsis now, with full details to come later in a build thread.

The short- I am going to be installing the driveline out of my 2003 1500HD into my 79 Z28. It is a 6.0 with a 4L80E. I have the entire truck, so I have the wiring harness, etc.

The main questions I have are what kind of issues am I going to run into? Is the 4L80E going to fit in the transmission tunnel without modification? Will everything fit under the stock hood, or will I need to go with a cowl induction? I spent quite a bit of time doing research on here, and see that some of you have already done this swap, but I didn't find the info on the tunnel or the hood.

The car is very solid with no rust, except the floor pans which have a few holes in them. I have new pans from classic industries, but don't want to install them first if I need to cut them up anyway. Thanks for all of your input.

Im sorry, stuf like this cracks me up!

Do a search, tons of people have and are doing this swap right now.

7T3LS1 · 10-27-2009, 09:42:11 PM

Welcome to the forum!! I don't have specific info on the 6.0/automatic swap (I did an LS1/T56), but I believe the intake manifold is taller on the 6.0. If that's the case, you'll probably have to go with a taller hood as the LS1 barely fits under a stock hood.

The best advise I can give you is use the search function. I'm sure there's lots of info.

OsborneConst · 10-27-2009, 10:04:20 PM

I did do a search, and I found that people are not using the stock hood, but I didn't see if they said they had to. I also see several people have used the 4L80E, I just didn't find anywhere if the tunnel had to be modified or not. I am just looking for clarification on a few things, and to see if anyone that has done this has any tips or suggestions.

7T3LS1 · 10-27-2009, 10:15:27 PM

Jakeshoe seems to be the resident expert on the 6.0. Maybe PM him?

OsborneConst · 10-27-2009, 10:25:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7T3LS1

Jakeshoe seems to be the resident expert on the 6.0. Maybe PM him?

From a lot of the posts I saw, he seemed to know what he is doing, I will have to PM him later.

BusDriver · 10-28-2009, 08:59:11 AM

The truck intake is very tall...

So, if you want to use the stock hood, swap to the LS6 (or aftermarket car style, like a FAST etc) intake. If I'm remembering correctly, you also need to swap throttle bodies since the truck one interferes with the car manifold. This MIGHT be sovlable with a little massaging of the TB but I'm not 100% sure.

I'd also recommend getting jake to post, I'm pretty sure something else needs to swap with the intake, maybe the fuel rails/injectors...

In any case, that would solve any hood clearance issue.

The 4L80 will fit without major mods. You may have to 'dimple' a spot or 2 but no major surgery. So go ahead and do those rusty pans

Rock Arnold · 10-28-2009, 11:13:00 AM

The intake is to tall, if you change the intake to a LS1 or aftermarket fast unit, it will clear the hood. You will also have to change the front acessories (alternator,power steering, A/C, etc..) because the LS1 air intake/throttle body will be behind the alt / pullies and belts. 6.0 is an iron block LQ4 or LQ9? the 4l80E, not sure of clearences from floor on that one, I am using the LQ9, T56 combo with LS1 intake and front acessories. Hope this helps. Oh thier is also a book you can purchase on swapping any LS motor in to muscle cars. information on sensors, wiring, oil pans, motor mounts, throttles, etc...Very helpfull in saving time and Money

ZS10 · 10-28-2009, 11:58:39 AM

You might have to massage the tunnel for the 4L80 in a few spots. Nothing serious though. Replace the body bushings with solid or poly and you'll get a little more room.

Welcome to NastyZ28!

LSXZ28 · 10-28-2009, 08:12:47 PM

Welcome!

I'm going to be doing mine with a Victor Jr EFI manifold and a 4 bbl type throttle body. Don't know exactly how the height is gonna end up, but my plan is to make it work with the factory air induction scoop and keep the flaps working... I will have to fabricate an air cleaner assy, but I think I can make it work.

I don't know for sure, but I believe the 4L80E fits without much problem...

OsborneConst · 10-28-2009, 09:36:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rock Arnold

The intake is to tall, if you change the intake to a LS1 or aftermarket fast unit, it will clear the hood. You will also have to change the front acessories (alternator,power steering, A/C, etc..) because the LS1 air intake/throttle body will be behind the alt / pullies and belts. 6.0 is an iron block LQ4 or LQ9? the 4l80E, not sure of clearences from floor on that one, I am using the LQ9, T56 combo with LS1 intake and front acessories. Hope this helps. Oh thier is also a book you can purchase on swapping any LS motor in to muscle cars. information on sensors, wiring, oil pans, motor mounts, throttles, etc...Very helpfull in saving time and Money

I forget right now which one is which lq4 or lq9. It is the lower performance one.

So if I run a taller hood, I can use the stock intake and all of the acc.?

Thanks to all for the info about the trans clearance. I guess I can get started on replacing the floor pans.

jakeshoe · 10-28-2009, 11:33:52 PM

That's the LQ4.

The 4L80E fits easily in the 2nd Gens.

You will need an oil pan to fit the car chassis.
I have the CTS-V pans with new gaskets, bolts, tray. They fit the 2nd gen chassis pretty nice.

Pump Guy · 10-30-2009, 01:52:23 PM

Jakeshoe,

When swapping in the 4L80E, is the 2nd gen automatic trans crossmember modifiable, or is it just easier to fab up a new one? Can you provide any specific input wrt the tranny C/M and the 4L80E? aka sketches, drawings etc etc

The trans is out of a 4x4 model, but the guys Shift Works set me up with the output housing modded to accept a cable drive speedo, to go with the mod kit for the stock shifter... I needed an output housing anyways...

Once spring hits up here, I'll be dropping an all iron LQ4/4L80E into the '80 RS using Edelbrock plates and headers.
Once I have pics of something other than the engine on the stand, I'll get them up.

I did do detailed machine drawings of the plates if anyone is interested in getting them water jetted out...

Pump Guy · 10-30-2009, 01:54:38 PM

Oh yeah,

I am using the current generation CTS-V oil pan I bought online out of California. It had 3 weird bungs on one side, that stuck out ~1-1/2"... cut them off then milled them flat... Looks good now!

Aceshigh · 10-30-2009, 01:59:04 PM

Welcome to Nastyz28.

Good luck with your swap, many people are going with modern powertrains these days.

I've put the GTO LS1 in my 78 z28. (with help of course)

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7T3LS1

Jakeshoe seems to be the resident expert on the 6.0. Maybe PM him?

And the 4L80e.