The 1977 Camaro LT 4.8/4L80-E is Finished and on the Road!
11-06-2008, 07:35 PM
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The 1977 Camaro LT 4.8/4L80-E is Finished and on the Road! Well, I got the 77 Camaro LT back from the shop last week after 9 long months of surgery. The swap was done by Brian Kardell at Reb's in Reseda, CA and they did a first-class job, as the install nearly looks factory. I've known Brian about 15 years and I got a "friend" deal on the work, which was the only way I was going to afford this! 
For those who don't remember, I posted here back in February about how to begin this swap. The engine is 2007 Vortec 4.8 backed by a 4L80-E. The donor car is was 2007 GMC Savana van that was an assembly line QC vehicle. The whole setup had 2 miles on it prior to the swap.
We left the van intake and accessory drive for now, and went with a 4" cowl hood, at least until I can figure out how to move a strange looking sensor (see my other thread). Hopefully, I can go with a 2" cowl once that's resolved.
Inside, it's got the the full Dakota Digital Camaro package, which works great. Very easy to read and accurate, too.
I just drove the car from Southern Cal to Oregon and back this past week, and I averaged just under 25 MPG for the trip, which include some traffic in Sacramento. Of course, my car still has the original 2.56 open rear, so that mileage is probably to be expected. Obviously, it doesn't move real fast out of the hole, but it's got some MAJOR top-end!
Anyway, I just wanted to show off the finished project and again thank you for all the help!
For those who don't remember, I posted here back in February about how to begin this swap. The engine is 2007 Vortec 4.8 backed by a 4L80-E. The donor car is was 2007 GMC Savana van that was an assembly line QC vehicle. The whole setup had 2 miles on it prior to the swap.
We left the van intake and accessory drive for now, and went with a 4" cowl hood, at least until I can figure out how to move a strange looking sensor (see my other thread). Hopefully, I can go with a 2" cowl once that's resolved.
Inside, it's got the the full Dakota Digital Camaro package, which works great. Very easy to read and accurate, too.
I just drove the car from Southern Cal to Oregon and back this past week, and I averaged just under 25 MPG for the trip, which include some traffic in Sacramento. Of course, my car still has the original 2.56 open rear, so that mileage is probably to be expected. Obviously, it doesn't move real fast out of the hole, but it's got some MAJOR top-end!
Anyway, I just wanted to show off the finished project and again thank you for all the help!
11-07-2008, 12:44 AM
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I went for a stock look, though that ridiculous hood scoop kinda ruins it. The wheels are what really make the difference, tough. I used 15x7 steel Nova wheels with dog dish "poverty" caps and some cheap beauty rings. Once I can put a more stock-looking hood on, it will be a real sleeper.
11-07-2008, 12:47 AM
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How much does that Camaro weigh? All I know is that my 4.8 in my truck was a f'n turd. A true abomination by GM to put in a fullsize vehicle. Feels like the 6.0 should have come standard.
11-07-2008, 01:32 AM
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yeah, that thing should scoot with the 4.8 and 3700lbs. Best thing about 4.8 you can get them dirt dirt cheap. I ended up throwing mine away since I couldn't get any interest for it.
