1970 Chevelle - LY6/4L80E swap
07-17-2011, 05:40 PM
#1
Teching In
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
1970 Chevelle - LY6/4L80E swap I've been meaning to get this build thread up for a while now...so here it is. I've had this 70 Chevelle for about 13 years, and it's spent the better part of the past 6 years sitting and going to ****...what started out as an intent to salvage the existing 383/TH350 drivetrain and get it back on the road has turned into a complete frame off with a 08 LY6 + 4L80E swap. The project's been ongoing for the past few months, but mostly collecting parts and getting ready for body work. I've picked up an LS3 intake, a CTS-v pan, and some other misc parts.
I didn't start taking pictures until I had the drivetrain removed and the some of the front pieces off of the car...
I didn't start taking pictures until I had the drivetrain removed and the some of the front pieces off of the car...
Last edited by 70Chevelle-LS; 07-17-2011 at 05:49 PM.
07-17-2011, 06:06 PM
#2
Teching In
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
cont... The new chassis has been under construction for the past couple months. The frame was blasted and power coated satin black, as well as the rear. I had the 8.5 10bolt rebuilt with 3.73 gears and a posi. I'm going with a Hotchkis TVS setup - F/R swaybars, adjustable trailing arms, lowering springs. It was already a front disc car, but I went ahead a picked up a complete F/R disc brake setup with slotted/drilled rotors. Also got some Ebay tubular A-arms...and I'm surprised how solid they look. Bolted right on, no issues. Plan on using KYB shocks, picked up a G-force crossmember for the 4L80, and planning on the Dirty Dingo sliders for motor mounts...
07-17-2011, 06:15 PM
#3
Teching In
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
cont... There is some pitting on the pass side frame horn, but otherwise the frame was straight and solid...some more chassis pics..
Last edited by 70Chevelle-LS; 07-17-2011 at 07:37 PM.
07-17-2011, 06:30 PM
#4
Looking good dude!
07-17-2011, 06:34 PM
#5
Nice restoration and great powertrain choice. I just did the ebay arms and my ball joints were junk and defective, and it looks like yours are the same. (Pics in my build thread) I replaced them at 100 miles. Also, the bushings in the uppers that the bolts go through aren't always pressed in flush and can fail if not flush. They are a soft metal. Add a grade 8 washer on the outside as insurance in case they fail. Other wise mine are working fine. Good work and good luck with the build!
07-17-2011, 07:48 PM
#6
Teching In
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks Jimbo and I've been following your build Futureuser. Great job on the Camaro. Thanks for the heads up on the ball joints, might just change them out for some Moog balljoints while they're easily accessible. The car went to the media blaster's last week...and it not exactly pretty. More bondo than I expected and a **** poor excuse for a quarter panel repair but it's good know what I'm working with... I'm looking at a new pass quarter, new fenders, and new inner wheel housings.
07-17-2011, 07:55 PM
#7
Teching In
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This pretty much gets me to where I am today. I've stripped down the motor, pulled the accessories and truck intake and put it on a stand. The sheet metal work begins this week. With the engine, I'm looking at retaining the VVT and swapping in a L99 cam for a little more power and cost/simplicity. Prob gonna run ls3 (camaro) exh manifolds with a 2.5" magnaflow setup, unless I find something else. I picked up a corvette pedal and I'm looking into harness options - I do have the complete stock engine/trans harness... but I'll likely get something new made. If anyone has an idea of what I can get out of the truck intake with fuel rail, injectors and MAP sensor (everything but throttle body) and a complete engine harness + 4L80 harness uncut I'd appreciate it. Also, does it matter if I use a LS2 vs. LS3 MAF sensor? The LS2 sensor seems like an easy inline fit..
Last edited by 70Chevelle-LS; 07-17-2011 at 08:01 PM.
Trending Topics
07-17-2011, 10:02 PM
#8
Someone on here gave me a truck intake for free but I think you could get $50-70 for the fuel rail and injectors (are they E85?). Probably $125 for the harness? Just guessing but I haven't been looking at the prices in over a year. I'd expect to get more on ebay than you do here, and I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm off.
Looks like a cool project.
Dirty dingo slider mounts are okay, but the bolts they come with break easily.
Looks like a cool project.
Dirty dingo slider mounts are okay, but the bolts they come with break easily.
07-18-2011, 10:14 PM
#10
Teching In
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for the info Chuck. You don't sound too thrilled with the Dirty Dingo sliders, did they fit ok besides the bolts? Chevellepowered, I talked to you a couple of times, good to see you got the car running again. Do you like it better carbureted? Questions for all - I'm looking at gas tank options, but don't want to spend $1200-$2000. I was thinking about a stock tank with a Tanks inc drop in fuel pump. Anyone have any experience with one of these or any other options?
07-19-2011, 02:10 AM
#11
The sliders are okay in theory, and I bought them thinking that the adjustability would come in handy but I'm not sure it has. Perhaps when I put a t56 in they will be more useful, but if I were doing it over I'd just get some plates that set the engine back as far as it will go. They do add 3/8 or so to the height of the engine (I think) which is pretty much just what I needed for the oil pan to clear the cross member. It's just shitty spending $150 on something and having the bolts snap like balsa wood.
07-20-2011, 07:56 AM
#12
Staging Lane
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Lena, WI
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
70Chevelle-LS,
Is the harness you have for VVT? If so, I would be very interested in taking that off your hands. Let me know what you have to get for it. I am doing a similar swap in my 72 chevelle-LY6 with 4L80. Right now I'm in the beginning stages, doing research and accumulating everything I need so I should only have to tie up the one stall in my shop for 3 weeks or so.
Is the harness you have for VVT? If so, I would be very interested in taking that off your hands. Let me know what you have to get for it. I am doing a similar swap in my 72 chevelle-LY6 with 4L80. Right now I'm in the beginning stages, doing research and accumulating everything I need so I should only have to tie up the one stall in my shop for 3 weeks or so.
07-20-2011, 06:27 PM
#13
Teching In
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks chuckd, the DD appealed to me for the same reasons. The slightly higher mounting position and extra couple of inches forward/back seemed like a good idea, especially with exhaust and trans mounting. The $150 price tag and the fact no one else has mentioned them has kept me from buying them...good to know the bolts are questionable. I've talked to the guys at Dirty Dingo a few times and their power steering/alt relocation bracket looks interesting, and uses the factory (truck) ps pump and alt. They said they'll have an AC bracket soon, but it will only work with after market compressors. I see a lot of people have used the Kwik brackets but I'd like to reuse as many accessories as possible. I need to figure something out, something that doesn't involve notching my frame or spending 2k on a front runner setup.
RJ, I did the same thing, collected parts for a while and read up on everything I could. I was ready to just freshen up my 383, had my block at the machine shop... but I've wanted to do this swap for a long time. The LY6 seems like an outstanding value (when you can find one), and you can't beat the L92 heads and potential for performance. Damn near everything else these days comes with a 6L80/90, and that looks like a tough install. I'll send you a PM on the harness.
The project is at a bit of a standstill while I wait on sheetmetal and my body shop. More pictures soon..
RJ, I did the same thing, collected parts for a while and read up on everything I could. I was ready to just freshen up my 383, had my block at the machine shop... but I've wanted to do this swap for a long time. The LY6 seems like an outstanding value (when you can find one), and you can't beat the L92 heads and potential for performance. Damn near everything else these days comes with a 6L80/90, and that looks like a tough install. I'll send you a PM on the harness.
The project is at a bit of a standstill while I wait on sheetmetal and my body shop. More pictures soon..
Last edited by 70Chevelle-LS; 07-20-2011 at 08:06 PM.
07-20-2011, 09:03 PM
#15
Teching In
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Since there's interest, I'd like to get $240 for the harness (VVT/LY6/4L80E) shipped. It's uncut, except where it goes through the firewall to dash harness (which isn't used). I've attached some pics. I also have a truck pedal with pigtail.
07-20-2011, 09:21 PM
#16
TECH Apprentice
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 393
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Not interested in the harness for that price, thanks anyways. I already have a perfect LY6 harness I just needrf the 4l80e wires mine was for the 6l90e so its different. I'm just going to end up ordering a new one. Good luck with the sale. I posted a link in my build thread you should check out for your gas tank!
07-20-2011, 10:24 PM
#17
Teching In
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No problem, not really sure what to ask price wise, but if I can't get $200 for it I might as well take a stab at modifying it myself. Thanks for the link, I've never seen the grand national tank used before. I'll be keeping an eye on your build, looks like a hell of a start.
01-09-2013, 07:45 PM
#18
Teching In
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
update It's been a while, but I'm almost done and figured I'd update/catch up. Just to be thorough, I'll post some pics from along the way and what steps I took. Where did I leave off...After media blasting, the body looked fairly rough. Rear quarters and wheelhouses were replaced. Front fenders were ****, so they were replaced with new goodmark fenders. Front floorpans, trunkpan, braces were also replaced..
01-09-2013, 08:29 PM
#20
Teching In
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Body Work / first test fit First test fit of the motor and trans.. using Dirty Dingo plates (not the sliders, just the 3 position adapter plates) with energy suspension poly mounts. Used a G-force trans crossmember with poly mount. It fit well on the first try, surprisingly. And the body work took months....
Last edited by 70Chevelle-LS; 01-09-2013 at 08:40 PM.