LS1 Swap into a 1977 Chevy "Shorty" Van
09-07-2012, 07:37 PM
#1
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LS1 Swap into a 1977 Chevy "Shorty" Van Here's my 1977 Chevy G20 cargo van. I got it on a trade for my custom upholstery business. The engine was tired and smoked on startup. I'm a total fan of computer controlled vehicles and thought it would be cool to attempt this swap. I finally got it test fitted and I'm finding there a a few clearance issues. I'm trying to figure out how to post these pictures with text, so we'll see how it goes. I had a pretty easy time getting the old engine out and a not so easy time getting the LS1 in. I cut the front support out and welded tabs on it to bolt it back in place. I used the original motor mounts and realized the LS1 is wider on top than the original engine. It's really tight on the driver side rear next to the dog house opening. Still trying to figure out what headers I'm going to use. Also the 4L60 E is longer (obviously) than the TH350. The body support/crossmember located over the tail shaft of the tranny is in the way. With the tranny as far up as it can go only gives me 6 degrees of angle. I'm thinking I can fix this by doing custom motor mounts that are about 1" to 1 1/2" lower. I'm hoping this will allow for 3 degrees of angle in addition to more room for the headers.
Last edited by 77Gvan; 09-07-2012 at 07:47 PM.
03-12-2013, 01:07 AM
#4
+1 on someone that is swapping one.. I currently have a 79' G30 SWB - Pathfinder converted 4x4 VAN. .. been looking for someone that has swapped in a Gen III/IV engine in...to see how tight it is.. as I have extra steel plates on the sides of the front subframes of the Van.. so that rear driver side is pertty tight ?...
Please post as many pictures as you can on the mount and clearance issue.. I am thinking of LQ4/9 with a 4L80E.. mated to my NP205 transfercase..
go to Photobucket.com and get a free account, upload your pictures there.. then once they are, you can view them and copy the IMG Link to post here on your Thread.
thanks
BC
Please post as many pictures as you can on the mount and clearance issue.. I am thinking of LQ4/9 with a 4L80E.. mated to my NP205 transfercase..
go to Photobucket.com and get a free account, upload your pictures there.. then once they are, you can view them and copy the IMG Link to post here on your Thread.
thanks
BC
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03-12-2013, 03:59 PM
#8
I brough the Van new in 78'... there was a few company that the Big 3 (GM, Ford, Mopar) authorized the 4x4 Conversion to a new Van only. Pathfinder was the one that I used. They are no longer in business. By buying the option, the factory would drop ship the van at the company and then it was shipped to the dealer fully converted. Buy doing this, you received full factory warranty.
If you want find out about 4x4 conversion. follow this link
If you want find out about 4x4 conversion. follow this link
04-04-2013, 12:36 PM
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A littel news on this. While searching Craigs List I found the guy who did 5.3 into A Teem chevy van for the movie I am going to visit him next week. His name is Octavio @ 323-568-6835 in Montebello Ca. Real close to where I work
10-30-2013, 06:21 PM
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any updates on this? i know im reviving an old thread if anyone else has got info regarding G serie vans with ls engines feel free to pm me. i was wondering wat is the main difference between the express van and the g series, maybe that would help us fit those lq4's!
owner of a 78 g10 (the green one)
owner of a 78 g10 (the green one)
10-30-2013, 06:40 PM
#13
When you say Express Van.. The newer, 1997 to present...
The 97' and up are the Express / Savana with the 2nd gen using the newer Gen III/IV (aka LSx) engine, but where pretty much a complete Redesign over the older G series VAN.. Longer front end with the engine more forward. They had L31 5.7 SBC in them up until 2003 when the when with the Gen III/IV engines (4.8, 5.3 & 6.0, but many will have the V6 4.3.
From what I have seen, there is more room under the hood as compared to the G's... The Rear of the LS engine might be tight around the rear/side engine cover of the G vans. I know I will, as my 4x4 setup has extra plates welded in and used up some room !
You will have room to the rear and front to fit everything.. but the Gen III/IV is wider that a SBC. But then again, the G's did come with the 6.2 diesel and 7.4l BBC.
IMO it is doable..
BC
The 97' and up are the Express / Savana with the 2nd gen using the newer Gen III/IV (aka LSx) engine, but where pretty much a complete Redesign over the older G series VAN.. Longer front end with the engine more forward. They had L31 5.7 SBC in them up until 2003 when the when with the Gen III/IV engines (4.8, 5.3 & 6.0, but many will have the V6 4.3.
From what I have seen, there is more room under the hood as compared to the G's... The Rear of the LS engine might be tight around the rear/side engine cover of the G vans. I know I will, as my 4x4 setup has extra plates welded in and used up some room !
You will have room to the rear and front to fit everything.. but the Gen III/IV is wider that a SBC. But then again, the G's did come with the 6.2 diesel and 7.4l BBC.
IMO it is doable..
BC
10-30-2013, 06:52 PM
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yea i was referring to the 97+ models that have the gen III/VI engine, i was looking at ops picture and i have a similar angled one of when i installed my hedders, the ls does looks tighter/higher
so maybe a braket along this line would allow us to move the engine further up front and free some place for headers, the only thing taking space in front of my engine is that huge fan/fan shroud
edit: just checked out Holley conversion mounts one offers 3'' forward position.
http://www.holley.com/data/Products/...R10379rev2.pdf
so maybe a braket along this line would allow us to move the engine further up front and free some place for headers, the only thing taking space in front of my engine is that huge fan/fan shroud
edit: just checked out Holley conversion mounts one offers 3'' forward position.
http://www.holley.com/data/Products/...R10379rev2.pdf
Last edited by BlueAndWhite; 10-30-2013 at 07:01 PM.
11-01-2013, 07:21 PM
#16
Original owner and all, that's awesome.
LS swapped would be insane.
I'm in for a Shorty Van update
11-04-2013, 10:29 PM
#18
Update for now on my Van.... the Van is 3rd in line on Projects.. got to finish up the Nova, then Re-Gasket the 84 Z28 engine (leaks pretty bad).. and then I'll start planning and looking for an engine/Trans combo...
Could be another year to two before I get to the Van. Sorry guys.. as much as I would like to move it up. Just can't do that right now.
BC
Could be another year to two before I get to the Van. Sorry guys.. as much as I would like to move it up. Just can't do that right now.
BC
11-05-2013, 12:04 AM
#19
Update for now on my Van.... the Van is 3rd in line on Projects.. got to finish up the Nova, then Re-Gasket the 84 Z28 engine (leaks pretty bad).. and then I'll start planning and looking for an engine/Trans combo...
Could be another year to two before I get to the Van. Sorry guys.. as much as I would like to move it up. Just can't do that right now.
BC
Could be another year to two before I get to the Van. Sorry guys.. as much as I would like to move it up. Just can't do that right now.
BC
....
12-12-2013, 09:36 AM
#20
I would have never thought the LSX would be tight fitting anywhere in a G20
I've looking for a thread like this for years looks like I'm still looking
been concidering the Astro LSX swap for a few years just don't like the lack of feet room on the Astro.
I wanting a sleeper tow vehical that I can carry my fish freezer for trips to the Gulf of Mexico tow a 1900LB rig and get 20MPG.
Probablley just end up w/ a 2006+ express one w/ the big 4.3 six cylinder mile it up then do the LSX swap.
?1.is the G20 a 1/4 ton van?
I've looking for a thread like this for years looks like I'm still looking
been concidering the Astro LSX swap for a few years just don't like the lack of feet room on the Astro.
I wanting a sleeper tow vehical that I can carry my fish freezer for trips to the Gulf of Mexico tow a 1900LB rig and get 20MPG.
Probablley just end up w/ a 2006+ express one w/ the big 4.3 six cylinder mile it up then do the LSX swap.
?1.is the G20 a 1/4 ton van?