mrfleet12

Hey Guys
If I'm in the wrong place, please let me know..

I am considering swapping my BBC 460 for an LS3 for a little better drivability.

My current setup is a 460 BBC, TH400 trans with a JW bell housing, Gear Vendors, Strange Engineering 12 bolt with an Eaton posi, 4.10 gears, C Clip eliminators and... I think that's it..

So what I'm thinking is, selling off the BBC, buying decent 6.2 LS pull out, getting the correct JW bell housing to bolt the TH400 to the LS block and buying an aftermarket controller to run it.. Obviously there is all of the other ancillary items, gas tank, radiator etc but what I am questioning myself on is, does it really make sense to reuse the TH400 or should I swap that for a newer trans?
Give me your thoughts..

Thanks
Bill

Fry_

Normally I'd say yes ditch the TH400 for a 4L80E, but with the Gear Vendos OD I don't really see the need for it. Yes the 4L80E still has some advantages buy being computer controlled, which would make it a little more DD friendly and consistent at the drag strip, but I don't know if thats a big enough reason to change it. Also there is no need to change the bell housing all but one bolt hole will line up, you'll just need a spacer between the flex plate and the torque converter.

One more thing this probably belongs in the conversions and hybrids section. You'll be able to find lots of good info to help you with all of the details of your swap in there.

Jimbo1367

Can you stuff a GearVendors OD on the back of a 4L80?

oldgoat69

You own the TH400/GV unit, run it! I see no good reason in this case to change. If you did not have the GV it would be a completely different story.

mrfleet12

Kind of been my thought all along, the GV is pretty much bullet proof.
What do you guys think of pull out engines from eBay or a bone yard?


Il try to move the post when I get home.

Thanks

mrfleet12

Thanks for moving the thread, just got home so I could get to a PC and not working from the "smart" phone...

Going to start the search for the LS engine and see what I can get for the BBC, may put the entire drive train up for sale to see what I can get for it..

garys 68

iTrader: (1)

You'll be fine with the TH40/GV or an electronic trans.
On ebay motors, I bought both my iron block LS motors off ebay auctions that expired. Contacted them with a lowball offer, they both took it. Very happy with both.
The aluminum block LS3s will be pretty rare and I doubt many deals out there, so you might check into aluminum (L92) or iron truck motors too.

98Camarod

iTrader: (43)

If you aren't a wiz at transmissions, the bonus with the th400 is it's really easy to rebuild. I've never opened a trans before and rebuilt my th400. I'd keep the th400, but that's me.

mrfleet12

All good info, thanks...

The search begins

oldgoat69

I bought my LQ4 from LKQ back in 2009. I paid $1100.00 delivered to my door. It did have a little bonus with it. This is what it looked like then.

mrfleet12

That's a nice "little bonus"..

I am going to look for a 6.2, even considering buy a salvaged car if I can get the right deal..

oldgoat69

They are out there, just start looking and be ready to pounce when you see one. www.car-part.com is a really good resource and nationwide.

mrfleet12

Thanks, I'll check them out...