chitown64

Good afternoon,

I am looking for as much assistance as possible. I have a 1960 impala with no engine no trans and am looking to do an LS conversion. I am a little confused as to what engine is best for the conversion. I am looking at an engine and trans from a 2006 cadillac ESCALADE but am worried that I will have to cut up my floors and prefer not to. Can someone tell me what exact donor car to get this engine from? I will be happy with a 700R4 trans if thats what would fit best. I am looking for a street cruiser with about 400HP. Any and all info would be greatly appreciated. If anyone knows of a good shop in Illinois to do this also would help. The guy i know of moved to Tennessee.

Thanks in advance,
REY

76larkman

theres a shop in quad cities, rite now i cant remember its name. cheapest motor tranny to get is in silverados & sierra trucks. pick a 2wd as tranny will work. i wouldnt use the 700r4 as its easier to use tranny on donor motor. 2500 series has 6.0/4l80e tranny quite large but stout. 1500 series can have 4.8 0r 5.3/4l60e or4l65e tranny depends on year. im talking 99-early 07 trucks. full size van works too but trucks have more adaptable parts. here is a number for guy in chicago works at a shop. he into ls swaps i got tranny from him seems to be knowledgable. Larry 630-940-8986

ctsvcaddy

iTrader: (2)

I recently put an ls2/t56 in my 60'. I did all the work in my own workshop.
Had to do a little massaging of the floor for the Trans, but not much. I used the holley engine mounts (1/2" forward) and a 01 F-body oil pan which cleared the front crossmember by a hair. Really brings the car into the 21st century. The LS2 made 417 rwhp.
I am in the middle of swapping the heads to LSA's and putting the LSA blower on top.
Let me know if you have any other questions and I'll try to help.

chitown64

@76LARKMAN
Thanks for the info..I'll give him a call

@CTCVCADDY
congrats..that looks real nice..What vehicle is that engine and trans from?

1964SS

iTrader: (1)

If your looking for a pullout for the best fit then the 98-2002 F-body camaro would be what to look for since ctsvcaddy stated the f-body oil pan fits. Truck engines will be cheaper for sure, but if you plan on changing the intake, oil pan and accessories then the truck engine may not be cheaper in the long run. The 2001-2002 F-body has the LS6 intake and better heads which adds a bit more power.

ctsvcaddy

iTrader: (2)

Engine is an 2006 LS2 from a GTO with an LS6 intake manifold, LS3 Camaro exhaust manifolds and ported 243 heads.

Trans is a T56 from an 01 Camaro/Firebird using the street and performance crossmember and master cylinder bracket. If you go stick, the T56 will be much easier to fit because of the shifter location on the trans, rather then the remote set up on the later TR6060.

Holley high mount acc. brackets (awesome and cheap) Griffin LS direct fit radiator with fans and shroud.

Keep in mind you can swap the F-body oil pan/ windage tray/ and oil pickup onto any LSX motor and make it work.

chitown64

thank you all for this info..i will look for an 02 CAMARO

What are your thoughts on an 06-09 Chevy Trailblazer SS? I heard this setup would work?
thanks

CoronaMark

Im going to do a LS3 in a 59 impala. Do you know if the 6l80e will fit without cutting the floor. I will go the t56 route but like you would like to use my bench seat. How much massaging did it take? did you use the belt system from the Camaro or Corvette. Thank you

gofastwclass

iTrader: (2)

Good luck on the 6L80E fitting without modifications, those transmissions are BIG.
4L60E - no problem.
4L80E - challenging, but not a big deal.