pwirth

Here we go! The Engine is out of the Skylark and I have the 2007 3/4 ton Chevy truck with 72k miles on it ready to pull out the engine, Just bought the Holley Oil Pan for the swap. I thought about using the original pan until I saw how low they sat in some Pics of cars with this pan on them. Thanks for those who placed pics and info on this forum. Also the research done on the LSX Oil Pans By philntx. Great info.

1967BuickGS400

cant wait to see it.

1989GTA

Be sure to post pictures and commentary on your progress.

oldgoat69

So we now have 3 active Buick builds of the same generation going. This should be interesting. Post pictures and I wish you success.

menchaca

iTrader: (1)

Cool build man. I put a 6.0 in my 72 skylark over the holidays. I have been driving it around and enjoying it. You will enjoy it.

pwirth

menchaca, Dude we need to talk, I have been buying parts, Bought a "everything you want to know about ls engines book", but still have alot of questions.

menchaca

iTrader: (1)

I can try to answer any questions you have. I took out a 13:1 comp 496 BBC and put in the 6.0. I am able to drive anytime I want to without having to worry about expensive race gas. I used an f body oil pan. F body headers and $50 Trans dapt mounts. I did have to notch the crossmember and convince the driverside header to go in with a hammer. I had to only beat on the #1 cylinder primary tube because it hit on the crossmember. The passenger side header fit almost perfect. I had to move my frame mounts toward the firewall 1 1/4" to mate up to my tranny. Hope this helps.

LS2GS

Wow, Buicks are the hot ticket! How about some pics?

pwirth

I like the way I have seen Doug's headers fit. but my hooker headers from the 350 would hit speed bumps. I am thinking of buying these headers on eBay, they are from a company I have not heard of "Speedmater" P.N. SM5077 they are Stainless steel Shorty headers with 2.5in collectors. $209.00 May be a little more restrictive then full length headers but I do not have $600.00 in the budget for headers!

pwirth

cleaned up the engine bay and did a little painting in the engine compartment. I will not plan on pulling the front clip unless I have to. Started cleaning up the stock transmission cross member. I plan to modify it to work with the L480E. I would be interested in seeing pics of stock modified transmission cross members.

oldgoat69

Looks like the cross member from my car, I sectioned about 30% out of the center and dropped it about an inch to make everything clear. I don't have any pictures of the crossmember.

pwirth

That is what I thought I needed to do, I cant remember what transmission you have in your Buick. i thought you said it was a 4L80. did you have tunnel clearence issues?

oldgoat69

I have a 4L60E. The Dougs headers fit the chassis better than any others I have seen.

pwirth

It sounds like i should look into the Doug headers again everyone that has used them really like them. I'm getting a little concerned with the fact that not that many people are using the 4l80E. I have been told not to use it because it is to big. I have not heard if the tunnel needs to be split open to fit the 4l80e on an "A" body car.

oldgoat69

Most seem to either split the tunnel or drop the engine/trans really low and beat the tunnel into submission. I just made it real easy and used a 4L60E. This is no race car so I am not worried about hurting the trans. And the cross member is easier to fit. If you go the 4L60E and your original combination was 4L80E you might need to repin the trans plug. I discovered this detail and have a proper wiring diagram made up.

GSXCHAD

iTrader: (1)

Just started almost the same swop. 2003 LQ4 iron block with LS3 heads and intake. 1 inch set back with '02 fbody pan. Have to be different and try the 4L80e...cut the tunnel I suppose. Are you going wire or cable throttle body?

pwirth

I have not got that far yet, I really like what LS@GS did in this post (69 Buick GS 415/T56) with what he did with the TPI-EFI system that he installed and kept the factory Air cleaner. I just wish it was in my budget. May go with a self tunninig efi 4bl system. I have not yet read about anyone putting a 4l80e in an "A" body If I have to cut on the tunnel I will go with a different transmission. just bought an engine hoist, Will be pulling the engine from the truck on monday.

3.8redbird

iTrader: (3)

I have a 4L80e in my 70 elky but it is behind a gen 1 350.

Stock trans cross member. cut off the back tab, flipped it and used the furthest back holes in the chassis and rewelded a brace a little lower and it is nearly perfect. could be lowered slightly but nothing of concern.

cbrodine

I am using a 4L80 in my 69 Skylark convertible build. The motor and trans are bolted in place in the frame, but I haven't set the body back on the car yet to check fitment...I'll keep you posted.

67Skylark

I have the 4L85E in a 67 Skylark no cutting of the tunnel, just dimpled the hump in two spots for cooling line clearance. See the attached pictures of the cross member. When it is all bolted in place there is a 1/4 spacer under the mount. Another 1/4 spacer between the frame and cross member on each end. My pinion angle is 2 degrees down. Cut the center section leaving just the ½” lip on the forward and end edges. Welded in 4 vertical 1/4 plates then welded 1/2 plate on the bottom then cut the two ½” strips out. I running f body pan set as low as I can go and still be able to steer it stop to stop. Doug's full length headers.