wicked st

I'am wanting to put a ls and 4L60 or 4L80 in a 71 El Camino. Do I need to cut the tunnel and is there a actual GM pan that fits? I know the Chevelle is the same A body but it looks like people have went a few different ways.

rotoober

iTrader: (8)

I did the same thing in my 70 with a 4L60 and I did not cut the tunnel, but I did notch and re-weld the crossmember. Used a stock F-body pan and accessories. It was a major PITA, but, the engine sits about 2" in front of the firewall, and I can pull the engine/trans. out together ( I became quite good at it after about 10 test fits) Lokar makes a colum shift linkage that was almost a plug and play, and I used the F-body throttle cable and stock pedal.

wicked st

Did you make you own motor mounts or use a kit?

71 chevelle

iTrader: (13)

Eldebrock mounts puts your motor pretty much to the stock location so you wont have to make mods the way other set backs do.

Sandmann120

iTrader: (1)

I know for a fact the 4L60 will clear the tunnel. Same dimensions as a 700R4, and I ran one of those in my '71 El Camino for awhile. Just a few driveshaft and crossmember mods.

bczee

iTrader: (12)

You shouldn't have any problems with a 4L60e, as it is the same size as a 700R4.. but if you go to a 4L80e, you most likely going to have to do some Tunnel modifications.. or mount the engine very low, which is all together another problem as Rotoober avoided by doing the mod on the Crossmember.

With a F-Body pan, you will have to set the engine back some, aka early BRP style mount can be used and a un-mod' F-Body pan can be used. If you use any of the other style plates (S&P, ATS, Edelbrock, etc) you will need a modified pan or a aftermarket pan to clear the Cross member.

There is a FAQ for A-Body swap at the top, review them and it will help you with your swap parts and direction.

But anyone with Avg or above wrenching skills (well, maybe a little help) can do a A-Body swap...

wicked st

Thanks for the help.

wicked st

How does the 4L60 hold up? I know my dad has one in his truck and got about 5 years out of it and all he does is drive to and from work.

wicked st

How does the 4L60 hold up? I know my dad has one in his truck and got about 5 years out of it and all he does is drive to and from work.

SMAX

iTrader: (11)

As long as you don't lean on it or look at it funny it should be fine.

wicked st

Thats not good so should I go with a 4L80. How much differance is there between them or a 700r4?

SMAX

iTrader: (11)

4l60e is a 700r4 only eltronically controlled. If you have to have overdrive go with the 4l80e but if not just put a th400 in it.

rotoober

iTrader: (8)

I used the BRP extra long mounts and cut/welded the crossmember. Stock F body fans/radiator and components. I have a full shop with mig/plasma cutter and some metal fab skills. It would have been much easier to use a modified f-body pan.
I didn't want to have the head planted back on the firewall - I can get to everything with my set up (thank goodness because I had to replace my heater core last weekend).