Shoe horn LS in 1975 Chevy van G10 shorty
04-29-2014, 08:03 PM
#42
Teching In
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[IMG]<iframe src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/68971144@N08/13930911855/player/" width="75" height="75" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe>[/IMG]
05-15-2014, 08:59 AM
#47
TECH Resident
Looks great guys!!! I bought a 6.0/4L80E from an Express years back to put into my 1983 in place of the TPI 350/4L60E driveline. Never got around to it because I got into a Hemi Ram and parked the old G20 because it needed suspension work. I am in the process of pulling the TPI engine out to put into my 1980 Corvette and while I am at it, may pickup an Express 4.8/4L80E I can get cheap and swap in the old G20 and do an A-Team clone.
The 1983 had the larger engine bay used up through 1995, but the engine was mounted on offset engine mounts and sat several inches closer to the driverside. The lower subframe is the same, but the engine mount towers are different. I have a set of towers from a 1-ton 454 van that I parted out a few years ago. I also saved the electronic speedo from that van. Same speedo and gauges just an electronic speedo rather than a cable operated. You may notice I did a dash swap as well as an inside heater case that added defrost vents to both side windows and gave me the newer flat faced speedo rather than the 4 round holes the earlier vans had.
The 1983 had the larger engine bay used up through 1995, but the engine was mounted on offset engine mounts and sat several inches closer to the driverside. The lower subframe is the same, but the engine mount towers are different. I have a set of towers from a 1-ton 454 van that I parted out a few years ago. I also saved the electronic speedo from that van. Same speedo and gauges just an electronic speedo rather than a cable operated. You may notice I did a dash swap as well as an inside heater case that added defrost vents to both side windows and gave me the newer flat faced speedo rather than the 4 round holes the earlier vans had.
Last edited by Fast355; 05-15-2014 at 09:08 AM.
10-06-2014, 08:06 PM
#49
Staging Lane
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I'm digging this thread...I have a LS3 I was going to put in my 02 Xtreme S10 but I've been bit by the old van bug and have to have another one and I've been thinking about dropping my 6.2 in it....I used to swap the van engines out from under-neath by unbolting the engine crossmember and suspension and using a floor jack to lower it and reinstall...sounds like a lot of work but it actually makes the job quite a bit easier
10-06-2014, 09:23 PM
#50
When I do my next swap, I might drop it out the bottom.. but I'd have to move the Front Diff, as the front engine cross member is a lot smaller that a stock one. Since I have the smaller engine bay, I am considering moving the engine forward an 1" or so to avoid the smaller/narrower rear area... but I have to consider moving the Trans and transfer case along with drive shafts.
Once I finish up the Chevelle new Dash and get the Nova completed, I might get motivated on doing something with the G30. But every time I read this threat.. it keeps my interest.. LOL
On the TPI engine. What Front end accessories did you use. did you use the SMOG and AC ?
BC
Once I finish up the Chevelle new Dash and get the Nova completed, I might get motivated on doing something with the G30. But every time I read this threat.. it keeps my interest.. LOL
On the TPI engine. What Front end accessories did you use. did you use the SMOG and AC ?
BC
03-18-2015, 06:38 PM
#51
Staging Lane
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Well the van bug did get me and I have a 1978 G20 shorty van coming from Az. it should be hear within the next couple weeks. It has a knock and it skips so it's going to need a motor, seems I may get my wish to drop an LS into it but unfortunately I sold my LS3, I really don't need 500hp in an old van anyway...The van also has heavy collision damage to the right front so I may find a newer donor van and graft in enough of the firewall and doghouse to fit the LS...I'll see if it's feasible once I tear into it....
BCZEE: I love your Pathfinder van it brings back memories, my first van was a 78 G20 long w/b Pathfinder brown also. I bought it as a salvage vehicle, the damage to the drive train was so severe I saddly converted it back to 2wd
BCZEE: I love your Pathfinder van it brings back memories, my first van was a 78 G20 long w/b Pathfinder brown also. I bought it as a salvage vehicle, the damage to the drive train was so severe I saddly converted it back to 2wd
Last edited by northcoastrides; 03-18-2015 at 06:54 PM. Reason: to ad to the post
