ls1 4l80e torque converter question
I hope this is the right place to post this and I apologize if it is not. I am certain this question has been asked many times. I apologize for asking again but I couldn't find this specific question.
I have a 1991 1 ton chevy pickup with a 350 TBI engine and a 4l80e trany.
I am swapping the 350 TBI for a 2003 5.3l engine. I threw the rod through the oil pan and this is the engine I have.
I had purchased the Speartech wiring harness, the engine relocation kit and the spacer for the 4l80e conversion.
So here is the problem that I am having, I posted some pictures to assist in this question. The flex plate that came with the original engine is a 6 bolt hole flex plate to connect with the heavy duty torque converter. I want to keep the heavy duty torque converter since it is a truck. The original flex plate is the same diameter and the bolt holes align, well except two as to which you can see in the pictures "hopefully". so can i just drill the two holes in the original flex plate and use the spacer to offset the flex plate from the engine? or what is the suggestion here. I really don't want to buy a new torque converter unless there is no other reasonable choice.
Thank you for all the help.
Chris




The flex plate pictured on the right looks like a flat 6.0L flex plate but the holes should line right up. But hard to tell.
I will check into the LS flexplate. I assume I can get that from summit or jegs?
in the pic that has both plates in it the one onthe left is the 5.3l dished flexplate and the one on the right is the 350 tbi flexplate.
the problem I encountered with putting the 350 tbi flexplate first and then the spacer is that it is to close to the block. the tbi flex plate is just a little bit thicker than the ls flexplate. just my luck its just enough to rub the block. plus it has a big weight on it. To me it sounds that I am probably better off with getting the other flexplate.
I am still open for ideas as well. thanks a million I am so ready to get this project done. I miss my truck, lol
thanks for all the answers so far
Chris
Last edited by cmwatcds; Oct 19, 2011 at 08:03 AM.
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6.0/4l80e flexplates are $30-$50 all day long on greedBay, usually come with the spacer too.
If you can find a yard that has one on a motor grab the longer bolts with it instead of GM at $5/ea.
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
ATP 135-Z270 - ATP Flexplates
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ATP-Z270/
the other reason I wanted to stick with stock is I dont want to go thru a thousand starters trying to find one to fit. so I am really hoping all this works. Thanks again for all the help
Chris








