Looking for expert advice. I want to put LS power into my Chevelle on a budget. I found a 2009 6.0L G8 motor with 45k for $3800 it has a 6L80 on it for $5000 total. The 6L80 wont fit so I plan on using a 4L60/65E. Question:Any issues with the newer 2009 engines going into a retro swap like mine? Will a 4L60 bolt up to the G8?and is this a Good price for this motor? on a budget....

Thanks.

 

It's been done 1,000,000 times, so no, no real issues. Pretty much any 67-72 chevelle/ cutlass/ etc thread should more or less be applicable to what you are doing.
Would never pay that much for a 6.0 though, despite some people selling here also asking that much for them.

 

The L76 in the G8 had Active Fuel Management (AFM), also known as Displacement on Demand (DOD). If you plan to install an aftermarket camshaft into this engine, you'll have to do a DOD delete, which you can piece together yourself or buy the components in a kit for about $400.

Do some research on AFM/DOD.

Tipsy

 

I have worked this budget build to death and back. I am not a mechanic, tools etc. But I can bolt stuff together, any recommendations on what year , make and model I should be looking for? Around the 400 HP or more.

 

The L76 is a good motor if you turn off the DOD, however I think they are only rated at about 360hp. With a tune and headers, you'll probably get to the 400s. You could also look for an LS2, which is 405hp out of the box, with 450+ possible with just headers.

Not sure on the years for the G8 (L76), but the GTOs had LS2s in 2005 and 2006. Vettes had them too, but you will have to get another transmission out of something else because the Vette trans is in two pieces...one behind the engine, and one at the rear differential.

 

Stick to your math. I recently bought a GTO LS2/T56 dropout for $5500. That's a complete motor, trans, computer harness and all accessories. I'll change the clutch, just to be safe, but the only part I have to change is the oil pan. And I've already sold the GTO oil pan for 2/3rd the cost of a new replacement F-Body pan.

I did the math too. Everyone talks about finding complete iron blocks out of a truck for less than $2000. In a lot of car applications, the truck intake manifolds are way too tall. So now you're in the market for an intake, fuel rails, injectors and a throttle body. But you scored a deal and your engine came with a harness? Well, now that your swapping manifolds and injectors, you need to modify your harness, or at the very least, buy adapters. And in many swap applications, the high mounted alternator of the truck front accessory drive will be too tall. So now you're in the market for F Body (or similar) front accessory drives. Only now, you have water pump, pulley and alternator issues.

Your goal is 400+ HP? Better start looking for a cam. Now you're looking at gaskets, bolts, timing chain, etc. Fork out a few more bucks and you're easily north of $3500 before you have a complete engine with a usable harness, computer and front accessory drive.

The price of a complete dropout (or at least a complete engine dropout) might seem high up front, but unless you have a garage full of spare parts and some fabrication ability, a pieced together engine can get spendy very quickly.

Just one man's opinion.

Tipsy