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6l80e and LS3 into 3rd gen nova

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Old Nov 27, 2013 | 09:00 PM
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Default 6l80e and LS3 into 3rd gen nova

Just started making some real progress on the build so I figured it was time for an update.
I posted on here a couple months ago asking about fitting a 6l80e into an older car, but mostly all I saw was a couple chevelles and camaros, but no novas. After weighing the pros and cons of just switching out to a 4l80e I decided to just go with what I wanted instead of whats more cost effective. (Sorry if the pics are blurry. They were taken with my phone.)
So I decided to take it to my buddy who can actually weld (because my welding skills are non-existent and I want it nice)
We cut tunnel out to just the end of the trans. Forgot to take an exact measurement but its about 3-4inchs taller than the stock tunnel.


I was expecting it to hang down alot lower than it did. With the stock camaro trans pan it hangs down an inch below the framerails.



I ordered a Pontiac g8 pan for it. Its deepest point is 2.5 inches (Pan Part#242339528) (Pan Gasket#24224781) (Filter#24252158)

Camaro pan is 3.25 inches deep so it shouldn't hang down more than a quarter inch.
Had to cut the tunnel back to a little further than the seatbelt mounts to give the driveshaft some room to move.

Shouldn't have to raise it much to get the needed clearance.
Ordered a Shiftworks shifter to put in the stock console.


Anyways thats were I'm at right now until monday. Next step is to figure out a yoke that will work and finish the tunnel. Happy Thanksgiving!
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Old Nov 28, 2013 | 12:14 AM
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Signing on to the project. I had to raise my 65 Skylark tunnel maybe an inch for the 6L80.
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Old Dec 25, 2013 | 12:55 AM
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Got the floor finished up and painted and cleaned up the engine a bit. Have a few questions though. I want to put a drive by cable throttle body and am wondering if there are any issues with doing that. Also I ordered a shiftworks shifter and told them it was for a 6l80e, they sent me one with 5 detents but my trans has 7. Any help would be appreciated, Chris

Also heres some pics

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Old Dec 25, 2013 | 12:07 PM
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You only need the 5 detents. Park, reverse, neutral, drive and "sport mode". The other detents are not used. No issues with the drive by wire throttle body. I used the Corvette gas pedal. Your project is coming right along. Looking good. By the way you can set it up to use the TUTD feature.
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Old Dec 25, 2013 | 04:09 PM
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Thanks. It came with the drive by wire pedal when I bought the engine, the thing is, all of the cars Ive driven with dbw I didnt like the feel of it. I was wondering if I would need to change anything to make a drive by cable tb work or is it just bolt it on and go? I was planning on TUTD eventually also, I've been looking at Twistmachine and Powertrain Control Specialists cause I like theyre little display (PCS)http://www.powertraincontrolsolution...addleshifters/ Have you heard any good or bad things about either? What are you using on your skylark?
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Old Dec 25, 2013 | 05:12 PM
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Originally Posted by 12secondnova
Thanks. It came with the drive by wire pedal when I bought the engine, the thing is, all of the cars Ive driven with dbw I didnt like the feel of it. I was wondering if I would need to change anything to make a drive by cable tb work or is it just bolt it on and go? I was planning on TUTD eventually also, I've been looking at Twistmachine and Powertrain Control Specialists cause I like theyre little display (PCS)http://www.powertraincontrolsolution...addleshifters/ Have you heard any good or bad things about either? What are you using on your skylark?
Unless you use an aftermarket trans controller you cannot go DBC and use the 6L80.
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Old Dec 26, 2013 | 09:03 PM
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Ok, I guess I can live with drive by wire for now. Thanks for the info.
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Old Dec 27, 2013 | 06:43 PM
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I have speartech's 6l80 shifter in my car and it works nice . was actually playing with it today while driving . its not stock looking and sits a bit high but I plan on making a console for it . they also have a small module that you can use to shift into the lower gears . JOHN
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Old Jul 22, 2014 | 02:37 AM
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Default Almost done

Been a long time since I've posted an update on the car so I figured it was time! The car is ready to go to the tuners to get a baseline tune so I can start the sucker! After that yank says it will need to have some easy miles put on it to break the converter in then its back to the tuners to really dial in the tune.

Anyways heres some pictures!



Decided to go with Texas Speeds Dod and vvt delete kit as well as their 235/239 cam. The wire harness was done by PRK Automotive in Arizona. The stock wire and the big hole we had to cut to put the computer connectors through will also be patched and cleaned up.



Stock shifter from Shiftworks with just a piece of metal bent and painted to hold the new gauges.



I wanted a more stock looking wheel, went with NRG's steering wheel. PCS paddle shifters bolt up perfectly behind it.


Here is were it sits now, just waiting for a tune!

The front will go DOWN! Way to high!
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Old Jul 22, 2014 | 12:30 PM
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Looking good. Nice car.
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Old Jul 22, 2014 | 12:35 PM
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Nice build!! The trans tunnel turned out really well. I gotta cut mine out to fit my 6L90 in my BelAir... Hope it turns out that good...

Was that other trans pan a direct bolt on or did you have to modify it to fit?
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Old Jul 22, 2014 | 11:48 PM
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Originally Posted by 1989GTA
Looking good. Nice car.
Thanks!
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Old Jul 22, 2014 | 11:57 PM
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Originally Posted by tk-mpl
Nice build!! The trans tunnel turned out really well. I gotta cut mine out to fit my 6L90 in my BelAir... Hope it turns out that good...

Was that other trans pan a direct bolt on or did you have to modify it to fit?
Yep direct bolt on. You just have to make sure you get the g8 6l80e filter for it.

Edit: If you have a 6l90e it actually might not be a direct bolt on. Im not sure though.

Last edited by 12secondnova; Jul 23, 2014 at 12:04 AM.
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Old Jul 23, 2014 | 05:39 AM
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tunnel in my 62 wagon with a 6l80
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Old Jul 23, 2014 | 05:54 PM
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That tunnel looks awesome! Do you have a build thread? Wagon+LS+6l80= BITCHIN!
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Old Jul 29, 2014 | 12:22 PM
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Nice build! How are you paddles working? Does it work in Drive mode as well as Sport mode?
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Old Jul 30, 2014 | 11:51 PM
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Originally Posted by Hart_Rod
Nice build! How are you paddles working? Does it work in Drive mode as well as Sport mode?
I actually havent gotten the paddle shifters in yet. Brought it into get tuned today and found out the gas pedal that came with my ls3 when I got it doesn't work So tomorrow after I get another pedal, the paddle shifters are going in. Then I can finally drive it!!
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Old Aug 12, 2014 | 02:53 PM
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Update: So I bought a new gas pedal and apparently it notices the gas pedal as being there now, but the throttle body wasn't responding at all when you hit the gas, SO I got a new throttle body and it still doesn't work. Does anyone know what might be the problem? My harness or the computer is all that could really be left right? I was thinking about trashing the whole setup and buying Mast's m90 harness and computer, but apparently they don't sell the ones that control the 6l80e anymore?? Does anyone else make a computer/harness to run an ls3 and 6l80e?

Thanks, Chris
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Old Aug 12, 2014 | 03:03 PM
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I used the 2005+ Corvette pedal and had no problems. This is with the 6L80 and E38 controller.
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Old Aug 12, 2014 | 04:09 PM
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Originally Posted by 1989GTA
I used the 2005+ Corvette pedal and had no problems. This is with the 6L80 and E38 controller.
I sent my computer to speartech and got it flashed with the e38 and t43 programs. I have a gas pedal from a 2010+ camaro. Would that make it not work?
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