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86 Monte SS 4.8 swap

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Old Nov 15, 2014 | 04:45 PM
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Default 86 Monte SS 4.8 swap

Per another thread I said I would start a swap thread on the G-body.
As with others, I will do somethings differently and some the same. Take it as you will.

Here's the victim: 86 Monte SS completely numbers matching but the 305 is worn out and all the electronics are almost toast.






180 rompin', stompin' horses . love that 305.

Here's the new power plant. Bone stock bottom end 4.8 from a 99 silverado.


LS6 intake, cam and pac 1218 springs will go in soon. Cooling duties are care of a 2002 Z06 donating its radiator and fans. Exhaust is care of same said Z06. Vette accessories are replacing the truck ones. Twin turbo setup much later down the road.

Last edited by kawijames; Nov 15, 2014 at 09:16 PM. Reason: typo
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Old Nov 15, 2014 | 04:48 PM
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Great choice, being a teenager in the 80s I loved those cars, can't wait to watch the progress.
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Old Nov 15, 2014 | 04:52 PM
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Parts list:

1998 4.8L
C5 accessory drive
2006 TB SS PS pulley
1998-02 F-body longtubes
2003 4L60E from ext cab short bed silverado.
custom shortened diveshaft shortened to 1240MM
2004 CTSV oil pan, pick-up, dipstick and tube
1998 4.8L oil pan baffle
2000 C5 intake, rail, injectors
2000 C5 fuel filter
2002 F-body Throttle body
Painless extended length harness
Walbro 255 external pump
modified fuel pickup/strainer
C5 steam line and block offs
C5 e fans
OE MCSS radiator
C5 upper rad hose
2000 Silverado lower hose

Last edited by kawijames; Sep 27, 2015 at 10:46 AM.
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Old Nov 15, 2014 | 05:00 PM
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Wish I had the skills to take on a project like that. Good luck with it.
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Old Nov 15, 2014 | 05:08 PM
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Do you have a target HP number you're looking to get out of it?
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Old Nov 15, 2014 | 05:56 PM
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In the end game I'll break 1000RWHP with twins,meth and spray. Its been done before on a stock bottomed 4.8 with LOTS of boost and a little laughing gas. Just cause you can throw down 1K hp doesn't mean you have to at all times. That's what scramble boost is for. Won't be drag racing her, I'm a highway runner.

In the mean time though I'll keep the 4.8 relatively unmolested after the swap until frame stiffening, suspension and body/paint are complete. I found its easier to do the swap, then come back with mods later. Not as much fun but less headaches.

Supporting mods will go in with the swap however. no sense in doing a fuel system twice. I've been on the lookout for a pair of T56's but everyone wants a pretty penny for them. I'll just have to be patient.
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Old Nov 15, 2014 | 08:39 PM
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Official parts list and dimensions:
Gen III 4.8L
04 CTSV pan,pickup,dipstick and windage tray
02 C5 Accessories complete
06 TBSS ps pump pulley
ARP harmonic balancer bolt. (reusable)
03 silverado ext cab 2wd 4L60E
02 C5 MAF
02 C5 intake
02 C5 injectors
1" setback plates ebay
Modified Silverado harness c/o BP-Automotive
86 MCSS Driveshaft shortened to 1240mm center to center of ears
86 MCSS radiator
Walbro255 External mount
02 C5 filter/regulator assy
-6 AN line to rail
OE fuel sending unit modified (breather line used as return. Return used as breather line)
00 silverado manifolds modified for Vband
02 C5 exhaust modified for Vband, h pipe modified.
00 Silverado ECM ,EFI Live tuned

Rail was flipped for pass side fuel line routing. OE cross member was reused but moved forward for 4L60E.
Truck accessories would not clear gearbox. C5 accessories with TBSS ps pulley will.

Last edited by kawijames; May 12, 2015 at 01:00 PM. Reason: update list
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Old Nov 15, 2014 | 08:54 PM
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Originally Posted by kawijames
In the end game I'll break 1000RWHP with twins,meth and spray.
Never saw a MC SS, put down that number... Dammn going to be some fun.
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Old Dec 20, 2014 | 01:30 PM
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Original drive train is out and on the ground. Unfortunately for me, the exhaust manifold killed my evaporated core box.
I'm waiting on gm parts to send me the rest of the parts for my oil pan.

I'll try to get more pics posted this afternoon.
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Old Dec 20, 2014 | 06:52 PM
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bad *** car man please post more pictures
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Old Dec 21, 2014 | 05:51 PM
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who says you can't pull the motor and trans complete at once? Even yanked with the radiator as one giant piece. Made for a very clean motor pull.

If Gm parts will ever process my order maybe I can get the new motor in place.....
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Old Dec 30, 2014 | 05:49 PM
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Got a little more done today. Cold weather sucks when you're a southerner.

I hit a snag with the Vette accessories so instead It's truck stuff for now. I'll change it later on. Or I won't just kinda depends on how I feel. CTSV pan, pickup and etc are on. Plates and clamshells are in place. Harness is under construction on my dining room table LOL.

Anyways, here's more pics.



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Old Apr 18, 2015 | 06:46 PM
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As we all know life always gets in the way of our fun stuff. I found serious rust problems and a Crack in the frame so I pretty much came to a stand still. Lucky for me, my girl started hounding me to get going on the monte again and even started getting dirty too. 3/4 of the sheet metal has been pulled down to bare steel and shot with an epoxy primer. The floors have to be replaced, one door is trash, couple of place on the body need cut out and re welded as well as the rockers and part of the firewall. I'll end up boxing the frame after the Crack is repaired to strengthen it up for the power.

I know y'all like pics so here's a couple with my helpers giving me a hand.






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Old Apr 18, 2015 | 06:54 PM
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Keep at it! I missed out on a pretty nice 86 Monte Carlo SS today at an auction I was at... I'm still kicking my own *** for not bidding on it.
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Old Apr 18, 2015 | 07:20 PM
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Gbody?
1000hp?

Enjoy that twisted frame if you arent boxing the rails plus other various frame support.
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Old Apr 18, 2015 | 08:30 PM
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Wiring is factory modified with BP Automotive's DIY kit. I talked to Bill this afternoon and I should be getting all the stuff for it this weekend/next week. I'm excited to get my hands on it and get the wiring dealt with. We all know the wiring seems to be the most daunting part of these swaps!!

Boxchev, I'm not building for 1/4 mile as I'm a roll kinda guy. I've already planned for boxing the frame. As well as further frame stiffening for rigidity.
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Old Apr 26, 2015 | 09:53 AM
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Cool

Update for anyone following this: did the test fit today, CTSV oil pan, zero setback plates. I'll let the pictures do the talking.











Can we say perfect fit?

I'm waiting on new brake lines, so I won't have any contact with the pan.

Last edited by kawijames; Apr 26, 2015 at 12:40 PM.
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Old Apr 26, 2015 | 11:40 AM
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So if you're using a zero setback plate, the truck accessories WILL NOT CLEAR.

Couldn't get a pic, cause, well you can't even bolt it up with the ps pump installed.

However, I finally did get the Vette brackets I was waiting for. They will clear.


Sorry for the terrible pic once the pump is on ( use a TBSS pulley) I'll get a better one.

Last edited by kawijames; Apr 26, 2015 at 11:42 AM. Reason: Spelling
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Old Apr 30, 2015 | 03:13 PM
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My other half is trying to talk me into going with a single turbo setup but it's still in the air.
I have a set of -1 setback plates so I might play with the location this weekend. Motor has to come back out for the trans anyways.
The rest of my drive accessories are here. As well as, the rest of the fuel system and back to the LS1 intake.
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Old May 8, 2015 | 06:28 PM
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Final placement of the powertrain, under up deciding to use the 1" setback for ease of exhaust and rack later on. 4l60e is in,driveshaft is being shortened and balanced. Fuel system is almost completely installed, just waiting on some fittings.
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