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Old Jun 22, 2015 | 12:40 PM
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Default Engine mount angle

I am installing a 5.3/4L60E into a 57 Chevy pickup. It has a 79 Camaro front clip, and independent rear from a C4 Corvette.

When doing a LS swap, is there an optimum angle to install the engine? I noticed the oil and transmission pans are 3 degrees from the crankshaft angle.

Should I install the engine with the pans level to the frame, which would be 3 degrees down on the crank. Or do I install the engine with the crankshaft level to the frame? I need to know where to put the engine now, so I can match the pinion parallel to the crank.

If I install with the crank parallel to the frame, it would make the oil pan and transmission pan slope quite a bit after I rake the stance.
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Old Jun 22, 2015 | 02:50 PM
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Originally Posted by MX442
I am installing a 5.3/4L60E into a 57 Chevy pickup. It has a 79 Camaro front clip, and independent rear from a C4 Corvette.

When doing a LS swap, is there an optimum angle to install the engine? I noticed the oil and transmission pans are 3 degrees from the crankshaft angle.

Should I install the engine with the pans level to the frame, which would be 3 degrees down on the crank. Or do I install the engine with the crankshaft level to the frame? I need to know where to put the engine now, so I can match the pinion parallel to the crank.

If I install with the crank parallel to the frame, it would make the oil pan and transmission pan slope quite a bit after I rake the stance.
You'll want to set it at what is needed to achieve optimal U-joint working angles, which means you should do it after you've set your ride height/stance and decided on the tire and wheel set-up you are going to use.
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Old Jun 22, 2015 | 06:27 PM
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Originally Posted by Toddoky
You'll want to set it at what is needed to achieve optimal U-joint working angles, which means you should do it after you've set your ride height/stance and decided on the tire and wheel set-up you are going to use.
What Toddoy said plus...
You always want to work from the crank / flywheel angle for all your engine side driveline measurements. The oil pan, intake or other parts of the engine may not be parallel to the crank. The angle of the crank is one of the most important baseline measurements critical for smooth and reliable driveline operation.


For your reading pleasure: http://www.hurst-drivelines.com/file...roc_111606.pdf
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Old Jun 22, 2015 | 09:18 PM
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The rear end height is already determined. Installing the engine level, or 3 degrees down is within the working angle of the u-joints. I am well aware of what u-joint angles need to be.

So the short answer is it doesn't matter what angle the engine is, as long as the u-joints are in spec? Why did GM install the engines tail down?

Since I'm building from scratch, I can do it either way. Parallel to the frame, or tail of engine angled down.
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Old Jun 22, 2015 | 09:23 PM
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Originally Posted by MX442
The rear end height is already determined. Installing the engine level, or 3 degrees down is within the working angle of the u-joints. I am well aware of what u-joint angles need to be.

So the short answer is it doesn't matter what angle the engine is, as long as the u-joints are in spec? Why did GM install the engines tail down?

Since I'm building from scratch, I can do it either way. Parallel to the frame, or tail of engine angled down.
GM (and other companies) installed them tail down in order to provide more room. Makes for a smaller transmission hump.

Driveline angle can be corrected with adjustable upper control arms (and maybe lower control arms too....never seen that though except on 4links.
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Old Jun 22, 2015 | 11:01 PM
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From: Little Austin
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The OP said he has a C4 IRS in the car, so that means ride height has no effect on driveline angles.

Personally, I would set the engine so that your front and rear operating angles are less than 1 degree, but not zero.

Andrew
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Old Jun 23, 2015 | 08:10 AM
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Originally Posted by Project GatTagO
The OP said he has a C4 IRS in the car, so that means ride height has no effect on driveline angles.

Personally, I would set the engine so that your front and rear operating angles are less than 1 degree, but not zero.

Andrew
What's up Andrew. Yes, I noticed the mention of the IRS in the OP's post, which means he can change ride height and/or tire and wheel sizes at will without affecting his U-joint angles. The elevation variation between the engine and rear differential that is set upon the initial installation of the components will however have a great impact on the angles. The point I was trying to convey is that it's impossible to pick an arbitrary installed engine inclination angle and say proper U-joint working angles will result from installing the engine at that degree. The engine/trans and differential will need to be mocked up in the vehicle and then the U-joint angles will need to be checked and the components adjusted to obtain what is required.
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Old Jun 23, 2015 | 02:43 PM
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From: Little Austin
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Originally Posted by Toddoky
What's up Andrew. Yes, I noticed the mention of the IRS in the OP's post, which means he can change ride height and/or tire and wheel sizes at will without affecting his U-joint angles. The elevation variation between the engine and rear differential that is set upon the initial installation of the components will however have a great impact on the angles. The point I was trying to convey is that it's impossible to pick an arbitrary installed engine inclination angle and say proper U-joint working angles will result from installing the engine at that degree. The engine/trans and differential will need to be mocked up in the vehicle and then the U-joint angles will need to be checked and the components adjusted to obtain what is required.
We are in violent agreement! LOL

Andrew
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Old Jun 23, 2015 | 03:49 PM
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Originally Posted by Project GatTagO
We are in violent agreement! LOL

Andrew
Arrrrrrrggggghhhh, yes we are!
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