When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Been using this site for a while to get information, and thought I'd finally create an account to start this build thread for my 84 C20 that is about to get a new transplant. It originally came with a 6.2 diesel 700r4 combo. The 6.2 unfortunately decided to no longer want to stay in one piece so I had to look at other options.
I've been looking into LS conversions for my older Camaros for a while and figured that the old Squarebody would be an easier swap since:
A: MUCH more room under the hood and ground clearance is less of an issue. and
B: It actually needs a new engine.
I found a 5.3/4l60e drive train with 50k miles on it with wiring harness, computer, accessories, the whole nine. While I'm waiting for that to arrive I also picked up a Trans-Dapt 42051 kit from Summit racing. The kit comes with mounts, oil pan, headers, and a new transmission cross member. Figured I'd start this as a build thread to document my progress on the truck since although there are multiple places to find information about the swap into a Squarebody pickup, none of them have documented using a kit like this or how they did some of the work specific to this truck to make it happen.
Got the Trans-Dapt kit and a couple of other things in today and will be starting the swap this week. Drive train should be at the shop by the end of the week.
For the fuel system I'll be running an inline pump on either keyed power or an independent switch, not sure which way I'll wire that up yet, but I have time. Will be getting all new lines from the tank to the intake though as well since the truck was diesel.
As for the wiring harness I will be stripping the factory harness of all unneeded wires and removing the pins from the plug for the ECU. Probably get the drivetrain in and wired up, then strip back the unneeded stuff once I have everything in and identified. That'll also make it easier for the tuning. I may try to actually get the setup running before I strip the harness in case I need to rework anything during the process.
i don't like the transdapt swap kit. Seems cheap to me. Ive done a lot of c10 swaps and only used them once! If u buy everything separate u can have a better setup. Just my 2 cents.
I usually run ict billet swap mounts, measure trans and engine location and u can make the original shaft fit perfect!! I usually redrill trans crossmember mounting holes and move it back. Get some nice speed engineering headers for the c10s. Last order u a swap oil pan so pan doesn't hang below crossmember as bad. Usually run a muscle car pan kit. Comes with everything needed.
Well, I appreciate the input. I am trying to do this as a bit of a budget build and $650 for the kit was a lot better than $800 just for the oil pan and headers. Hopefully I won't have an issue with fitment or anything, but from what I've seen, I should be fine. Looking at the oil pan it appears to be no deeper than a stock oil pan for a small block. Also the headers being Hedman and application specific, I think will work just fine, but time will tell. Once the swap is under way I plan to take a lot of pictures and possibly a video or two that I'll edit and post up.
As for the drive shaft, it should work just fine. The 4l60e is the same size as the 700r4 and the engine will sit in the stock location with the Trans-Dapt mounts so that won't be an issue.
I'll have to double check, but I don't think the new kit requires an oil filter relocation kit. If it does require me to relocate it, I have no problems with that.
Won't say I have it all figured out. I am trying to have a little faith in the Hedman group knowing what they're doing with a swap kit though. While I think there are probably better options out there for every piece of the kit, I don't see the point in spending twice as much if not more to accomplish the same thing. While this is my first LS swap, this is not my first engine swap or first time tearing into a large project. Hopefully the knowledge and skills I've gained from several years of playing around pay off and this is a somewhat smooth build. If not, well I guess I'll use this as a learning curve for when I swap my other cars.
Got the truck in the shop finally and started disassembly. Drive train will be delivered next week and I have the Trans-Dapt kit as
Priced up an LS swap radiator all aluminum, with the upper neck relocated to the passenger side, steam port, dual fan shroud, and both fans with wiring kit for $500.
Sorry for the absence, been busy with work, but finally got all of the rest of the diesel drivetrain out, fuel lines removed, and fuel tank selector removed. Finally ready for a little bit of cleaning. Then paint the engine bay, and undercoat under the cab and bed. Also hoping to get started on the new LS setup this weekend.
Looks like a fun project. Where did you find the radiator package so cheap?
My Dad actually found a company on eBay called Superior Radiator when he was ordering parts for a 1937 Chevy he's working on. Oddly enough they have really good quality stuff. All aluminum radiators and they can set it up however you want. I told them what I was doing and they keep the whole kit in stock. They relocate the upper radiator hose to the passenger side, just like the newer trucks, add the steam port, and they also have it with or without the built in transmission cooler. I'll be ordering a kit from them in the next couple of weeks with the fan shroud, both electric fans, radiator, and a new radiator hold down to replace the old plastic piece. Total I got quoted was just over $500.
Sorry for the delay in update. To answer the last question, I'm actually just using the camera built into my Google Pixel phone.
As for the latest and greatest, the engine, transmission, driveshaft, radiator, power steering, ecm, wiring harness, and fans are in! A lot has gotten done and I still have some wiring and plumbing to do, but hopefully I can actually fire it up soon.
I'm surprised you went with the L20. They have the lowest compression of all of the gen 3/4 LS engines (even the supercharged engines had higher compression) and are typically only used in swaps with boost.
Since I have a lot to put in for notes I figured I'd use this separate reply for some break down. First I will lay out what parts I used so far, then special notes.
Parts:
Trans-dapt LS swap kit (includes mounts, headers, oil pan, oil tube, and transmission cross member)
BP automotive harness (LM7/4l60e)
Superior radiator LS swap aluminum radiator for LS swap
Trans-dapt steam line kit
Trans-dapt oil filter relocation kit
Corvette 4l60e servo
New stock torque converter
All new ACDelco sensors for engine
2004 Escalade 6.0 radiator hoses
Notes:
The trans-dapt swap kit requires an oil filter relocation kit. It has -10-an fittings you can hook to. Trans-dapt makes a kit, however I had to obtain more 1/2" heat rated oil hose than what was in the oil filter relocation kit to make it fit where I wanted.
I used the factory 700r4 transmission lines and 700r4 line adapters in the 4l60e.
The stock Escalade 6.0 radiator hoses worked well for the superior radiator LS swap radiator. I did have to cut down the upper hose about 3" though.
The stock cross member would have worked, but I chose to drill the holes in the frame and use the new tubular one as it comes bent for true dual exhaust.
Sorry for the long post. If you have any questions I will try to be on here a bit more often.
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.
84 C20 LS Conversion 
