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LS swap prep

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Old 12-12-2019 | 12:49 PM
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Default LS swap prep

Hello
just bought a LS1 off a 2002 z28 130k miles with 4l60 transmission. Should I do anything to it before doing the swap? Change gaskets do a tune up or anything before putting the engine in? Also should i rebuild the transmission? And how to I retrofit the transmission linkage to go with my 64 impala SS shifter.









Old 12-12-2019 | 01:08 PM
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Default LS1 swap prep

Just got a LS1 and 4l60 from a 2002 z28 wanted to see if there’s anything I should do before putting the engine in like changing gaskets or etc? Rebuild transmission?

also how do I retrofit a 64 SS impala shifter to the 4l60

thanks







Old 12-12-2019 | 02:42 PM
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Do a compression check. Pull the valve covers and see how clean or sludgy it is. If all looks good, Change oil/filter and put fresh plugs in it and send it!

Last edited by G Atsma; 12-12-2019 at 02:48 PM.
Old 12-12-2019 | 02:46 PM
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If it was me, I would put new plugs in it and also do a cam swap along with valve springs and pushrods. I really dig the Summit "ghost" cam that I have in the Cougar now.

Andrew
Old 12-12-2019 | 04:30 PM
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Being the paranoid kind of guy that I am I would add a few things to the list.
Pull the pan and front cover. Check the timing chain. Replace the oil pump and new o-ring. New pan gasket. New cover gasket and pulley seal. Check rear seal.
Maybe add the LS6 PCV system.
Not big money stuff but so much easier to do when the engine is on the stand.
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Old 12-12-2019 | 05:22 PM
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Thanks everyone for youre input helps a lot!
Old 12-12-2019 | 09:29 PM
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Looks like from the pics leaking seal on the input into the trans. Fluid looks dark as in burnt. You could do a basic trans rebuild for about $1200 done at local shop.
I hope you got a good engine and trans combo but its 17 years old.
If you replace the starter make sure you get the starter housing that requires the longer bolts. Also I'd do a new crank sensor. It's really difficult to replace with the starter and exhaust in place.
Good luck with your project.
Old 12-12-2019 | 09:57 PM
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Originally Posted by LS1 TJ
Looks like from the pics leaking seal on the input into the trans. Fluid looks dark as in burnt. You could do a basic trans rebuild for about $1200 done at local shop.
I hope you got a good engine and trans combo but its 17 years old.
If you replace the starter make sure you get the starter housing that requires the longer bolts. Also I'd do a new crank sensor. It's really difficult to replace with the starter and exhaust in place.
Good luck with your project.
trans had fluid leaking from the input shaft and torque converter. When I separated the two. Should it not be leaking like that? I got the engine from a running 2002 Z28 with 130k miles.
Old 12-13-2019 | 04:30 PM
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Could just be a seal that's worn. I always unbolt the converter from the flex plate before pulling the trans. The converter has fluid in it of course and can leak depending on how the engine trans were removed.
Old 12-13-2019 | 09:23 PM
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I went with a Lokar Universal shifter on my 70 El Camino with a 4L60E. The Lokar rod between the transmission and the shifter lever on the engine side of the firewall will need some bending to make it work. Also make small cuts on this same rod to shorten it rather than going at it with a vengeance all at once using a cutting wheel or hack saw. You need to "sneak up on" the correct length here before making final length adjustments with the threaded Heim joints.

If you leave the rod too long, your shifter will never put the transmission fully into Park - it might even stay in Reverse. Too short and it might not reach the Low gear manually shifted notches.

I'm running Dakota Digital dashboard gauges with their electronic "PRNO321" shifter module.

Rick
Old 12-14-2019 | 04:47 PM
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When I did my 71 C3 LS swap I used a detent kit from "Shift Works". They supply a new shifter detent plate so the stock shifter worked with the 4L60E. Don't know if they have one for your car but worth looking into.
Old 12-15-2019 | 01:03 AM
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130K miles...…….I'm rebuilding the engine.

But that's just me.

KW



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