ddman

i have a 80 trans am that i am planning on doing a ls swap in. i have several questions, hopefully i came to the right place. the motor im looking at is a 06 5.3 from a truck, as long as it is drive by cable.. i plan on using the 4l60e that is with the motor, along with the pcm and tcm.

first question is what do you guys use for fuel tank, can i use the stock tank for my 80?
second, wire harness, can i use the harness out of the truck, or do i have to buy a new harness?
third, other than the vats, what else needs to be disabled in the pcm?

mrvedit

I originally used the stock tank with an external Walbro pump in my '81 Camaro swap. Later I switched to a Tanksinc.com tank with internal pump.
The stock harness has zillions on wires you won't use and complex fuse block connectors. I've done a similar swap into an old car and I tossed the OEM harness and bought a harness on ebay for $200; it was of excellent quality.
Yes, the VATS needs to be turned off; perhaps also rear/downstream O2 sensors.

Shiftworks

@ddman if you are planning on keeping your factory shifter, we have a few kits that will work for your car to get you up and running, while looking factory, plus you don't have to go to a race shifter, they are always a pain in the....

LS1 TJ

So my current project is a 80 Camaro LS3/4L60E so similar to your 80 Trans Am.
I've done a number LS swaps into various vehicles.
Because I'm no electrical genius I buy a engine/trans harness from a vendor in the US with good tech help if you run into a problem. I use Speartech and Howell. Many other great vendors on this site. I buy the both the ECM and TCM along with the harness so if I have an issue I have one vendor to talk to. Either company will delete the VATs and give you a base tune per your engine/trans specs.
I have used the Shift Works LS/ 4L60E shifter conversion on a 79 Camaro and a 71 Corvette and they have worked well.
Times 10 on the Tank's Inc tanks. C5 FFR from Wix or AC Delco.
Just a note I believe the 2006 LS is DBW. Not a bad thing. I used both DBC and DBW with good results.
Good luck with the swap.

ddman

Called the guy today told I want the motor from the 06 silverado, along with truck harness, fuse block, gas pedal, pcm Tcm, radiator and fans. Am I leaving out anything? The engine will come complete with all acceries.

I will be using a stand alone harness from the internet due to cleanliness of the looks.

i have a 4l60e from a 2000 silverado, but will look for one out of a car. I’m thinking I need a 2001-2009, is that right?

G Atsma

If looking for a 01-09 car 4L60E, it WILL be from a Camaro most likely. Why not a 2wd truck trans? WAY more common...

mrvedit

You need a 300mm 4L60E/4L65E which came with LS engines. Best would be a 4L65E from 2003 to 2008. 2009 is not compatible with your PCM.

ddman

Well the 06 fell thru, so I’m going to be looking for a 99-03 5.3, maybe 6.0 dbw motor and trans. Will more than likely come from a truck, those are more plentiful around here. I know I’ll have to buy an oil pan, this is going in a 79 trans am as stated. Don’t have the money for an intake right now, so can the truck intake be shaved enough to close the hood? It is a shaker hood. I figure the oil pan will be around 250.00 as well as an intake, so I’ll hold off on intake for the time being. The harness will be an after market one I have been looking at several different ones already. So budget wise im looking at shaving the intake. The alternator I can fab a bracket to lower it a little if I have to. Thank you guys for your help and advice

LS1 TJ

Just FYI. There is or was a a 2002 Fbody oil pan in the for sale section for $200 plus shipping.