1970 Chevelle LS1 Conversion
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5
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From: Hawaii
1970 Chevelle LS1 Conversion Actually I was looking to get a 6.0L Block(I like the fact that it should be cheaper and it has more cubes than an LS1) from a truck and somehow get it into my CHevelle. I am on a tight budget(just spent a lot of money fixing my $8,000 crate engine that I haven't raced in the chevelle yet) so I figured this was the best option. I would like to put a bigger cam, maybe some mild performance heads and the carbureted intake from Edelbrock. Will my TH 400 bolt up to the block without any mods? I serviced a 1999 GMC with the 5.3L today and noticed the new automatic trans has two extra bolts on the bellhousing that attaches to the oil pan. Also, what kind of engine mounts do I need and where do I find headers? Thank you in advance.
On The Tree
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 189
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From: Prescott, Arizona
1970 to 2005 Questions You've really got a challenge, your Turbo 400 will NOT bolt up, different pattern (unless you do intense adapter prototyping, flexplate & converter mods. The LS Gen III engines are specifically designed to utilize the 4L60E or 4L80E 4-speed trans. Another problem is if you go carbed, the 4L60E or 4L80E are actually controlled by computer. Computers used to be reffered to as ECUs and ECMs, now GM units are called PCM (Powertrain Control Module)
You'll have to build/fab engine mounts from the chassis to stock LS mounts. You have to fab or have fabbed headers but GM sells the LS header flanges CHEAP so that's a good start.
Don't freak! For what a good LS1 carb manifold costs and an excellent performance carb combo (not to mention adapter TH 400 mod costs) you can easily afford to stay Fuel Injected, use a 4L60E or 4L80E and use a 5 wire hook-up stand alone PCM and wiring harness.
See my two previous posts today for more info.
Good luck man, I've had both a 1970 chevelle and a 1970 El Camino they're great cars, I'd of loved to have LS motors in em!
[/QUOTE]
You'll have to build/fab engine mounts from the chassis to stock LS mounts. You have to fab or have fabbed headers but GM sells the LS header flanges CHEAP so that's a good start.
Don't freak! For what a good LS1 carb manifold costs and an excellent performance carb combo (not to mention adapter TH 400 mod costs) you can easily afford to stay Fuel Injected, use a 4L60E or 4L80E and use a 5 wire hook-up stand alone PCM and wiring harness.
See my two previous posts today for more info.
Good luck man, I've had both a 1970 chevelle and a 1970 El Camino they're great cars, I'd of loved to have LS motors in em!
[/QUOTE] Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5
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From: Hawaii
1970 Chevelle Bolt in Kit I heard that some companies sell a bolt in LS6 or LS1 kit for a Chevelle. Is this true? I guess it may be better to go injected because the possibilities are endless. One friend over here says that they got some 8 second LS6 Camaros using the TH 400. Is he for real? Isn't the 4L60E the same trans that came with the LT1? I know that the LT1 bolt pattern is the same as my trans. Is there someone that does sell an adaptor for the TH400? I wouldn't know where to start on making an adaptor.
What are you fast guys running for camshafts? Is there a solid roller cam made yet? Please help with any suggestions. I want this car to be fast. I mean Chassis certification fast. Thank you all again.
LS v8 in Miatas,
Thanks for the recommendation. I think I'll try to do it fuel injected. What kind of manifolds are the real fast guys running?
What are you fast guys running for camshafts? Is there a solid roller cam made yet? Please help with any suggestions. I want this car to be fast. I mean Chassis certification fast. Thank you all again.
LS v8 in Miatas,
Thanks for the recommendation. I think I'll try to do it fuel injected. What kind of manifolds are the real fast guys running?
Originally Posted by nakamura1336
I heard that some companies sell a bolt in LS6 or LS1 kit for a Chevelle. Is this true? I guess it may be better to go injected because the possibilities are endless. One friend over here says that they got some 8 second LS6 Camaros using the TH 400. Is he for real? Isn't the 4L60E the same trans that came with the LT1? I know that the LT1 bolt pattern is the same as my trans. Is there someone that does sell an adaptor for the TH400? I wouldn't know where to start on making an adaptor.
What are you fast guys running for camshafts? Is there a solid roller cam made yet? Please help with any suggestions. I want this car to be fast. I mean Chassis certification fast. Thank you all again.
LS v8 in Miatas,
Thanks for the recommendation. I think I'll try to do it fuel injected. What kind of manifolds are the real fast guys running?
What are you fast guys running for camshafts? Is there a solid roller cam made yet? Please help with any suggestions. I want this car to be fast. I mean Chassis certification fast. Thank you all again.
LS v8 in Miatas,
Thanks for the recommendation. I think I'll try to do it fuel injected. What kind of manifolds are the real fast guys running?
BRP makes another.
Difference lys in... Speed and Performance REQUIRES you to send your oil pan and pickup tube in to be modified(I was quoted 2xx), then you have to guy their mounts. This places your motor more forward then the BRP mounts. The BRP mounts only require a Camaro LS1 oil pan and Camaro exhaust manifolds. This places the engine pretty far back. Placement is passenger side head is 1/2 inch from the firewall. With the 6.0l and truck intank which I'm running...I have to cut a hole in my firewall because the truck intake fits soo far back.
Do you want all motor fast? Nitrous fast? Turbo(s) fast? Supercharger fast? Any of them can be done at a cost. Why not run a built TH350?
-Matt
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5
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From: Hawaii
Matt,
As the Miata guy said, the TH400 won't bolt up, so the TH350 won't either. The reason for a TH400 is that I have one in the car and it's stronger than the TH350. I would eventually like to get a Procharger in the car with about 1000 horse or so. Well, anyway to get into the 9's and still drive 10,000 miles a year. I didn't know I would have to cut the firewall at all. Maybe I'll end up cutting up the Elky instead. I'll try and get in touch with those 2 companies. Thank you for all the info.
Jay
As the Miata guy said, the TH400 won't bolt up, so the TH350 won't either. The reason for a TH400 is that I have one in the car and it's stronger than the TH350. I would eventually like to get a Procharger in the car with about 1000 horse or so. Well, anyway to get into the 9's and still drive 10,000 miles a year. I didn't know I would have to cut the firewall at all. Maybe I'll end up cutting up the Elky instead. I'll try and get in touch with those 2 companies. Thank you for all the info.
Jay
Originally Posted by nakamura1336
Matt,
As the Miata guy said, the TH400 won't bolt up, so the TH350 won't either. The reason for a TH400 is that I have one in the car and it's stronger than the TH350. I would eventually like to get a Procharger in the car with about 1000 horse or so. Well, anyway to get into the 9's and still drive 10,000 miles a year. I didn't know I would have to cut the firewall at all. Maybe I'll end up cutting up the Elky instead. I'll try and get in touch with those 2 companies. Thank you for all the info.
Jay
As the Miata guy said, the TH400 won't bolt up, so the TH350 won't either. The reason for a TH400 is that I have one in the car and it's stronger than the TH350. I would eventually like to get a Procharger in the car with about 1000 horse or so. Well, anyway to get into the 9's and still drive 10,000 miles a year. I didn't know I would have to cut the firewall at all. Maybe I'll end up cutting up the Elky instead. I'll try and get in touch with those 2 companies. Thank you for all the info.
Jay
Guys are using TH350's with their LS1's quite a bit from what I have read. Why not run a 6.0l with 4l80e tranny? Plenty strong in stock form and when beefed up, it takes a smackin!
-Matt
From what I am reading.... People are using both the TH350 and the TH400 tranny?
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...ighlight=TH400
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...ighlight=TH400
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...ighlight=TH400
Question: Will the 6.0L flexplate work with the TH350/400 converter? Any year specific?
Answer:TH350/400 Converter can use a '98 flexplate.
-Matt
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...ighlight=TH400
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...ighlight=TH400
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...ighlight=TH400
Question: Will the 6.0L flexplate work with the TH350/400 converter? Any year specific?
Answer:TH350/400 Converter can use a '98 flexplate.
-Matt
Trending Topics
i dont know what the miata guy is thinking of but t400 WILL bolt up to the ls blocks (just cant use 1 bolt) now there is some things to be done w/ flexplate and converter search around and you will find the answers
good luck
mark
good luck
mark
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Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5
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From: Hawaii
Is it bad to have only 5 of the bolts? So I see I could use a 98 flexplate? are the LS1 and the 6.0L the same? Thanks for all the info.
Ps. Do the water pump and water neck outlets end up the same as the old small blocks? What kind of cooling system would I run?
Ps. Do the water pump and water neck outlets end up the same as the old small blocks? What kind of cooling system would I run?
Here is the real scoop. A TH350 or TH400 will bolt up just fine without an adapter, but it must be a Chevy bellhousing and not a Buick/Olds/Pontiac tranny (different bolt pattern). You can use any factory LS1 flex plate as long as you get an LS1 specific converter, which I would highly recommend. If you want flexibility on the converter, get a TCI SFI apporved flex plate for nearly $300. I would use a stock LS1 flex plate and spend the extra $$$ on the converter.
There are turbo LSx cars running TH400's with 5-bolts and making 1500 flywheel HP. You will be just fine
Not sure about the Chevelle, but we did a 1986 Grand National and used the truck oil pan instead of modifying an LS1 pan. It fit just fine, but hangs a little bit lower. Yu may need to go to Speed and Performance for some motor mounts and various other things if you want to make it simple though.
PS - Lived on Oahu for 3 1/2 years
Aloha!
There are turbo LSx cars running TH400's with 5-bolts and making 1500 flywheel HP. You will be just fine
Not sure about the Chevelle, but we did a 1986 Grand National and used the truck oil pan instead of modifying an LS1 pan. It fit just fine, but hangs a little bit lower. Yu may need to go to Speed and Performance for some motor mounts and various other things if you want to make it simple though.
PS - Lived on Oahu for 3 1/2 years
Aloha!
Originally Posted by nakamura1336
Is it bad to have only 5 of the bolts? So I see I could use a 98 flexplate? are the LS1 and the 6.0L the same? Thanks for all the info.
Ps. Do the water pump and water neck outlets end up the same as the old small blocks? What kind of cooling system would I run?
Ps. Do the water pump and water neck outlets end up the same as the old small blocks? What kind of cooling system would I run?
6.0l= 364 ci, iron block, alum heads(these heads flow the same as LS6 heads), larger intake.
I like the 6.0l for the sheer insurence of strength. Also, if you want to bore, theirs no re-sleeving action needed.
The water pump and neck is the biggest pain in the ***! Not only is there one long fecking top rad hose, but the sizes are different from your normal Chevy rad. You can get your rad to match the outlet size, or TRY and find a rad hose(rubber) that has the different sized ends. You can also run those snazzy aftermarket hoses but I havn't found one that is black yet. The bottom rad hose is easy to do. The top is just a bitch(atleast with the 6.0l) go look under the hood of a 01+ Tahoe or pickup!
For mine (6.0l) I'm running a 4 core rad(factory one rebuilt) with a Lincoln Mark 8 fan. It will keep me nice and cool. Oh, factory tranny cooler in the rad aswell.
-Matt
Nothings running yet. Pretty far from running actually. Tanks Inc quoted 4 weeks is now turning into 6 plus which licks my nads.
I went with the BRP mounts and STOCK camaro oil pan. If your scared about the resale of your Chevelle... Go with S&P mounts. With the BRP mounts, my tranny tunnel is nice and cut up, so is my firewall. The cars future life will see quite a bit of track time. So I'm not overly conserned about going back to stock trim.
EDIT:, the firewall trimming is only needed for the truck intake! The 4l60e tranny(smaller) still needs tranny tunnel mods(T cut)
Ignore any spelling mistakes.
-Matt
I went with the BRP mounts and STOCK camaro oil pan. If your scared about the resale of your Chevelle... Go with S&P mounts. With the BRP mounts, my tranny tunnel is nice and cut up, so is my firewall. The cars future life will see quite a bit of track time. So I'm not overly conserned about going back to stock trim.
EDIT:, the firewall trimming is only needed for the truck intake! The 4l60e tranny(smaller) still needs tranny tunnel mods(T cut)
Ignore any spelling mistakes.
-Matt
Last edited by ls1_chevelle; Jun 22, 2005 at 12:21 PM.
Staging Lane
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Hobbs, NM
Sorry to butt in,
but i believe only the 317 heads flow the ls6 numbers? and best of damn luck on the water neck hook up! Hard to connect with out looking like ***!!
Sounds sweet although!!
but i believe only the 317 heads flow the ls6 numbers? and best of damn luck on the water neck hook up! Hard to connect with out looking like ***!!
Sounds sweet although!!
Originally Posted by ls1_chevelle
LS1= 346 ci, alum block, alum heads, small intake
6.0l= 364 ci, iron block, alum heads(these heads flow the same as LS6 heads), larger intake.
I like the 6.0l for the sheer insurence of strength. Also, if you want to bore, theirs no re-sleeving action needed.
The water pump and neck is the biggest pain in the ***! Not only is there one long fecking top rad hose, but the sizes are different from your normal Chevy rad. You can get your rad to match the outlet size, or TRY and find a rad hose(rubber) that has the different sized ends. You can also run those snazzy aftermarket hoses but I havn't found one that is black yet. The bottom rad hose is easy to do. The top is just a bitch(atleast with the 6.0l) go look under the hood of a 01+ Tahoe or pickup!
For mine (6.0l) I'm running a 4 core rad(factory one rebuilt) with a Lincoln Mark 8 fan. It will keep me nice and cool. Oh, factory tranny cooler in the rad aswell.
-Matt
6.0l= 364 ci, iron block, alum heads(these heads flow the same as LS6 heads), larger intake.
I like the 6.0l for the sheer insurence of strength. Also, if you want to bore, theirs no re-sleeving action needed.
The water pump and neck is the biggest pain in the ***! Not only is there one long fecking top rad hose, but the sizes are different from your normal Chevy rad. You can get your rad to match the outlet size, or TRY and find a rad hose(rubber) that has the different sized ends. You can also run those snazzy aftermarket hoses but I havn't found one that is black yet. The bottom rad hose is easy to do. The top is just a bitch(atleast with the 6.0l) go look under the hood of a 01+ Tahoe or pickup!
For mine (6.0l) I'm running a 4 core rad(factory one rebuilt) with a Lincoln Mark 8 fan. It will keep me nice and cool. Oh, factory tranny cooler in the rad aswell.
-Matt
Staging Lane
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Hobbs, NM
Sorry forgot ,
I'm runnign s&p mounts and truck pan...it does look a little low, but not bad!
I'm runnign s&p mounts and truck pan...it does look a little low, but not bad!
Originally Posted by ls1_chevelle
Nothings running yet. Pretty far from running actually. Tanks Inc quoted 4 weeks is now turning into 6 plus which licks my nads.
I went with the BRP mounts and STOCK camaro oil pan. If your scared about the resale of your Chevelle... Go with S&P mounts. With the BRP mounts, my tranny tunnel is nice and cut up, so is my firewall. The cars future life will see quite a bit of track time. So I'm not overly conserned about going back to stock trim.
EDIT:, the firewall trimming is only needed for the truck intake! The 4l60e tranny(smaller) still needs tranny tunnel mods(T cut)
Ignore any spelling mistakes.
-Matt
I went with the BRP mounts and STOCK camaro oil pan. If your scared about the resale of your Chevelle... Go with S&P mounts. With the BRP mounts, my tranny tunnel is nice and cut up, so is my firewall. The cars future life will see quite a bit of track time. So I'm not overly conserned about going back to stock trim.
EDIT:, the firewall trimming is only needed for the truck intake! The 4l60e tranny(smaller) still needs tranny tunnel mods(T cut)
Ignore any spelling mistakes.
-Matt
Originally Posted by 1bad57
Sorry to butt in,
but i believe only the 317 heads flow the ls6 numbers? and best of damn luck on the water neck hook up! Hard to connect with out looking like ***!!
Sounds sweet although!!
but i believe only the 317 heads flow the ls6 numbers? and best of damn luck on the water neck hook up! Hard to connect with out looking like ***!!
Sounds sweet although!!
For now, I just want the car on the road. I'll be having a custom rad made where my top rad hose will be on the passenger side, the bottom will also be on the bottom passenger side.
-Matt
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by 1bad57
Sorry forgot ,
I'm runnign s&p mounts and truck pan...it does look a little low, but not bad!
I'm runnign s&p mounts and truck pan...it does look a little low, but not bad!
Is this a Chevelle that your running this in? Cause I havent heard of anyone not having to eather cut up the tranny tunnel or having to change the oil pan.
If it is a Chevelle, how low is the truck oil pan from the ground? Thanks in advance. Remy
I did a 6.0 swap into a pickup, and instead of using a factory style radiator, I went to the afco website and ordered a custom alluminum double pass radiator that has the inlet and outlet on the pass side so I just went up to autozone searched through their hoses for the ones that would fit, and then attached some flexlite fans for cooling. Works flawlessly. The radiator was part # 80125N, and the price was freaking awesome as well compared to the becool radiators I have seen a few using. Goodluck with what you choose
Regards,
Remington
Regards,
Remington
I'm not sure if its been discussed, but TH400's and TH350's do bolt up just fine with the right adaptor kits, 33 spline input shaft. I'm tuning a ls1/th350 car at the moment. I'd suggest the TH400 or the 4L80E, 350 and 60E won't hold up to the stress of a heavy car, possibly procharged.