LS1 Engine and Trans drop in - What is needed for the trans computer?
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Teching In
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LS1 Engine and Trans drop in - What is needed for the trans computer? 1st post. newbie warning....
I'm looking at putting an LS1 or LQ9 in my 72 El Camino. This will be a DD with occasional towing of our sports cars to the track. Along with it's own ocassional pass down the quarter mile.
I still haven't figured out what engine combo I want, but I have a question about the 4L60 or 4L80 computer controlled transmissions. When I take a complete drop out from a wreck including all the computers etc, what else is needed to make the transmission do it's thing. I know if I just drop in a 4L80 behind my 402 Big Block, I need to spend 1500 or so to add a speedo converter and shifting computer. But if I take the whole shebang out of say a 2001 Trans Am will it work?
I just realised that I'll still need the speedo converter... Any inexpensive options for that?
I know this is the tip of the iceberg... Lots of other questions to follow.
Like, which of the Lxx engines get the best fuel economy. (Big Blocks suck gas) OR Gear ratios? Will a 3.42 work ok? More when I get the basic package decided.
I'm looking at putting an LS1 or LQ9 in my 72 El Camino. This will be a DD with occasional towing of our sports cars to the track. Along with it's own ocassional pass down the quarter mile.
I still haven't figured out what engine combo I want, but I have a question about the 4L60 or 4L80 computer controlled transmissions. When I take a complete drop out from a wreck including all the computers etc, what else is needed to make the transmission do it's thing. I know if I just drop in a 4L80 behind my 402 Big Block, I need to spend 1500 or so to add a speedo converter and shifting computer. But if I take the whole shebang out of say a 2001 Trans Am will it work?
I just realised that I'll still need the speedo converter... Any inexpensive options for that?
I know this is the tip of the iceberg... Lots of other questions to follow.
Like, which of the Lxx engines get the best fuel economy. (Big Blocks suck gas) OR Gear ratios? Will a 3.42 work ok? More when I get the basic package decided.
If you get the whole combo with the harness/pcm, it'll work just fine. If you're gonna replace the 4L60E with a 4L80E, you may have to add a couple (2?) wires to the tranny harness but the stock f-body pcm will handle it with a small change to the tune.
Most important is getting a harness from a Automatic car, then you don't need to run a piggy back tranny controller
Most important is getting a harness from a Automatic car, then you don't need to run a piggy back tranny controller
Last edited by Mean Green z28; Jul 3, 2006 at 07:44 PM.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2006
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Cool, That's one less thing to have to buy.
I kinda figured, but couldn't find it in print anwhere.
I want to find a complete combo from either a car or truck. So everything should be included. In fact I may be able to get a car/truck from an insurance auction.
Ok, next question...
Since my primary goal is the highest gas mileage possible for a vehicle of this size, will going to a 4L80E hurt me with higher resistance? More hp to overcome resistance?
What combination would you use in this car for maximum fuel mileage? I understand that some of the Fbodys are getting close to 30mpg. None of the trucks are getting that high but that could be wind resistance.
I kinda figured, but couldn't find it in print anwhere.
I want to find a complete combo from either a car or truck. So everything should be included. In fact I may be able to get a car/truck from an insurance auction.
Ok, next question...
Since my primary goal is the highest gas mileage possible for a vehicle of this size, will going to a 4L80E hurt me with higher resistance? More hp to overcome resistance?
What combination would you use in this car for maximum fuel mileage? I understand that some of the Fbodys are getting close to 30mpg. None of the trucks are getting that high but that could be wind resistance.
I personally don't know what the parasitic differences are in the drivelines between the two trannies but I'm guessing it's not gonna be much. The 4L80E is heavier though by about 80-100lbs. (?). Gas mileage would more depend on the vehicle weight, setup and gearing. With the use it'll be seeing, I'm guessing the 4L80E would be better.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2006
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Weight is not a real problem. For towing I need some clout. And going from a 402 big block and TH400 to the engine swap whatever it may be, should still not be a big deal.
I didn't add that one of my dream plans was to add boost. I aready own 2 turbo cars and have become somewhat addicted to boost. That is one of the reasons to go to the 4L80E and the iron block Lq9. It sounds like you might be leaning that way too?
I didn't add that one of my dream plans was to add boost. I aready own 2 turbo cars and have become somewhat addicted to boost. That is one of the reasons to go to the 4L80E and the iron block Lq9. It sounds like you might be leaning that way too?
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Downers Grove, IL
If you plan on really beating on it and adding boost I would look for a 4l80e. But I have a 5.3l and a camaro 4l60e in my El Camino without any complaints and I beat on it constantly. It is my daily driver, I go to the dragstrip hot lap it for 30 passes or so and drive it home. As far as gas mileage I usually get 13-16 in the city and I drive it hard, I have only had it on the highway for a full tank twice, the first time I got 18mpg but that included 30 passes at the track, and the second time I got 22mpg but I was flat towing a SUBURBAN 
which may have had an effect on the fuel mileage. 
which may have had an effect on the fuel mileage. 
