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LS4 swap ??s

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Old Nov 20, 2008 | 06:29 PM
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Default LS4 swap ??s

Got a couple questions about the FWD 5.3s. I got a buddy that wants to do a swap into a jeep and has found a great deal on a FWD 5.3 out of an 07 impala. Anyone ever used one of these motors in a swap? Any problems that we should be aware of? Will a 4L60E bolt up to one of these? Will the ecu have problems with a different tranny behind it?

Any input would help..
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Old Nov 20, 2008 | 06:35 PM
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Hmmm, to quote wikipedia,
According to GM, "The crankshaft is shortened 13 mm – 3 mm at the flywheel end and 10 mm at the accessory drive end – to reduce the length of the engine compared to the 6.0L. All accessories are driven by a single serpentine belt to save space. The water pump is mounted remotely with an elongated pump manifold that connects it to the coolant passages.
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Old Nov 20, 2008 | 06:48 PM
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LS4 has the bolt pattern for the FWD transmissions. It will only bolt up to the 4L60 through an adaper plate.

Then there's the problem that the LS4 does not have the starter mounting boss cast into the block, so you'll have to find some other way to mount the starter in a RWD application.

Might be best to get a 5.3 iron block out of a truck.

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Old Nov 20, 2008 | 06:50 PM
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Yeah no affense but I can read. And no were in there does it state whether or not anyone has swapped one into a RWD type car. Or if its even possible.

Thanks

Last edited by blakern; Nov 20, 2008 at 07:15 PM.
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Old Nov 20, 2008 | 06:53 PM
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yeah, I don't think a motor swap to a RWD Vehicle would be possible, because of what brandotron said....
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Old Nov 20, 2008 | 06:56 PM
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Originally Posted by TiredGXP
LS4 has the bolt pattern for the FWD transmissions. It will only bolt up to the 4L60 through an adaper plate.

Then there's the problem that the LS4 does not have the starter mounting boss cast into the block, so you'll have to find some other way to mount the starter in a RWD application.

Might be best to get a 5.3 iron block out of a truck.

Thanks. Good info. Yeah we r actually looking for a 5.3 truck motor, but like I said we found a really good deal.

How good?

Hows $500ish for complete dropout, motor, trans, ecu, accessories, everything, with 37k.

For that price we thought it would atleast be worth looking into.
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Old Nov 20, 2008 | 07:09 PM
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Originally Posted by blakern
Thanks. Good info. Yeah we r actually looking for a 5.3 truck motor, but like I said we found a really good deal.

How good?

Hows $500ish for complete dropout, motor, trans, ecu, accessories, everything, with 37k.

For that price we thought it would atleast be worth looking into.
wow that is a really good deal...!!!
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Old Nov 20, 2008 | 07:16 PM
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Only RWD application an LS4 has been swapped into that I'm aware of is a Fiero, however since that's a mid engine car I don't know how that differs, not too familiar with that stuff.
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Old Nov 20, 2008 | 07:22 PM
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Originally Posted by 20SS07
Only RWD application an LS4 has been swapped into that I'm aware of is a Fiero, however since that's a mid engine car I don't know how that differs, not too familiar with that stuff.
Same as FWD, its another transverse mount application.

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Old Nov 20, 2008 | 10:26 PM
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The LS4 has the 60* V6 bell pattern so it will bolt to the Jeep tranny. You may need to adapt a torque converter.
The Ls4 is VERY reliant on the 4T65E tranny so you will need to "hack" the PCM, TCM and the BCM to get it to work with the Jeep tranny. Basically you will need to convert the LS4 over to a stand alone PCM as if it has a manual tranny. This has not been done yet as far as I know. Or you could gamble on an LS1 PCM swap to run the LS4.
The LS4 also has the intake manifold on 180* from the rear wheel drive cars and trucks. It can not easily be turned or swapped because of the DOD electrical connector and oil pressure sensor.

I am swapping an LS4 into a Fiero, and will swap a Vortec into my Jeep. The LS4 is NOT a good choice for a rear wheel drive car and could quickly eat up the "good price" in extra time effort and even cost more money in the end to swap in the LS4.
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Old Sep 22, 2015 | 02:51 PM
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Default Ls4 conversion to RWD

I am in the process of installing an LS4 from a 2006 chevy impala into a 1974 AMC Hornet RWD. I am useing a 4L60E from a V6 camaro. It bolts up but I have to work out how to do the starter also. I'll probably end up fabricating a boss into the bellhousing to accept the starter.
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Old Sep 22, 2015 | 02:58 PM
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how were you able to get a 4l60e to bolt up to a FWD bolt pattern LS4?
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Old Sep 22, 2015 | 03:32 PM
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Originally Posted by spawne32
how were you able to get a 4l60e to bolt up to a FWD bolt pattern LS4?
the 3800 camaro has a 60 degree 4l60 casting to bolt up to the motor, thus the ls4 being able to bolt up
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Old Sep 22, 2015 | 03:44 PM
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Originally Posted by 91parkave
the 3800 camaro has a 60 degree 4l60 casting to bolt up to the motor, thus the ls4 being able to bolt up
ahhhhh gotcha, didnt even cross my mine that the v6 had the same trans.
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