Builds V8 Swap Project Begins! Again with LS2 (7 Viewers)

[Moby]

The aftermarket tranny computer helped a ton on the A442. My stopping point was with the torque converter. I believe the torque convertor in that tranny was shot and could not hold lockup with the V8 I think once the tranny gets 150k or more on it the lockup is about shot. The 1fz cruises/locks up at such a low rpm I think it wears out the lockup materials faster. So to take the A442 to the next level I would have needed to start cutting converters apart rebuilding and changing stall speeds to get the results. This is a big job I did not want to invest the time into.

I think the 4l70e is a much easier path to head down. If the aftermarket was a little further ahead I would have taken a shot at one of the LS3/ GM 6 speed autos. The LS2 4l70 combo I bought was clean and the right price.

The LT1 will sit in my barn and collect dust until I put it on ebay in 20 years. Beno is going toyo diesel is my long term call!

I've been down the custom converter (custom stall) route on my A440 - IMHO it's not worth it for a project like yours when the 4l70 is the other option. I now have an H55 behind my built 2FE. When I go for a different engine I'll definitely use the transmission intended for that engine.

 

[kirk]

Air intake tube path. Building aluminum airbox.
Tranny cooler mounted and ready.

 

[kirk]

 

[Greenmonster138]

I have been following your build it looks great, can't wait to hear what its like to drive. Your fab skills are top notch. Might be interested in the motor mounts you made once I think through what I want to swap into as far as what GenIII GM V8, trans, and t-case. I had a question about the adapter you used to mate the HF2A t-case to the GM trans. If I found the right adapter on Advance Adapters, 50-1702 they are asking $1,317.04 for it. Did you look into other t-case options so you would not have to run the adapter? Also for a little more coin do you think a Altas t-case would work? Also do you see the motor clearing/fitting with say 2 inches of lift?

Sorry for the long post, can't wait for an update.

 

[kirk]

I have been following your build it looks great, can't wait to hear what its like to drive. Your fab skills are top notch. Might be interested in the motor mounts you made once I think through what I want to swap into as far as what GenIII GM V8, trans, and t-case. I had a question about the adapter you used to mate the HF2A t-case to the GM trans. If I found the right adapter on Advance Adapters, 50-1702 they are asking $1,317.04 for it. Did you look into other t-case options so you would not have to run the adapter? Also for a little more coin do you think a Altas t-case would work? Also do you see the motor clearing/fitting with say 2 inches of lift?

Sorry for the long post, can't wait for an update.

The update is I have a little headway on the airbox and it has been a f*ker to get a ductwork/filter/airbox design that I like. I have made 3 airboxes in the last couple weeks. Busy at work and havent been putting in the garage time as well.

I think the only two options other than stock are a 60 series case or a 40 series(A/A orion) case. The gas tank would ned moved or cut down about 25% to provide clearance. I feel the 80 series tcase is a good asset to keep. Plus a marks crawl can be added for the ultimate ratios without doubles and making the already long powertrain longer. Atlas are great for centered diff trucks but a 80 unfortunately is offset.

I see the 2 inch lift being a major problem with oil pan interference. Somebody on this site has the answer to that and I feel he will reveal it when the time is right. I did not do the research to solve that riddle b/c both my 80's are 6" lifts with 39.5' Tires. mine clears by a landslide.

Kirk

 

[warpdriv]

When I was doing the math for my conversion, I figured I could save about $1000 by going with a FJ60 case partly because I also wanted to go part time on my tcase.

 

[TwoTonic]

Transmission Pan Clearance

I see the 2 inch lift being a major problem with oil pan interference. Somebody on this site has the answer to that and I feel he will reveal it when the time is right. I did not do the research to solve that riddle b/c both my 80's are 6" lifts with 39.5' Tires. mine clears by a landslide.

Kirk

Hi Kirk,

Wow, the fab work looks great!

On the interference question, that would be me... Sorry for being quiet on the topic. We have other builds we're working on, so have been a little distracted with those. There is a solution to the pan clearance issue, but (as with so many things with these swaps) there's a complication. In this case, the complication is that GM has made a bunch of 'running changes' to the 4L60E designs over the last 20 years. One branch-of-the-tree resulted in a narrower version of the pan, with a relocation of a bunch of internal components to accommodate it, for some trucks in the inline GM Atlas family. That pan is the solution... but... The fly in the ointment is that you can't just do a pan swap, due to the internals being different. You'd have to swap transmissions completely and those matching GM Atlas trucks have different bell-housings (easy to fix), flexplates (harder), torque converters, flange configurations and input shafts. Theoretically, all that stuff can be mixed=and=matched over to work, but we haven't done one yet and were waiting to mock it up before posting it as a fix.

It seems to us that Advance Adapters ought to mention the pan-clearance issue. Their kit is relatively expensive, but seems to have been designed for the 700R4 car transmission (2WD, long shaft,4-bolt tail) with narrow pans from 30 years ago. The Advance adapter will demonstrate the pan-clearance issue when used with 95% of the 4L60's made in the last 20 years, so it's odd they leave out that detail in describing a $1200 kit.

We currently have a 5.3 (LQ) on the shop floor and an extra GM-Atlas 4L60 to mate to. We just need to find the time to match all the pieces up and report back.

Theoretically, there's a 'golden ticket' in there somewhere with GM-Atlas components to match all the 'right' pieces up for a solution. Once we get it figured out, we'll post up a build on it.

That LS2 is looking great--- would love to see it run. Am planning to be in Austin to see family in June, so maybe we should get together?

Again, it looks awesome!
TT

 

[TwoTonic]

Transfer case options

I think the only two options other than stock are a 60 series case or a 40 series(A/A orion) case. The gas tank would ned moved or cut down about 25% to provide clearance. I feel the 80 series tcase is a good asset to keep. Plus a marks crawl can be added for the ultimate ratios without doubles and making the already long powertrain longer. Atlas are great for centered diff trucks but a 80 unfortunately is offset.


Kirk

We keep looking at the GM transfer cases and scratching our heads for a less expensive combo-- many of these Silverado pulls will come complete with a transfer case, controlled by the stock PCM even. However, MOST GM products these days send the forward shaft up the driver's side, not the passenger. And, they all are center-diff, which presents the same fuel tank clearance issue.

I agree with Kirk that the best solution still seems to be the Toyota cases-- stock if you can make it work, due to strength and good low ratio.

 

[kirk]

Hi Kirk,

Wow, the fab work looks great!

On the interference question, that would be me... Sorry for being quiet on the topic. We have other builds we're working on, so have been a little distracted with those. There is a solution to the pan clearance issue, but (as with so many things with these swaps) there's a complication. In this case, the complication is that GM has made a bunch of 'running changes' to the 4L60E designs over the last 20 years. One branch-of-the-tree resulted in a narrower version of the pan, with a relocation of a bunch of internal components to accommodate it, for some trucks in the inline GM Atlas family. That pan is the solution... but... The fly in the ointment is that you can't just do a pan swap, due to the internals being different. You'd have to swap transmissions completely and those matching GM Atlas trucks have different bell-housings (easy to fix), flexplates (harder), torque converters, flange configurations and input shafts. Theoretically, all that stuff can be mixed=and=matched over to work, but we haven't done one yet and were waiting to mock it up before posting it as a fix.

It seems to us that Advance Adapters ought to mention the pan-clearance issue. Their kit is relatively expensive, but seems to have been designed for the 700R4 car transmission (2WD, long shaft,4-bolt tail) with narrow pans from 30 years ago. The Advance adapter will demonstrate the pan-clearance issue when used with 95% of the 4L60's made in the last 20 years, so it's odd they leave out that detail in describing a $1200 kit.

We currently have a 5.3 (LQ) on the shop floor and an extra GM-Atlas 4L60 to mate to. We just need to find the time to match all the pieces up and report back.

Theoretically, there's a 'golden ticket' in there somewhere with GM-Atlas components to match all the 'right' pieces up for a solution. Once we get it figured out, we'll post up a build on it.

That LS2 is looking great--- would love to see it run. Am planning to be in Austin to see family in June, so maybe we should get together?

Again, it looks awesome!
TT

Thanks, It will run someday, I live in ohio Warpdriv Jeff is in Texas.

 

[TwoTonic]

QUOTE [Thanks, It will run someday, I live in ohio Warpdriv Jeff is in Texas.]QUOTE

D' Oh. Sorry, late night... and I apparently can't read. The installation DOES look great.

 

[warpdriv]

Am planning to be in Austin to see family in June, so maybe we should get together?

Yea man let me know when ya are coming in.

 

[TwoTonic]

Yea man let me know when ya are coming in.

Hi Jeff,

Would love to see your truck. We are working on visit dates. We have relatives down by Buda and my son wants to go out to Salt Lick-- I'll PM you when we get it figured out.

 

[kirk]

Here is what has been slowing me down. This is almost finished. Put the latches on it tonight and a couple more welds. Also the PHH bs never ends. I have the rear heater plumbed up and it was a PITA.
Getting closer. I have another issue with the dipstick tube that is giving me fits and will require draining the oil and taking off the pan. Grrrrr

 

[kirk]

Here is a pic of the inside. The rectangular tube is the start of the snorkel project.

 

[warpdriv]

That's some cool work!

 

[Moby]

Here is a pic of the inside. The rectangular tube is the start of the snorkel project.
View attachment 491802

How does the filter seal to the box? It looks like you've got an outer portion screws to the box and then attaches to the filter inside the box? I need to make the same thing and I'd like a better seal then just cutting a hole and sticking the tube end of the filter through it...

 

[kirk]

How does the filter seal to the box? It looks like you've got an outer portion screws to the box and then attaches to the filter inside the box? I need to make the same thing and I'd like a better seal then just cutting a hole and sticking the tube end of the filter through it...

there is a hole in the alum slightly larger than the maf. On top of that is a aluminum adapter from K&N to go from the GM maf to the k&n cone. A rubber gasket goes in between to be water tight. i dont know if you can buy it individually. I bought the alum adapter at summit racing in the closeout rack as a 2006 GTO cold air induction kit.

 

[kirk]

Pics of PS reservoir and finished airbox. I still have some work to do in the intake tube. Getting my fan spacer back fron the zinc plater tomorrow. Getting down to really fine details. I am also working on the toy water temp sensor. I turned it down and am putting a 1/4"npt on it so it threads right into the LS heads.

 

[kirk]

Factory toyota water temp sending unit re machined to fit right into LS2 cylinder head. Thread is M12 x 1.5

 

[wayneosan]

I WAS JUST GOING TO ASK YOU THAT!! I'm right there. Need dash temp.

What, lathe and then tap?

wp