[jketron]

I'm going to be swapping out my motor for a LT4 Crate motor and a 4L85e transmission in a 1970 Chevelle.

I've been researching for some time now swapping out the trans and motor. I decided on a GM Crate LT4 and a Jakes Performance 4L85E trans.

I feel I have most of the battles figured out and I placed my order today with Schwartz Performance.

The car currently has a 540cu 716HP/702tq that was designed by Chris Straub at Straub Technologies.

The transmission is a TKO-600 with a Mcleod RST clutch. I've had fun with the 540 and wanted to now try this supercharged small block.

The engine is on order along with the controller and some other small engine parts. The engine mounts are from Dirty Dingo and I'm gonna use the fully adjustable setup they offer.

The transmission is from Jakes Performance and I'll use a US Shift controller and a GeForce cross member. I'll get a local shop here to redo my drive shaft when I get that far along.

The cooling challenge was fun to create. There are no less than 5 radiators up front. I call it my radiator sandwich. My solution is from AutoradRadiators. I'm going with a new core support, dual 14 inch fans in a shroud, the trans cooler will be internal to the coolant radiator. The next radiator is the oil cooler and then, AC condensor and then finally the intercooler. Now thats a radiator sandwich. The good news is they can build it all as a nice well thought out purpose built unit. They take 2 months but the trans wont be done for 2 months so I've got plenty of time.

The oil pan was going to be a challenge and I think that Moroso took care of that for me with the release of a new pan just for this use case. Oddlt its on production hold for a MFG defect issue that the guy there at Moroso said will be taken care of in a week or two. That leaves me plenty of time as I still need to pull the 540 out.

One of the final swaps on the car will be the use of the almost factory looking gauges with the small TFT screens. Ill use the factory bezel and tie the gauge package into the GM ECM using the Dakota BIM module.

GAME ON! the parts are on the way and lets see how smooth this goes. Ill pull the 540 here soon and list it for sale.

 

[hmardown]

John
what kind of numbers are you expecting ? I'd find it hard to give up the 540, but it's good to try something new. curious about what the weight difference will be. up or down ? good luck sounds like a big enough project.
hmardown

 

[Dan65ss]

Sounds awesome and well thought out. Of course there are always going to be "gotchas" when you get into the project, but at least you have thought through a bunch of the things. Can't wait to watch this unfold. And everyone will be interested in your feedback on the driving difference of the two motors.

 

[jketron]

Ultimately I will be doing the same build into two cars. The Chevelle gets the swap first, the Camaro arrives in a week. I feel like its Christmas time and the parts truck cant get here fast enough. Ive has some great help and continue to still get the support from folks on the forums as well as David from Super Dave's Classic Car ? info and upgrades who has done a very similar build in his 1st Gen Camaro. Dave has a fantastic writeup on his swap and he has helped my learning curve a lot.

I have a challenge that I wont really address until the motor and trans is in the car. The trans cooler is in the radiator and the radiator is a LS style where both the coolant inlet and outlet are on the passenger side. This leaves the trans connections on the drivers side where they are not typically. I'm sure I can fabricare some nice lines using AN fittings to address this.

Once the engine arrives and the front drive assembly from Pace get here I will need to get the engine up on a stand and start installing the new pump, brackets and pulleys.

The Pace setup uses a different water pump and I'll need to swap it out. Also the factory pan needs to come off and in favor of the Moroso pan. I need to see if the Moroso pan has the fittings I need to connect hoses to the oil cooler, if not then I will get them welded on.

 

[jketron]

On the subject of headers I can either use whats on the motor now and or replace them. I've been looking into replacing them and I wanted to reach out to Dan at Lemon Headers. I've hada great experience with them and the set on the 540 now. Dan said he currently isn't making them. I know I have the option of using Ultimate Headers, they said they will make them. I want to call them next week and ensure that they wont hang low like Hookers or Doug's. Besides having the best ground clearance the Lemons are amazing quality. I gained over an 1" of ground clearance from both the Doug's and Hookers using the Lemon's.

 

[jketron]

I've been asked to share out of some of the specifics are the parts and suppliers so far

LT4 Crate Motor part number 19332621 http://www.schwartzperformance.com/...te-engine-6-2l-650hp-wet-sump-gen-5-19332621/
LT4 Engine controller part number 19331517 http://www.schwartzperformance.com/...e-controller-kit-ecm-wiring-harness-19331517/
LT4 Drive system (this is made by Pace performance) I bought it from Swartz as well http://www.schwartzperformance.com/...ive-system-billet-wet-sump-supercharged-6-2l/
Dirty Dingo motor mounts Dingo Glider Gen V LT Adjustable Conversion Swap Mounts
Fuel Tank is from Ricks Hot Rods (I had the upgraded fuel pump installed) RestoMod Fuel Tanks - Rick's Tanks
4L80e Transmission 4L80E ? Jake?s Performance
Radiator is from AutoRadRadiators products

 

[andrewb70]

Holley LT pan is on their website now...

https://holley.com/products/ls_power/ls_oil_pans/parts/302-22

Andrew

 

[jketron]

Holley LT pan is on their website now...



https://holley.com/products/ls_power/ls_oil_pans/parts/302-22



Andrew

This likes it will be a great backup plan. I'm expecting the Moroso pan well before I actually need it.

I got tracking information on the engine and it will be here tomorrow. I'm excited to see it.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[jketron]

The Dirty Dingo motor mounts have arrived.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[andrewb70]

The Dirty Dingo motor mounts have arrived.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

There are subtle differences between the LS and LT blocks where the engines mounts attach. Using simple adapter plates that mount to stock frame stands is a recipe for disaster when it comes to obtaining proper driveline angles. The LS swaps with adapter plates was bad. The LT is worse.

Since no properly engineered kit exists, I would seriously consider making your own mounts that position the engine as low as possible in the front crossmember.

Andrew

 

[jketron]

The fuel tank has arrived from Ricks Tanks


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[jketron]

Things are getting serious now. The motor arrived!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[David Bates]

So, when all is said and done, you'll have probably $25,000 in parts alone! Here's a link to a Super Chevy article on a Gen V LT4 Swap you may or may not have seen. Good luck with your project(s), take lots of photos and keep us posted.

 

[jketron]

So, when all is said and done, you'll have probably $25,000 in parts alone! Here's a link to a Super Chevy article on a Gen V LT4 Swap you may or may not have seen. Good luck with your project(s), take lots of photos and keep us posted.

There certainly is a few bucks into this project. I'll recap the parts list here at some point to outline all the things that you just think about or the small items that add up.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[jketron]

Folks, the dash from Dakota Gauges has shown up. I'll attach a picture to share. I'm still waiting on several more parts before I begin the disassembly.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[fleming23]

Very nice! Crazy how expensive everything gets! I am doing an LT4 swap right now on my 71 Vette but currently keeping it somewhat under wraps until I get it complete. I ended up buying both a dry sump and wet sump motor trying to get them to fit. I really wanted the dry sump to work but ultimately just could not get the pulley system to work with the smaller engine bay of a C3 corvette. Even with the wet sump, it will require the LS water pump modification to make it all fit with ample room.

I'll be keeping my eyes on your thread for any useful tips!

 

[jketron]

Thank you and good to hear from you. You helped me quite a bit on the efi I'm glad and hopeful I can help you. At the moment I'm going to use the pace performance front drive setup. It looks tight and compact as well as having all the accessories incl ps


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[jketron]

The front drive setup has shown up. This includes AC, ALT, PS, and water pump.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[dahenley]

looks like that water pump hit something on the hose side. double check it and make sure it didn't knock anything loose or make sure you don't have a leak there.

that bracket assy looks good!
What size alternator are you running?

 

[jketron]

It's had a small love tap at the very tip, nothing some duct tape and hammer won't fix. The alt is a 140 amp.

I love the finish on it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro