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Going lsx in a 72 El Camino

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fasst450

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Been a long time since I've posted here. I've decided to go LSx. Right now I'm thinking a 5.3. My goals really are just to get better fuel economy, reliability and parts readily available at the local parts store. My plan in the next couple years is to take the El camino and a covnverted camper trailer across the country to fly paramotors and see where life takes me from there. A little more power will be nice but I need to squeeze every drop of fuel I can. And yes I've thought of just selling the Camino and getting prius but, nahhh.
Currently I have a bone stock 350(72 block but not numbers matching) with a quadrajet and a 200-4r transmission. Currently I get 14-16 mpg, and it's a great running combo. The main bearings have had a bit of a knock for the last 30,000 miles and oil pressure is pretty low when I run it for awhile so the motor is getting close to the end.

My questions for right now are:
1. What would be the advantages of using the matching 4l60e over just leaving the 200-4r in place? I have the CK performance lockup kit and it works fairly decently and it's been a good transmission other than a bad leaky front seal currently. Allegedly, the transmission had been built up by a performance shop when I bought it but I have no confirmation at the moment.

2. 5.3 or 6.0? Will the extra power of a 6.0 help get better mileage while towing or is the 5.3 the king of mpg no matter what?

Thank you all for reading this I'm 100% sure I'll be posting more questions as this progresses

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#2 ·
I'm not far from you and I have a 409 for sale out of a 58 Impala. >:)


Seriously though. I have a 99 Silverado LQ4 6.0 iron block, iron heads and 4L80 with about 175,000 miles for sale. It's still in the truck and you can hear it run.


I need a 350 core to replace my Impala 409 so maybe we can work something out to achieve both our goals.
 
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#4 ·
:clonk:l:)..............
 
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#6 ·
pcguy said:
You might wait on making a tranny decision until you find the engine you want; it may have a tranny already mated to it. Be wary of a 6Lnn as that will cause you to have to modify the floor/tunnel.

Good luck, Nick
Click to expand...
A 4L80E might also require some floor pan massage.

There's plenty written about LS engine swaps into A-body vehicles and I've done one myself. I went with a Gen III LM7 5.3 engine, 4L60E transmission, Holley 302-2 oil pan, Holley one inch forward bias engine mounts and Hooker Blackheart headers. It all has fit perfectly as designed for A-body vehicles.

Rick

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Discussion starter · #7 ·
Going to pick up a 5.3 tonight. Ill let you guys know how it turns out, I may have gotten a smoking deal or a smoked motor/ couple decent parts for a 100 bucks:)

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#9 ·
Don't forget to grab the drive by wire throttle pedal, the wiring harness and the Powertrain Control Module. All very valuable to this swap.

Rick



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#11 ·
Did you get the computer parts or still have to get that stuff? will the 200r4 bolt up to an LS? if so and if your happy with the OD trans you already have save your $$$ instead of buying another trans, just my opinion
 
#12 ·
Wow... thought I got a great deal on my 5.3 @ 300. Between the 5.3 or 6.0, the 6.0 will probably net the same MPG you're already getting. All Chevy auto transmission will bolt right up, so if you want to keep your 200-4R, you might only need to modify the flex plate.


But, I'm surprised at your MPG #s. Before I tore mine apart, I was getting 17-18 highway and that's with the TH350, but 2.73 rear gearing. I would likely have done better had I known some of the issues I've since discovered after tearing it apart (like the HEI being run off the resistance wire, stretched timing chain making making timing adjustments almost pointless, vacuum leaks, etc).

That 5.3 was originally intended for my El Camino, but I've since rethought that and decided to stay with the SBC. I will eventually go with an OD trans and change out the rear gearing for something like 3.42 or 3.73. I'm dumping the carb and got an Edelbrock EFI kit.
 
Discussion starter · #13 ·
I ended up selling that 5.3 i bought and picked up a pullout from an 02 Silverado with harness and computer for $500.
I'm still debating on the transmission situation. If I were to keep the 200-4r I would need to get a new t.v. cable bracket which may or may not cause me to have to ditch the cruise control cable.
So far my parts list is:
-Holley 320-2 oil pan
-I.c.t adapter plates with my current motor mounts
-Summit brand ls swap manifolds(pretty sure they are identical to the hooker manifolds minus $100)
-I.c.t. billet sanden 508 high mount ac bracket for truck spacing
-Smaller power steering pulley.
-PSI standalone harness


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#14 ·
fasst450 said:
I ended up selling that 5.3 i bought and picked up a pullout from an 02 Silverado with harness and computer for $500.
I'm still debating on the transmission situation. If I were to keep the 200-4r I would need to get a new t.v. cable bracket which may or may not cause me to have to ditch the cruise control cable.
So far my parts list is:
-Holley 320-2 oil pan
-I.c.t adapter plates with my current motor mounts
-Summit brand ls swap manifolds(pretty sure they are identical to the hooker manifolds minus $100)
-I.c.t. billet sanden 508 high mount ac bracket for truck spacing
-Smaller power steering pulley.
-PSI standalone harness


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Click to expand...
Congratulations on the project!!! I love to see people build these cars to drive. You are taking on a big and great project. There will be times you may want to spend more money because, "well, I have gone this far". I am installing a T56 behind a 6.0 and reinforcing the frame to pull a small camper. My view on the LS model automatic transmission is that you may want to use it for the same reasons you want to use an LS engine. I think the 6.0 is a good move. Even if fuel mileage is a wash it is less damaging to the 6.0 to pull through the mountains. The truck intake and accessories drive will fit under your hood and clear your frame and the truck intake will provide excellent torque for pulling.

I can't wait to see your project!
 
#15 ·
Paramotors!?!?!?! AIRBORNE man!

my kid ( a budding fabricator) and I would love to see and/or help you to get experience with an LS swap. Over in Hamburg.
 
Discussion starter · #17 ·
So, the only part on my list that I know 100% I'm going with is the Holley oil pan, ict billet high mount sanden 508 bracket, summit swap manifolds, and smaller p/s pulley. The rest of the parts I'm still debating. I'm leaning towards keeping my 200-4r(again)

Pros of my 200-4r in my situation:
Rebuilt 25,000 ago
I know for a fact it works excellent
Constant pressure valve body installed
Theoretically cheaper on my swap budget

Cons:
Won't be controlled by the pcm so may sacrifice efficiency.
Cant use the Silverado cruise control

My next part to decide is mounts. If i keep my 200-4r, do I go with stock position mounts? Holley mounts or simple adapter plates? Will I have clearance issues with my a/c evaporator case?

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#18 ·
With the Holley one inch forward bias engine mounts, I retained the use of my stock trans cross member and the use of my Denso air conditioning compressor from the 99 Silverado truck donor. Ditto for all of the FEAD components on my LM7 LS motor.

My biggest regret with using an LM7 is the high intake manifold. My hood closes without any trouble but I cannot put the plastic engine cover on. I'd have to trim some metal structure from my cowl induction hood for that to fit. I may trim a little someday but have not yet.

Rick
 
Discussion starter · #19 ·
B52bombardier1 said:
With the Holley one inch forward bias engine mounts, I retained the use of my stock trans cross member and the use of my Denso air conditioning compressor from the 99 Silverado truck donor. Ditto for all of the FEAD components on my LM7 LS motor.

My biggest regret with using an LM7 is the high intake manifold. My hood closes without any trouble but I cannot put the plastic engine cover on. I'd have to trim some metal structure from my cowl induction hood for that to fit. I may trim a little someday but have not yet.

Rick
Click to expand...
I forgot to add one other criteria, I would like to avoid having to get a longer driveshaft or get my current driveshaft re-tubed. If I go 1inch forward, my current driveshaft will be a no go. I have a Delphi hu6 from the donor truck which won't work with factory air so I'm switching to a high mount sanden 508. With the high mount ac bracket and smaller ps pulley, i shouldn't(in theory) have any FEAD clearance issues with any mounting option I choose.
If I go with stock SBC location in order to avoid any driveshaft changes, will I have clearance issues with the passenger side valve cover and evaporator case on the firewall?

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Discussion starter · #20 ·
Lsxinnovations has an adjustable adapter plate with a +7/16th forward position. This may be a compromise to gain firewall clearance without getting a longer driveshaft(if I keep my current 200-4r)

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