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Another LS Swap LQ4 4L80e

21K views 57 replies 10 participants last post by  KoolAidMan  
#1 · (Edited)
So I just started my swap about 2 weeks ago and thought I’d share my progress for anyone that is interested. Basically done at this point, just need to head to exhaust shop and test drive the tranny a little more. But for anyone wondering how I did it and what you need:

Drivetrain: 2000 6.0 LQ4 with 4L80e pulled out of a junkyard GMC Sierra 2500 myself
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Engine mounts:
Used KDS mounts and motor fit nice. Does sit close to firewall but not a big issue. You can slide them a bit and I did have the motor all the way back, but start at the middle. Replaced the stock motor mounts while I was there using anchor 2292 on both sides. Just make sure you have the correct orientation for the top and bottom because you do not want to have to take off the motor mounts over a simple mistake. And I was able to remove the mounts by MYSELF without having to drop the control arm. Just make sure you have a good swivel and flexible wrench and you can do it. Just take your time. And make sure to primer under the mount too before you put them on, if you are painting your frame.
 

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Discussion starter · #2 ·
Oil Pan

Used LS1 Camaro f body pan and it fit perfect with the KDS mounts. Clearance was good all around and nothing hit. Keep in mind when you bolt the engine in without the trans connected, the motor will lean back and your pan will be touching the k member until you bolt up the trans. For the low oil level sensor, the stock LT1 sensor threads right in or you can just buy a plug for $10 like I did. Gives it a cleaner look
 

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Discussion starter · #3 · (Edited)
Fuel System

Now I used the stock sending unit and just replaced the pump with a higher flowing one than stock. I personally prefer in-tank pump setup but the choice is yours. Used a Kemso 10912 pump off eBay. Don’t let the price fool you. These pumps are cheap and reliable. I used PTFE braided lines that way I wouldn’t have any vapor smell, like you usually get with regular braided lines. If you use these lines, make sure not to cross thread your fittings onto the hose or it will leak! Trust me! Used a corvette fuel filter to regulate the fuel pressure and put it in the stock location. Used AN quick disconnect fittings at the rail, fuel filter, and gas tank feed and return. Makes everything so much simpler but make sure you get the threaded quick disconnect fittings and not the ones that clip on!
 

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Discussion starter · #4 ·
Accessories

I kept the truck spacing so I could use the stock alternator and power steering pump that came with the engine. Used LSSimple brackets, and luckily he has a bracket for a stock HD6 A/C compressor. Wanted to keep stock compressor because of the way I wired up the A/C to the 0411 pcm. Everything fit perfect and has good clearance around the stock ABS and overflow tank. May need to bend brake line just a bit behind alternator though. For the power steering pump, I used a stock Impala return line that’s cut to fit and a stock 2001 Silverado pressure hose. Needs a little bending but everything bolts right in to steering box and fits nicely. With the A/C I was surprisingly able to use stock lines.
 

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Discussion starter · #6 ·
Thanks! It’s a 65. Good eye.. will finish updating my post soon! Been busy finishing up this beast. As a matter of fact I’m At the exhaust shop right now waiting lol
 
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Discussion starter · #7 ·
Transmission and Driveshaft

Transmissions are never fun to put in on the ground. That being said, this was my first 4L80e and let me tell you, it is very heavy! Before I installed the trans I put a Transgo shift kit, Sonnax line to lube valve, and plastic check balls. Highly recommend you install these parts at a minimum. Easier to do while transmission is out and on a bench. Luckily for me, the transmission was definitely rebuilt so I didn’t bother with a rebuild.. yet! Used Dans crossmember from ClearImage. Came with a poly mount and everything fit and bolted up nice with the KDS mounts. Had to make the bolt thru holes a little bigger on the frame, other than that, trans went in without any modifications to tunnel or anywhere else. I did have to cut the ear on the passenger side due to the headers I used, but I’ll get to that. If you are using AN fittings, make sure you get the correct ones for a 4L80e. There is a difference and you do not want to find out the hard way! Used a Lokar dipstick to make it easier to move as needed. Make sure to put some kind of sealant at trans! Bought the slip yoke new from GM and had a new driveshaft made for me. Used 1350 series U-joints and each end of the shaft but with a conversion U-joint at the rear end so it would bolt up to the stock pinion yoke. I Plan on changing out to a 1350 series pinion yoke when I do gear swap, and this way my driveshaft is ready to accept the bigger u joint later on. When measuring your shaft length, make sure the vehicle is on the ground!
 

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Discussion starter · #10 ·
Tried that but for some weird reason it Doesn’t fit. And the pump itself comes with some. Plus I already had that line in there from before so I just reused it since I was more concerned about soldering the wires and making a new harness to power the pump. Appreciate the tip though!
 
Discussion starter · #20 ·
Still have to post on the wiring. Sorry for the late response, but I was having an electrical gremlin myself and it was not fun chasing down. That being said, car is done! Runs nice and idles so smooth. Needs a tune to get the most out of it, but probably going to cam it first
 
Discussion starter · #21 · (Edited)
Wiring

This can vary depending on your setup and what kind of harness you use, and if you decide to use some of the stock wiring, fuses, and relays. Lt1swap.com is your friend. Almost everything you need to know, regarding pin outs and wiring, is on that site. You honestly don’t need much from the stock PCM. I kept my A/C and got all the wiring info on that from the post on here from that one guy Jose. Also kept my ABS, and luckily all the wiring for that is separate from the PCM. I cut out all the wires I didn’t need from the stock connectors and separated what I did. Then I opened up the whole stock harness and pulled out all the unused wires. Wrapped up everything in cloth tape. Made a new harness for the fuel pump, since the new harness had its own fuel pump relay. I used the stock fan relays and wiring by using the signal wire off the stock PCM. I went with a new harness for the engine to keep it simple. Didn’t want to drill into firewall so I put the LS PCM in the stock location and fuse box not too far away from it. Could’ve done a better job at hiding all the wires, but I was in a rush to get it running. And to keep it simple for all you b body guys, this is what I used from the stock PCM. Keep in mind this is for a 95 so I don’t have a tach signal to save off the PCM:


Red connector

Pin 10 - sec fan DK BLU
Pin 11 - prim fan DK GRN
(Ground signals for relay)


Black connector

Pin 1 - A/C request signal DK BLU
Pin 8 - VSS speed
Pin 21 - A/C clutch status DK GRN



Clear/Gray connector

Pin 14 - brake switch PPL
Pin 15 - park neutral signal org/black (optional)



Blue connector

Pin 3 - PCM ign feed PNK
Pin 8 - A/C clutch control DK GRN/WHITE
Pin 9 - Check engine light
Pin 12 - A/C refrigerant pressure sensor RED/BLACK
 
Discussion starter · #22 ·
Make sure you have good grounds! And gauges are tied in differently besides speed and tach. I used an adapter and the stock oil pressure sender to keep my stock gauge working. Volt meter is easy, fuel is tied into sending unit and separate from PCM, and temp is the only one I have to buy a sender for.
 

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Discussion starter · #23 ·
Adapter for LS motor and stock oil pressure gauge
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Discussion starter · #24 ·
The work required is not a concern of mine.

Thanks for your perspective. I was hopeful that I could re-use my Dennys driveshaft. I guess I won't really know for sure until I actually get everything in and measure.
If you use KDS mounts or Dirty Dingo sliding mounts and a 4L60e, even LS, you can get away with using your stock driveshaft. Even stock crossmember can be used for a LS 4L60e. Make sure you use a camaro oil pan or Holley 302-2 to get the proper clearance and to have room to move the motor forward or backwards. 4L80e will definitely require driveshaft work no matter what. With the motor slid all the way back, with the KDS mounts and Dans crossmember, my driveshaft length measured out to 56” from the transmission seal to the u-joint bearing cap surface.
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Make sure you measure with the car on the ground and suspension loaded! Luckily for me, I had my gas tank out and had enough room to fit underneath the car behind the rear end. Some might get a different measurement due to different mounts and other parts and variations, but if you use what I mentioned above, it should be pretty close.
 
Discussion starter · #27 ·
Here’s a little tip.. complain about the GM controller not working when you first get the engine, or if it’s still under warranty, and I bet GM will send you a terminator x system 🤭
 
Discussion starter · #28 ·
Exhaust and shift linkage

I live in California and getting long tubes is not that easy, and what is available is pretty overpriced. So I went with some shorty headers that were recommended by a few people. Cheap eBay s10/universal headers. Just make sure you order the correct bolts to bolt up the headers though, because the ones that come in the box are standard not metric. Comes with exhaust flanges too.
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Headers fit well and Just had to trim the ear off on passenger side of trans for exhaust flange to fit. Driver side is pretty tight and had to bang body weld a little out the way. Flange was turned a little so it wouldn’t touch trans ear. Stock shift linkage barely clears header but it doesn’t touch.
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Nothing to difficult about the shift linkage. Removed the arm off the stock 4L60e and put it on the 4L80e. Then I just cut the shifter linkage a little at the end, so it wouldn’t hit the frame, and with a little effort I got it in. Had to bang heat shield a little to clear park but it still shifts good and feels like stock.

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Discussion starter · #30 ·
You might want to do a little google on O2 sensor placement.
Those are inviting condensation - moisture damage .
You could also bend that linkage frame bracket , and shorten the shaft so it can't touch the frame rail. Might be an illusion but it looks pretty close.
Of coarse , just my opinion
This was just a mock up before it got welded in. O2s were turned and facing different direction now. And shaft was cut at the end and bent a little to fit properly. Doesn’t touch Frame whatsoever. Actually shifts into gear better than it use to with the 4L60e. Pics don’t really do justice as seeing it in person. I appreciate your input though! Definitely can help someone who doesn’t know about any of that.
 
Discussion starter · #31 ·
Had the PCM tuned last week and what a difference. This motor just wants to keep pulling up top, stock, where my old LT1 use to max out.. Shifts nice and firm too. Definitely doing gears and upgrading stall next. I’ll upload the vid or post the link once vid is up of my tune sesh. Includes a burnout or 2 😏
 
Discussion starter · #32 ·
Haven’t posted on the A/C yet because I have not had the chance to charge it. Been dealing with another car this past week but once I do, I’ll post all the info on what it takes to get the A/C working like stock. I want to make sure everything works before I give any advice in that area. But in the meantime here’s some pics that weren’t already posted on some of my prep work. Changing out heads, oil pan, and all the gaskets and other little stuff that needs to be done.
 

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Discussion starter · #33 ·
Don’t forget about the rear main seal and barbell! Don’t have any pics but I can assure you I definitely changed them. Those are a must!
 

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Discussion starter · #34 ·
Excuse the language I was a little excited 😁
.. this was my 2nd or 3rd day driving it and you can see the problems that arose so quickly lol.. All good now though. A/C works just like stock too. Will write up on that soon enough, but honestly I got all my info on that from that one guy Jose who posted the info on a wiring harness LS swap.

 
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