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Found a 04 6.0 with a 4l80 behind it that I want to install on my car. My questions are what are some things I can delete from the motor and pcm. I know I'm going to delete vats and my rear o2 sensors what else should I do? I know I need a low profile oil pan. Considering just leaving the stock headers on for right now unless I find decent mid length headers thats affordable. Motor mounts are dirty dingos the place to go? What are you guys doing for the transmission support bar for the 4l80? And also what do I need to do about the fuel system set up? If there anything I'm leaving out let me know
 

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There are so many ways to skin this cat, I can't possibly talk about every option but i could tell you what I did and why I did it that way.

I used KDS mounts, they keep the engine in the same location, same crank centerline and same distance back from factory to maintain factory drivetrain geometry. Many guys use adj mounts but they usually lift the motor up and forward and I really don't like the idea of moving the single heaviest part of an 18 foot long car further forward, even if only a slight bit. The KDS mounts make some things easier, like oil pan and header choices but leave you less room to the K member for different accessory drives since the motor is further back.

For the crossmember. I went with Clear Image Automotive. Dan has never failed me, always builds great products. The 80e took a slight bit of denting to one floor pan and a tiny bit near the trans cooler fittings (i'm using AN) but nothing a few hammer blows couldn't fix.


Oil pan, the KDS mounts are designed to work with either an F body oil pan or Holley. I used an F body pan with an Improved Racing internal baffle kit since if you're swapping in an LS engine to do LS stuff with, you'll probably want improved oil control (unless you're only planning to make like 400hp in which case why even go LS).

KDS mounts are also designed to work with F body headers, but they require trimming of the A arm support straps. I notched mine and welded a support to the back side but most guys just cut them out. I tried TSP 1 7/8 3" collector headers and the d side hung too low for my liking. I ended up going to 3 Pedal's B body swap headers. They are beautiful and fit great, give you plenty of clearance everywhere and don't burn up ignition wires or anything. They appear like they would have fit without cutting the A arm support strap as well. I hear Speed Engineering F body headers also fit very well and for a fraction of the price the 3 pedals headers.

AC, I forgot most of the stuff I learned when experimenting with various AC setups but you should be able to run a truck drive and a mini compressor like a sanden SD7b10 without chassis modification using KDS mounts but don't quote me on that. I notched my K member it and was able to get a full-size to fit on truck spacing but decided not to go that route and went with a high mount setup instead from LSX concepts. They make beautiful kits, especially if you plan on using an LSA blower like me, but also very nice stuff for non SC'd setups. Pricey but it was worth every penny for me to keep my independent blower drive, use a tensioner setup that doesn't miss a beat at 16PSI and maintain a full-size AC compressor similar in volume to the factory compressor to keep the AC functioning effectively.



For the wiring, really can't help you there as it depends on how you plan on doing it, what you plan on using and i'm not familiar with what systems are on an 04 that may not be re-used for the swap. There will obviously be a lot to remove from your factory harness i.e; all of the engine control wiring. Fan relays some keep the factory fan harness and relays from the factory fuse box and just use the ECU's relay trigger from the new harness, which allows you to delete the fan wiring. Fuel pump depends on whether or not you are running something big/aftermarket or not. For me, I ran completely separate fuel pump wiring for my twin pump setups and just used the trigger from the new ECU to activate the relays so the rest of the fuel pump wiring could go.
 
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The dirty dingo slotted setup , all its missing is ready rod and wing nuts 😏😏

I will agree the KDS adapters are the best route with one caveat I will get to in a minute.
The KDS has PROPER locating tabs so the weight of the engine is on the mount tabs as intended. This unlike most of the others where the whole deal rests on the bolts.

The thing I dont like , and I understand he wanted a full on no mods adapter , is the retention of the goofy 94-96 offset mount location.
The right mount is set back to clear the low mount AC compressor.
He makes adapters for other SBC to LS swaps , possibly he makes a symmetrical set that places the mounts more under the four LS bosses .
Then it is a simple matter of brackets and mounts on engine, set it down , find your sweet spot, mark the crossmember and drill.
This would loose the goofy LT1 mount offset , move the mounts further back more under the engine bosses , and reduce the weight on the trans mount and crossmember.
Yes his works fine and is 100% bolt in but really, you are doing an engine swap, you cant drill a few holes in a frame ?
 

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The ones you linked would have the right hand mount too far forward.
In my " perfect world " I would like to see tge left mount moved back.
Those mounts you could redrill but you would have to add material above the front upper hole.
Ask KDS if they have brackets that move the mounts back.
Michael will likely tell you I am picking at something that is a non issue , and in reality he may be right.
Possibly the safe route would be to buy the adapter brackets he makes for the 94-96.
KDS over Dingo
My own , I wanted the set up the way I wanted it.
Symmetrical with the mounts more centered under the LS bosses.
I made my own adapters and used two modified left land LT1 brackets.
 

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Ok. I forgot about intakes. I been looking at the stock ls6 intakes on fb market place. Do you think that's a good move to make?
An interesting read
I have no personal comparison info as all mine are rectangular and stock intakes.

Your end goals may be as important as anything in making your choice.
 

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Ok. I forgot about intakes. I been looking at the stock ls6 intakes on fb market place. Do you think that's a good move to make?
Any intake that is higher than the alternator is most likely not to fit. The truck manifolds work great but ,at least in my case, the truck manifold was too high. However, I also have square ports so I can't make a suggestion for you.
 

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TrailBlazer LS2 intake manifold is a pretty decent compromise.
 
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