My LS Swap 6.0/4l80e Twin turbo

vader87

Protected Freedom for 27 years! Thank a Veteran!
Joined
Nov 2, 2005
I figured I would start a thread and show my experiences with the swap, so here it goes!

Began with a wrecked 2004 2500HD with 174,000 miles. It is a Gen III 6.0 with 317 Heads and a 4l80e.

IMG_20151002_174654537_HDR by Robert Griffin, on Flickr

Pulled engine apart for the rebuild and everything was in great shape!

Had the block bored .030 over due to cylinder wear and the crank turned .010. Installed Wiseco Forged Pistons and Texas Speed Super H-Beam Rods
23696488121_b894aa780f_o by Robert Griffin, on Flickr
23670349282_040433db27_o by Robert Griffin, on Flickr
IMG_20160129_160325976_HDR by Robert Griffin, on Flickr

Decided to go with some 0821 LS3, 6.2 CNC'd heads with LS9 head gaskets
IMG_20151019_153157947 (2) by Robert Griffin, on Flickr

Upgrade the rocker trunions and installed PRC dual springs with titanium retainers
TRUN8ION by Robert Griffin, on Flickr

Texas Speed Custom Grind turbo cam 238/241 .600/.629 113 LSA 110 and LS7 lifters
DSCF6365__62748.1368125246.450.450 by Robert Griffin, on Flickr
 
Decided to stick with my truck stuff so I purchased a Fbody Water pump and spacers
s-l500 by Robert Griffin, on Flickr
spacer by Robert Griffin, on Flickr

Did hours and hours of research on which bracket would fit my build and this is what I came up with. A company called Goatbuilt offers a relocation bracket that is inexpensive and does exactly what I needed it to do! The part number is 4401. It keeps the alternator tuck toward the intake but allows room for car intakes to be used while moving the stock PS pump up a bit so that the pulley will clear the steering box.
IMG_20160220_151120159 by Robert Griffin, on Flickr
IMG_20160220_151113941 by Robert Griffin, on Flickr


Also wanted to keep the Drive By Wire Setup
IMG_20151220_182048256 by Robert Griffin, on Flickr

And of course since I decided to use my harness and module, I had to purchase a 90mm DBW TB from a GTO. Notice it is the silver blade version and is about 3 times my expensive than the gold blade from the newer LS3 cars. Reason I had to use it is because the gold blade TB opens opposite the silver blade, throwing codes.
18341-05353871-1207043 by Robert Griffin, on Flickr
 
Now for the mounts! I tried a coupe of different setups and decided to go with the mounts from Hooker. Since I am running a Hi-Rise and forward facing headers, I need the engine as low as I can get it. BRP has some nice mounts but the engine was setup too high for my headers, which hit the steering shaft. I also went with the transmission cross member and it ALL dropped in with NO modification or crazy adjustments. Mounts PART# 12643HKR and cross member 12644HKR AND 4l80e transmission mount 12656HKR
12643hkr.jpg




img_4437_1_38168934ba0e16c48d0fec32000c98e63e493315 by Robert Griffin, on Flickr
 
Decided to completely rewire the car. Only portion that was left was the rear harness. My original harnesses had been cut and hacked on for years! I went with the basic Painless wiring kit. This actually worked out really well as I have no creature comforts such as A/C, Cruise, power seats, rear defog. I have went with aftermarket gauges as well. I will be converting to manual windows.

So cleaned up the firewall, filled the 20ish holes that were drilled in over the years and will be using MILSPEC connectors.

IMG_20151222_195806847 by Robert Griffin, on Flickr
IMG_20151229_181238090 by Robert Griffin, on Flickr
IMG_20151224_105508354 by Robert Griffin, on Flickr
IMG_20160126_211645282 by Robert Griffin, on Flickr

Vintage Air Heater and Defrost setup installed:
IMG_20160201_193258148 by Robert Griffin, on Flickr
 
As for the transmission, the truck came with a 4L80e, which I wanted to retain for my build. Fortunately I have a good GN buddy that builds transmissions for a living! We ordered a kit from TCI, Auto # 278805. Yes there are bullet proof 4L80e transmissions out there but I am sure this will hold together for a while. Also went with a 3600 Circle D Torque Converter. We very lucky to find an old school Quarter Stick Shifter that is a 4 speed. Hurst only makes 3 speed Quarter sticks now.
qu1.JPG
 
Decided to completely rewire the car. Only portion that was left was the rear harness. My original harnesses had been cut and hacked on for years! I went with the basic Painless wiring kit. This actually worked out really well as I have no creature comforts such as A/C, Cruise, power seats, rear defog. I have went with aftermarket gauges as well. I will be converting to manual windows.

So cleaned up the firewall, filled the 20ish holes that were drilled in over the years and will be using MILSPEC connectors.

IMG_20151222_195806847 by Robert Griffin, on Flickr
IMG_20151229_181238090 by Robert Griffin, on Flickr
IMG_20151224_105508354 by Robert Griffin, on Flickr
IMG_20160126_211645282 by Robert Griffin, on Flickr

Vintage Air Heater and Defrost setup installed:
IMG_20160201_193258148 by Robert Griffin, on Flickr
Are those heater core hoses coming from the delete plate. . Thanks..
 
Yes, its the vintage air heater/defrost setup 50515-VUH
va.png
 
Now for the mounts! I tried a coupe of different setups and decided to go with the mounts from Hooker. Since I am running a Hi-Rise and forward facing headers, I need the engine as low as I can get it. BRP has some nice mounts but the engine was setup too high for my headers, which hit the steering shaft. I also went with the transmission cross member and it ALL dropped in with NO modification or crazy adjustments. Mounts PART# 12643HKR and cross member 12644HKR AND 4l80e transmission mount 12656HKRView attachment 273916



img_4437_1_38168934ba0e16c48d0fec32000c98e63e493315 by Robert Griffin, on Flickr
Decided to stick with my truck stuff so I purchased a Fbody Water pump and spacers
s-l500 by Robert Griffin, on Flickr
spacer by Robert Griffin, on Flickr

Did hours and hours of research on which bracket would fit my build and this is what I came up with. A company called Goatbuilt offers a relocation bracket that is inexpensive and does exactly what I needed it to do! The part number is 4401. It keeps the alternator tuck toward the intake but allows room for car intakes to be used while moving the stock PS pump up a bit so that the pulley will clear the steering box.
IMG_20160220_151120159 by Robert Griffin, on Flickr
IMG_20160220_151113941 by Robert Griffin, on Flickr


Also wanted to keep the Drive By Wire Setup
IMG_20151220_182048256 by Robert Griffin, on Flickr

And of course since I decided to use my harness and module, I had to purchase a 90mm DBW TB from a GTO. Notice it is the silver blade version and is about 3 times my expensive than the gold blade from the newer LS3 cars. Reason I had to use it is because the gold blade TB opens opposite the silver blade, throwing codes.
18341-05353871-1207043 by Robert Griffin, on Flickr
Decided to stick with my truck stuff so I purchased a Fbody Water pump and spacers
s-l500 by Robert Griffin, on Flickr
spacer by Robert Griffin, on Flickr

Did hours and hours of research on which bracket would fit my build and this is what I came up with. A company called Goatbuilt offers a relocation bracket that is inexpensive and does exactly what I needed it to do! The part number is 4401. It keeps the alternator tuck toward the intake but allows room for car intakes to be used while moving the stock PS pump up a bit so that the pulley will clear the steering box.
IMG_20160220_151120159 by Robert Griffin, on Flickr
IMG_20160220_151113941 by Robert Griffin, on Flickr


Also wanted to keep the Drive By Wire Setup
IMG_20151220_182048256 by Robert Griffin, on Flickr

And of course since I decided to use my harness and module, I had to purchase a 90mm DBW TB from a GTO. Notice it is the silver blade version and is about 3 times my expensive than the gold blade from the newer LS3 cars. Reason I had to use it is because the gold blade TB opens opposite the silver blade, throwing codes.
18341-05353871-1207043 by Robert Griffin, on Flickr
Im trying to follow ur Serpentine set up...Was wonder what yr of water pump did you order to fit your LS motor, 423.00$ at O'Reilly for a 2010 SS Camaro .. hoping there would be a price difference .. ha..
After speaking with GOATBUILD, I explained what car, engine im running. And that I'm salvaging most of my truck parts.. I ordered the bracket he calls for my car, like the set up ur doing, everything positioned the same..
My old hamonic balancer is old shitty, need a new one.and. PS pump.. water pump...
 
423.00$ at O'Reilly for a 2010 SS Camaro .. hoping there would be a price difference ..

Got mine from the bag... Was about 1/2 of that price. No point in using spacers to get the truck spacing.
I also used the Vette alt/p/s brkt w/ a set of spacers, to get the p/s away from the p/s gear..
 
Im trying to follow ur Serpentine set up...Was wonder what yr of water pump did you order to fit your LS motor, 423.00$ at O'Reilly for a 2010 SS Camaro .. hoping there would be a price difference .. ha..
After speaking with GOATBUILD, I explained what car, engine im running. And that I'm salvaging most of my truck parts.. I ordered the bracket he calls for my car, like the set up ur doing, everything positioned the same..
My old hamonic balancer is old shitty, need a new one.and. PS pump.. water pump...

Its just a LS1 F Body water pump from a late 90s Camaro/Trans Am. They are around $80-$90 BUT you will need the spacers to run with truck accessories.
spacer by Robert Griffin, on Flickr
 
Got mine from the bag... Was about 1/2 of that price. No point in using spacers to get the truck spacing.
I also used the Vette alt/p/s brkt w/ a set of spacers, to get the p/s away from the p/s gear..

The Goat built Bracket allows the PS Pulley to be out of the way of the Steering Box on my setup. There are 100s of ways to move your accessories around, this setup was best for my build.
 
If you don't mind me asking how much did you get the 6.0 /4l80e for? Locally they are up to 3400 bucks i feel it's too high for 180k + mile combos I'm patient but prices keep climbing??
 
If you don't mind me asking how much did you get the 6.0 /4l80e for? Locally they are up to 3400 bucks i feel it's too high for 180k + mile combos I'm patient but prices keep climbing??

I paid $1500 for a wrecked work truck. I searched for about 6 months! Look on facebook and join LSx parts sell and trade. I see stuff on there all the time!

lsx.JPG
 
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