5.3 LS Swap - Transmission Options???

[PWagon]

Okay, I've been planning my LS engine swap for a while now, and I have been reading other peoples blogs about the 5.3 LS engine AND 4L60E. Last night I literally heard the sound of tires skreeching to a halt in my mind as I realized I may be locked into the 4L60E tranmission. You see, the problem is this.... I just just spend a sh!t-ton having the most bad-a55 700R4 built, and I don't want to remove it if I don't have to. I know there are "pro-4L60E camps" and there's the "hate-electronic-transmission camps" out there too, and I can see both sides of the topic. Anyhow, can someone help me understand what I am looking at (in terms of wiring, parts fitting, and other complications) if I decide to go either of the two below routes?

Option 1.) I go with a 5.3 LS engine with my rebuilt 700R4 and original transfer case.
Option 2.) I go with a 5.3 LS engine and use the factory 4L60E trans and somehow mate it to either the factory transfer case or something else? Will it require lengthening and/or shortening drive shafts?

 

[Greg Ducato]

You can use the 700 with the 5.3 with the correct flexplate and crank pilot adapter for the 298MM converter. You will also need to find a way to hook up and adjust the tv cable, Bowtie makes a kit for the mechanical throttle body LS but you are on your own for an electronic throttle body. You will need some way to generate an electronic speed signal from your transfer case for the engine computer but still drive the mechanical speedometer if so equipped. The trans won't care about that part.

 

[Smokinthehippies]

i'm going to piggyback on this thread instead of making a new one...
i have a 95 with the 4l60e, is it the same 4l60 that bolts right up to the 5.3? would anything need changed to work there?

 

[Greg Ducato]

No, the 95 trans will need the flexplate and crank adapter just as the 700R4 would.

 

[Smokinthehippies]

10-4.
what about the electronics? would the ecm for the 5.3 cover it or would it not be the same computer/wiring setup?
please and thank you for the help.

 

[Greg Ducato]

95 is a bastard year, 96-2002 internal harnesses are the same.

 

[Smokinthehippies]

of course it is.


thanks.