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80 k5 - frame off 6.0 LS swap

You will have to modify it if you want to move it forward. Mine fit with no modification but I replaced a 700r4 which are the same length with the adapter. Ther is no room to go forward on it or the oil pan will hit.
 
hey, question about transmissions. my new aftermarket aluminum two-core radiator does not have a transmission cooler. the plan was to run transmission lines directly from the 4l60e to an 8x15 external cooler mounted in front of the aluminum two-core. now that i am tearin stuff down, i find that my old th350 was ran from the transmission to the radiator to the external cooler and then finally back to the transmission.
will the 8x15 external cooler by itself be enough to maintain cool transmission temps for a 4l60e? should i try to get a different radiator with a transmission cooler built in and then run the same set up for the 4l60e, radiator-->external cooler-->transmission?


also planning on a SYE for the np205. getting rid of the slip yoke should pull the drive shaft joint foward 3" or 4", keeping my drive shaft angles the same even though the transfer case may move rearward.

also, i was looking at my frame.... moving the transfer case mounting points reward might not be an option. the frame narrows almost immediately after transfer case cross member bolts. i could probably shift back 1". going back 2" would push the rear-most transfer case bolt VERY close to the inside edge of the c-frame, within a quarter inch or so.
anybody have a picture of where the transfer case cross member is mounted on a stock 700r4 truck?


project update,
thinkin about cross over steering and re-doing the entire steering system from steering wheel to axle knuckles.. my current steering column is an 80's gm tilt column, SLOPPY! i already have a non-tilt steering column for an automatic transmission, hooked to a borgensen steering shaft, hooked to a 2wd psc box, hooked to cross over steering, hooked to reid knuckles.... might as well as do it all at one time?

picking up my 6.0 from nashville tomorrow!!! pictures tomorrow. of course.

and goddamn the ord website. every time i go there i want to spend more money.



also, due to my deployment, i am planning on limiting myself to the engine, dash, and running gear required to get it moving under 6.0 lq4 power, that and steering. (while i've got everything apart)
later i will do suspension mods... and interior mods... and brake mods... etc.
 
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Steering column is not that bad to rebuild. The slop is from the bolts in the tilt that come loose, just need to lock tight the bolts and tighten.
 
not messing with it. already have a non-tilt column from my 77 k20, the same k20 my axles came from. takin apart the dash, the guage cluster, the power steering lines, upgrading to cross over steering........ might as well!

already got the bolt in steering brace. considering the weld in while its all apart. i do not own a welder though.

same thing with power windows; i am pullin all the power windows in the blazer (and eliminating the rear window for the soft top) and going with manual, i'd rather'd have something that will not need to be rebuilt again.
 
Fixing a sloppy tilt column is easier than swapping to a crappy non tilt column.

Martin
 
Fixing a sloppy tilt column is easier than swapping to a crappy non tilt column.

Martin
i dont suppose you know of directions/pictures listed somewhere for that do ya?
i've never been inside a coloumn and need to do mine big time.


also, sweet build up man.
i'd love to do a 6.0 swap into my truck one day. (makes me sad cuz my buddy just wrecked his cherry 03 2500hd and sold it for $2k. wouldve been nice to take the drivetrain from.
 
th350 is out!
406 sbc is unhooked, ready for removal.
6.0 lq4 is on the engine stand, ready for install.


anybody know how much cooling i need to provide a built 4l60e? external cooler? stock cooler + external cooler?

DSC03704.jpg
 
I'm running this cooler http://www.summitracing.com/parts/BMM-70274/ plus the one in my 4 core radiator.
I'm sure it's big enough to do the job by it's self.
It's bigger then the cooler on my 07 allison that hardly ever tops 200 degrees pulling a 30' travel trailer in 100 degree weather.
 
i know alot of people say to keep the stock cooler so the heat from the radiator will help burn off any condensation, and make sure it gets up to temp quickly, from there into an external which will help keep it cool enough to keep the trans happy.
i think the idea is theres never too much cooler for a trans (up to a point obviously)
 
good info, thanks for the link.

out with the old, IN WITH THE NEW!


DSC03709.jpg



also, parts ordered today:
rebuilt np205 w/ sye
ord cross over + high steering
psc 2wd box
ord engine cross member
ord engine mounts
reid racing knuckles
1991 k5 fuel tank
 
DSC03719.jpg


all that potential horsepower right there.... 12.6 liters of displacement combined

if only i could have em both



DSC03722.jpg


my engine cross member looks like it juts foward... looks promising. its almost 2" in front of the engine mounts. the oil pan on the lq4 drops down behind the engine mounts.
 
I know it a crappy pic but this is how close it is to the front corner of the motor with the engine pushed all the way back.
53tabclearance.jpg
 
got my fuel tank in today.
ordered my fuel pump, oil / trannie coolers / in line temperature adapters.

here's the plan for my cooling system. i am going to run an oil cooler, transmission cooler, and my radiator. both the oil cooler and the transmission cooler lines are going to have 180 degree thermostats plumbed in:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/DER-13011/
they will keep fluid from reaching either of the coolers until it is 180 degrees. that will prevent any fluid from being cooled until the transmission and the engine are both at operating temps.
i will not be runnin any tranny fluid into the radiator, so it won't heat up as FAST.. but it won't be being cooled until it reaches temps either.
I believe I will be good.
paired with dual efans also hooked up to a thermostat to keep em off until everything is at temp..

got a lot of plumbing still to order. stainless braided lines everywhere.

steering is out, except the steering column, i am still debating swapping or restoring. given the time crunch....
dash is out, guages are out,
i only have the fuel tank, fuel lines, and wiring harness left to remove from the truck before i can clean/paint/ start installing!!
 
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