So many LS options, Cross over high steer - drive train mounts

[metalneverdies]

Who has the best combo of known fitting LS swap mounts and new engine cross member which will work well with cross-over high steer. I currently have like 5-5.5" lift I want to be sure it will work with as low as 3" of lift and a stock 5.3L truck pan.

Currently I am running a drop pitman arm, and drop drag link. I would love to switch to a straight drag link if possible. I get a small amount of rub between drivers side of the engine cross member and my drag link. I never feel it contact though. I am ready to upgrade my engine and trans mounts. I want a combo that has known good fitment with the stock 700r4 (4l60e) trans cross member.

Is DIY4X the way to go? Use their poly engine mount kit with an OEM style poly trans mount in the stock trans cross member?

 

[Coontail]

Pretty late to this but if you want to LS swap it your gonna need the ORD big block engine crossmember. Though I cannot comment on it's fitment with their high steer kit

As far as engine mounts, I used the Dirty Dingo slider mounts but if I was to do it again I would get the adapter mounts from Tejas steelworks. I've heard many good things about them and they allow you to use the stock mounting location for the AC compressor supposedly

I also highly recommend swapping in a 4l80e aswell

 

[TreeFarm]

my 80 had a 5.3L. I used an ORD big block engine crossmember(clears ls pan). Advanced adapter LS to 3 bolt engine mount plates. ORD comp motor mounts. stock springs and 3" lift springs with ORD crossover.

IF you use the AA LS 4 bolt to 3 bolt adapter plates they let you keep the engine in the " stock" location and use standard gm motor mounts. This lets the trans stay in the same place and wont affect your trans crossmember or drive shafts. But its worth noting the LS does not have the 1" or so shelf behind the cylinder head where the bell housing bolts up to. If you put the LS in the stock location you will be super close to the firewall. Mine with poly motor, trans, and body mounts had about 1/4" clearance.

This is 3" of lift.

 

[Jon81K5]

Here is ORD BBC crossmember with stock Chevy 8.1 oil pan w/ high steer on 6” of lift. Plenty of clearance

 

[muddybuddy]

So sounds like with an ls swap and ORD bbc crossmember and stock ls pan you can run 3” of lift and still go with cross-over steering?

 

[TreeFarm]

So sounds like with an ls swap and ORD bbc crossmember and stock ls pan you can run 3” of lift and still go with cross-over steering?

Yes, I have done it.

 

[muddybuddy]

Yes, I have done it.

Do you think you could run less lift (2”) or is 3” about as low as you can go?

 

[TreeFarm]

Do you think you could run less lift (2”) or is 3” about as low as you can go?

3" is the lowest that ORD recommends though they do offer an option to do 2" crossover. I personally didn't try 2' but It looked like it could be done with limited up travel. I was running 37" tire so I already had very limited up travel at that lift height. In my case with about 1.5" of clearance between the bump stop and axle I think could have gotten away with 2" of lift. Its a matter of how you want to set up your suspension.

Highsteer at that ride height will be very close or not possible. I never measured for it.

 

[muddybuddy]

Appreciate the insight. This would be for a street k5, and need it to be able to fit into a parking garage for work, but wanting x-over steering (dont need hi-steer). Is that requiring an aftermarket engine cross member, or can that be done with stock cross member? I know obviously that goes away after the LS swap, but is it do-able prior to the LS? I’ll check ORD’s site.

*edit* their site says can do with 2” of lift but high clearance x-member highly recommended*

Its been a while but back when i had my last k5, 4” lift was the lowest amount of lift for x-over, so glad thats no longer the case.

 

[TreeFarm]

Appreciate the insight. This would be for a street k5, and need it to be able to fit into a parking garage for work, but wanting x-over steering (dont need hi-steer). Is that requiring an aftermarket engine cross member, or can that be done with stock cross member? I know obviously that goes away after the LS swap, but is it do-able prior to the LS? I’ll check ORD’s site.

*edit* their site says can do with 2” of lift but high clearance x-member highly recommended*

Its been a while but back when i had my last k5, 4” lift was the lowest amount of lift for x-over, so glad thats no longer the case.

I'm pretty sure the drag link will hit the stock engine cross member on the passenger side because it's farther forward on that side.