ss4ever Posted April 15, 2014 Share Posted April 15, 2014 Hey guys I just thought I would post on here some info on the LS1/4L60E swap I did in my 72 Monte. I don't have many pictures at the moment of the swap but I will see what I can come up with. I started out with my 72 Monte Carlo that originally had a 350/350 combo and I purchased a 18,000 mile LS1/4L60E from a wrecked 1999 Camaro as a complete pullout with the engine harness. I used a set of "Dirty Dingo" aluminum engine mount adapters to mount my stock engine mounts to the block, it worked best for me to have the engine mounted furthest forward. With the engine mounted furthest forward the alternator just barely clears the engine crossmember and the factory F-body oil pan clears perfectly. I modified the factory Camaro powersteering pressure hose to fit, while I was doing the engine swap I decided to go ahead and install a 83-88 Monte Carlo SS steering box. For exhaust I found a set of cheap shorty stainless headers on EBay for under $200, I also installed a Pypes 2.5" X-pipe system with their Violator mufflers and their 70 Chevelle stainless tips. For the instrument cluster I did some figuring and it made sense to go ahead and bite the bullet and buy a Dakota Digital VHX instrument cluster which is a great system expecially when doing a LS swap in these cars. For the transmission crossmember I just drilled some new holes and bolted it down. For the driveshaft I needed one that was about 53.5 inches long, knowing G-bodys like I do I bought a driveshaft from a buddy and had to install a conversion rear U-joint to make it fit the rear differential yolk but it fits good. I did go ahead and upgrade my factory floor shifter by installing the kit from Shiftworks to convert to a four speed auto shifter which also supplied me with the brackets on the transmission. I reused my stock radiator, the stock 350 upper hose works well as the lower hose in my application and I got a stainless "bendable" hose for my upper hose. I used a LoKar throttle cable and brackets and their engine dipstick as well. Their stuff is all top notch. For the fuel system I bought a fuel filter for a 98 Corvette which has a built in pressure regulator, I mounted it in front of the rear wheel on the passenger side. For the fuel pump I found a new EFI fuel tank with a high pressure tank on EBay and installed it along with some high pressure fuel injection hose in the rubber hose locations. To get fuel to the fuel rail I spliced in to the factory line just behind the front wheel and made me a line to run to the fuel rail. I did modify the factory engine harness rather than spend the money on a stand alone harness. I did go ahead and delete the emissions and rear O2 sensors from the harness and had the computer re-programmed for my car. I mounted the ECM on the passenger inner fender by using a ECM mount from a 96-05 S-10. I hope this post helps someone out, if you have any questions please feel free to ask. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7tonemonte Posted April 15, 2014 Share Posted April 15, 2014 Very cool! Sounds like a real nice swap without too many issues, there are plenty of them drive trains in wrecking yards around our way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monte0 Posted April 15, 2014 Share Posted April 15, 2014 I'm in the progress of doing this myself. Still getting the big stuff out of the way like the frame swap and such. But next year hoping to grab a LS2 and a 4l80e (maybe a 6l80e if it can be made to fit). What springs did you use for your swap since a LS engine is lighter then a cast SB 350? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick Sheean Posted April 15, 2014 Share Posted April 15, 2014 Thanks Randy, looks great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ss4ever Posted April 17, 2014 Author Share Posted April 17, 2014 I'm in the progress of doing this myself. Still getting the big stuff out of the way like the frame swap and such. But next year hoping to grab a LS2 and a 4l80e (maybe a 6l80e if it can be made to fit). What springs did you use for your swap since a LS engine is lighter then a cast SB 350? I currently have Hotchkiss 2" drop springs up front with KYB Monotube shocks all around. Hopefully this picture will show how the front sits now. The red 72 Monte in the pic is a local buddy's car, last year I was able to get the engine back together in it for him and he finally got it on the road after a 14 yeah hiatous. BTW, last weekend we painted up a cowl hood for his car and got rid of the ugly scoop that is shown in this pic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
footballubet Posted April 20, 2014 Share Posted April 20, 2014 Nice work! Doesn't sound as bad as some of the horror stories I've heard before about the swap. So just maybe someday..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KWick_70MC Posted May 5, 2014 Share Posted May 5, 2014 I love the stanse of your car!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ss4ever Posted May 5, 2014 Author Share Posted May 5, 2014 Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ss4ever Posted July 1, 2014 Author Share Posted July 1, 2014 Just a quick update. I painted the Holley coil covers and painted the intake a grey color a couple weeks ago, really helped the looks underhood IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monte0 Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 looking good! I'm getting closer to doing the motor so if I have any questions mind if I pm you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ss4ever Posted July 2, 2014 Author Share Posted July 2, 2014 That will be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KWick_70MC Posted July 5, 2014 Share Posted July 5, 2014 Man she looks good... I like those valve covers.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
overdrive Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 I like the changes you've made. The color matching coil covers is a good idea. Nice! Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jared Richey Posted July 18, 2014 Share Posted July 18, 2014 Yeah that's the worst thing about a LS engine is those Ugly Coil packs. Looks much better that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigDan Posted December 15, 2014 Share Posted December 15, 2014 I can't see any of the pics? Did they get removed because I'm using two different browsers and would really like to see this install since I already have a LS1 to put in my Monte. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arvizu9618 Posted September 9, 2016 Share Posted September 9, 2016 Did you have to modify the floor of the car for the 4L60E? Did you use all the accessories and brackets from the Fbody? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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