Quick Trans swap question

[Figuarus]

Guys, I'm sorry to bug, but i'm not finding the answer i need in the FAQ section

My brother is getting rid of his 94 Suburban, and with it a 350sb with a 4l60 trans. The catch is, that while it's free, I need to go back to Los Angeles and pick it up. I would need to get this stuff done over a weekend.


I've seen information on the 700R4 swap, but I'm not finding much on the 4l60e.

I have a few questions about possibly doing this

1.) will the 4l60 bolt to my 283?
2.) What will i need to verify before i swap this?
3.) The wiring harness in the suburban is complete. What parts of it will i need to swap into my 64 c10?
4.)Since I have a TH400 in my 66 now, Will I require a different crossmember?

I'm not worried about having a working speedometer at the moment.

any info on how to do this?

[TopFuel1966]

Is it a 4L60 or a 4L60E as you mentioned both in your post. The 4L60 is the same as the 700R4. The 4L60E is the newer computer driven version that will not work in your truck unless you have all the electronics to go with it.

http://www.advanceadapters.com/tech-...m-700r4--4l60/

[Figuarus]

Sorry, it's a 4l60e. That one came from a 96 Caprice apparently

[PGSigns]

Going to need something like one of these.
Jimmy
http://www.summitracing.com/search/p...ion-type/4l60e

[Jim53066]

Looks like they are pretty proud of those trans controllers, I guess high technology costs ?

That would put it out of my consideration real quick. I bought my 65 to get away from the computers.

Jim

[Kenfuzed]

Why not just pick up the SB 350 and bolt it to your TH400 that you already have?

[Captainfab]

Yes the 4L60E will bolt up to your 283 but as said you will need a controller for the trans to operate as well as a TPS....(throttle position switch). Why not simplify the deal and just install the 350 as well along with the harness and PCM to control it all. It's really not that difficult to do. The TBI is actually oldschool as far as EFI is concerned and doesn't look that much different than a carb. The 350 will bolt into your truck in the same location and use the same engine mounts as your 283.......they are both small blocks. You can also use your existing trans crossmember. It just may need to be moved and new bolt holes drilled.

[Figuarus]

I thought about it, but I just don't want to go bigger in terms of engine displacement. I like the economy of the 283, but know that TBI is much more reliable.

The downside in this case is that my brother has already admitted to me that the engine does smoke. My 283 was rebuilt a few years ago, and has less than 20k miles since it was done. It's been a reliable engine, but yeah it may be time to upgrade.

Kenfuzed, I want to upgrade the transmission to a 4 speed. The TH400 is a 3 speed with a 1:1 final drive ratio.

the 350 is an LT1, and while it may be a smart choice, I just don't know if I want to go through with it...

[Kenfuzed]

Makes sense, save for something like a 700R4 and I'm sure you'll be much happier. To me dealing with used transmissions have always ended up to be a big headache.

[Captainfab]

A 350 in a '94 Suburban is not a LT1. It is simply a Gen I small block with TBI. Only the Camaro's Firebirds, Corvette's, Impala's, Caprice's and Roadmaster's came with LT1's, which is a Gen II small block.

Originally Posted by Figuarus

the 350 is an LT1, and while it may be a smart choice, I just don't know if I want to go through with it...

[gulfcoast66]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

A 350 in a '94 Suburban is not a LT1. It is simply a Gen I small block with TBI. Only the Camaro's Firebirds, Corvette's, Impala's, Caprice's and Roadmaster's came with LT1's, which is a Gen II small block.

X2... Unless ur Brother put a Lt1 in the Suburban.... GC66..

[PowerdbyChevy79]

Originally Posted by Figuarus

I thought about it, but I just don't want to go bigger in terms of engine displacement. I like the economy of the 283, but know that TBI is much more reliable.

The downside in this case is that my brother has already admitted to me that the engine does smoke. My 283 was rebuilt a few years ago, and has less than 20k miles since it was done. It's been a reliable engine, but yeah it may be time to upgrade.

Kenfuzed, I want to upgrade the transmission to a 4 speed. The TH400 is a 3 speed with a 1:1 final drive ratio.

the 350 is an LT1, and while it may be a smart choice, I just don't know if I want to go through with it...

man brother if i was you i would just save for a 700.. its much more simple ( i get the idea you want as simple as possible) and you get your 4th gear..

[Figuarus]

Yeah, I've been informed that the engine and transmission both came out of a 96 Caprice

[LVPhotos]

You mentioned fuel economy. Besides being a brick you can get milage out of a 406 like mine 20 + with od, tire size, gear ratio, how you drive. Mom's 97 chevy 350 standard cab, step side at 99,000 miles gets 20 to 25 mpg from LV to San Diego. Nicer ride than my 1 Ton at 30. Just gto back from SLC with 30 mpg at 77mph

[66LSx]

Originally Posted by LVPhotos

30 mpg at 77mph

unless its a 2wd lowered diesel..... 30 mpg is pushing it (bully dog programmers are known to 'round up' on their MPG calculator)

350 stepside can get about 15-17 max... 20-25 isn't possible as the stepside bed actually subtracts about 1-2 MPG from a normal fleetside due to added buffing resistance of the stepside fender...

1997 Chevrolet C1500 Pickup 2WD 8 cyl, 5.7 L, Automatic 4-spd, window sticker (sourced from fueleconomy.gov)
Regular 14
City 15
Highway 17
(THOSE ARE ALL FLEETSIDE #'S.... STEPSIDE WILL BE 1-2 MPG LESS ON HIGHWAY)

406CI non-EFI controlled @ 20 mpg.... (12..maybe 14mpg in reality with an locking TQ OD trans)

Not worth arguing with you but I prefer BTU/wind tunnel science.


My 5.3L/4L60e LS swap EFI c10 w/ 3.73gears cruising at 60 MPH (aero maximized sweet spot) cruising at 1780 RPM yields about 23 mpg.


To OP....
Consider the LS swap.... its a riot to do the swap itself and to drive!

[LVPhotos]

It's 4x4 on 35s. Edge CTS gauge with tire correction, Smarty on economy tune 40hp. No mufflers jut the cat. My run was mostly 25 to 27 this was as I rolled into driveway.

[Figuarus]

Yeah, i've decided that I'm going to very likely use the entire swap setup with harness, but I'm going to wait until I bring it home to do anything with it.

If push comes to shove, I'll sell the 4l60e, and find a 700R4.

If I add that 700r4, and have to install the TV cable, are there extra brackets that need to be added to my Quadrajet?

[luvbowties]

Originally Posted by Figuarus

Yeah, i've decided that I'm going to very likely use the entire swap setup with harness, but I'm going to wait until I bring it home to do anything with it.

If push comes to shove, I'll sell the 4l60e, and find a 700R4.

If I add that 700r4, and have to install the TV cable, are there extra brackets that need to be added to my Quadrajet?

No, q'jets come from factory with proper linkage geometry to control TV CABLE & pressure. (PATC lists linkage geometry-correctors only for Edelbrock and Holley carbs.] The geometry on all q-jets we've used was fine to control the TV for/from the 700R4's.

You WILL need something like a square-holed, intake-mounted or carb-mounted bracket [see Ebay example of one at link below.] to support the OEM TV cable--cable has a square body that fits tightly into this bracket-hole & allows you to adjust throttle pressure. Looks much like a bracket to hold your accelerator cable-housing; some even come as a 1-bracket, dual-support: 1 for TV and 2nd for accelerator linkage.

Enjoy that project, and best of luck with your decisions.
Sam

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Holley-Perfo...e1102f&vxp=mtr

[Captainfab]

The engine being a LT1 with a 4L60E makes a big difference. That would be well worth the effort to install into your truck and it should get decent MPG's too.

If you go with a 700R4 you absolutely must setup the TV cable correctly or else you will burn up the trans in a short time. Do not use any cheap brackets or linkages. The setup from Bowtie Overdrives is the best. And yes they make them for Q-jets. There are many, many, many threads in the Engine and Drivetrain section all about the 700R4.

Originally Posted by Figuarus

Yeah, i've decided that I'm going to very likely use the entire swap setup with harness, but I'm going to wait until I bring it home to do anything with it.

If push comes to shove, I'll sell the 4l60e, and find a 700R4.

If I add that 700r4, and have to install the TV cable, are there extra brackets that need to be added to my Quadrajet?

[66Submarine]

JMO, but a smokey LT1? I'm not really getting the love.

Another related question; how many miles on the trans? The 4L60E is not really known for longevity.

[Figuarus]

Resurecting this because i'm headed to Los Angeles to get this done.

I'm gonna grab the fuel tank, the wiring harness, ecu/ecm, engine and transmission.

I have been reading a few other threads about doing this swap, and i'm convinced this may be the engine to use. I'll have time to get the engine rebuilt, or at least re-gasketed.

I'm buying my parent's ford (blasphemy, I know) but that will allow me to get this done, and done right.

Also, I was asked why do this?

Well, the whole package is free! I just have to pay for gas to go get it....

[Trsmotrhed]

I love my LT1/4L60E combo from a 96 caprice cop car. Runs great and starts right up no matter how cold or hot, no stinky exhaust from running rich. Can't beat fuel injection with an OD Tranny. If you get the whole package you should be set. Post up some pics when you get it.

[Chevy Fleetside]

Originally Posted by Trsmotrhed

I love my LT1/4L60E combo from a 96 caprice cop car. Runs great and starts right up no matter how cold or hot, no stinky exhaust from running rich. Can't beat fuel injection with an OD Tranny. If you get the whole package you should be set. Post up some pics when you get it.

I was going to rebuild my 283 but after seeing yours I think I will have to get my LT1 in instead. It came out of a 92 Vette.

[Figuarus]

Trsmotrhed, what mounts did you use, and how did you run your wiring?

The LT1 I'm gonna get is allegedly from a wrecked 96 Impala SS. It was transplanted into a suburban, and now it's going into my truck.

With this originally being a car engine, is there anything i should be way of? oil pan clearances? mounts?

Also, did you use the stock radiator?

[Chevy Fleetside]

Originally Posted by Figuarus

Trsmotrhed, what mounts did you use, and how did you run your wiring?

The LT1 I'm gonna get is allegedly from a wrecked 96 Impala SS. It was transplanted into a suburban, and now it's going into my truck.

With this originally being a car engine, is there anything i should be way of? oil pan clearances? mounts?

Also, did you use the stock radiator?

I have an LT1 and it looks like the stock motor mounts will work.