2011 5.3 and 6L80E into a 1967 truck

[wesmigletz]

I might be picking up a 2011 5.3 and 6L80E to swap into my 67 truck. It currently has a 283, with a 4 spd manual truck trans and a 3.73 posi rear. My truck is at stock height, and I do not plan to lower it. My goal for the swap is to improve reliability and gas mileage.

I have a stock auto shifter column I would like to use. Before pulling the trigger on this combo, I have two questions:

1. Can a stock column shifter be made to shift the 6L80E trans?

2. What would you recommend for a yolk and drive shaft? I'm willing to have a drive shaft made, but I'm not against keeping my two-piece drive shaft if it can be used.

Thanks in advance.

Wes

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by wesmigletz

I might be picking up a 2011 5.3 and 6L80E to swap into my 67 truck. It currently has a 283, with a 4 spd manual truck trans and a 3.73 posi rear. My truck is at stock height, and I do not plan to lower it. My goal for the swap is to improve reliability and gas mileage.

I have a stock auto shifter column I would like to use. Before pulling the trigger on this combo, I have two questions:

1. Can a stock column shifter be made to shift the 6L80E trans?

2. What would you recommend for a yolk and drive shaft? I'm willing to have a drive shaft made, but I'm not against keeping my two-piece drive shaft if it can be used.

Thanks in advance.

Wes

1) yes - use a LOKAR shift linkage
2) you can use you're current driveshaft if it is long enough to cut down to fit. You will need a slip yoke from a EDIT: TH400, I believe.

[wesmigletz]

Hart Rod, thanks for the information. It looks like it will be pretty straight forward. I was worried about not being able to use a factory column shifter.

[Hart_Rod]

Your welcome. If you look in my 68 S/C build thread, I show lots of pictures of how I did my setup.

[Houston Ben]

Hi Wes,
Check out my build, I used the exact same year engine and trans in an 86' swap (not as detailed as Rob's). Also, listen to Hart Rod, he knows his shiz! I had a 327 with th350 in mine and I had to lengthen the driveshaft, I also didn't know you could use the th350 yolk, learn something new every day!

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=584532

[wesmigletz]

Ben, Hart Rod, Thank you for the information it will help. I was too slow to pull the trigger and I missed the engine/trans. I'm going to keep an eye out and react quicker next time, because I know the trans won't be an issue.

Thanks again,

Wes

[First c10]

The 6l80 transmission will need a th400 yoke 32 spline I believe. I just had my 2 piece drive line lengthened and used the existing carrier bearing mount.

[1gr8ate]

Im about to do this same swap in a 71 but adding a maggi on top.. Thanks for the info. One more question though.
Do i have to use the tap up/tap down for the 6l80 to work? i just dnt like the look of the paddle shift some of you have used, just a isnt for me..

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by 1gr8ate

Im about to do this same swap in a 71 but adding a maggi on top.. Thanks for the info. One more question though.
Do i have to use the tap up/tap down for the 6l80 to work? i just dnt like the look of the paddle shift some of you have used, just a isnt for me..

The A6's work fine without a TUTD switch. However, you cannot mechanically shift the A6 transmissions through each gear. The transmission only has 4 detents past Neutral. The first is Drive, the second one is Manual (M) in the trucks, or Sport (S) in most cars. The other 2 detents are not used. All the shifting is done electrically. If you want to be able to control shifting it through the gears, you will have to either use a paddle shifter setup or you can purchase a toggle switch that will allow you to change the gears. Speartech used to be the only ones that made the toggle switch when I did mine, I'm sure there are others that are in the game now.

[slotard]

I might sound like the guy who wouldn't swap to EFI a decade ago, but for now I'm planning on sticking to normal automatic transmissions. The 6L is pretty complex to control compared to a 4L.

I'm not sure what engine I'll end up with, but I'll probably put a 4L80E behind it.

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by slotard

I might sound like the guy who wouldn't swap to EFI a decade ago, but for now I'm planning on sticking to normal automatic transmissions. The 6L is pretty complex to control compared to a 4L.

I'm not sure what engine I'll end up with, but I'll probably put a 4L80E behind it.

The A6's are complicated beasts! But, if you are going with a fairly stock motor and don't do upgrades to the transmission, very little will have to be done with the tune other than updating the gear and tire size which is quite easy.

However, you can put a 4L80 or 4L60 behind the newer engines that came with the A6's. It will require a segment swap within the tune and a computer to control the transmission because the A6's are equipped with a computer built into the transmission (TCM - transmission control module). If you plan on doing this, you just need to talk to whoever is building your wiring harness so they can make provisions for your setup.