78 c10 to have LS1

[Cheyenne350]

Hello everyone I'm planning a ls1/4l60E swap into my 78 c10 RWD, I'm somewhat lucky here since I'm a owner of a 98 camaro z28 but bad thing is that it was involved in a accident so to repair it would be a waiste. Now I have the opportunity to transfer everything I could from the z28 into my c10 so I guess it could be called Z10 now.. Reading I know there are several options for engine mount adapters and tranny kits as well, question is what's better recommended here? No sure if I'm able to use the z28 rear diff on the c10 even tho both are 10bolt? Only reason why I would switch the z28 over is because it has 373 gears also rear disk breaks being that my c10 is stock with drums in the rear. If I plan to switch everything over would I still have to flash the computer and cut something off the wire harness? Would you guys recommend using the radiator from the z28 and transmission cooler? Any info will help you guys thanks.

[Cheyenne350]

The camaro

[N2TRUX]

I'm going to move this to the LS forum. There is a massive amount of info there specific to your conversion.

[Misled]

Cheyenne350,
I am working on a very similar swap. ( http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=516817 )

I am using the Hooker/Holley swap stuff for the most part and having good luck so far.

I can't help with the computer/wiring things since I am not that far along.

Your rear axle isn't a 12 bolt?

Take care,

Barry

[ls1nova71]

Doesn't look like the rear end in the Camaro faired very well, is it worth using? Also, you are going to have to have the PCM tuned to get rid of VATS anyway, unless you are going to use a VATS bypass, so you can change the rear end ratio at that time.

[LockDoc]

-
I'll flip the Camaro this time...

LockDoc

[slotard]

Isn't the transmarobird rear end a 7.5 while the C10 8.5? And even the truck ones aren't known for their strength... if I was doing a rear end swap I'd do something a little more worthwhile, I'm not sure if there's a GM one that really counts.

You're probably better off with a custom or modified harness and a flash because you won't want to make all the sensors from a more modern car work.

[Cheyenne350]

Misled: I was looking at thier kits also Dirty Dingos but wasn't to sure but I have seen more users go with Holley/hooker items. Are you also using the oil pan hooker offers as well as the tranmission kit? Just to clarify. The rear end is a 10 bolt but previous owner upgrade the diff with 373 gears which did help up very well in take offs.

Wow nice job on yours wish I could do a full resto on my truck but just to eager on getting it done lol.

[Cheyenne350]

Ls1nova71: The whole driver side rear end was pushed to the passenger side breaking the driver side rear axle. I'm kinda hoping I could use it but of not I'll just look for a 12bolt and go from there. Another thing I'm wanting to do is keep it the swap smog legal being a 78 here in California I still need it so I'm kinda deleting the idea of using the axle since it was sensors and I guess it's going to lead me to have to flash the computer. I was just going to bypass the vats I found another forum on ls1.com how to do so.
http://www.ls1.com/forums/f6/how-byp...ur-vats-61262/

[Matt Cramer]

I made my own engine mount adapters from 1/4" steel plate and would do so again if I were doing another swap. It wasn't very difficult.

I would use the stock truck radiator as long as it's in good shape.

If using the stock ECU, you'll need to do some reprogramming to bypass the antitheft system.

[slotard]

Originally Posted by Cheyenne350

Ls1nova71: The whole driver side rear end was pushed to the passenger side breaking the driver side rear axle. I'm kinda hoping I could use it but of not I'll just look for a 12bolt and go from there. Another thing I'm wanting to do is keep it the swap smog legal being a 78 here in California I still need it so I'm kinda deleting the idea of using the axle since it was sensors and I guess it's going to lead me to have to flash the computer. I was just going to bypass the vats I found another forum on ls1.com how to do so.
http://www.ls1.com/forums/f6/how-byp...ur-vats-61262/

I was under the impression that you need to use an engine out of the same class of vehicle to be a legal swap.

[Wasted Income]

Originally Posted by Cheyenne350

The camaro

Must have been a roll-over.

[Cheyenne350]

Slotard: I was under the exact same impression but asking around it is possible if you have everything to be smog legal such as gas tank, fuel pump all smog accessories from engine as well the catalytic converters. A personal from DMV said this to me.

[slotard]

DMV employees aren't always well informed. I'd suggest talking to a BAR referee before starting the swap. You'll have to go to one to get it approved.

[mattcrp1]

I am doing a similar swap on 76 for smog legality. Hit the referee up and get the info you need. There is a member here that got the blue tag of legality for his swap.

[teamcurtis]

I am down in san diego looking to do roughly the same thing, on the same truck.
Its my understanding you cant put a car engine into a truck and have it be smog legal

[toddoky]

Originally Posted by teamcurtis

Its my understanding you cant put a car engine into a truck and have it be smog legal

That is true as well as not being able to legally
put a truck engine in a car. The engines are certified to meet different emission standards in their original installed applications, which is why does not allow them to be swapped interchangeably.

[cagodinez]

I wonder if there would be a way to pass it of as a 5.3, maybe with a 5.3 pcm? Just my .02