Gen I 350 & 4l80e

[EVRLET]

I have a gen I 350, non-vortec in my truck. I want to bolt up my 4l80e to it while I build my 6.0l.

Can I reprogram the PCM that came with my 6.0l swap to control just the 4l80e and disable all the engine controls?

If I cannot, should I buy a 0411 PCM from a 2001-2002 van and have that reprogrammed to disable all engine functions, but still functional to control the transmission.

[AussieinNC]

There are standalone trans controllers available but seriously...

why not grab a 4.8 or a 5.3 wrecking yard engine and throw it in....

Will need a simple reprogram of the ECM...but when the 6.0 is ready, it will be an easy swap...

[jocko]

Yes, LS era are great engines. To me, and maybe just me, they don't exactly look right in the bay. I think the Gen I with a 4L80E is a GREAT combo. Is an LS a better engine? Yes, but perhaps that's not the only question to be answered when considering a swap. Don't get me wrong, I've sure thought about doing one too - but I always come back to a 350 being good enough - and looking a lot better. In actuality, I prefer an HT383 with valve cover adapters, and a 4L80E (or NV4500, or some sort of O/D for drivability). Again, that's just me

[Already Gone]

Originally Posted by jocko

Yes, LS era are great engines. To me, and maybe just me, they don't exactly look right in the bay. I think the Gen I with a 4L80E is a GREAT combo. Is an LS a better engine? Yes, but perhaps that's not the only question to be answered when considering a swap. Don't get me wrong, I've sure thought about doing one too - but I always come back to a 350 being good enough - and looking a lot better. In actuality, I prefer an HT383 with valve cover adapters, and a 4L80E (or NV4500, or some sort of O/D for drivability). Again, that's just me

Mark what do you mean by valve cover adapters. Are you meaning you can run Vortec or LS Heads and original looking valve covers with the rim bolts?

[jessemthompson]

In order to run the 4L80E you would need a controller for the trans. The factory TCM will not work. In addition, you would need some adapters to make the trans work with a 350. Both things you need to make it work would not be used when you put the 6.0 in. My opinion would be to just wait. It’s not worth the extra money to put the trans in first.

[jocko]

Originally Posted by Already Gone

Mark what do you mean by valve cover adapters. Are you meaning you can run Vortec or LS Heads and original looking valve covers with the rim bolts?

Greg, yes (just vortec) - GM made adapters, but others sell them as well. They convert a 4 center bolt valve cover type of head to be able to run the old style 4 perimeter bolt valve covers. https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Valve...s%20(Jun5_2018)

I THINK the GM parts are discontinued (part # 24502540), but they pop up for sale from time to time. I found two at a tiny Chevy dealer in Kentucky - the same one I knew growing up when I spent summers there - and they just decided to clean out the warehouse. Think I found them on ebay. Saving them for the eventual HT383 install, and since they were much less expensive than the engine, well, I got them first! Ha.

[rockyrivermark]

Originally Posted by jocko

Greg, yes (just vortec) - GM made adapters, but others sell them as well. They convert a 4 center bolt valve cover type of head to be able to run the old style 4 perimeter bolt valve covers. https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Valve...s%20(Jun5_2018)

I THINK the GM parts are discontinued (part # 24502540), but they pop up for sale from time to time. I found two at a tiny Chevy dealer in Kentucky - the same one I knew growing up when I spent summers there - and they just decided to clean out the warehouse. Think I found them on ebay. Saving them for the eventual HT383 install, and since they were much less expensive than the engine, well, I got them first! Ha.

Yes. Summit and JEGS Both sell the vortec adapters