86 C10 LS 6.0 6L90E Swap

[kidd79]

So I get bored at work, and don't mind researching things. There were a few questions about the donor truck that I wanted answers to. Like which engine is in it. Since I am oblivious to the LQ4, LY6, L76, L99 blah blah blah... I found out that my donor truck has a K code engine designation, which everything points to the LY6 as being the engine currently installed in my donor truck. Which apparently has VVT, NO DOD, and 361BHP @ 5600RPM, and 385TQ @ 4400RPM according to WIKI. That's pretty respectable as far as I'm concerned for a stock motor and tune. Obviously I'm going to the Dyno and get it tuned for maximum output. Only Power adders I'll be bolting on is a cold air intake, long tube headers, and 2 1/2 or 3" exhaust. I wouldn't think 400TQ at the flywheel would be that hard to achieve with a good tune and 2 bolt on's. Should be pretty fun to drive.

[RaceProMarketing]

Definitely jealous here. Think I'll tag along to see your progress. Nice truck; and I like the clean engine compartment. Looking back at some of the dates on when these builds started vs. where they are now says a lot about the process it takes and the patience that folks have to make slow, steady progress.

[kidd79]

Originally Posted by RaceProMarketing

Definitely jealous here. Think I'll tag along to see your progress. Nice truck; and I like the clean engine compartment. Looking back at some of the dates on when these builds started vs. where they are now says a lot about the process it takes and the patience that folks have to make slow, steady progress.

Welcome aboard!
Thanks for the compliment on my engine compartment!! Hopefully it'll be nicer than the 388 I had installed in there when I get done doing the swap. And the progress the manufacturers are making on the bolt in swap parts is impressive too.
Slow and steady is definitely my motto right now. Lol. And lots and lots of reading on this forum

[kidd79]

Some parts came in. Couldn't fit it all in the back of the truck.. Some had to go in the back seat. Lol

[kidd79]

Prepping some of the parts that came in. Slow progress, but it's still progress.

[daddyjeep]

Ha...is that dishwasher in the shop or the kitchen? I have a spare dishwasher in the shop for those duties, but it would be funnier if you used the one in the kitchen.

[kidd79]

Originally Posted by daddyjeep

Ha...is that dishwasher in the shop or the kitchen? I have a spare dishwasher in the shop for those duties, but it would be funnier if you used the one in the kitchen.

It's in the kitchen. I wash dishes by hand..dish washer is for car parts..Haha!!

[kidd79]

Well guys and gals..I'm gonna go on and admit that I punk'd out. Dad and I started pulling the donor motor out the truck and we both got aggravated right about the same time. So I called a local shop and they were more than willing to complete the swap for me. I drug both trucks to Memphis which is about a two hour haul from here and dropped them off. The guys at the shop had the donor motor and trans pulled out by yesterday evening. Not even 24 hours after receiving the truck in their parking lot. This impressed me due to the fact that every other project vehicle that I've left at various shops have taken their sweet time to even get started on. We shall see what progress they make over the next month. Sorry i punk'd out on doing the swap myself and keeping you guys in the loop.

[Front Range]

There's nothing to be sorry for, just do your best and forget the rest.

[kidd79]

Originally Posted by Front Range

There's nothing to be sorry for, just do your best and forget the rest.

Thanks for the support bro! I'll keep everybody updated as i get updated from the shop.

[streetstar]

I'm a lot better at doing my job than twisting wrenches on my hobby trucks -- i have no problem farming out some of the tougher jobs--- this may save you some aggravation

I'd rather be driving them than busting my knuckles ( but i've done plenty of that too)

[kidd79]

Originally Posted by streetstar

I'm a lot better at doing my job than twisting wrenches on my hobby trucks -- i have no problem farming out some of the tougher jobs--- this may save you some aggravation

I'd rather be driving them than busting my knuckles ( but i've done plenty of that too)

I'm the sane way bro. I run a crew offshore in the gulf of Mexico on the oil rigs. We operate and maintain the remotely controlled submarines. Definitely not a lot of knuckle busting out there. Only every once in a while. Lol. This truck has been in the works for a little over a year. I'm just ready to get it done and enjoy it. To the shop it went. High 5!

[kidd79]

6L90E has been converted from 4wd to 2wd.

[bL.A.zer90045]

how much did the 4wd-to-2wd on the trans run you????

[kidd79]

Originally Posted by bL.A.zer90045

how much did the 4wd-to-2wd on the trans run you????

It was right around $1300. Roughly 5 for the parts, and 8 for the labor. Everybody says I should have went with a 4L series transmission, but I wanted to be different, and since the 6L90 came with the donor truck and the price I paid for it.. The trans was basically free and it fit in the budget to keep it and convert it.

[TurboLS]

How much are you going to have to modify the Trans tunnel and firewall to make it fit? I looked into getting the 6 speed but decided not to because my interior was already brand new.

Cool thing is there is a company that makes drop in steering columns with built in paddle shifters for your tranny! Think about that!!!!!!!!!!

[Shugalou]

^ Get outta here really? If you have the name of that company I would love to see how that would look!!!

Sounds pricey but damn that would be trick for sure.

I found some info on the paddle swap...Looks killer

http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/transmi...-shifters-kit/

[kidd79]

Originally Posted by TurboLS

How much are you going to have to modify the Trans tunnel and firewall to make it fit? I looked into getting the 6 speed but decided not to because my interior was already brand new.

Cool thing is there is a company that makes drop in steering columns with built in paddle shifters for your tranny! Think about that!!!!!!!!!!

I'm not sure if we're going to have to do anything to the floor. The guys at the shop haven't mentioned doing sheet metal work in the floor yet. If we do though, it shouldn't be much. My interior is almost all brand new too.
Paddle shifters would be fun, especially if I had that supercharger they want to put in it for 6200.. It's just not in the budget though :-(

[TurboLS]

Originally Posted by kidd79

I'm not sure if we're going to have to do anything to the floor. The guys at the shop haven't mentioned doing sheet metal work in the floor yet. If we do though, it shouldn't be much. My interior is almost all brand new too.
Paddle shifters would be fun, especially if I had that supercharger they want to put in it for 6200.. It's just not in the budget though :-(

$6200 is actually cheap if that includes a cam and tune. But you should check out On3Performance, Turbo kit! Less stress on the motor, better mpg, and way cheaper than a Supercharger. And if you pick the right Turbo setup, almost no lag. I will be ordering my kit before August for my 6.0

[kidd79]

Originally Posted by TurboLS

$6200 is actually cheap if that includes a cam and tune. But you should check out On3Performance, Turbo kit! Less stress on the motor, better mpg, and way cheaper than a Supercharger. And if you pick the right Turbo setup, almost no lag. I will be ordering my kit before August for my 6.0

6200 included the everything. Cam and tune. Think I'm gonna stick with no forced induction right now. Budget just won't allow it unfortunately.. I hate having to be an adult and make adult decisions sometimes. Lol. But when it does get force fed, it'll be a super charger. That way I won't have to redo the exhaust for turbo's. Thanks for the info on the turbo kits though!!

[kidd79]

Progress over at Redman Kustoms in Memphis TN.

Guy in the engine compartment is also my tattoo artist. Multi talented individual that guy.

[kidd79]

Waiting on the cam to come in and the long tubes should be being delivered today to the shop. Slow going but it's faster than than the progress that I'd be making by myself.

[kidd79]

Fit check complete. It really does fit in there..Lol. Looks a bit small though. Hehe

[kidd79]

Weeeellllllp.Looks like we going to have to modify the floor a little bit. The hooker trans crossmember I got along with the cantilever bracket wasn't enough to get the trans down and away from the floor. Though the crossmember and bracket were never designed to accommodate the 6l90 trans, ToddO and I discussed this very scenario and welp...gonna have to massage the floor after all. Also had to trim off a little bit of the side of the transmission too for the long tubes to clear. No biggie

[MalibuSSwagon]

Not surprising thats a monster of a trans. I'm betting a high hump floor would have cleared.