New Build 5.3 w/6L80e into a 1986

[GAM3OVR]

Ben, glad you got it going. I have a few questions for you because I have the same setup to go in mine.

Are you using the pedal assembly out of the donor truck? If not,how are you operating the throttle body?

Did you get the issues with the shift linkage worked out?

How will you operate the manual mode on the transmission?

Are you using stock exhaust manifolds and oil pan?

[Houston Ben]

Thanks for all the help and complements guys!

GAM3OVR:

Are you using the pedal assembly out of the donor truck?

I am using the pedal assembly out of the donor truck but thinking of switching to a corvette pedal in the future, the truck one is in a weird position for me and I feel like I have to hold my leg up the whole time driving.

Did you get the issues with the shift linkage worked out?

Yes, I used this http://www.shiftworks.com/kugel.htm from shiftworks and it works great.

How will you operate the manual mode on the transmission?

I am not using manual at the moment. I plan on upgrading to paddle shifter in the future like Hart Rod uses.

Are you using stock exhaust manifolds and oil pan?

Yes, stock manifolds although I wish I would have just broke down and bought a set of headers or the TBSS headers as the stock ones do not hug the block to well. I had to bend the frame on the passenger side a little (saw this on the TV show TRUCKS), the driver’s side fit fine but it flares out at the end of it making it sit inside the [ of the frame a little. I am using the stock oil pans for both the engine and trans. The engine oil pan hangs as low as my A-arms but haven't had a problem yet.

[jae]

Glad to see someone fairly close to me doing a similar swap. My original plan was an iron 5.3 into my '71 with a carb, but I'm leaning more toward yanking the 383 LS1 and built 4L80 out of my '98 T/A and going injected in the truck. Don't know what part of Houston you're in, but I'd love to check out your truck sometime.

[Houston Ben]

Sorry for the late reply Jae, I'm in League City, Hit me up some time and see if we can't get together.

[powder834]

I've decided to go the 5.3 route to and your info is very helpful my question is were did you get your donor truck? looking at a couple site now for salvaged silverado's but I was thought maybe you went about it better. Also what about the gas milage did you ever find out what your getting? thanks nice truck and nice job

[Houston Ben]

Powder834, I think I bought my engine from DFW used auto parts in Dallas, TX. I think I got lucky as I have only seen one other w/ 6L80 attached. I just searched craigslist and found it. Sorry I can't be of more help on finding one. I think I'm getting 18 or 19, everyone I tell myself I am going to tame it easy and see what the mileage is I end up running it hard which sucked the gas.

I did buy a scan guage ii this weekend and will have really good idea when I install it, I will let you know. After the final tune the thing really moves!

[powder834]

yes keep me informed. I'm looking for the whole truck so i can use the seats, re-end, motor, and trans and sell off or take the rest to the scrap yard. my plan is the have a new truck with an 87 body. the problem is its indiana so there are mainly 4 x 4 trucks. one other question what year motor and trans is it out of? and is there years I need to stay away from?

[Houston Ben]

Sounds like a plan, I don't know if the newer rear ends will fit a square but I am by far not an expert in this. As far as which year to choose I have no idea, i just saw a complete package and bought it, I'm sure others on the forum can lead you in the right direction. Mine is out of a 2011 1500.

[Houston Ben]

Just make sure you get the engine, trans and pedal out of the same truck!

[powder834]

cool thanks for the info. keep a look out I plan on posting the progress that is when the weather finially breaks.

[Houston Ben]

UPDATE:

After doing everything I could to chase down a wobble I think I finally found it. As most of you know, the 6L80 is huge and I had a bad angle on my pinion and transmission. So I finally got around to ordering a new trans cross member and high trans hump and got to work.









Vibration appears to be gone, still have to drive it a little more to be sure!

[Houston Ben]

Finally broke down and bought new moog upper control arms and CPP tubular lower control arms with 1 1/4" sway-bar.



Sorry, no pics of the moog uppers.

Disassemble wasn't' too bad except for the nuts that held on the lower control arm, not much room to work with on the back side of the control arm by the oil pan.









Putting the new lowers on by myself was a pain in the rear. I had to hold the arm up, get the u-bolts back in, thread the nuts and then line the hole on the shaft of the arm to the nipple on the frame and then tighten down, did i mention this was by my self!! No pictures of this process as I was busy getting it done.

Then I had to cut off the old sway-bar mounts and drill holes for the new ones.




and attach, I know the bolts for the sway-bar are upside-down, I have to either cut these or by shorter ones. If I keep the spacer the bar is too high and will rub on tie rod.







With all the new components the steering is very tight and does not turn easy, there is a lot of resistance but it is working good.

[BCKRedBaron]

Very nice build. Is your truck lowered? I'm thinking about going with tubular arms eventually.

[Houston Ben]

Thanks Red Baron. Yes, small 2/4 drop.

[Zach079xxx]

Look at those nice looking' feet LOL.

But by god, that trans is huge!

Originally Posted by Houston Ben

Finally broke down and bought new moog upper control arms and CPP tubular lower control arms with 1 1/4" sway-bar.



Sorry, no pics of the moog uppers.

Disassemble wasn't' too bad except for the nuts that held on the lower control arm, not much room to work with on the back side of the control arm by the oil pan.









Putting the new lowers on by myself was a pain in the rear. I had to hold the arm up, get the u-bolts back in, thread the nuts and then line the hole on the shaft of the arm to the nipple on the frame and then tighten down, did i mention this was by my self!! No pictures of this process as I was busy getting it done.

Then I had to cut off the old sway-bar mounts and drill holes for the new ones.




and attach, I know the bolts for the sway-bar are upside-down, I have to either cut these or by shorter ones. If I keep the spacer the bar is too high and will rub on tie rod.







With all the new components the steering is very tight and does not turn easy, there is a lot of resistance but it is working good.

[Houston Ben]

Ha, thanks Zach, guess i could have cropped my foot out! Yes, the 6L80 is a monster. I went ahead and flipped the sway-bar bolts today, now I just need to trim the excess off so they don't stick up so much.

[Alex41]

Have you driven it since you've moved the trans up to see if that fixed the issue?

I have an LS swapped truck with a 4L65e and had the same issue (wobble) but couldn't move the trans up any further. Now that I'm tearing it apart, I've moved it up and cut the hump out like you did. Mine is still under construction so I don't know if this has fixed the problem. Thanks. Alex.

[Houston Ben]

Hi Alex,
Yes, this helped the issue tremendously, but I still have a slight wobble which I think is due to tire issue. I should have bought new but I did a craigslist buy. Plus not the trans doesn't hang so low.