YAGS - Yet Another GM Swap

[nester]

I guess I need to start a thread... I just ordered my engine today! LM7 5.3. Got all the goodies with it, just need to find a trans and t-case now..

Hoping to score a t-case @ Pull A Part. Have my eye on a couple of 4L60E transmissions..

Here is the victim:


This is the way I got her.


After some tires





First mod...



More to come!

[jaber]

Subscribed to watch...

[Road Trip]

Good looking truck. Looking forward to the swap and lots of pictures.

[j20owner]

Word of warning on the 4l60e, best bet is to stay with one with a removable bell housing. I've modded my 94 4l60e to what I HOPE will work. Good luck on your build.

[nester]

Good info. I'm looking to stay as close to my engine as possible, year wise. I am planning on having a full rebuild done before hand. I asked in another thread, but I'll ask here... does anyone know if I can use a 4L70? It's from (I believe) a Trailblazer SS. A friend of mine has one in need of a rebuild and will sell it to me for $100, which seemed like a good deal.

Didn't get much done this weekend, wanted to go to Pull-A-Part, but have my 4 year old's birthday party today.. I've spend most of my time working on this:

[j20owner]

I'd think a 4l70 would work. Only question would be on the electonics, for me. 4l70 should be the same physically as the 4l60/4l65 with something else upgraded. I'm not sure what. I know the difference between a '60 and '65 is the '65 has a 5 gear rear planetary instead of a 4 gear.

[nester]

Picking up the engine tonight, pics to follow. Was trying to get it last night, but it was still stuck on a trailer.

Hopefully, I will be able to confirm wiring on the harness vs that 4L70, and that'll put me another step forward.

[Stuka]

I'd think a 4l70 would work. Only question would be on the electonics, for me. 4l70 should be the same physically as the 4l60/4l65 with something else upgraded. I'm not sure what. I know the difference between a '60 and '65 is the '65 has a 5 gear rear planetary instead of a 4 gear.

You sure? GM has always used the first number to designate the number of gears. Currently they use 6sp 6L60E's and 6L80E's behind gas engines.


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[j20owner]

Yeah, I think the 4l70's came in the Trailblazer SS and were just a beefed up 4l60. I think! I've not done any research on them personally, so I'm not certain. I do know you can take a 5 gear 4l65 planetary and put it in a 4l60 case to make your own 4l65.

Ok, 30 seconds of 'net searching and I find this.

May not work, maybe will. Your call.

[ProTouring442]

I'd think a 4l70 would work. Only question would be on the electonics, for me. 4l70 should be the same physically as the 4l60/4l65 with something else upgraded. I'm not sure what. I know the difference between a '60 and '65 is the '65 has a 5 gear rear planetary instead of a 4 gear.

You sure? GM has always used the first number to designate the number of gears. Currently they use 6sp 6L60E's and 6L80E's behind gas engines.


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The 5 gear planetary is a stronger planetary set, not the number of forward ratios. It is able to hold more torques than a 4 gear planetary set.

[Stuka]

I'd think a 4l70 would work. Only question would be on the electonics, for me. 4l70 should be the same physically as the 4l60/4l65 with something else upgraded. I'm not sure what. I know the difference between a '60 and '65 is the '65 has a 5 gear rear planetary instead of a 4 gear.

You sure? GM has always used the first number to designate the number of gears. Currently they use 6sp 6L60E's and 6L80E's behind gas engines.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The 5 gear planetary is a stronger planetary set, not the number of forward ratios. It is able to hold more torques than a 4 gear planetary set.

Oh, so its still 4 forward speeds, but uses 5 actual gears in the planetary. Gotcha!

[j20owner]

I see what you were saying there. I was not talking about an extra forward gear. Sorry for the confusion.

FWIW, this is what a 4 gear planetary 'can' do.

[nester]

Picked up the motor tonight. It's still sitting in the bed of the truck. It may have taken some damage to the intake manifold in transit. Not sure, will be emailing settle some pics in the morning and draw what he says.

[nester]

Lol. Just reread my post from last night. Gotta love cell phone posts.

I have emailed the pictures to the seller, just waiting on a response from him. The damage seems to be due to the way they strapped the engine to the pallet. Hopefully they will do the right thing, as the transaction up till this point has been excellent and I'd love to recommend them to you folks.

[CAPTSmith]

Go for it, as you're going to love the dependability, reliability, horsepower, etc....! Several of us guys are around that have already done the LS swap and will be glad to help you if you need it, like they helped me. Best of luck!

[nester]

Thanks Captain!

[nester]

Here's a few shots of the engine. Looks like it saw some mud in it's life.. So it should be right at home in a Jeep!



These are the biggest problems I have right now. The mount for the engine cover broke off and has left a huge vacuum leak, I'm pretty sure..



And the #8 coil pack got broken....



and the map sensor was trapped under one of the straps and is very loose and I assume broken.

[66stepside]

That's a sweet looking waggie! It sounds like you're going to build it right.

[nester]

Nothing quite like your FrankenJeepster build, but it ought to keep me busy for a while.. Hoping for a nice driver when it's done. Take the kid to the lake kinda thing..

[nester]

Nearly a month gone by, still no real new progress. I got the radiator in, and now waiting on my mounts from Pete.

The seller I bought the engine from has been not replying to my emails, so I've had to open a dispute with eBay to try and get that resolved. Hopefully soon, I can get things underway.