94 k1500 z71 LS1 swap

[HPICamaroSS]

I've been reading tons and tons and I understand what I have to do for the swap EXCEPT:

THE TRANNY!!!!!! Some say my stock 4l60e will work...some say it wont...What can I do? What are my options? I want to avoid buying a tranny for this LS1 since this will be considered a budget build. Thanks guys!

[TimeLimitHit]

the stock 4l60e will work, i have a 1993 and used mine for about 8 months before putting in a new one. Not that i needed to, i had just built another trans, the stock one is still fine. All you have to do is get a tcc pwm solenoid and the 1995 - newer internal trans harness and install them. The trans pump isnt made for tcc pwm but it will fool the pcm and still drives perfectly fine. total cost of about $80 on ebay. the tcc pwm solenoid goes into the hole in the corner of the valve body closest to the 2/4 servo. or the front right if looking down on it.

[TimeLimitHit]

oh, and you will want to build another trans for this build, the stock one wont last. but it will last long enough to get you on the road and give you time to get the money together for a better one

[HPICamaroSS]

thx for the response. what do i do about my stall converter? will it still fit? all i need is a new flexplate and spacer right?

[TimeLimitHit]

you can use the flexplate that comes with the engine, you will just have to bore the holes out into an oval in order to use your stock torque converter. As fas a spacer for the flex plate i think you only need that if you are using a 6.0. If im not mistaken the 5.3 and 5.7 flavors dont need one.

[kpeters59]

I just managed to get my 2001 5.3 sitting on the motor mounts of my '96 Tahoe Sport with the old transmission and torque converter attached.

After buying the $60 spacer and 6 $4 bolts to get either the old flat flexplate or the 2001 dished flexplate to fit, I called S&P and found out that there is a part number for a flexplate that has the spacer pressed in and includes the bolts. It seems to have worked perfectly. Plus, it was only about $60. I got it from XL Parts in Houston. It turned out to be a flexplate for a 2500. Maybe a 1999-2000. Sorry, but the p# is written on the printouts which are sitting on the truck at the shop. The included bolts were a little bit nicer than the ones I got from a local GM Performance Dealer. They have a collar that filled in the gap in the hole for the flexplate. Tighten them once, because they sacrifice themselves when torqued.

I'd try to be more careful when drilling out the holes in the flexplate than we were. Maybe you can use the spacer to center the old flexplate on a drill press and actually measure the hole size and use the actual correct size bit. As opposed to how we did it. Which wasn't too pretty, but turned out fine.

We used the Transdapt motor-mount adapters. The 1" setback plates didn't get it done. We had to pull the motor back up and remove them and replace with the 2" setback. I'm not sure why Transdapt didn't know that when I spoke to them before placing the special order. But now there's enough room to have a party between the radiator and front of the motor.

I'd read that the A/C bracket would need be modified before hand. That is an understatement. It needs to be cut in half. Don't bother near as I can tell. You're going to end up needing a custom A/C mount. Kwik's are $190+! No, that doesn't include the compressor. I'll probably end up with an A/C delete pulley so I can get the truck started first.

Near as I can tell, that was the easy part. Now what to do?

-KP

[bowtieguy79]

the stock 4l60e will work, i have a 1993 and used mine for about 8 months before putting in a new one. Not that i needed to, i had just built another trans, the stock one is still fine. All you have to do is get a tcc pwm solenoid and the 1995 - newer internal trans harness and install them. The trans pump isnt made for tcc pwm but it will fool the pcm and still drives perfectly fine. total cost of about $80 on ebay. the tcc pwm solenoid goes into the hole in the corner of the valve body closest to the 2/4 servo. or the front right if looking down on it.

Am I understanding you right, do you get away with the 95 and up trans working with the ECM of the LS engine? meaning can you adjust shift points and what not?

[TimeLimitHit]

Am I understanding you right, do you get away with the 95 and up trans working with the ECM of the LS engine? meaning can you adjust shift points and what not?

yes thats correct. the 4l60e has been basically the same since 1993, as far as electrically. in 1995 and some late 1994s they introduced the pwm tcc solenoid to smooth the engagement of the tcc. The valve body is still the same, a few holes were changed but the function is the same. I installed the solenoid into my 1993 trans to fool the pcm and get rid the ses light. I was able to adjust all my shift points, shift pressure, timing, all of it through hptuners. The internals were stock so it didnt last long but if you dont beat it up it will last. I removed all TM on mine and beat it pretty hard for about 4months before changing it out. Still shifted fine when i pulled it but i could have made a metal snow ball with all the stuff in the pan.

[bowtieguy79]

Very cool to know. I have a 95 4L60E trans that is built pretty stout with the heavy duty pump and clutches. It may find its way in my 79 now! Thanks!