LSx/4L80E swap underway

[fuzzkill]

Well, here we are again; with me having disposable income, engines in my living room, and vehicles in which to put them in.

DISCLAIMER: This first post might not make a whole lot of sense as I'm trying to recap what I've done up to this point. Now that the swap is in progress updates should make some sort of chronological sense

A little over a year ago, I purchased a 2005 GMC Canyon. I knew very well what I would end up doing, and I invite you all to watch my slow descent into madness.



She has served well as she is, with the 2.8L I4 and the 4L60E. Daily beater/hauler in between the Corolla and the T/A. Just not very interesting to drive, and not much to look at.

A couple months ago, I found some shady guy on CL parting out a (2010!) Colorado with no title. I swapped out the for the color matched front grille, front bumper, mirrors, and rear bumper. Also got his like new lights, and a hitch. I think I spent about $250 total. It looks a lot cleaner now, much better than the GMC front end.



Anyway, back to the swap. I've been gathering parts for quite some time, and I have nearly everything finally ready to go. I was going to wait and do this swap when I close on a house, but I have a couple weeks off from school so I'm going to go ahead and tear into this at a family members house and get it running.

The engine is from my old T/A, which was originally paired with a T56. I sold the T56, and bought a fresh reman 4L80E. I'm leaving the truck automatic so that I can still lend it to people (ha) who need a truck without having to worry too much. Say what you will, that is just the way it is. The 4L80E is from 2500 and 3500 series trucks and vans, and is rated well over 400ft/lb in stock form with a much higher GVWR. I should have no problems with longevity.

I sold the T/A harness and computer and bought a harness, engine computer, and tranny computer from a 06 Trailblazer SS. Sold the LS1 intake, injectors, and rail and bought a LS2 intake, rail, injectors, and TB (DBW).






Also needed to buy the LS6 coolant crossover pipe (what a rip)



Next, I installed a shift kit in the 4L80E while I have it sitting out of the vehicle. Wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be, it's definitely the deepest I've gone into an automatic before, into the land of scary balls.



Went with the TransGo HD2 shift kit, there really is no serious competition. Despite what the box says, I am not a professional.



Start with a transmission



Flip a bitch



Remove pan



Remove filter



Move harness out of the way



Remove valve body (by having the tranny upside down I cheated and didn't have to worry about the balls, good luck under the car buddy)



Change out the accumulator spring(s), lots of other various springs and whatnot. My hands were soaked by that point so I didn't take any more pictures until I put it back together. Change a couple springs, drill a couple holes, disk a, slot b, etc.



Back together with a new filter



Ready to go (with new PRNDL switch)

No automatic transmission is any fun without a decent converter, so I splurged and bought the best street/strip converter (IMHO) available.






Circle D Specialties 4L80E single disk converter. Billet end piece, very good quality and came highly recommended. I went with the 2C model, which is a 3200-3400RPM stall.

I also got an aluminum (not dented!) driveshaft from a Express 3500 van. It has the slip yoke I need, and will be shortened to the appropriate length for the truck. Going to replace the two piece steel shaft that is currently in the truck.



That brings us up to today. I still don't have my own place (garage), but the swap is going to get underway at a family members house.




The truck made its last trip with every heavy/large item for the swap in the back as well as all my tools, welder, hoist, and engine stand. Hopefully I won't need to move anything large until this is over, as I only have the T/A and the Corolla to putt around in.

That's all for today, next update will be removal of the old engine and trans! I should have a few updates a week for the next month or so, looking to knock it out as fast as possible without skimping on anything.

P.S. Shoutouts to everyone here, I have lurked and gathered much useful information along to way, hoping to bring something back now for the community

[jrotundo]

eye lyke piktars! herp.

seriously though, EXCELLENT! i love seeing this type of stuff! ill be "staying tuned".

[M_O_Z]

What went into the t/a in place of the ls1?

[fuzzkill]

Originally Posted by M_O_Z

What went into the t/a in place of the ls1?

T/A is still LS1/T56, I had another T/A I did an insurance buyback from after an accident, which is where the engine came from.

[07ColoradoBLK]

Nice bro looking forward to reading more when you get more finished !!

[1BADI5]

We love threads like this!

[xtremels6]

Have fun and let me know if I can be of any assistance.

[rshadd]

In for updates.

[04colyZQ8]

In for updates.. And willing to help were I can.. great plan.. would have loved that T56..LOL!

[04colyZQ8]

What headers are you going to run? I've been thinking of the Doug Thorleys and praying they fit!

[olds88]

U should look at tci and there 6x its a 4l80e but its got 6 speed auto

[Sfa_Colorado]

NICE in for updates

[WTRacing]

Lookin good!!

Interested to see how much modification it takes to fit that big bitch of an 80 on there

[laxdogg24]

Definatly going to be watching this. Interested in MOAR PICTARS

[peanutbuttersports]

In for updates


Sent from my Autoguide iPhone app

[comdrop9073]

Subscribed!

[1BADI5]

Originally Posted by WTRacing

Lookin good!!

Interested to see how much modification it takes to fit that big bitch of an 80 on there

Cpwire did it w/o modification to the tunnel that truck; the truck I speak of it the one they put the supercharged LS7 in. They tried the 6L80, but did not think it would handle the torque.

[04colyZQ8]

Re read your thread and was curious? You mentioned your drive shaft is stock twp piece steel? Mine is one piece reg. cabs should only be one piece, and ext cabs, and crews two?

Anyway the aluminum shaft will be nice!

[fuzzkill]

Originally Posted by 04colyZQ8

Re read your thread and was curious? You mentioned your drive shaft is stock twp piece steel? Mine is one piece reg. cabs should only be one piece, and ext cabs, and crews two?

Anyway the aluminum shaft will be nice!

You may be right, I know it's definitely not aluminum and the yoke is different on the 4L80E anyway so if I'm going to pay someone to shorten it I'm going to upgrade while I have the chance

[Buddy]

Subscribed. In for update