hipnotoad

First of all, let me say thank you for all the effort put forth on this site by so many knowledgeable enthusiasts. It has been a very helpful source in my new journey into the world of LS motors. Now, on to my situation:

I'll start with my setup and what I am attempting to accomplish- I have a 2002 Silverado with a 4.3 v6 and I have recently purchased a 2000 Corvette C5 LS1 engine which I will be swapping out. I have searched through many articles here and on Google, but can't quite come up with any concrete answer to my question. I am wondering how I am to go about mating the LS1 engine to my existing 4l60e. I have read I should use a flex plate from an F-Body Camaro which uses the same engine/tranny combo and that makes sense. I can't however find any information on the proper torque converter to use. Another thing that is throwing me off is the mention of different input shaft lengths between the truck/car variations of the 4l60e. I would just like to know ahead of time what to go after for my parts search.

This is my first attempt at a motor swap, so maybe my questions don't make sense to more experienced wrenchers in the forum. Any help would greatly be appreciated and I am looking forward to hearing what others have to say. Thanks

smokinlmm

Your wasting your time with the 4l60, source yourself a 4l80 then start piecing it together.

hipnotoad

This is one of those things where people will always have different points of view I guess. Lots of people claim the 4l60e works for them and handles the load just fine. Then there is the other side of the coin where people say you need something tougher. I don't have a heavy foot, I won't be towing anything bigger than a quad, and the 4l60e literally gets mated with this motor straight from GM so why wouldn't it be ideal?

smokinlmm

They can't hold stock power, let alone anything over it. Who wants to build a hot rod to baby it...

hipnotoad

Haha to each his own I guess. I'm personally aiming for style and reliability over power and performance. But I hear you.

arthursc2

iTrader: (5)

You can't say you're building for reliability then also say you're stuck on the 60e

60s break all the time in cars, why wouldn't it also break in your truck? You might get years out of (I've been pretty lucky on mine so far) but it will break. I have a built 80 on the shelf because I know my 60 is going to die sometime

MaroonMonsterLS1

I have multiple 4l60's out there over 500 horse
I know a 60e in a full size pickup that has gone 6's in the 1/8th

Just because you can't build one...doesn't mean they can't be built.

Oh, and P.S. almost every time...one of my 500 horse 60e's is cheaper than the cost to swap in an 80e.

To the OP...there are 3 different input shafts. See the photo attached. you likely have the middle shaft...you will need the shaft on the left.
If you want to stick with the middle shaft that you have...you need to get a "lt1" style converter from any of the big names...FTI, circle D, yank, etc...then use a "dished" flexplate with 10.75 bolt circle
You will likely also have to swap bellhousings to match the LS

Cheers

smokinlmm

He came here and asked for opinions, we all have one, and offered one, it's up to the OP to decide on what's right for him...

hipnotoad

Thanks everyone for the input. I guess the last question I have is are the shift points going to have to be reprogrammed or will the Corvette PCM be ok still assuming this is a "Corvette?" I've read that it has caused issues for some, but it's not very widely talked about either.

arthursc2

iTrader: (5)

Tune it, no way around that