So my turbo truck is sold and I been pondering up ideas of whats next....

How hard of an install do yall think it would be to put a LSA (Cadillac CTS-V 6.2L engine) in a Silverado? What kind of ECU would be used? What tranny, 4l80e or is there a decent standalone computer out yet for the 6L80e?

Yea the ZR-1 engine has much better internals and more power but taking money into somewhat of an account the LSA is better priced.

I know some will respond, save the 14g and get a motor built but I'm not looking to go that route for more reasons than one. I'm not even saying I'm going to go any route. I'm just brainstorming a lil bit and I know theres a lot of fellas on here that think of ****/ know things I've yet to learn. This would be a unique ride for sure...

I googled this topic to see if anything was out there but no luck. I did see chevy has a concept truck though...but I wouldn't hold my breathe on that one: http://www.motortrend.com/auto_shows.../photo_01.html

 

From what I gather, it should bolt right up without any complications, same with the tranny, you choose.

 

From what I understand (please correct me if im wrong) but one of the nice things with the LSx engines from GM is pretty much anything works with them. Computers with the correct tune will run anything including trans of your choice, engine of your choice (lsx). GM has created a great platform for performance using the LS.

 

Please elaborate, are you talking engine actually mounting no problem or are you talking all of the above wont be an issue (electrical etc.)? What would have to be done electrically to get this to work? As in how much would the original ECU be able to do?

 

There are some GM items that if you try to swap into different motors will not fit or cause complications such as the LS7 crank, certain valve train components or various intakes, etc...
But other than the LSX Tall Deck block I think all LS based engines are of the same dimensions and all bolt patters are the same so you can swap any LS motor into your truck. Last I heard about the 6L80/90e was that lingenfelter made a harness conversion to make them work with our older style PCM's. But nobody with the exception of CircleD has made any beefier components for them and for right now most built 4L80e's have been proven to hold up quite well to lots of HP.

Does the LSA have a dry sump, I can't recall.

 

I haven’t installed one of these beasts, but just throwing some ideas out there to get things going and to which someone can add to or possibly even correct if I’m wrong.

However, to get a better idea of what it would take to get it in there and functioning properly, some background info on the truck you’re planning on slipping it into would help. Others may know your truck, but I’m sorry I don’t. Depending on the year model of the truck, it may be a simple bolt in and go or if it is a little older and equipped with a Gen III, it will take a little more effort to make it compatible. Basically, it shouldn’t be any different than the LS2, LY6 or L92 conversions that people are performing, outside of most likely sensors such as the MAP and so on. As you surmised, it will just bolt in as the architecture is the same, aside from the normal external components like oil pan, accessory drive, ect. As you may have already figured out, the LSA engines use an 8-bolt flex-plate, compared to the more traditional 6-bolts, but should still work just fine. GM has flex-plates and fly-wheels available for the 8-bolt LSA style crankshafts. Where things would get difficult at the moment would be finding an off-the-shelf flex-plate for the 9-bolt LS9 crankshaft, as they are only offered with manual transmissions, although I’m sure someone would build a person one.

If you’re lucky enough to find a take out, it will have a CTS-V oil pan and if you’re buying a crate motor version, it will come equipped with a Vette style wet-sump pan. So by being a wet-sump engine, it will aid in swapping on a truck pan. Also, if you’re looking at buying the crate motor version, you will need a non-Corvette flex-plate.

 

Wow! Thanks for your elaborate and very thorough response. I didn't mention my truck because I just sold my 04 turbo silverado. So this is a project that would take place a little ways down the road. I'm still in the brainstorming phase, trying to figure out what kind of project I want to take on next. I'm undecided if I would go with the current body style Silverado or go back to the 06 body style.

I'd prob go more the crate motor route unless I got very lucky and happen to stumble accross a take out. I think the odds of that are pretty slim. Being that 700 hp is achievable with both the LSA and LS9, is the LS9 worth the $8g more?