01 Silverado LS1 / T56 conversion

[6gear]

I am gearing up to swap a 00 LS1 (WS6) engine and a T56 trans in my 01 Silverado 4.8 / 5 speed. From what it looks like and from talking to Allen if I use my front assessories, oil pan and wiring harness I should have a pretty straight forward swap. It looks like the T56 is about 2 1/2" longer than the NV3500 trans. but I think the trans mount is almost dead on. I think the shifter will be back about 10 - 12". Both of the trans use a hydraulic clutch release but the connections are a little different. I am thinking seriously about installing a new cam since this would be the ideal time, I have been looking at the ZO6 cam, I would like to make as much torque as possible and still be able to turn 6 g. If any one can shed some light on this swap I would appreciate it.

[farmtruc]

I think you go it Ron, the swap is pretty straight forward, there's always a few gotchas that you run into, but you'll be just fine if you do what you said below.
I wouldn't know about doing the trans swap, but it will bolt up and all you'll have to do is shorten that driveshaft.

Is that a RC you have, looks like you'll have something close to what GM should come out with and call it the SS, heheh

good luck and go for it, that's an awesome swap,


allen

[6gear]

You lost me on the RC?

[RChevy.48]

RC = Regular Cab
RCSB = Rgular Cab Short Bed - for future reference

I took me some time to figure out most of the acranims people use.

[6gear]

Yes it is a RC truck, I noticed that you are running 4.10 gears and it looks like that is what I need to go to. The T56 has a low gear ratio of 2.66 and a 6th of .50 so I don't quite have the low gear that the automatic has but I have a taller OD. The NV3500 I have now has a low of 4.03 and a OD of around .75. My truck has 3.42 in it now. Do you know how well the powertrax systems hold up and work?

[farmtruc]

4.10's are nice, i like the take off, it is kind of worthless on the street thoug, at least until i get some good tires.

I know most ppl recommend the Eaton, then Auburn , and PowerTrax. I have the auburn cause i got a good deal on it, and btw, it's holding up just fine and grabs very nice. I think someone on the board has the powertrax, maybe they'll chime in,


later,

allen

[6gear]

Anyone have a good suggestion for a cam? I want to lean more towards torque so maybe the cam that is in the engine is fine. Also do I use the throttle body from my truck since I am going to use that intake or the LS1 throttle body?

[farmtruc]

I would use all the truck stuff, it would make the swap easier, i'm not sure if the TB's are different or not, some pics would tell us though.

I'm going to get the GM Hot Cam and see how that works, i'll let you know how it does,


allen

[6gear]

Is anyone using the electric fans from the Z28 / TA? How well do they work? And what is involved in wiring them up?

My status on my conversion is I got the LS1 on one of my engine stands, I ordered me a set of 3 jaw gear pullers to pull the balancers (ASP on the 4.8) I bought me a 90 model RCSB 4x4, 5.7 / 5 gear so I won't have to haul my driveshaft in my corvette when I get it shortened and also to take over the dirty jobs that the 01 used to do. My plan is to start pulling the engine this Sunday.

[farmtruc]

you can check on ls1truck.com and go to the articles section, that's how i wired mine up.

as far as the fans cooling, a lot of ppl use them and they are very nice at cooling, i cant' get my engine above 180 when they are on, the relays activate at 185 and the temp immediately drops to 178


good luck