LS/6L80E into G Body (El Camino)

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BobinHSV

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Jun 11, 2018
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37
18
Today I finally answered the 6L80E floor cutting question. If you lift the engine up in the chassis an thereby lift the engine /trans centerline, you will need to cut the floor. If you leave the engine /trans centerline in the same position as original, no cutting required. If you think about GM Design goals, they want to use various engines and trans in various platforms with minimal changes. If they have a platform using 3 different transmissions, all platforms must accept any trans without basic engineering changes. No relocating engine/trans centerline, drive angle changes or other major mode. An example is the late Suburban/Yukon/Escalade. My 2015 Escalade has an 8L90E trans. There is about 2" vertical clearance above the trans to tunnel. This platform, using the same floor has had the 4L60, 4L85, 6L80E. 6L90E, 8L90E and 10L90E.

Statements on 6L80E trans with LS engine. 1) Centerline of engine and transmission are the same on LS block and all trans that mount to it. 2) Trans vertical position is the same on 200-4R,700R4,4L60,4L65,70E,6L80E. 3) 6L80E with fixed output flange is about 2 1/2" shorter than 4L60E and about 3 1/2" shorter than 200-4R. 4) All of the bell housings are very similar in size. 5) If the LS engine is kept at existing clamshell mount position, longitudinally, horizontally and vertically the 6L80E transmission fits easily with over 1" clearance from all areas of the standard El Camino tunnel. 6) The shaft vertical/horizontal position of the output is exactly the same as a 4L60E.

We are in the process of installing a 5.3L with a 4L60E into a '86 El Camino. We set the 5.3 long block in place with the 4L60E attached. The mount position was in exactly the vertical position as the 200-4R. Driveshaft had to be shortened 3 1/2". We removed the 5.3/4L60E and swapped the 4L60E for the 6L80E. We then installed the 5.3/6L80E combo into the exact same space as the 4L60E. We even used the same crossmember by moving it forward a couple of inches. This apples to apples comparison leads me to these conclusions: 1) The 6L80E will fit in a G Body with no floor mods if you keep the engine vertical position the same using LS mount plates mounting the clamshell small block parts, as well as the original frame mounts to match the clamshell engine mount. 2) All of the engine trans combos have the same vertical position, 3) 6L80 is shortest of the normal transmissions used in the El Camino. 4) Install LS in original position and relocate the trans mount fore and aft, modify the driveshaft as required and you are done.
 
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CM1SCW

Greasemonkey
Nov 6, 2020
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Lenoir City,TN
Yes it is my monte carlo ss aerocoupe with 6l80 fitting with no tunnel mods.
 

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CM1SCW

Greasemonkey
Nov 6, 2020
104
315
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Lenoir City,TN
Yes it is my monte carlo ss aerocoupe with 6l80 fitting with no tunnel mods.
The job is almost done, they are charging the AC system. Then run car to get a few miles on, check for leaks then ready to be delivered to me.
 

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Built6spdMCSS

Geezer
Jun 15, 2012
5,692
9,500
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Florida Beach
Yes it is my monte carlo ss aerocoupe with 6l80 fitting with no tunnel mods.
Do you have any more pics of this build, as in close-ups of how that transmission is fitting in the tunnel?

This topic came up in my group, and over the years out of dozens of builds, everyone has rebuilt the tunnel to get the 6L80E to fit correctly.

Thanks.
 

CM1SCW

Greasemonkey
Nov 6, 2020
104
315
63
Lenoir City,TN
Do you have any more pics of this build, as in close-ups of how that transmission is fitting in the tunnel?

This topic came up in my group, and over the years out of dozens of builds, everyone has rebuilt the tunnel to get the 6L80E to fit correctly.

Thanks.
Not sure if any of these help, but the tunnel was not repeat was not cut. Used holley 302-3 oil pan, trans dapt engine mounts for gbody ls swap and factory crossmember modified for dual exhaust and trans mount. That's about all I can say other than it fits and driveshaft angle is good. Drove car home from shop and it runs great.
 

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Built6spdMCSS

Geezer
Jun 15, 2012
5,692
9,500
113
Florida Beach
Not sure if any of these help, but the tunnel was not repeat was not cut. Used holley 302-3 oil pan, trans dapt engine mounts for gbody ls swap and factory crossmember modified for dual exhaust and trans mount. That's about all I can say other than it fits and driveshaft angle is good. Drove car home from shop and it runs great.
Thanks. I guess it's one of those things that would be easier to see in person. Seen many people put that transmission in cars and had to rebuild the tunnel.

Seems like in those pics it's really low.
 
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