'86 Cutlass 5.3/4L80
- Thread starter Jweb
- Start date
- Status
Here's some info on what worked and what didn't work for me.
Metal Tek - motor mounts. These are $119 on ebay, not sure how they compare to others. I was really happy with the fit and how they can slide for adjustment. I was able to clear a truck oil pan I just had to get a smaller power steering pulley. Car has A/C removed so I don't know how that would fit. I did push my engine all the way back in the mounts, which I think was too far. It left very little room to get to the header and rear plug on the passenger side. Totally my fault, I just assumed further back was better.
S10 LS swap headers - These will fit but I do not recommend using them. I didn't have to modify or dent the headers to fit but there's no way to avoid a low hanging exhaust.
LS truck oil pan - Again this will fit but I don't recommend it. The oil pan hangs really low and I would worry about it hitting the ground, even if your car is stock height. .
LS truck alternators - My engine came with a 145 amp alternator, these will hit the hood (trust me I know). You need to run the 105 amp alternator to clear.
4L85e transmission - I though I was buying a 4L80e and what I got was an 85e out of a box truck. I had to slightly dent the tunnel to access the transmission lines but that's all it took to make it fit. The bigger issue was the 85e originally had a bolt on drive shaft. I had to replace the tail shaft housing and get a counterbored yoke to make it all work. I'm still having issues getting it to shift but I think that's a problem with the Fitech.
Will try to add more later and I can get some photos of anything if it helps someone.
Metal Tek - motor mounts. These are $119 on ebay, not sure how they compare to others. I was really happy with the fit and how they can slide for adjustment. I was able to clear a truck oil pan I just had to get a smaller power steering pulley. Car has A/C removed so I don't know how that would fit. I did push my engine all the way back in the mounts, which I think was too far. It left very little room to get to the header and rear plug on the passenger side. Totally my fault, I just assumed further back was better.
S10 LS swap headers - These will fit but I do not recommend using them. I didn't have to modify or dent the headers to fit but there's no way to avoid a low hanging exhaust.
LS truck oil pan - Again this will fit but I don't recommend it. The oil pan hangs really low and I would worry about it hitting the ground, even if your car is stock height. .
LS truck alternators - My engine came with a 145 amp alternator, these will hit the hood (trust me I know). You need to run the 105 amp alternator to clear.
4L85e transmission - I though I was buying a 4L80e and what I got was an 85e out of a box truck. I had to slightly dent the tunnel to access the transmission lines but that's all it took to make it fit. The bigger issue was the 85e originally had a bolt on drive shaft. I had to replace the tail shaft housing and get a counterbored yoke to make it all work. I'm still having issues getting it to shift but I think that's a problem with the Fitech.
Will try to add more later and I can get some photos of anything if it helps someone.
Here's a few more
Summit/ G force Crossmember - This worked really well but it's kind of expensive. If you have some fab skills, modifying the stock one might be a better option.
Tanks Inc EFI Kit - I ordered this from Matt's Classic Bowties, if you call you can better pricing. The fuel pump and sending unit went in easily, once I decided to read the instructions. The tank fit really well in the car also. No leaks and the gauge seems accurate. The only issue I have so far is the filler neck, it fits good but due to the hose connection it moves around and is hard to fill. I will figure out a brace and that should fix it.
Summit/ G force Crossmember - This worked really well but it's kind of expensive. If you have some fab skills, modifying the stock one might be a better option.
Tanks Inc EFI Kit - I ordered this from Matt's Classic Bowties, if you call you can better pricing. The fuel pump and sending unit went in easily, once I decided to read the instructions. The tank fit really well in the car also. No leaks and the gauge seems accurate. The only issue I have so far is the filler neck, it fits good but due to the hose connection it moves around and is hard to fill. I will figure out a brace and that should fix it.
Had some time to work on the Cutlass Saturday. Finally got the right settings on the Fitech to gets the transmission shifting. Got the air bubble out of the cooling system and built an intake. It's kind of ugly but it'll work
Wanted to go under the radiator hose and get away from the heat. Now if it just drove like a racecar, the 4L85e and stock rear gears don't go well together.
In an effort to actually save some money on my “budget build “ I got some free 18” Foose wheels. These were curbed and pitted pretty bad so I smoothed out the curb rash and sanded the entire wheels. Then just rattle canned them black. Didn’t turn out too bad
Attachments
Well the car is pretty much finished. I got the wheels and tires on Friday and drove it around this weekend. Tires are 235/45/18 and 255/45/18.
Unfortunately it will be for sale soon, my daughter needs braces and they're not cheap.
Unfortunately it will be for sale soon, my daughter needs braces and they're not cheap.
- Status
Similar threads
