Looking for feedback on cutting and welding truck oil pan

Status
Not open for further replies.

DDA402

n00b
Sep 28, 2021
3
0
1
Time for the 229 v6 to go. I found a low mileage GM rebuilt 2002 5.3 truck motor for my 1981 Malibu. Looking for feedback on cutting 1 1/2 from the truck oil pan sump and welding on a 1/4 plate. My friend can do it where he works. Car sits at stock height. Concerned about oil pan hanging to low just looking for input from anyone that has done this.
 

Attachments

  • C0DB085C-FD92-4BC5-A57B-3EEC9AA7C694.jpeg
    C0DB085C-FD92-4BC5-A57B-3EEC9AA7C694.jpeg
    1.4 MB · Views: 115

Jakefromstatefarm

Master Mechanic
Feb 26, 2014
465
923
93
Just buy the Holley pan, not worth it to try to rig the pan when there is a completely viable, decently priced option. Or the white box pan is even cheaper.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 users

81cutlass

Comic Book Super Hero
Feb 16, 2009
4,639
13,542
113
Western MN
I haven't done it but I have seen/heard people do it to no ill effects. As long as you burn out all the schmoo from the pan as they are cast and porous, and have a welder that can weld cast to T6061 confidently they are fine. You do need to cut the pickup tube too.

You can pull the pan once they are in the car so if it fails all you are out is time. If time doesn't mean that much to you and you can do it for almost free there isn't a reason not to.
 

87National

G-Body Guru
Apr 15, 2009
661
679
93
eastern SD
Time for the 229 v6 to go. I found a low mileage GM rebuilt 2002 5.3 truck motor for my 1981 Malibu. Looking for feedback on cutting 1 1/2 from the truck oil pan sump and welding on a 1/4 plate. My friend can do it where he works. Car sits at stock height. Concerned about oil pan hanging to low just looking for input from anyone that has done this.
A little over a year ago, I bought a new ls1 oil pan for $100 and pickup tube for $30. You do need to modify your cross member. If you are on a budget, I would go that route rather than fooling with modifying the stock truck pan.
 

L92 OLDS

Comic Book Super Hero
Mar 30, 2012
2,872
3,050
113
West Michigan
In my opinion the time and money you would invest in modifying a truck pan wouldn't be worth the effort. And then there’s the pick up tube and getting the height of that correct. In the end it would probably look like a hack job. Just spend the money, do it right and buy the 302-2 Holley pan.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users

BobinHSV

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Jun 11, 2018
29
37
18
Using the clamshell mounts on an ICT Billet adapter puts the engine in the same place, or 5/8" forward if you need to not hit the web on an aluminum block. I used Holley mid mount adapters (Corvette/Pontiac G8) for accessory mounts. Everything clears, and it looks almost stock. Oil pan is a CTS V, extends about 1 inch below crossmember and clears everything else. I have a 6L80E trans. Using the original G Force mount from 200-4R I had to fab a 1.4" 4" X 6" plate to mount to the top (Original mounting holes for 200-4R)Th 6L80E is about 3" 3" forward of 200-4R including 5/8" forward on engine mounts. Fabricated a 1" Trans mount (Rubber) and bolted to the 6L80E mount holes. Have between 3/4" an 1" clearance over the top of trans. I am using the G8 6L80E with the three bolt flange output. Had to have new driveshaft built to accommodate a forward slip joint and adapter to the3 bolt flange. Headers are a problem depending on type used. I run twin cats and fabricated a custom 2.5" exhaust using Pypes basic system, + resonators and Pypes street mufflers. Somewhat of am improvement from the 305. 180 HP, 11 MPGH with Fitech FI to LS3 400+ HP, 26 MPG min on road. Change rear gears from 2.56 to 3.08.
 

Mrangel1

n00b
Aug 7, 2019
2
0
1
Time for the 229 v6 to go. I found a low mileage GM rebuilt 2002 5.3 truck motor for my 1981 Malibu. Looking for feedback on cutting 1 1/2 from the truck oil pan sump and welding on a 1/4 plate. My friend can do it where he works. Car sits at stock height. Concerned about oil pan hanging to low just looking for input from anyone that has done this.
I did it and it works fine
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

GBodyForum is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

Please support GBodyForum Sponsors

Classic Truck Consoles Dixie Restoration Depot UMI Performance

Contact [email protected] for info on becoming a sponsor