LS/6L80E into G Body (El Camino)

[CM1SCW]

Tomorrow I will take photos under the car showing the ground clearance

photos showing underside. Not hanging down the lowest is the cat. As the photos show it fits tight but it does fit. floor is original carpet factory tunnel height.

 

[ssn696]

What transmission crossmember did you/they use?

 

[CM1SCW]

What transmission crossmember did you/they use?

the adapted the factory crossmember by notching and reinforced driverside for the dual exhaust. also adapted transmission mounting point.

 

[ssn696]

Was that the ERod package? Looks like they used cats under it. I assume you have to pass emissions.

Looks like they did a nice job. I hope you keep the car forever, given the investment you have made into it.

 

[CM1SCW]

Was that the ERod package? Looks like they used cats under it. I assume you have to pass emissions.

Looks like they did a nice job. I hope you keep the car forever, given the investment you have made into it.

Yes it's a erod package from gm performance. It is a connect and cruise and didn't want to fool with computer program to delete cats. It was an investment and I do plan on keeping forever. First aero I have owned 3 square back SS's the last square back was an 88 looked just like current one sold back in 93 to buy my house. Regretted it that's why I got this one to keep.

 

[black_aerocoupe]

You have no idea how similarly I wanted to build my Aero. Even the LC9 E-Rod. Sorry if I missed it in other posts; how did the included exh. manifolds fit; any issues by the LCA mounting?

 

[CM1SCW]

You have no idea how similarly I wanted to build my Aero. Even the LC9 E-Rod. Sorry if I missed it in other posts; how did the included exh. manifolds fit; any issues by the LCA mounting?

The included exh. Manifolds didn't fit they went with sanderson mid length headers. They fit well

 

[Vinn]

Did you use holley for the wiring harness?

 

[jlcustomz]

The aerocoupe installation most definitely appears to have the engine & trans both sitting forwards and lower than my old ls/6 speed install , which needed a little tunnel reworking. it will have a hint more weight transfer to the front than average, but as long as the whole engine is lower driveline angle should be in fair range & not have vibration issues.
At the ride height you're at, trans pan should be ok. Ata lowered ride height , may not be.

 

[Zippymac]

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.

Same same - complete 5.3 ls with 4L60e in 86 monte carlo. Used a hummer oil pan hooker headers and LS to clam shell mounts - had to extend frame a bit but same as you no cutting.