LS Swap with TKO 500/600

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atvjoey

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Feb 17, 2021
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North Jersey
So I have an 87 El Camino that I put a brand new sbc 350 in it with a 2.73 open diff and a th350 to build a daily driver. it has been great but I am quickly realizing the limitations to what I thought would be a good daily driver. I do have access to another car while this swap happens but I have always wanted to convert it to manual. The problem is I want this to be a daily driver that also can at least run a respectable 1/4 mile. maybe high 13s. So I met a guy that did an LS swap and I am all over that but I also want to do a tremec tko 600 swap. I have had almost exclusively stick cars and I desperately want to turn my elky into one. Has anyone ever done this swap? I have heard of the ls with the t-56 but I am not willing to do that since I am trying to save money and I got a good deal on a tko 600. What would be involved with the swap? specifically the crossmember? Is an ls the same length as a sbc because I know they make a crossmember that can fit it. Anybody that has done the swap or something similar please leave some info because I have not seen anybody do it. I consider myself very mechanically inclined but the only thing I cannot do is welding so everything has to be bolt in. On a side not, is it possible to maintain AC with an ls swap? I have the ac box but nothing hooked up but I definitely want it now after a couple 100+ degree days. Thanks guys for any help
 

ssn696

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Streetbu

Know it all, that doesn't
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May 22, 2011
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If you're not comfortable doing fabrication, I would suggest you DON'T LS swap or especially TKO swap you're vehicle. Because I GUARANTEE you'll be making all sorts of parts to get to work all together. Mainly the crossmember, exhaust, and clutch pedal/hydraulics just to name a few.
 
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atvjoey

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Feb 17, 2021
10
1
3
North Jersey
If you're not comfortable doing fabrication, I would suggest you DON'T LS swap or especially TKO swap you're vehicle. Because I GUARANTEE you'll be making all sorts of parts to get to work all together. Mainly the crossmember, exhaust, and clutch pedal/hydraulics just to name a few.
I have been doing a bunch of research and there a places that sell everything bolt in for both swaps I am trying to see if I can basically mash them together. I have manual swapped other vehicles done basic engine swaps (v6 to v8) but I am just bad at welding so I would rather spend the money on quality parts. For anybody interested six speed monte sells the bolt in hydraulic clutch swap kit and Holley sells the ls swap parts. I know its possible because I know a guy that did it himself in NY (albeit expensive) but possible to do without and serious fabrication
 

atvjoey

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Feb 17, 2021
10
1
3
North Jersey
I am not deadset on the idea but I think making a reliable classic v8 daily driver would be very cool. I would probably do the tko swap first and then adapt it to the ls if that's the way I decide to go but the 11mpg I get with my mild 350 as opposed to the 21mpg that a buddy of mine gets in his ls swap is killing me for a daily especially if since I plan to keep this car for many years
 
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Streetbu

Know it all, that doesn't
Supporting Member
May 22, 2011
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I have been doing a bunch of research and there a places that sell everything bolt in for both swaps I am trying to see if I can basically mash them together. I have manual swapped other vehicles done basic engine swaps (v6 to v8) but I am just bad at welding so I would rather spend the money on quality parts. For anybody interested six speed monte sells the bolt in hydraulic clutch swap kit and Holley sells the ls swap parts. I know its possible because I know a guy that did it himself in NY (albeit expensive) but possible to do without and serious fabrication
Well, I bought everything "bolt-in" for my swap. And most of it didn't. Especially the clutch linkage that I'm still fighting with...
 
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08Malibu

Royal Smart Person
Feb 9, 2014
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North Jersey
I am not deadset on the idea but I think making a reliable classic v8 daily driver would be very cool. I would probably do the tko swap first and then adapt it to the ls if that's the way I decide to go but the 11mpg I get with my mild 350 as opposed to the 21mpg that a buddy of mine gets in his ls swap is killing me for a daily especially if since I plan to keep this car for many years
Just swapping to an overdrive will up your mpg.
 
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Malihoochie-

Apprentice
May 14, 2020
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77
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Detroit area
I put a TKO600 in my Malibu and it was not a big hassle. I did have to modify the Z bar drastically ( a hyd throw out bearing would eliminate that) because I used a standard/regular GM type bellowing. The G body bell housing was specific to our cars and also required a special fork. I used a std clutch fork and trimmed a little off it and put a little dent in the floorboard, later on I changed the body bushings to poly ones and I think no mods would have been needed to the floor or fork, if I done the bushings first.
 
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