Doing LS Swap - I have no idea what I'm doing!

[EagleChief]

Brackets are mounted up! I have the gas pedal mounted and adjusted to, what I think, will work. I installed the bracket for my fuse block and got that mounted up. I ended up mounting the OBD2 mounted to the back of that bracket.

[EagleChief]

TAC module is mounted up and pedal is hooked up. Now all I need is to finish my gas tank mount, run the fuel lines and regulator, get that all set up, and wire up the individual wires from the harness to the ignition and power. I still need to get a radiator, and possibly a trans cooler, and run the transmission lines. I think... if I have any of my fuel hose left, I'll see if there is enough of it to run the trans lines. It's AN-6 PTFE steel braided hose. It should be sufficient for the transmission lines, right?

[Accelo]

AN-6 hose diameter is 3/8". Original lines were 5/16. AN6 is the size most builders use for transmission and fuel lines. Be sure not to mount the regulator close to the exhaust like I did. An auxiliary transmission cooler will work just fine for cooling the transmission.
I prefer the plate type. They take up less room and are more robust in their design. You can purchase them with the AN fittings like this one;
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/der-13614

[EagleChief]

Originally Posted by Accelo

AN-6 hose diameter is 3/8". Original lines were 5/16. AN6 is the size most builders use for transmission and fuel lines. Be sure not to mount the regulator close to the exhaust like I did. An auxiliary transmission cooler will work just fine for cooling the transmission.
I prefer the plate type. They take up less room and are more robust in their design. You can purchase them with the AN fittings like this one;
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/der-13614

Thanks for the link. I've been looking at some separate coolers for the transmission. The radiator I've been eyeing doesn't have the trans cooler option, so I was probably going to use something like that for my set up.

[LS short box]

Here's a pic of my 80 Camaro LS3 project. I've used the B&M stacked plate trans cooler on a number of LS swaps. You don't need PTFE -6 lines. Regular -6 SS lines work just fine.

[biketopia]

If you have PTFE line, use it. After using both, the PTFE is much easier to use and is a smaller outer diameter making it a little easier to route. I used Hot Rod fuel hose brand for the fuel lines I re-did on my Camaro last weekend. After all the traditional AN lines I made on that car, I really wish I just started with PTFE, much easier to work with.

[EagleChief]

Originally Posted by biketopia

If you have PTFE line, use it. After using both, the PTFE is much easier to use and is a smaller outer diameter making it a little easier to route. I used Hot Rod fuel hose brand for the fuel lines I re-did on my Camaro last weekend. After all the traditional AN lines I made on that car, I really wish I just started with PTFE, much easier to work with.

Yea, I bought a fuel line "kit" and it came with 20 or 25ft of PTFE steel braided fuel line. IF I have any of it left over after my fuel line routing, I was hoping to use the left-over as my transmission lines. Just depends on how much I have left.

[biketopia]

Just an FYI, you most likely won't have enough to do cooler lines. I ordered 30 feet for my camaro and only needed to run a feed and a short section of return from the TBI unit to the fender mounted regulator, I have maybe 8' left over. Granted my lines have to go up, down, left, and right to get from the tank to the TB, but just my experience, line length doesn't go as far as you imagine.

[EagleChief]

Originally Posted by biketopia

Just an FYI, you most likely won't have enough to do cooler lines. I ordered 30 feet for my camaro and only needed to run a feed and a short section of return from the TBI unit to the fender mounted regulator, I have maybe 8' left over. Granted my lines have to go up, down, left, and right to get from the tank to the TB, but just my experience, line length doesn't go as far as you imagine.

Yea, that's what I imagine might happen. I'll just have to see what I end up with.

[LS short box]

Just a thought in regards to -6. I typically buy in bulk from Summit. But If I run short there is local circle track guy that has bulk -6 so I buy from him after measuring carefully only as much as I need.
Must be there is someone like that around Tulsa?
My local guy also has -3 SS line for brake lines that work great for the steam line. End fittings already crimped on. Many lenght's and end fittings styles.

[kev2809]

Originally Posted by EagleChief

Yea, that's what I imagine might happen. I'll just have to see what I end up with.

I used 2 20ft from evil energy on my suburban and had enough for return style rail and the trans lines. I'm not using a trans cooler though

[EagleChief]

OK... it's really sad that it's been a year since I've done anything to my truck. Whew!! That's really sad. Life has been pretty crazy with 3 kids. Anywho.... I finally had a chance to do some work this past weekend. Hallelujah!

I swapped out the old, worn out and leaky steering box. I know, it's not much. But, it's a step forward. The warmer weather we've been having has me itching to do more work now. The baby is a little older now and doesn't have to be completely supervised at all times. So, I'll try and pick up where I left off (a year ago). Fuel system is my next focus.

[kev2809]

i feel ya. had my truck 14 years and still working on it. kids and life will do that to ya lol

[Rich84]

What steering box did you go with?

[biketopia]

Having an 8 month old now, I feel this entirely!

[EagleChief]

Originally Posted by Rich84

What steering box did you go with?

I used a Lares (spelling?) rebuilt box that I got from RockAuto. I found my receipt/order confirmation in the box. 2019!!!! Sad that it's been sitting in my garage for almost 4 years!

[EagleChief]

Originally Posted by biketopia

Having an 8 month old now, I feel this entirely!

It definitely has set me back. Our 3 are 6 (almost 7), 4, and 2. They take up a lot of my time. Although, my oldest loves to help me work on the truck - his truck. So he's been asking to work on it a lot more, lately. It's just trying to find the time to do it.

[ShortHaul]

Stay the course. It’ll all be worth it when you fire it up and throw em all in the cab for a rip around the block!

[EagleChief]

Just a thought regarding brake boosters... I know there are a lot of threads about this, but... looking at my setup, my power steering pump has the setup for the hydroboost. Would it be worth it to change my brake booster to a hydroboost setup, or, just plug that connection on the PS pump and continue to use my current brake booster?

I found this on RockAuto for an early 90's Astro Van booster setup: https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...=1884&jsn=1827

I'm not even sure if it would work, or not. But, I did see some threads referencing an early 90's van setup.

[EagleChief]

Well, back for another update. I'm on the "extended plan", obviously.

For some backstory over the last several weeks - I had started a new job about 9 months ago. This summer, the company decided to relocate my group out of state to another facility - but, they were not taking anyone. So, the last couple of months I was on the job hunt. What that did provide - was some time to get into the garage (after school started, of course).

I finished my fuel tank mount and got the tank ready to mount under the bed. I measured and ran the fuel lines from the engine back to where the tank will mount. Next, I'll need to test fit the tank again, so I can figure out where I'm going to install the fill hose and vent. Once I get that figured out, the fuel system should be done - minus the wiring hookup for the fuel pump.

My idea for the fill neck - I purchased 2 ammo boxes (metal) that I was going to mount behind the wheel wells in the bed. I thought I could use one for storage (small stuff) and run the filler neck/hose up into the other ammo box. I'm just not sure how to get all of that stuff to work together (yet). There is going to be some fabrication of some sort. Since I'm using a Jeep Wrangler tank for my setup, I just imagined I could buy a Wrangler fuel door kit (although I need to look for ideas). My tank has a 1" filler hose size, so I figure I'd need something similar on the other end to match up. Anyone have any ideas?

[EagleChief]

Also, on a separate note - the shift linkage. I "think" what I have will work, but I'm not sure. I had a 700r4 that was previously in the truck. Will my shift linkage connect to the 4l60 that I have now?

When I was running my fuel lines, I held the linkage up to the transmission, and it appears to fit. There is a bracket that is attached to the frame for the pivot point/lower connection of the linkage. So, I know it will connect to that. I just don't know if it's the correct set up to attach directly to the 4l60 connection - even though it appears it will. And, if it does fit, will it work correctly?

[EagleChief]

I'm back on the "I want to get this thing done" mindset!! Any thoughts regarding these 2 transmission coolers?

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Speed...ch,384694.html

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Speed...ler,39247.html

They look like they are the same thing, just different colors? I was thinking I could use one of these.

Looks like the radiator setup I want is on sale again, so probably going to pull the trigger on it.

[biketopia]

While a tube and fin cooler like posted will work ok if you're not towing or hot rodding, a bar and plate cooler will work A LOT better. The radiator set up you're getting, does it have a cooler provision? If so you could/should use that, and then could supplement the cooling with a cheap tube and fin cooler.

[EagleChief]

Originally Posted by biketopia

While a tube and fin cooler like posted will work ok if you're not towing or hot rodding, a bar and plate cooler will work A LOT better. The radiator set up you're getting, does it have a cooler provision? If so you could/should use that, and then could supplement the cooling with a cheap tube and fin cooler.

My radiator does not have the option for the trans cooler. That's why I'm looking for options without spending a lot of money. I figured the fin style would work well enough mounted in front of the radiator. I see these heat fin types that are mounted on the frame rail: https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Alumi...nch,39873.html But, I'm not sure that would work as a standalone unit as well as the other version, would it?

This truck is just going to be a cruiser - drive to work on nice weather days, and if it lasts long enough, let my son drive it in about 8 yrs.

[LS short box]

If you buy one of those two coolers I wouldn't use those plastic ties that go thru the radiator. Make a mount off the radiator support.
If it was me I would spend a bit more money and get a stacked plate cooler. I like and use B&M. You can get the inlet/outlet nipple type or -6 type.
Pic of my 80 with the stacked plate cooler and mounting.