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LS Swap Kit

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Ray Cecil

LS Swap Kit

I am just pricing out options. I have a full 5.3 or 4.8 4L60E and transfer case setup. 5.3 in dads old truck, and the 4.8 sitting in garage. I am wondering what mounts, cross members etc are available in a kit. Anyone ever looked into this? I googled and didnt see much.

1988 F250 Supercab Longbed 7.3 IDI, C6, 1356, GEARVENDORS, 4.10 Sterling with autolocker

1986 F150 302, C6, 9" 2.75, Wood Flatbed

Ray Cecil

Re: LS Swap Kit

Too blasphemous a subject?

1988 F250 Supercab Longbed 7.3 IDI, C6, 1356, GEARVENDORS, 4.10 Sterling with autolocker

1986 F150 302, C6, 9" 2.75, Wood Flatbed

Gary Lewis

Re: LS Swap Kit

Administrator

I suspect we have no knowledge that would help you. I personally don't know anyone that's swapped a Chevy engine into a Ford, much less an LS.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

Dorsai

Re: LS Swap Kit

In reply to this post by Ray Cecil

Ray Cecil wrote

Too blasphemous a subject?

BLASPHEMER!!

Matthew
1980 F-150 Custom 2wd longbed, 300-6, C6, 2.75 rear axle
Atlanta GA

Ray Cecil

Re: LS Swap Kit

Dorsai wrote

Ray Cecil wrote

Too blasphemous a subject?

BLASPHEMER!!

At least someone has a sense of humor....

1988 F250 Supercab Longbed 7.3 IDI, C6, 1356, GEARVENDORS, 4.10 Sterling with autolocker

1986 F150 302, C6, 9" 2.75, Wood Flatbed

Ray Cecil

Re: LS Swap Kit

Looks like the way to do it would be swapping to a Ford transmission that"ll work with my current tcase. Then, Advance Adapters may have a kit to marry the LS to the Ford bell housing. Then I just need to fab some motor mounts. If I go this route, I wont need custom driveshafts.

1988 F250 Supercab Longbed 7.3 IDI, C6, 1356, GEARVENDORS, 4.10 Sterling with autolocker

1986 F150 302, C6, 9" 2.75, Wood Flatbed

Gary Lewis

Re: LS Swap Kit

Administrator

I doubt the LS is the same length as a Ford engine, so unless you go to great pains to put the rear of the engine/transmission adapter at the same place the rear of the engine currently is you'll need shorter or longer driveshafts. But, it could be done.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

85lebaront2

Re: LS Swap Kit

Administrator

I have worked on a Chevy engine in a Ford, it was a 1994 LT1 in a 1967 Mustang. FWIW, an FE 390 or 428 would be easier to work on. In a truck, shouldn't be impossible. I did see a nice one Saturday at a local mini-show in our town park. Guy had a 1970 SS-454 Chevelle he had swapped an LS into and the OD automatic, very nicely done! There was also a early 40s Plymouth that had been set up with a tilt front end, the builder had used a Chevy engine from a G series van, or at least the accessory drive system, serpentine belt and the alternator, power steering and AC were close in with the AC and alternator up top straddling the thermostat housing to work in the tall narrow engine bay the old flathead 6 was in.

Biggest issue I can think of is motor mount location, Ford has them pretty well centered front to back, GM usually has them closer to the front, considering that for years the plug wires ran up behind them.

Bill AKA "LOBO" Profile

"Getting old is inevitable, growing up is optional" Darth Vader 1986 F350 460 converted to MAF/SEFI, E4OD 12X3 1/2 rear brakes, traction loc 3:55 gear, 160 amp 3G alternator Wife's 2011 Flex Limited Daily Driver 2009 Flex Limited with factory tow package Project car 1986 Chrysler LeBaron convertible 2.2L Turbo II, modified A413

Ray Cecil

Re: LS Swap Kit

Alright, so if my tape measure is accurate, its 17" from bell housing to center bolt on the motor mount...that is on the 300 straight 6.

Its 12.5" from the back of the LS motor, the the middle of where the motor mount should be.

So thats a difference of 4.5". Assuming the chevy to ford transmission adapter would take up 1" or 2", you are down to 2.5"-3.5" difference.

That difference places the motor mounts on an LS rearward of the factory mounts. Shouldnt be too hard to make a custom mount for this.

Oil pan would be the next thing to think about.

The LS truck intake looks shorter or pretty close to as tall as the valve cover on the 300.

I would definately have more room between the radiator and fan on an LS. So might need to find a deep fan shroud from another vehicle to make it work.

First thing is first. I contacted Advance adapters and told them my current setup, and asked them to recommend a ford transmission, and the adapter they make to marry an LS motor.

I might just do this. Closing on the Oklahoma house Friday. Gunna have some cash in my pocket. So.....i might just do this swap.

1988 F250 Supercab Longbed 7.3 IDI, C6, 1356, GEARVENDORS, 4.10 Sterling with autolocker

1986 F150 302, C6, 9" 2.75, Wood Flatbed

Gary Lewis

Re: LS Swap Kit

Administrator

If I remember correctly, the 300's perches sit on top of the engine crossmember, and all the gas V8 perches bolt to the back of the crossmember. You can see some measurements and pics here: Documentation/Exterior/Frames/Engine Perches.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Ray Cecil

Re: LS Swap Kit

Gary Lewis wrote

If I remember correctly, the 300's perches sit on top of the engine crossmember, and all the gas V8 perches bolt to the back of the crossmember. You can see some measurements and pics here: Documentation/Exterior/Frames/Engine Perches.

That makes a lot more sense. With a set of v8 perches, I could probably make an LS motor mount work very easily. You are right, the 300's perches sit pretty close to the center of the cross member.

1988 F250 Supercab Longbed 7.3 IDI, C6, 1356, GEARVENDORS, 4.10 Sterling with autolocker

1986 F150 302, C6, 9" 2.75, Wood Flatbed

Ray Cecil

Re: LS Swap Kit

1988 F250 Supercab Longbed 7.3 IDI, C6, 1356, GEARVENDORS, 4.10 Sterling with autolocker

1986 F150 302, C6, 9" 2.75, Wood Flatbed

Ray Cecil

Re: LS Swap Kit

I drove dad's old silverado in to work this morning. 5.3 Liter, 4 speed auto, 4wd......with 350,000 miles on it....it still drives and rides soooo good.

I measured my wife's 2008 Chevy tahoe wheelbase. 116" center to center axles. That is within 1" of the Blue flareside.

If I can find a rolled over Tahoe....Maybe a chassis swap would be the best method of marrying a bullnose to a Chevy drive train.

1988 F250 Supercab Longbed 7.3 IDI, C6, 1356, GEARVENDORS, 4.10 Sterling with autolocker

1986 F150 302, C6, 9" 2.75, Wood Flatbed

Gary Lewis

Re: LS Swap Kit

Administrator

My brother is doing something very similar, but with a 60's Chevy pickup. Or, he was. He has the vehicles but I don't think anything's been done.

Anyway, my worry is about frame differences, like widths and level spots. Might be easy and might be very difficult. But at least you have Holly's vehicle to measure.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Ray Cecil

Re: LS Swap Kit

Id probably get a 1999-2006 model tahoe if I go that route. Same wheelbase as later model. And, dads truck is exactly the same as those tahoes from mid frame forward. So I can measure dads truck to see if itll work before deciding.

1988 F250 Supercab Longbed 7.3 IDI, C6, 1356, GEARVENDORS, 4.10 Sterling with autolocker

1986 F150 302, C6, 9" 2.75, Wood Flatbed