A friend of mine has just bought a new Vortec 4.8L motor as a project for his 72. I'm likely to be helping him with the install over the winter. I'm just curious to know if anyone else here has done a project like this before? We'd be very interested to hear some input from anyone who has done this, not necessarily specifically this motor, but I guess any more up-to-date engine install. Clearance issues, ECU fitting, that sort of thing.

I'm only going on the information that my mate has given me, so the most info I have at the moment is that it's a 4.8L - which makes it something around the 295 cu in mark? It has a steel block and ally heads.
It was supplied with a four speed auto box - not sure what type.. would this be a 700r4, or some more recent version?
Strangely, although this is a new motor, I can't see it listed in the latest Vortec lineup on the GM site. It was bought from another private seller, so i guess it's possible he had it crated up and doing nothing for a while.
Be glad to hear what folks have got to say.

 

Seems to be a 1999-up Vortec LR4 4800 as found in some GM Savana van & Sierra truck ... maybe others. Bore about 3.78", stroke about 3.27". The LR4 is in the LSX family ... NOT at all like the iron head Vortec found in many 96-99 GM pickup trucks ... apples & oranges. Only a guess, but if trans is as new as motor ... quite possibly 4L60E or 4L65E. Both engine & trans require computer. Frankly, for the time & $ an LSX swap entails ... dunno why he didn't get 5.7 or 6 litre LSX ... unless it fell off a truck?

 

Yeah, I think we're prepared for a fairly large amount of work for this. Good question about why he didn't opt for bigger displacement, and a simple answer really - we're in the UK and these things don't crop up very often! You just don't get the choice over here. (I'm presently on the lookout for a 200r4 box to build, fully expect to take months to a year to even find a good one!) So given that, I think it should make a nice replacement for the old motor provided it can be shoe-horned in. The seller was claiming 285bhp, and of course we all know to take the sales patter for what it's worth, but that doesn't seem too outlandish a claim.

Now you mention the Savana and Sierra trucks, I forgot to mention I'm informed it came from/was intended for a Silverado. Your estimates of bore and stroke make sense for a 293". It's got headers and cat, loom and ECU and all accessories up front. The setting up of the computer shouldn't be TOO much of a problem (famous last words) as I work in this field (albeit for F*rd) and part of my work involves setting up data acquisition kit on engine test beds. But while that's a good thing, it also means I know how much of a mammoth task it COULD be!

The 4L60E - am I right in thinking this is a modern version of the th400, with an o/d?
I know we're swimming against the tide if we don't get hold of a decent wiring diagram and ECU pinout for it, and I think that's job no. 1, but I'm hoping it can be done without having to hook it up to any GM diagnostic equipment. I still need to have a good hard look at a service manual before I make my mind up about that though!

 

If you have the transmission, engine and computer all together, it should hook up fine, as long as you get it to fit. Being that the computer controls both the engine AND the transmission it shouldn't be too tough for someone with some good automotive experience with newer cars.

 

Funny...I was at an auto auction today and thats the engine that was suggested. Should be an easy convert. make sure you get the computer and harness.

Jim

 

NO, not at all like a th400 ... it's a more modern & computerized version of 700r4 ... the two virtually same except the newer one is computer-controlled. The 700r4 does not have a removeable bellhousing ... 4L60E does. You should seek out help from those here who've done a LS1 / LSX swap ... I have not.

 

Well, like I said I think everything is there for a complete install. My biggest worry is that we end up with a code of some sort that we can't decipher because we are lacking the correct scanning equipment. But, if everything really IS there, and no components or sensors are dead, it should go together alright.
I guess being for a truck, the calibration for the 'box, in terms of shift points etc might not be ideal for a vette? I don't know yet whether this will be a problem, but I wonder if the ECU can be flashed with another more "sporty" calibration.....
Another potential issue might be getting the speedo to work, as I'm sure this 'box will use a VSS instead of a good ol' cable and gears?

Jackon - cheers for the pointers on the box - it does appear from the photos I've seen to have a removable b/h, so I guess we're looking at a 4L60E. I'll get some numbers off the engine in due time, so I can actually tell what I'm working with (!) but can you enlighten me a little more on what the LSx family of engines is all about?

Cheers
Theo

 

I'm NOT even a LSX novice ... nor am I even a novice on anything newer than C3 ... so don't hold me to this broad statement ... but, it seems beginning about 1997 all vette motors are in LSX family. So, go look at an 05 or 06 vette ... that's an LSX. AFAIK, all chevy PASSENGER CAR & most light trucks with SMALL block since about 2000 have a motor from LSX family. Look up LS1 or LS2 or LS6 ... those are in LSX family.

 

Ok, thanks mate. You've got me looking in the right direction - I'm even less than "not even" an LSX novice, so any info is appreciated!


Cheers!

Theo

 

This engine was available in the Silverado. It is a very good engine and comes right from the LSX family. You can't tell by looking at it if it is a 4.8, 5.3, 5.7, or 6.0. They are all virtually the same on the outside short of the aluminum blocks on the Vette, Camaro/Firebird, GTO, SSR, and the new Monte/Grand Prix.

This is an excellent motor and was rated at 285. It uses the same computer/wire harness as a 5.3 or 5.7. Look at the throttle body. Does it use a cable or is it drive by wire? My 04 Silverado is drive by wire with the 5.3. You will need to hunt down a throttle body from a 98-02 F body if it is drive by wire.

You can use a wire harness from Painless performance. You will need to get the twin O2 sensors if you don't already have them for the exhaust. You will use the same mounting methods as you would for a 5.7 LS1/2 in a C3 (it has been done many times now).

This engine responds very well to a cam swap...AND you can put the 5.7 LS1 or LS6 intake on that engine as well. You will need the fuel rails from one as well as the injectors if you go that route. This engine can make 400 hp at the crank with cam, intake, injectors, headers, and tuning and still get great fuel economy.

Sounds like a great project!

 

Sounds good - I'm looking forward to it (and it's not even my car!) the vehicle in question has recently undergone a frame - off. Everything was back together and the old engine (which the owner had never really had the chance to give a good shakedown before tearing into the resto) was giving really bad vibrations, we suspect (partly with help from this most excellent forum!) that it's an un-balanced stroker crank. So, rather than throwing time and money into a motor that had obviously been built by a moron, he decided on the plug and play option of the Vortec.
He's actually going to pull the body again for the "first fitting", which will hopefully make for much better access for any fabricating that needs doing.

The throttle is drive by wire, as you mention. I'm not sure, but it may have the electric throttle pedal, with the APPS (Accell pedal posn sensor) included - will need to check on that. Otherwise, the cable driven TB you mention is kinda essential!
I understand the LSx's were ally block and heads for the car applications, but iron block in the trucks? This is an iron block, which makes sense - as Jackson mentioned above, its "proper name" is an LR4....
When you say "mounting method" am I to understand it needs a bit of fabbing to meet the C3 cradle? The word "method" suggests a bit more work than just dropping it in and running some bolts up! Making brackets should be no biggie, if need be.

We have a full loom for it, including the ECU/PCM (I'm told this by my friend, but have yet to look at it myself and see "how full". IT's definitely got cats and headers provided, so hopefully the O2s will be there too.

Sounds like he's got a beauty, I've just got to find the time to get the thing breathing!

Will try to keep posting progress whenever possible, I would have thought a few folks might like to see what's involved.

 

This is my modifed LSX or GEN III project 69 Camaro.

I finsihed this up last year. The motor is amazing. Once you go GEN III or IV, you won't ever want to mess around with a standard small block chevy.

http://www.mcspeed.homestead.com/69_...urrection.html

 

i had the 4.8L with the 4L60E trans in my 2000 silverado truck and it was rated at 285hp, and was an excellent engine. its the baby of the LSX family of engines. but its torquey, smooth and reliable. it pulled around the big pickup with no problem and should be great if you accomplish the install in a vette

 

69myway, looks fantastic mate! Spent a while browsing through your photos

Well, we just need to get started on it. Good little (or maybe not so little!) winter project.

 

That's one of the coolest cars I've seen!!!! and I live in Dallas where we are sorounded by Vipers, Ferarris and Lambo's. I would much rather show up in your Camaro than any exotic.