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Re: What's involved in setting an LT5 up for an auto? (scorp508)
Isn't the AC system physically smaller also to make room?
That 700R4 & Dana 36 is going to be destroyed in short order with the LT5 let alone the nitrous setup.
Do not forget about your 84's ECM controlling your digital dash.
Might be but he will need all the LT5 accessories, As for the Cluster, I think he will be okay without the ECM. only thing he will lose is the Fuel info, AVG, Instant and range
Re: What's involved in setting an LT5 up for an auto? (Greybeard ZR1)
Just a word on those headers. They need to be modded quite a bit to clear that auto trans, so don't run out and buy a set for a stock LT5. Nitrous Junkie may be able to send you some pix to help, so you could have some custom ones made up.
That's an interesting point,Bob. I never even thought custom headers might be required.
Re: What's involved in setting an LT5 up for an auto? (-=Jeff=-)
Yea, the ecm only runs the fuel milage/range stuff on the dash. With the 7747 ecm hooked up that stuff doesn't work anyway. The engine already has all the accessories on it. Must admit the idea of dropping the LT5 into the '71 vette keeps growing on me........ I'll do a little more research on what it will take to drop it into the '84. If it is going to be too much work I might end up with a LT5 powered '71 instead and drop my spare LT1 into the '84. Got all kinds of goodies for the other LT1 (Cola Crank, Carrillo rods, JE pistons, Comp 306 cam). If I do that I will put the direct port fogger kit on the LT1 and maybe a single fogger on the LT5. I will have the LT5 installed in a vette, though! Talked to Howell Engine Development in Michigan today and they said they have re-done LT5 harnesses before and it won't be a problem. Guess we will see......
Re: What's involved in setting an LT5 up for an auto? (compuvette)
Did not realize you had 2 threads on the same subject. Keith Belish/Ed Simmons has a 86 Lotus component car that was used by Lotus to test the LT5 in a C4 package. This would give you the best picture of what is needed to adjust a early car for the LT5, it was not pretty. In a discussion at the Gathering I asked about using a beafed TH400 behind the LT5 and the consensus was that it would work as that is the basis for the 4L80E. I know of one being used behind a 470 CI 66 Buick GS and it uses a 60s ford OD on the rear. He has a 4:30 rear and can cruse at 1900 rpm at 70 mph. Builder is a local trans guy that will do similar for anyone. You firnish the case and he does the rest. If you want one that is really stout find a th400 out of a 4x4 truck as the case has been beefed up at the engine mounting points. In a c4 one would also have to fabricate a C beam mounting plate too.
Just bought a 1990 ZR1 complete car and am going to transplant the LT5 and the front and rear suspension into my 1959 Apache. Bought a custom frame and want to use a 4L40 or 60. Need to find a flex plate or someone who can make one. The truck will have ABS, adaptive suspension.....everything the ZR1 has. If anyone can help with the flexplate issue, I would very much appreciate it. The car has 50,000 miles and the 6 speed will be available as well as my 59 Apache frame with 383 small block, 700R4 , four wheel disc brakes, wheels and tires, radiator....will just need a new body.
If you will be running the stock secondary system, you will need to install a dual fuel pump sending unit and get a mocked up harness. If the secondaries have been pulled you may have to install a higher volume fuel pump to run have the proper fuel pressure at both sets of injectors.
Rich
It would be easier and more affordable to convert a ZR-1 to an automatic vs. a base model C4. The fitment issues and the compatibility issues alone would make me hesitate on this project.
Can it be done? Absolutely if money and time were no object. I enjoy my LT5 auto. GC
Isn't the AC system physically smaller also to make room?
That 700R4 & Dana 36 is going to be destroyed in short order with the LT5 let alone the nitrous setup.
Do not forget about your 84's ECM controlling your digital dash.
The AC pump is smaller (undersized) and the offset was the solar glass windshield to reduce interior heat load. Also the firewall suit case is Factory inset in the lower right portion to accommodate factory engine fitment. So yes two AC issues alone.
Just a word on those headers. They need to be modded quite a bit to clear that auto trans, so don't run out and buy a set for a stock LT5. Nitrous Junkie may be able to send you some pix to help, so you could have some custom ones made up.
I didn't mean to rain on your parade. Just throwing out a few ideas about the problems you'll encounter. I hope the swap goes well. More power to you, and keep us posted.
Only the downtubes need to be modified to clear the transmission the rest of the exhaust system would remain the same
There is only one auto LT5 that I know of, not sure what is involved in doing the change over - should be a cool project tho.
There are actually about 10 auto conversions in the ZR-1 Community that I am aware of. Most are full racing or twin turbo setups. Mine is my Monday Driver
If you will be running the stock secondary system, you will need to install a dual fuel pump sending unit and get a mocked up harness. If the secondaries have been pulled you may have to install a higher volume fuel pump to run have the proper fuel pressure at both sets of injectors.
Rich
Thanks for replying....I will be using the ZR1 tank, pump....everything exactly as it is on the ZR1. It will essentially be the same car with an Apache body. Hope it all works.
Russ
Thanks for replying....I will be using the ZR1 tank, pump....everything exactly as it is on the ZR1. It will essentially be the same car with an Apache body. Hope it all works.
Russ
I am a fan of your trucks body style. Plenty of room in there. My buddy has the same year truck and he also fly's AH-64 D model Apaches.
Thanks for replying....I will be using the ZR1 tank, pump....everything exactly as it is on the ZR1. It will essentially be the same car with an Apache body. Hope it all works.
Russ
I have a flex plate and an engine harness that was modified by Doug Rippie for use in a "Hot Rod" project. I haven't taken the time to sort it out & see what all was done to it. The harness allows you to use a basic 4-wire system for the ignition key yet still retain engine management via the ECM, without the need to use all the under-dash CCM, instrument console, VATS & other associated stuff.
If you are interested, I would be willing to simply swap your engine harness for mine, including the flex plate. All I know about the flex Plate is that it does fit the LT5 crank. I can check the ring gear for diameter & gear pitch, but I am not up on the bolt pattern for the 4L40 torque converter. If you can let me know, I can check it out.
That should be a pretty easy swap and a really cool Apache when you're done.
I you run into any clutch problems using the stock set up, let me know & I can offer some assistance to convert from the stock pull-release system to a more modern push release that eliminates the slave cylinder with a hydraulic release bearing (HRB).
Did not realize you had 2 threads on the same subject. Keith Belish/Ed Simmons has a 86 Lotus component car that was used by Lotus to test the LT5 in a C4 package. This would give you the best picture of what is needed to adjust a early car for the LT5, it was not pretty. In a discussion at the Gathering I asked about using a beafed TH400 behind the LT5 and the consensus was that it would work as that is the basis for the 4L80E. I know of one being used behind a 470 CI 66 Buick GS and it uses a 60s ford OD on the rear. He has a 4:30 rear and can cruse at 1900 rpm at 70 mph. Builder is a local trans guy that will do similar for anyone. You firnish the case and he does the rest. If you want one that is really stout find a th400 out of a 4x4 truck as the case has been beefed up at the engine mounting points. In a c4 one would also have to fabricate a C beam mounting plate too.
Tyler
Pete Polatsidis is in the Chicago area and at one time was advertising a tail housing for the 4L60E and/or the 4L80E that is adapted for the C-beam. He's on the ZR-1 Net Registry site and goes under the handle: (Pete). Also...IIRC, no big deal, but the drive shaft has to be shortened as well as the C-beam. Pete has all that info, and possibly some parts sitting around as well?
I wonder how the original poster, with the 84', did with the project?
It seemed like there were way more problems to overcome than I would want to tackle.
What are the chances that there's a 1984/LT5 running around?
Installing an auto transmission in a ZR-1 can be done with a little thought and getting the parts. I started my install back in Aug. 2004
be using a 4l60E as they came that way in std 1990 corvettes. First i had to get a flex plate with 8 bolt holes to fit the ZR-1 crank. I contacted Pete
and he sold me a flex plate to work with the LT5 motor.Next i used a drive shaft and c-beam from a std corvette. Last, modified my jeal headers to clear the auto transmission. Well everything worked fine until i put more power to the car, i broke 3 trans by late 2008.
I looked for a better trans i wanted a trans with o/d so i used a 4l8OE
from a chey truck had it rebuilt and it has been working fine so far.
I made one rebuild when i had a trans-brake installed. I drag race the car a couple times a month (when its not raining) ,but for the most
part a car to cruise on my days off.
The car's best time is 11.54 @ 118.xx with 60ft of 1.64. on the open road it gets about 20 mpg.
John
1990 ZR-1 #2546
white/black one of a few auto eq 4l80E ZR-1's
The motor in my car is from SGC 368 cu in pkg with stage one cams.
Right now it makes 418 rwhp and 353 rwtq thru the 4l8OE trans. the
transmission gears are 2.75 1st, 1.57 2nd , 3rd 1.1 and 4th .075.
rear end gears are 3.73. FTI converter about 3200/3400 stall. The car
has 134500 miles, when i brought it had 3960 miles.Shocks have been
replaced with QA1's front and rear.
John
1990 black/white #2546
one of a few auto eq 4l8OE ZR-1's
05-25-2004, 02:48 PM
Re: What's involved in setting an LT5 up for an auto? (-=Jeff=-)
