The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 53 1/2 Ton - LT1/4L60E Install

Looking for somebody who's installed a LT1/4L60E in a 49-53 1/2 ton pickup. Have boxed the frame and installed a 94 Corvette suspension front and rear. Need some accurate frame location measurements for the motor/transmission placement. Any recommendations or issues that were encountered would be greatly appreciated.

Since no one has responded I'll offer what little I understand about this. With the 'vette front end you don't have a pan or steering clearance problem that nearly everyone runs into with engine conversions. Having said that it would seem to me that your concerns are primarily going to be the firewall and floor issues. A few simple measurements or a mock fit would sure tell you a lot about how it's going to go. Removing the firewall and fitting a custom recessed smoothie in place that offers the fit you need or like may become necessary. I have no idea how a Corvette engine mounts but I'm guessing that the mounts could be relocated once you determine the new location which I think is your original question. I doubt you'll be able to avoid the torch. This is the route my friend who builds rods takes and his always seem to work out.

Good Luck and be sure to keep us in photos as it progresses.

your best bet is put the cab on along with the inner fenders and radiator support and try it.

Did you bolt on the front cross-member from the vette, or bolt it in? You will need to measure the front axle to firewall for clearance. If memory serves me correctly this is approximately 18.25" back from the front axle centerline.

After you get it mounted, you may be making headers

Dave, The Vette front cross-member supports the suspension, steering, front mono-spring, shocks, anti-sway bar and the engine. It is held to the vette front stub by 4 bolts.

What he said.

Unless you bought a crossmember kit to put the 'vette suspension in place I doubt you'll find anyone with exact answers that you can rely on. If you bought a suspension kit I'd ask the supplier if they can provide what you need.

If the LT1/4L60e came out of a Corvette be aware that the packages is a little wide and the transmission mounting is different than most.

What Corvette rear stuff did you use? I'm wondering if you will be running a torque bar like is found under a C4 Corvette. I'm guessing C4 because this collection of pieces could have come from one.

Steve, had to be a C4 in 94.

You're right. I missed that part.

I'm still curious, did the motor and trans come from the same car?

Everything is from a 94 Corvette convertible. The car WAS pristine BEFORE it got broadsided. It only had 13,228 miles on it when it got totaled. I bought the front and rear suspension cradles from Flat Out Engineering. It has Aldan coilovers and is a really nice setup. I put the cab on the frame Saturday. Looks like a new firewall is in the cards. I'll need to set the motor back, and the existing firewall won't clear the transmission bellhousing. Wanted to stick with working on the frame. I'll need to take a pause, modify the wirewall, and then set the motor/transmission.

My C4 has 108,000 miles on it, and is no where near pristine. But I'll keep driving it a while longer, or at least I hope to keep driving it... Last year at this time my favorite pickup was totaled and I'm now treating it as a parts truck.

I'm putting a Cadillac 500 in a '54 1-ton and after a test fit expect to be cutting the firewall and floorboards too.