4L60E/65E in a 71 Scamp

[71Scamper]

I've only seen one other person post any pictures of what they did for modifications to fit a 4L60E in their car, so I thought I would share my experience (with pictures of course!) This trans was a Keisler setup to begin with and has a PCS programmable TCU. I got in touch with Keisler's successor, Silver Sport Transmission, and they were extremely helpful in getting me detailed instructions on what needed to be done. This is only meant to be a tutorial for those looking to possibly do this swap. Please don't make negative comments on this thread about this install. Greatly appreciated!!!

So at first I did a test fit of the trans to see where the tail shaft housing boss would hit on the torsion bar cross member. Without getting the rear of the trans all the way up into place due to interference, about 1 inch notched out would of been just enough for the trans to clear the cross member. I wanted some extra clearance, SST recommends a 1/4" clearance, I went 1/2" more for a total of 1.5". I cut from just inside the cross member bolt holes straight up then around the trans tunnel hoop, but retained the flange that is flat against the floor board.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5Ry6Ee7e36IZE5kYW1Nc05Dcnc/view?usp=sharing
^^^shot from directly underneath the cross member^^^

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5Ry6Ee7e36ILTFick81Wm4xZ2M/view?usp=sharing
^^^shot looking directly straight back from crank shaft centerline^^^

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5Ry6Ee7e36ITGVMaGZUcGNlTzQ/view?usp=sharing
^^^The piece I removed^^^

What you see inside the cut away area is a piece of 3/16" thick by 2" wide flat steel plate. I made a template out of cardboard (center divider from my beer case lol!) and then bent the plate steel using an oxy/acetylene torch matching the outer shape of the horse shoe like hoop with the card board template. You can actually see a little burn mark in the upper left corner on the template from the hot bar.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5Ry6Ee7e36IWnN6a2ZwYkQ0U3M/view?usp=sharing

Next I made another template for a filler piece to cover the opening of the remaining cross member. I decided instead of using the 1/8" plate, recommended by SST per instructions, to use a piece of 1/4" plate to act as a rib and add rigidity. This is going to be far stronger than the factory setup by the time I'm done.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5Ry6Ee7e36ITEIzWkRNVlN4Mjg/view?usp=sharing
^^^Finished 1/4" thick filler plate/rib^^^

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5Ry6Ee7e36IOHhnSEJUWHlKZ3c/view?usp=sharing
^^^ 1/4" filler plate in place^^^

I get paid Thursday and plan on getting my Argon tank filled and will have this all TIG'd up. Stay tuned for the rest of the install....

 

[67Dart273]

No photos here...........

 

[71Scamper]

couldn't get them to load right. I just made them links.

 

[magnumdust]

That looks like a pretty clean install.

 

[71Scamper]

That looks like a pretty clean install.

Thanks! I'm off to get some argon in a bit and will be welding it in today. I'll post some more pics when done welding. then I'll paint it tonight and install the trans tomorrow.

 

[67Dart273]

Testing.....

Yeh, that works. I did this in Firefox, "your experience" may be different. With your photo displayed in the link, right click the photo and get "copy link" Test this by pasting up into the URL box of the page you were / are just on with the photo. This should now display JUST the photo. Then take that copied link to your post here, and if necessary, hit "Go Advanced" at bottom right, then tap the "insert image" icon (not attachment) and past the url into that box

THANKS for the excellent photos, Looking to see more!!

 

[adamp]

Nice! Way cleaner work than what I did... LOL, Although, this is my first time doing a major swap like this, so ill learn as I go. WELL DONE!!!

Here's mine:

Re-worked Transmission Crossmember:

 

[71Scamper]

Nice! Way cleaner work than what I did... LOL, Although, this is my first time doing a major swap like this, so ill learn as I go. WELL DONE!!!

What kind of trans did you use?

 

[71Scamper]

So I ran into a snag trying to weld this in, but quickly rectified the situation. I haven't used my TIG in this garage yet and realized I didn't have a 50a/240v outlet. A quick trip to Home Depot and I now have a new outlet. Welding then commenced.

 

[txstang84]

:thumblef: Nice work dude