s10 Rear end swap

[LT1Elco]

Hi everyone I am new to the thread and need some information. I own an 84 el camino, I am in the process of swapping a 1994 LT1 350 into it I will be running the original TH350C transmission.

My main question is, what would it take to make the rear end from a 1999 2wd s10 blazer (or any late model blazer with rear disc brakes) into my elco? I am aware that the 2wd s10 rears are only 54" instead of the gbody 58" rear ends. This could be offset with different backspacing of the wheels, correct?

The reason I am interested in this swap is because I found a guy nearby who is parting out a 2wd drive blazer, I know the front discs and spindles are a direct bolt in, but I want to know how much work it would be to build the s10 rear with a posi unit and beefier axles and drop it straight into the elco, that way I could have disc brakes all around as well as a decent rear end for a very reasonable price.

Thanks for the input.

[464elky]

IMO there are much easier alternatives. It would take a lot of precise fabrication and mounting of brackets. It would be easier to find an 8.5 from a turbo Buick or 442 Olds and do an F body disc swap.
These guys have then for sale or you could post a wanted add. http://www.turbobuick.com/

[LT1Elco]

alright thanks, i figured mounting the brackets would be too much of a pain but since its such a cheap alternative i thought id ask around and see. Thanks for the link they have some good deals on their website, i havent been able to find gbody rear ends anywhere for a decent price since i started looking.

[Keyser Sose]

64-67 10/12 bolt GM rears are a bolt-in with custom upper control arms. they are 3/4" wider per side, which can be dealt with by diff backspacing on the wheels. here's a link (would be a good idea to use the complete kit with the stronger lower arms too)

http://www.umiperformance.com/catalo...&cPath=8_60_68


those 10/12 bolt rears are stronger, easier to find, and there's lots of bolt on kits to put disc brakes on them

here's one

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/GM-10-...ake,36672.html

[LT1Elco]

At your suggestion I searched my local craigslist and found a 10 bolt rear from a 64 chevelle for $175, if I were to buy this all I would need to make it fit are the control arms from the link you posted?

[Keyser Sose]

that's right! if your current wheels have 4" backspacing, they should fit with no problems.

Another way to go on better rear brakes would be to switch to 65-75 full size GM car rear drum brakes. Those are 12 X 2 inches, as opposed to the A body 11 X 1.75". Direct bolt on swap! Be sure and change the backing plates too (have to remove axles to switch those, but you were gonna do that anyway to replace the axle seals, right?)

May need an adapter to mate SAE brake lines on the 10 bolt to metric lines on your elkie, but NAPA carries those for less than $10. Change the flex hose between rear end and body while you're at it.

[LT1Elco]

That definitely sounds like somthing I'll be looking into, and yes whatever rear end I end up buying I do plan to go through and rebuild it with new bearings, axles, seals, and posi unit.

[sandblaster]

Welcome LT1elco are you sure of that type ? 1994 lt1 's had electronic controlled Trans .?

[LT1Elco]

You are correct the LT1 did come with an electronically controlled 4L60E transmission, but I was referring to my TH350C transmission as original because it is the transmission that came in my elcamino from the factory. Speaking of which are there any LT1 guys out there who know which flywheel to use when mating the TH350C to an LT1? I'm working on getting my engine and trans together and the holes for the original LT1 flywheel are too big to accomodate the torque converter bolts for the TH350C converter.

[Keyser Sose]

here ya go

hint: search is your friend on the web too



http://www.advanceadapters.com/produ...flexplate-kit/

[LT1Elco]

Thanks for the input but that link is for LS engines which are different from my LT1. Ive been searching the web for somone with my particular issue but i cant find any info. I guess a better questiopn would be is it ok to bolt my converter up to the existing flexplate if 2 of the 3 bolt holes are too large in diameter? 1 of the holes is the correct size and so the bolt will not move in the hole in the flexplate but the other 2 are too big and would allow the torque convertor bolts to wiggle is this a problem? If i run it like this am i going to break somthing?

[Keyser Sose]

I wouldn't go with ANY bolts that don't fit the holes unless you look forward to having something jump up thru the trans tunnel and say "hi there! Sorry about all the blood! Some duct tape should put that foot back on!!!"

here's a link about LT-1 swaps into older vehicles, incl sources for all the answers you'll need

http://lt1swap.com/62impala.htm

this was from a site about engine swaps into jeeps. all their adapters for gen 1 SBCs and gen II SBCs are the same for each trans. That, along with the quote below, says that your TH350 will bolt up to your LT-1 with no problems. So go ahead and use the std sbc flywheel for a TH350.


1992 saw the introduction of the LT1 in the Corvette. Chevrolet entered the Generation II era. These engines featured aluminum heads, reverse flow cooling (cooling the heads first, in lieu of the block), and advanced electronic controls. However, these motors were still generally based on the classic Small Block design. The block-to-bellhousing bolt pattern was the same, as were engine mounts excepting the passenger side mount bosses, which were oriented in upside-down fashion. Versions were available with cast iron or aluminum heads.

[LT1Elco]

A standard sbc flywheel will definitely work with my Lt1, I just need to verify the bolt hole diameter for the torque converter. I am concerned about this because my transmission is not a standard TH350 it is a TH350c lockup torque converter transmission and i dont know if those use different size bolts for the convertor. I think im going to email summit and verify the bolt hole diameter before I order one

[sandblaster]

Try this Google : TH350 to lt1 gen2 , summit racing Pioneer # FRA -160 , B&M Flexplate # 20238 . Lt1 { Gen 2 } one piece rear seal externally balanced flywheel .

[LT1Elco]

Thanks for the suggestions, the B&M looks like a perfect candidate I think thats the one I'll be ordering