LS4 swapping super boring cars

[bill25]

This came up today. The premise was:

Could we swap a virtually free LS4 into a super boring FWD car fairly easily, and possibly sell it for a few bucks more than we had into it?

Some things that would make this easier:

Donor car is already FWD, or Mid/Rear Engine RWD. Most likely FWD since everything else would be out of the price range except maybe a Fiero.
LS ECU could drive stock Gauges, so a GM FWD car...
Car should be lighter than a LS4 Monte or Grand Prix, etc. or what is the point of all of this...
Minimal electrical BS like Power windows not working due to the LS ECU.
Car needs to be likable enough to want to drive after all of this.

Some options off the top of my head:
Cobalt
https://providence.craigslist.org/cto/d ... 62660.html
Z24
https://providence.craigslist.org/cto/d ... 25872.html


Cruze, Malibu, Sonic, HHR, Prism... LOL.

Does the LS4 bolt to a 6 Cyl FWD trans? That would also be convenient.

[kevm14]

Good question on the trans. I don't know anything about the bolt pattern on those. I do know the 4T65E-HD dates all the way back to the 80s, almost to original 700R4 times.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_4T60-E_transmission

Yeah here you go:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turbo-Hyd ... tic_440-T4

1985 baby.

GM got similar mileage from the 700R4, which came out in 1982. It was used as late as 2012 in a Colorado/Canyon (4L60E). It was updated a bunch of times but that was still fundamentally an 80s transmission architecture.

[bill25]

Interesting:
http://www.gmtuners.com/tech/440_4T60E_4T65E.htm

The 4T65-E was available with the same chain sprocket ratios as the 4T60-E.  HD versions of this transmission were only offered with the 3800 Series 2 and 3 Supercharged V6 engines as well as the LS4 V8

4T65-E’s are still being produced to this day.  4T65-E’s that were made to be used with the LS4 V8 had a special case that had starter mounting provisions on it, and these cases are unique to LS4 applications in that respect (even though the bell housing bolt pattern remained the same as other V6 and 4cyl GM engines).

[bill25]

https://www.facebook.com/LS4cavalier/

Yup... Done. Doesn't look easy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySaMEZFbXMo
https://www.facebook.com/LS4cavalier/

[bill25]

The Cavalier might be too small to be "easy".

Check this out:
http://www.lsxmag.com/news/video-dont-m ... -carlo-ss/

[Fast_Ed]

There's a 90's 4 door Saturn for sale in my neighborhood. $450.

2500 pounds or so.

I was thinking it might make a good replacement commuter.. It's one of a pair of nearly identical sl's that have lived there a long time... Maybe it could be your commuter first, then something ridiculous later.

[Adam]

All of the 3800 SC cars came with 4T65E transmissions already, which might make mounting things easier.

[kevm14]

The Northstar cars came with 4T80Es if that helps. It doesn't...

[Adam]

To minimize issues in RI, you'd want to start with a pre-96 car.

Like this:
https://providence.craigslist.org/cto/d ... 76281.html

[Adam]

Or this:
https://providence.craigslist.org/cto/d ... 58425.html