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69 camaro ls conversion

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cindyscam

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
First time on forum and many questions.
I have a 69 Camaro SB with factory console 4sp. I want to install LS power and would like a 5 or 6 speed trans. I do not want any floor pan tunnel mods. I am at the reassembly stage and basically need a parts list. I have a SB non a/c heater core and box. Do I need a BB core and cover? I would appreciate input for all of the following.......
Motor and trans mounts that will locate the shifter in factory console.
Trans 5 or 6sp.
power steering gear box for proper clearance.
Header or factory manifold
belt drive system..Alt,pwst
Radiator...

I know with there are adjustments that will need to be made but I am looking for the least amount of cutting and grinding as possible as most of that work is complete.


Thanks..
 
#2 ·
Go with the Holley system. Mounts, accessory drive, headers, cross member all designed to work together. You can use sb heater core and cover

Don
 
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#4 ·
Vega$69 said:
The SBC Heater core will be tight

You can buy a conversion kit to use a SBC cover with a BBC core
Click to expand...
Tight with Holley mounts?

Don
 
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#5 ·
dhutton said:
Tight with Holley mounts?

Don
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I think even with the Holley mount the SBC heater tube will be tight to the head.

I have not tried because most I do have Vintage Air.

Did a 67 without VA and did change the heater core to BBC. Did not use the Holley mounts though. I used a bbc heater core and a kit that works with the SBC box and you don’t have to pull the box to covert

Maybe somebody here has tried SBC box with the Holley swap?
 
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#6 ·
Vega$69 said:
I think even with the Holley mount the SBC heater tube will be tight to the head.

I have not tried because most I do have Vintage Air.

Did a 67 without VA and did change the heater core to BBC. Did not use the Holley mounts though. I used a bbc heater core and a kit that works with the SBC box and you don’t have to pull the box to covert

Maybe somebody here has tried SBC box with the Holley swap?
Click to expand...
Holley specifically states that their system works with factory heat and air conditioning.

Don
 
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#7 ·
Def go with the Holley set up. One word of caution though, I don’t think the Tko shifter will be in the same position as stock 4 speed location.
 
#8 ·
DT said:
Def go with the Holley set up. One word of caution though, I don’t think the Tko shifter will be in the same position as stock 4 speed location.
Click to expand...
Does Holley have a TKO 5 Speed crossmember? I thought they only supported the Tremec six speed.

Don
 
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#9 ·
dhutton said:
Does Holley have a TKO 5 Speed crossmember? I thought they only supported the Tremec six speed.

Don
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I used the crossmember from SST for my TKO600 in my last 69. My others were aftermarket subs.

Fit TKO600 fit the console. The T56 will need an offset shifter
 
#10 ·
Vega$69 said:
I used the crossmember from SST for my TKO600 in my last 69. My others were aftermarket subs.

Fit TKO600 fit the console. The T56 will need an offset shifter
Click to expand...
Does the header collector line up with the exhaust notch in the crossmember? I’ve seen one case where it was not even close.

Don
 
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#11 ·
dhutton said:
Does the header collector line up with the exhaust notch in the crossmember? I’ve seen one case where it was not even close.

Don
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Mine lined up. May depend on the Headers used. There was a thread a while back that crossmembers and exhaust was discussed.
 
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#12 ·
Vega$69 said:
Mine lined up. May depend on the Headers used. There was a thread a while back that crossmembers and exhaust was discussed.
Click to expand...
It does depend on the headers used. This is precisely why I recommended using the entire Holley system. Everything works together with no fit issues etc. Once you deviate from the system you are on your own when issues arise.

Don
 
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#13 ·
I just installed an LS3 and Tremec 6 speed. I used Holley motor mounts, Holley Blackheart long tube headers, and the Holley Crossmember. I have a new PS gear box from Detroit speed. I did convert to Vintage Air with their front runner kit. Everything fit great and install was very easy. One thing to be aware of, that Holley does address, is that if you have a stock subframe, the headers are different than if you use a DS subframe. I installed a DS quadralink, so I have to make some modifications to their header back system to make it work. Minor, but not out of the box fit.
 

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#14 ·
dhutton said:
Does Holley have a TKO 5 Speed crossmember? I thought they only supported the Tremec six speed.

Don
Click to expand...
They do not. I used the Hurst Driveline x member. Header/collector issues with this x member. I originally had the SST x member and returned it because a member on here had issues with interference. After having both the SST and Hurst x members, I would say stay with the SST one if using a TKO 5 speed.
 
#16 ·
DT said:
They do not. I used the Hurst Driveline x member. Header/collector issues with this x member. I originally had the SST x member and returned it because a member on here had issues with interference. After having both the SST and Hurst x members, I would say stay with the SST one if using a TKO 5 speed.
Click to expand...
I was actually just talking to SST about this yesterday. Jeff said their crossmember will not work with the location of the Holley mounts and the shifter location will be off. I was going to go TKO 600 but now I might get the Holley cross and go T56.
 
#17 ·
350sshugger said:
I was actually just talking to SST about this yesterday. Jeff said their crossmember will not work with the location of the Holley mounts and the shifter location will be off. I was going to go TKO 600 but now I might get the Holley cross and go T56.
Click to expand...
I was not concerned with the shifter location as I have a brand new 1 piece floor. I just cut a new hole. If you go with the long tube headers you prob will experience collector interference with the Hurst Driveline X member and perhaps with the SST one.
 
#20 ·
DT said:
I was not concerned with the shifter location as I have a brand new 1 piece floor. I just cut a new hole. If you go with the long tube headers you prob will experience collector interference with the Hurst Driveline X member and perhaps with the SST one.
Click to expand...
Same here with a new floor but I want to use the stock console to keep the appearance. My quote from SST is almost identical for the T56, so I'll go that route and use the Holley crossmember. That way I've stayed with the whole Holley system and hopefully have fewer headaches. I gues we'll see......
 
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