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View Full Version : Swapping an l86 Into a First Gen



slammed68
03-01-2021, 03:21 PM
This forum doesn't seem to get a whole lot of activity so I figured I would post the build I've been working on.

Its an L86 out of a 2020 Escalade and it's cleaning up well. Will be replacing the big block in my 68 camaro.

Relatively mild setup.



GPI SS3 cam
BTR .660 springs
C8 intake
Stock heads
Trunnion upgrade on the rockers
Morel lifters
Holley LT oil pan
ICT Valley Cover


I'm hoping to run a Holley Terminator ECU. They dont officially support larger fuel lobes so I need to look into that.



185520185521

Anyone else working on a Gen V swap?

dhutton
03-01-2021, 03:59 PM
I’m planning to install an L86 and 8L90E in a 46 Chevy pickup in a couple of months. Going to leave it stock.

Don

andrewb70
03-01-2021, 07:32 PM
The Terminator X Max V2 is an excellent option. For the power that you will be making, I don't see a need for larger fuel lobes. I don't know this for a fact, but I suspect Holley will have support for larger fuel lobes in a future firmware release.

Andrew

slammed68
03-02-2021, 11:38 AM
The Terminator X Max V2 is an excellent option. For the power that you will be making, I don't see a need for larger fuel lobes. I don't know this for a fact, but I suspect Holley will have support for larger fuel lobes in a future firmware release.

Andrew


Hey Andrew, thanks for the info. My hope is that Holley will have support for fuel lobes by the time I'm ready to make that purchase.

I totally agree that the fuel lobe isn't really needed for my application but it seems like most Gen V cams are starting to come with a larger fuel lobe as a standard option. Not a lot of info on tuning DI setups with Holley but some of the HP tuner guys say they dont change anything for the larger fuel lobe. The fact that Holley has a disclaimer in the software about not supporting larger lobes makes me think that there may be more to the story. Just have to wait and see or worst case go with a different cam.

glr0212
03-02-2021, 01:06 PM
agree, not much traffic on this forum lately. LT swap info is sparse. In the old days, there would have been a couple of dozen guys building cars and doing swaps.

I'm swapping an LT4 into a 69 camaro. Decent general info out there but not detail like you get when following a swap thread. LS swap threads were all over the place 10+ years ago.

Is there another resource out there? FB and IG are such ridiculous mediums for following a swap. or maybe I'm not using them correctly.

- - - Updated - - -

Are there any detailed comparisons between the Holley/Wegner/drive junky front accessory drives?

andrewb70
03-02-2021, 02:47 PM
agree, not much traffic on this forum lately. LT swap info is sparse. In the old days, there would have been a couple of dozen guys building cars and doing swaps.

I'm swapping an LT4 into a 69 camaro. Decent general info out there but not detail like you get when following a swap thread. LS swap threads were all over the place 10+ years ago.

Is there another resource out there? FB and IG are such ridiculous mediums for following a swap. or maybe I'm not using them correctly.

- - - Updated - - -

Are there any detailed comparisons between the Holley/Wegner/drive junky front accessory drives?

I can tell you that the Holley midmount is very well engineered and is available for Gen 3/4/5 and LT4/5. I just got one for my GTO update.

Andrew

slammed68
03-02-2021, 03:26 PM
agree, not much traffic on this forum lately. LT swap info is sparse. In the old days, there would have been a couple of dozen guys building cars and doing swaps.

I'm swapping an LT4 into a 69 camaro. Decent general info out there but not detail like you get when following a swap thread. LS swap threads were all over the place 10+ years ago.

Is there another resource out there? FB and IG are such ridiculous mediums for following a swap. or maybe I'm not using them correctly.

- - - Updated - - -

Are there any detailed comparisons between the Holley/Wegner/drive junky front accessory drives?


Yeah you really have to sort through the junk on FB and IG. Youtube has some good info but it still takes some searching.

glr0212
03-03-2021, 07:09 AM
I can tell you that the Holley midmount is very well engineered and is available for Gen 3/4/5 and LT4/5. I just got one for my GTO update.

Andrew

It looks nice. What are the advantages over wegner and Drive Junky? DJ touts being the only one to drive the supercharger directly. Holley's claim is keeping factory supercharger belt routing plus a strengthened PS bearing.

andrewb70
03-03-2021, 07:19 AM
It looks nice. What are the advantages over wegner and Drive Junky? DJ touts being the only one to drive the supercharger directly. Holley's claim is keeping factory supercharger belt routing plus a strengthened PS bearing.

I don't have direct experience with the Weaner or the DJ drives. However, just looking at the Weaner drive you can see that they mount the AC and the alternator up high on either side of the engine.

The Holley LT4 drive mounts the alternator down low and tucks the AC compressor tighter to the block.

The DJ is different still and has the alternator up high on the driver's side and the AC down low on the passenger side.

All drives seem to have good belt wrap on the supercharger.

Given the different configurations, I would think the best one is the one that fits best into your particular chassis.

Andrew

dhutton
03-03-2021, 10:39 AM
When evaluating drives I always compare power steering pulley belt wrap along with supercharger pulley wrap and number of belt ribs. Quite a few of them come up short and can lead to squealing/slipping belts under load, both supercharger and power steering imho.

Don

jasonz28camaro
03-14-2021, 01:08 PM
185908

Here’s mine with a 10 speed. Tuning is a fun challenge with the gen v.

TanMan
08-03-2021, 07:56 PM
I have some pretty lofty goals of putting an L86/L87/LT1 and 8L90E in a ‘70 A-body. I too notice that there’s much less talk about LT swaps, and I wonder- are there drawbacks I haven’t thought through?

1. Adding power steering pump bracketry shouldn’t be too bad. I’ve got a Turn One GM type II pump with remote reservoir, cooler, and everything’s already plumbed in. Surely routing a belt and tensioner isn’t the biggest hurdle on the LT, and I think there are already some aftermarket solutions for this.

2. I realize this means splitting the trans tunnel and adding some material. But I believe the 8L90 is similar in size to the 6L80, correct? Are there many tales thus far of jamming an 8L into the 68-72 A-body?

3. Regarding the fuel system, a PWM controlled module that would typically work great for a fuel injected LS should supply the high pressure pump with ample fuel, right? I’ve got AN -8 NiCopp on the current setup so that won’t be a bottleneck.

For folks who have already been down this road, or those currently planning, are there other aspects of an LT swap that are going to blindside me, moreso than a more typical LS swap?

TanMan
08-06-2021, 09:24 AM
Did I ask a bunch of questions that have already been answered on this site? If so, my apologies!

Also wasn’t intending to hijack the thread…

tannmann67
09-02-2021, 09:34 AM
Hey Andrew, thanks for the info. My hope is that Holley will have support for fuel lobes by the time I'm ready to make that purchase.

I totally agree that the fuel lobe isn't really needed for my application but it seems like most Gen V cams are starting to come with a larger fuel lobe as a standard option. Not a lot of info on tuning DI setups with Holley but some of the HP tuner guys say they dont change anything for the larger fuel lobe. The fact that Holley has a disclaimer in the software about not supporting larger lobes makes me think that there may be more to the story. Just have to wait and see or worst case go with a different cam.

I'm currently building a C10 with a L86/T56 and a Terminator that I've already purchased. I've been searching around for the same information on using a larger fuel lobe but haven't had much luck.
Have you come up with any definitive answers?

-Tanner

smith060
01-17-2022, 12:02 PM
I'm currently building a C10 with a L86/T56 and a Terminator that I've already purchased. I've been searching around for the same information on using a larger fuel lobe but haven't had much luck.
Have you come up with any definitive answers?

-Tanner

I'm currently building a C10 with a L86/T56 and a Terminator that I've already purchased. I've been searching around for the same information on using a larger fuel lobe but haven't had much luck.
Have you come up with any definitive answers?

-Tanner

968ls1
09-19-2022, 03:36 PM
I have a LT1 with a TSP cam with 32% lobe, my friend Andrew "Dr EFI" tuned my car and it runs and drive excellent. A good tuner like Andrew can make it work, I highly recommend him he's a very competent tuner.

andrewb70
09-19-2022, 03:38 PM
I'm currently building a C10 with a L86/T56 and a Terminator that I've already purchased. I've been searching around for the same information on using a larger fuel lobe but haven't had much luck.
Have you come up with any definitive answers?

-Tanner

Let me know if I can help.

Andrew