Chevy & GMC Vans

Having the drivetrain offset also gives room for the gas tank. The rear diff is also offset.

ok thanks, so there would not be a problem it I centered the motor and built the motor mount maybe an inch lower for a better center of gravity... or should I just save my time and place the motor where it would normally be?

I want to know how you are going to move the van or the motor to get one or the other out of the way..??

s10-den wrote:I want to know how you are going to move the van or the motor to get one or the other out of the way..??

a lot of muscle and very little brains...

finally got everything in my garage today... let the fabbing begin... but then again I keep thinkng, I want that 454 with the 4x4 stuff in the astro, maybe I can just do a sas swap...

I finally got around to doing a test fit, and i have some issues with the motor mounts. I don't think I can use anything from the mounts that were there (from the 4.3). So I will have to cut them off and build from the crossmember, shouldn't be a big deal. My question is on a chevy v8 do you have to move the motor forward? The motor mounts for the dodge are set petty close to the front of the block. But everything else cleared, even my headers.

On a side note, on a astro awd does the transfer case just hang off the back of the tranny? Are there any additional supports for the transfer case... or does the crossmember at the back support the tranny and the transfer case?
I'm curious if this rear crossmember will support a turbo 4000 and a 305 transfer case. I am also curious about the unibody... does it add any strength to swapping this or that into an astro.

Thanks

You can see where the motor mounts are moved forward about 4"

http://www.jagsthatrun.com/Pages/Parts_ ... ounts.html

Some pics of this swap'd be cool.... :-k

I finally got around to doing a test fit, and i have some issues with the motor mounts. I don't think I can use anything from the mounts that were there (from the 4.3). So I will have to cut them off and build from the crossmember, shouldn't be a big deal. My question is on a chevy v8 do you have to move the motor forward?

Yes the GM V8 swap requires moving the engine forward about 4". This way the tranny lines up in the same location.

On a side note, on a astro awd does the transfer case just hang off the back of the tranny? Are there any additional supports for the transfer case... or does the crossmember at the back support the tranny and the transfer case?

The t-case does hang off the back of the tranny. There is a support rod that connects from the t-case to the engine block for additional support. When we do a 2 speed t-case swap, we all leave the extra support rod off. There is an adapter that sandwiches between the tranny and t-case. This adapter is what supports the tranny and t-case.

I'm curious if this rear crossmember will support a turbo 4000 and a 305 transfer case.

turbo 4000 and 305? Never heard of them...Are you talking about a GM turbo 400 (TH400) and an old cast iron gear driven 205 transfer case? If so then yes they will be supported but you will have to modify the mount. I am curious as to why you are using a TH400 and not a dodge 727?

I am also curious about the unibody... does it add any strength to swapping this or that into an astro.

Thanks

No idea what you are asking for here.

LiftedAWDAstro wrote:

Yes the GM V8 swap requires moving the engine forward about 4". This way the tranny lines up in the same location.

turbo 4000 and 305? Never heard of them...Are you talking about a GM turbo 400 (TH400) and an old cast iron gear driven 205 transfer case? If so then yes they will be supported but you will have to modify the mount. I am curious as to why you are using a TH400 and not a dodge 727.

ok,that clears things up, and after seeing a picture of the motor mounts used to swap a 350 in i ave a better idea.



I have been on some heavy duty pain pills due to a recent injury... guess it was effecting my typing . I am still kicking around the idea of using the 454, th400 and 205, and going 4x4... that is the reasoning for my questions.

Thanks for your info.

LiftedAWDAstro wrote:

I finally got around to doing a test fit, and i have some issues with the motor mounts. I don't think I can use anything from the mounts that were there (from the 4.3). So I will have to cut them off and build from the crossmember, shouldn't be a big deal. My question is on a chevy v8 do you have to move the motor forward?

Yes the GM V8 swap requires moving the engine forward about 4". This way the tranny lines up in the same location.

Just to clarify since I don't think this was typed quite right. The motor doesn't actually move forward 4 inches. The engine will be 4 inches longer. So it sits 4 inches forward from where it was. The rear of the motor stays where it originally was. The motor mounts need to be moved forward about 4 inches.

This is all based on swapping a Chevy small block. Other engines may be a little different but all will basically leave the rear of the engine in the same position as the original V6.

Yeah...what he said!

Maybe some one could chime in with how much forward the engine mounts have to be for a BBC.The BBC's are longer.

Having only done a BBC swap and not a small block, I can't say fer sure. But I'd guess that the mountes end up roughly 4" forward as well, or so it seemed

I would build the BBC for your project, but if you really wanted to be different then go with the Dodge engine and trany. You would probably be one of the first if not THE first if you went with the Dodge SB.

IMO the 2wd subframe is a better choice for the BBC as there is more room between the frame rails. The extra room will help alot when it comes time to installing some performance headers. If you are going to go with a SAS you can go with either coils or leaf springs with the 2wd subframe. I looked at quite a few Fords for a Dana 44 axle before I found one the one I wanted. I finally got one out of a 79 Bronco with 8 bolt wheels and dual front shocks.

Good luck with your project!

Well my project is one of dealing with what i got parts wise. I think the 4x4 astro idea is awesome... but i can't get the thought of my wife laying a golden egg if i start ripping apart the blazer in the front yard too :-k . So the dodge is going in, but i still have the 4x4 option with that too, the dodge truck i had with the 360/727 had a divorced 201... and that is a problem, how am i going to mount that sucker... it's heavy, can i use the unibody rails that run under the middle of the astro as a part of a mounting point for the transfer case? If not I'm just going with the 2wd astro and i'll leave it at that.

Thanks for all the replys... and answering questions that may get asked over and over.

I will post some pics as soon as some progress is made, my little injury has had me sidelined somewhat, and not being 100% on my idea's hasn't helped much either.