That would be my biggest concern as well. How much nose weight are you going to need to make kit work. I am really impressed with my handling even with a big block, but I have a feeling you will have much more nose weight. I also have a DSE subframe. What are your plans in that dept?

Not trying to throw any more negative stuff in here, I LIKE the idea, but be warned the allison is really big. Its definately a good choice, plenty of hop up stuff avail, converters, programmers, etc. You're gonna have to seriously modify the floor though.
Keep asking questions! Keep researching! Can't wait to see what you come up with.


Jeff-

Well as far as the fitment and weight goes.

I expect the car to be pushing 4000lbs or so. Not just because of the engine and transmission, but because I want power features as well as sound deadening and a/c. All of these things will add weight.

On the weight loss side I am planning on doing some sort of custom frame. might be something I make myself (like I said I have helped build some dirt circle track cars and have a good understanding of what it takes to put together a good chassis) I have thought about using the corvette stuff upfront and maybe a torque arm or triangulated 4 link in the rear. Also thought about going air ride but I really have not decided.

With building the chassis I plan to build a full frame and basically transplant the camaro body onto it. In Doing this I plan on completely removing the existing floorpan and firewall and rebuilding to suit my needs. I would like to move the engine back as far as I can and by putting a dry sump on the engine I hope this will be possible. ( if you look at the Banks s10 you can see the height difference a dry sump pan makes to the engine. ) This will allow me to lower the engine further down into the chassis. My only concern here is how low will the transmission pan be at this point?

Does anyone have a picture of a Duramax and Allison together from the side so I can compare heights of the pans?

This is definatley not just an engine swap. I do not expect this to be the next engine craze like the ls engines. I believe the only way to successfully complete this swap is probably going to be redesign the car around the engine and transmission. except for maybe somebody going with a pro street theme where nose weight and an engine sticking out of the hood is OK.

I don't know that what I am trying to build is what this site is aimed at. While I am going to build this car to handle I am more focused on having a car I can drive everyday if I want and do it with lots of power and good fuel mileage and all the comfort of a new car. After all whats the point in building a car and spending just as much as I would for a new car if it can't do everything that the new car would and then some.

Thanks again everyone I have to say this is probably on of the friendliest forums I have ever posted on. Many sites just ignore new members. I am very surprised by the response this thread has gotten. :lateral:

you even got me wondering if i shouldnt sell the ls1/4l60e combo and do the same..... wonder if the compushift will controll an alison 1000 so i could retain my paddles...

found this btw:
http://www.dieselpowermag.com/featur...max/index.html

film of it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4BrHzlOOQg

That car was at SEMA but I couldn't find anyone around to talk to about it.:(

Jeff-

I just took a look under mine, the tranny pan is actually lower than the oil pan. Granted, I have the oversized pan on mine but I bet even the stocker is still as low as the oil pan. Dunno how you could dry sump the tranny?

Jeff-

Thanks for bringing up the Impala again. I forgot about that one. I had seen it before but had not really looked closely at the pics. It looks to me that if the turbo and air intake had been relocated it might have actually fit under the stock hood of the Impala. Either way it looks like the oilpan fit with some notching of the crossmember. So it seems it might actually be easier to fit in their than I first thought. Any body know how close a sbc comes to the hood of one of those Impalas? Just so I can compare to the Camaro.

I there would be room over the fender well or in front of the engine to put the turbo. That appears to be the big obstacle on the Impala. I would like to keep the hood down to about a 2in cowl if possible.

Thanks again

Hey found this

http://www.trucktrend.com/features/t...nes/index.html

They put a Duramax and Allison into a 1989 1500 4x4 and ended with a curb weight of 4700lbs. Sounds to me like the Durmax isnt as heavy as I first thought.

After looking at pictures of them on Banks website The block does not look all that different from the LS engines. Although it is probably a little beefier and i am sure the heads are heavier than ls heads, I think it maybe close in weight to a big block chevy with iron heads, which isnt that great but isnt that bad at the same time.

Ha I should of looked just a second longer. I found a weight for the engine.

Here it is http://www.pickuptrucks.com/html/gmheavy2.html

836lbs for those who dont want to follow the link.

Now to find the weight of the trans.

i have a 66 impala SS, took out the 327 about 7 years ago so i cant help you on the sbc question.. but it isnt that tall i have a std deck BBC in mine and can fit a 4 inch aircleaner with a drop base, but only with a torquer2 intake... running a dualplane and there is only room for an oem aircleaner or some open element edelbrock crap... so id say it isnt much taller than a 1.gen..