Upgrading to EFI on Your Carbureted LS Swap – Hot Rod Network

Adding electronic fuel injection and a computer-controlled 4L60e to your carb'd engine is easier than you think.

If we could all hit the lottery, then hot rodding would be easy. We would just buy our dream parts and build our cars just the way we want the first time. But for most of us, we need to work our way up to our final vision. Maybe we have wheels "just for now" while we save up for the top-shelf rollers, or a small-block to get us around while we put together that big-power big-block. This can happen with LS and Vortec swaps, as well. Maybe you started out with a carburetor to save money, but now you want to upgrade that LS or Vortec to an EFI system. Well, once you've saved up, the aftermarket has all sorts of ways for you to spend your cash and realize your hot rodding vision. So, let's take a look at one guy's steady climb up the LS swap performance ladder.

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LS Swap Into Camaro

LS swaps can be expensive, so Mike Recchia decided to do it in stages. Stage 1 was swapping in a built 6.0L iron LS/Vortec with a Holley carb and an MSD to fire the coils. Backing this up was a reliable 700R4 trans. It was cheaper, worked great, and got his Camaro back on the road quickly without any computers besides the small MSD unit. Now Mike has some more cash and wants convert to EFI and add modern computer-controlled overdrive transmission with paddle shifting.

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Adding EFI to a Carbureted LS or Vortec Engine

The main player in this upgrade is the FiTech Ultimate LS1/LS2/LS6 750HP (PN 70004) system. This kit came with everything we would need to get our LS engine running on EFI. This kit is also popular with people dropping junkyard LS and Vortec engines into their rides since FiTech offers kit options to fit just about any swap combination you can think of.

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After removing the old carb and intake, Bruce Hollingsworth of Don Lee Auto Service in Rancho Cucamonga, California, began the install by bolting the fabricated FiTech intake to the 6.0L mill. This intake uses silicone gaskets for the intake ports just like a factory intake, so no RTV. The bolts were torqued, in three stages, to 85 in-lb working outward in a crisscross pattern.

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While the intake was being torqued down, we bolted on the FiTech 102mm throttle body, which already had the sensors, such as the throttle position sensor (TPS), installed. It's cable actuated like the carb, but the kit had most of the needed hardware.

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We could then install the provided fuel injectors and FiTech fuel rails. To keep everything sealed and happy we gave the O-rings a touch of clean engine oil before seating everything in place. Be carefulnicking or otherwise damaging an O-ring can cause bad things like leaks and engine fires.

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Simple and Affordable EFI LS Swap System

This Holley Sniper EFI tank is perfect for any EFI install you might be doing. It's fully baffled and has an internal EFI-capable fuel pump. The only problem is we ordered one for a 1969 Camaro that fills behind the license place and not in the rear tail panel like on a 1967 or 1968 Camaro. Hey, nobody's perfect.

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Once the right Holley Sniper tank showed up, we dropped in the pump along with the sending unit. The pump will be controlled by the FiTech harness, which already has the required relay to make it all work. As the tank is installed we will hook up the vent port and run it to spot higher than the tank and away from hot items such as exhaust. The FiTech ECU can also control our electric fans.

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Installing the FiTech wiring harness is straightforward because every single connection is clearly labeled. Bruce will have to modify the throttle position sensor segment of the harness to work hand in hand with the TCI transmission controller, which is part of our new autocross-ready engine-braking 4L60E transmission system.

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Once the entire harness had been installed, including the O2 sensor which required us to add a bung to the driver side exhaust, we were able to connect the control module as shown.

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The FiTech controller can be mounted just about anywhere so long as it's away from high-heat items such as exhaust. Given this we chose an empty spot on the firewall. You can also see where we mounted the relays and fuse block.

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Paddle Shifted 4L60E Transmission with Engine Braking

Mike plans to hit the local autocross with his '67, but he still wanted the cruiser convenience of an automatic transmission. This Auto-X 4L60E (PN 371175) from TCI is rated from 400 to over 700 hp and will be perfect for this project. It has a hybrid manual/automatic valve body that lets you chose to manually shift it or put it in drive and have it automatically choose the gears. And, just like a manual transmission, this one will allow for engine braking in first, second, and third gears! The trans came with an ECU (that will talk with the FiTech engine ECU), a cooler, wiring, and a programmer to set it all up. While the TCI trans can work with just a traditional shifter, we opted to try TCI's paddle shifter system (PN 301441), which is similar to what you find on a modern automatic-equipped performance car.

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The new flywheel for the TCI 4L60E was physically the same as what we had for the 700R4, so there was no real need to change it. However, the black flexplate that came with the TCI trans was SFI rated, so we went ahead and swapped over to it in the interest of safety.

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Bolt-Together Torque Converter That You Can Service and Change Yourself!

Check out this TCI bolt-together triple-disc lockup torque converter that allows easy, at home, stall speed rpm changes and rebuilds. What's more, they feature fully furnace-brazed turbines and hand TIG-brazed impellers. The converters are hand assembled and then computer balanced to ensure smooth and reliable operation. Clutch friction material in these locking converters is designed for the most demanding high-torque applications while preserving drivability. The converter comes HDT coated to prevent corrosion and help ditch built-up heat.

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Some applications call for this spacer between the bellhousing and the block, but ours didn't. It's nice knowing that if we didn't nail the right stall speed that changing is a pretty easy task.

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After removing the starter we were able to lift the TCI Auto-X 4L60E transmission into place. We didn't have to drop the exhaust, and the new transmission was able to use the same crossmember from the 700R4 we removed. We got even more good news when the driveshaft length was still good to go!

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How Is a Modern, Electronic, Automatic Transmission Controlled?

Although this TCI wiring harness looks overwhelming, TCI Automotive makes it simple by labeling each connection with a full explanation in the instructions on where it goes and what it does. If you follow the instructions, it's fairly foolproof. No, that wasn't a challenge to some of you out there.

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Both FiTech and TCI label each connector for a simple and easy installation. Rpm info is critical to the operation of the transmission.

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We mounted the TCI EZ-TCU module to the firewall right next to the FiTech engine ECU. There's a lot to consider here in terms of connections and function. Pay very close attention to the instructions provided with both the FiTech and TCI Automotive systems. You can mount the FiTech and TCI modules anywhere you'd like as long as they're not close to exhaust headers. If you decided to ditch the plastic convoluted wire wrap, then we would suggest the Powerbraid or Classicbraid, both from Painless.

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Can Classic Cars with Automatic Transmissions Have Paddle Shifters?

We liked TCI's Paddle Shifter (PN 301441), which enables you to easily make shift changes on the fly without ever taking your hands off the steering wheel. This is the paddle shifter kit with the optional gear display, and the kit includes several different spacers so you can get it all just right. Hey, why should just the new cars get the fun of flappy paddle shifting?

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The TCI paddle shifter system interfaces with the EZ-TCU module using a CAN signal, so there's no worries about signal interference, lag time, or disruption. It also works with all five- and six-bolt aftermarket steering wheels, and looks great doing it. This isn't mandatory for our install, but it sure seems fun.

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Upgrading to EFI on Your Carbureted LS Swap - Hot Rod Network