This is the first time I've popped in to read this whole thread/project. All I can say is....WOW!!!!

Nice work!!!

Now I'll follow this project until it'* end.

Thanks for the great project for us couch mechanics to follow...

Thanks for the props. It'* truly my pleasure... (not my wifes pleasure, though... too many late nights at the shop!) I love building things... just prefer when I get PAID for it! LOL!!!!

IT FITS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I used the front mount from a 90 LeSabre and it put the engine right where it is supposed to be! (I was able to check it referencing the original torque axis mount and it is in the exact same spot in relation to the body!)



The transmission actually clears everything under the hood. i was afraid the large girth would hit the inner fender, but it clears like it was made to fit! The only thing I have to do is move the ABS brake lines closer to the fender by removing the clips that separate the lines and keep them still, and then anchor them directly to the fender using some good old steel line clamps. I also have to move the ABS unit 2 inches forward to clear the transmission fill/dipstick.







It'* a tight squeeze, no question!




The front notch



A second notch in the left rear



The steering rack hits a little rib on the back of the transmission. I will remove the rib. (no pic)

I wanted to see what is was going to do in the car... now I will remove the k-member and build three transmission mounts. The engine will sit on three Energy Suspensions urethane GM transmission mounts in custom brackets (as long as they fit...) and the stock GM front engine mount. I will consider using a single top dogbone as a torque strap IF it moves around too much, but I really don't think it will.

More Thursday!

I went back and started reading the whole thread to see what was anticipated and what came to pass... here are a few quotes!

YES!!!! can you believe it?!?!?!?!? With the early engine mount, the cv axles are dead-on equa-distant (the -80 uses equal length half-shafts, both female, too, same part left/right)

And to check myself:

I went back and measured again the other day... the -80 and the -65 both have the same input/output cL. So with the engine where it should be, the axles are, too![/i]

Good Work! That transmission should have been in our cars in the first place!

Agreed! Actually, the -60E in the '92-'96 is a superior transmission when compared to the trouble-prone -65E that replaced it in '97. The -80E is probably overkill for a stock 3800 n/a. But the */C engine should have gotten the -80E from the start instead of the aforementioned POS -65E (the only thing different about the -HD is the diff, anyway)

That thing is a monster!

To use an upper dogbone on a H-body, you will have to reinforce the radiator core support. It'* been done, IIRC.

Yeah, that thing is huge!! I'm glad it fits.

Yes, I would run a piece of .062" steel plate, contoured to the core support, all the way across, bolted to every hole available, as a reinforcement. The dogbone doesn't really do much, esp. if I have four mounts on the eng/trans.