Wanted to say Hello and ask for your Gentlemen's opinion

Hello Gentlemen,

This is my first day on the board and I wanted to say Hello. :wave:

I have a '97 burb with 139,000 miles that is extremely clean, the valve train is getting a little noisy and I've been contemplating a new motor or maybe just some headwork. The motor doesn't burn any oil and still gets good mileage. The Burb is mostly a daily driver with a couple trips to Lake Powell every year pulling a 4,000 pound boat.

I was the STS Eastern Sales Manager so I have a lot of turbo experience. I know Billy at TRT and Allen Nelson very well, both really good guys. I have an 02 SS with a STS kit and methanol injection. I have a lot of LS1/turbo experience

Here are my ideas:
Idea #1 rebuilt 5.7 Vortec with 7 PSI Intercooled STS kit-350-560 HP
Pros: STS experience, don't have to change the wiring harness/computer etc.., easy to get as much horse power as I want with the turbo, can do it in steps with motor now and turbo later
Cons: added cost of turbo kit with custom fabrication, using old Vortec 5.7 technology

Idea #2 LS1 swap-350 HP
Pros:Stock Engine, better gas mileage, less weight, more power, have a lot of LS1 experience
Cons: will need a new harness/computer, engine mounts, electric fans, getting gauges to work with LS1 computer, etc

Idea #2 Gen IV 6.2L swap- 403 HP
Pros: Stock engine, much better mileage with the 6.2L cylinder deactivation, more power
Cons: Completely custom exhaust, custom wiring harness/computer, returnless fuel system, getting old gauges to work with new computer, electric fans

Your ideas and suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Price is obviously an issue because it doesn't make sense to put a lot of money or time into an old truck. Reliability and gas mileage are my more important considerations along with good horsepower. I won't be concerned with setting it up for 1/4 mile times, I already have my turbo LS1 Camaro.

Thank you!

You're obviously happy with the burb in it's current form. I'd put a new roller cam and lifters in it and call it good. Cheapest option yet. The loss in fuel mileage will definitely offset the cost of a conversion. I'd call cam manufacturers and get a good computer compatible performance cam and drop it in. You'll be done out the door for under $1,000 if you have someone else do it. 139K on the odometer means that engine is finally broken in. :smile:

welcome, :wave: i see since you have the "boost" bug out of your system with the other toys,you probably want some thing with great power and reliability, so if your happy with the way the 5.7 vortec performs, i would just get a new short block from gm and call it good, but if your like us and never satisfied, throw the turbo on there and get the power you crave. less hassle rewiring and other issues, man its a hard choice, the new gen 3 engines rule, but it just depends on how much work you want to do. i0m getting ready to swap a 5.3 into my s-10 zr-2,and im really not looking fowrd to the work, but the end result will be worth it :devil: good luck in your choice and we'll help as best we can, were good at spending others money! :lol: P.S. hang around, im sure we'll have STS questions for you!

Thanks Guys, I'm sure this motor can make another 60,000 miles if I need it to.

So who has done a Gen III swap into a 96-99 1500 Burb on here?

Tim, it's nice to see your truck doing well since I sold that kit to you. Let us know how it does with 10 PSI! :)

(2)98 LS1 into a 92 and a 93 C1500 Xcab conversions done here.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(RedHeartbeat &#064; Feb 13 2006, 09&#58;58 PM) [snapback]44374[/snapback]</div>

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(2)98 LS1 into a 92 and a 93 C1500 Xcab conversions done here.
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I have to do some reading and search the forum, but RedHeartbeat if you have the time what would I need for say a LS1 swap into my 97 Burb?

Motor Mounts?
Tranny Adapter?
Wiring Harness?
LS1 Computer?
New Exhaust?
Electric fans?
Can I use the stock A/C compressor on the LS1?
Intake/filter?
Fuel Pump?

Anything else? :jump:

Go 5.3L its alot cheaper. :thumb: Or if you have the money go w/ a TRT 6.0L 402 & STS custom kit. :laugh: So far are 402 made 640hp at 6psi. I think that would have the burb moving pretty good.
:duh: Or just get a TRT 5.3L w/ forged pistons, ls6 cam and make 650hp at 14psi.

I bought my 5.3L, 4l60e and wiring for like &#036;500. You can find good deals on 5.3l.

Buy the wiring harnes from Allen&#33; It will save you a ton of time and looks bad ass&#33; :rock:

Lets see...

Fuel pump capable of maintaining 58 lbs of pressure
Fuel filter for same, I use the WIX 33737 internally regulated 2002 Corvette model
Engine adapter mounts for Gen3 engine available from hotrodlane.cc and Ebay
Gen3 engine and transmission
wiring harness
PCM programmed with VATS removed

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BEATERTRUCK &#064; Feb 13 2006, 10&#58;53 PM) [snapback]44389[/snapback]</div>

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Go 5.3L its alot cheaper. :thumb: Or if you have the money go w/ a TRT 6.0L 402 & STS custom kit. :laugh: So far are 402 made 640hp at 6psi. I think that would have the burb moving pretty good.
:duh: Or just get a TRT 5.3L w/ forged pistons, ls6 cam and make 650hp at 14psi.

I bought my 5.3L, 4l60e and wiring for like &#036;500. You can find good deals on 5.3l.

Buy the wiring harnes from Allen&#33; It will save you a ton of time and looks bad ass&#33; :rock:
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Allen&#39;s harness does look sweet. Where can you get a 5.3L and tranny for &#036;500?

402 with 6 PSI and 640 hp is fast and would be a lot of fun in the old burb. I went to trtturbo.com and didn&#39;t see any 402 info?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bradyb &#064; Feb 13 2006, 07&#58;15 PM) [snapback]44409[/snapback]</div>

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Allen&#39;s harness does look sweet. Where can you get a 5.3L and tranny for &#036;500?

402 with 6 PSI and 640 hp is fast and would be a lot of fun in the old burb. I went to trtturbo.com and didn&#39;t see any 402 info?
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We are waiting for final #&#39;s before we post all the info. :thumb: (10 to 14psi)