1988 GMC 5.3L Engine Swap

Hey guys,

Well this weekend we are officially going to be doing the physical swap. Starting out in the morning by pulling the old motor and transmission, and hoping to have the 5.3L and 4L60E in place by the end of the day.

General overview of the swap:

- 1988 GMC Regular Cab Short Box, 5.7L/700R4
- 4.56 Richmond gears and Eaton posi unit
- 5.3L/4L60E out of a 2002 Chevy (35,000 miles)
- LS1 Intake, Corvette fuel rail, Camaro injectors
- Schoenfeld headers
- Yank 4000 stall converter
- Transgo shift kit / Corvette servo
- Walbro fuel pump (For Grand Nationals)
- Custom tune to finish it off

We will be using a harness out of a 1999 GM to run the motor, and be hooking up the gauges ourselves.

Should be able to get a few pictures up this weekend. Pretty excited to get it all in, eventually hearing it run and melting some tires.

I will try to post as much as I can in this thread as far as part numbers go, I am going to go write down a bunch of stuff for you guys, hopefully it will be able to help others who want to do the swap to go along with all the other great threads on here.

I am off to the garage, wish me luck!

Project truck:

http://i664.photobucket.com/albums/vv8/88LS/P012.jpg

Good luck, nice truck. It will be sweet when done.

Okay so I wrote down some part numbers for you guys here.

Fuel System:
Part No. 103013 - Jegs 6AN Push Loc Hose (20')
Part No. 640850 - Russell 3/8" fitting (2)
Part No. 640860 - Russell 5/16" fitting (1)
Part No. 110051 - Jegs 6AN Push-Loc Hose End (2)
Part No. 110550 - Jegs 6AN Female to 3/8" Tube (1)
Part No. 165156 - Earl's 5/16" Tube to 6AN Female (1)
Part No. GF845 - AC Delco Fuel Filter / Regulator (1)

Motor Mounts:

Part No. 4572 - Trans-Dapt LS1 Swap Mounts

Wires:

Part No. 32829 - MSD Wires
Part No. 010502 - DEI Spark Plug Wire Protection Boots

Headers:

Part No. 1302LS1 - Schoenfeld (Made specifically for this swap)

Cam:

Custom grind 228/230 .571/573 112LSA Comp Cam

Torque Converter:

Part No. PT4000LS1 - Yank Performance 4000 Stall

Pulley Relocation Bracket / Belt:

Part No. A51-LSB - Billet Idler Pulley Relocation Bracket
Part No. 4060960 or GPK2440 - GoodYear Gatorback

I will add more to the list as I go through them

Sounds good man, how's it coming?

Great look'n truck! You chose a beautiful color. I like your grill. Happen to recall its part number and/or brand? Thanx

Thanks guys. Not sure what the part number was on the grille, I am pretty sure it is a Trenz though, 30 or 31 bar.

The LS and transmission are officially in!!

No intake or anything like that yet, but everything is mounted up and ready for the bolt ons, wiring, etc. Couldn't be more excited about hearing this thing run. Ran into a few issues, one being the cross member having to be moved back a bit, the 4L60E sat a little further back, could have something to do with the Trans-Dapt plates though on the motor.

For the most part, went pretty smooth. Ran into a few little things that needed to be worked around but nothing worth mentioning.

Hope to have some pics up soon!

I looked at those motor mounts, how exactly did you use them? Was it purely bolt on or did you have to do some fabricating?

They were just a bolt on, you put 2 bolts in from the back, install the plate to the block and old mount to the plate. Motor went in very easy. This swap was harder pulling all the old stuff out than putting the new LS stuff in.

Any updates?

How about an update buddy???

any update on this project?

YouTube - Cammed 5.3L Startup & Idle, Dynomax Exhaust

Seeing as Craig cant seem to get in here.

The truck runs great, it has been 13.1@102 on those huge 22" wheels.

Hopefully we can get some new video from him!

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w...h_MVI_3723.jpg

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w...s/IMG_3676.jpg

wow that is super sweet

5.3 + cam + obs = WIN

Too bad all of 88LS truck pictures were dropped by PhotoBucket, cause he's posted alot of great photo's of his ride. I can't see them anyways...:ugh2:

Nice truck. Gotta love the obs conversions. :thumb:

I have done my fair share of swaps and builds and this one may not be the fastest but it is one of the funnest to drive. It impresses everyone that pulls up against it or gets to go for a ride in it. Truck weighed in at 4100lbs with a driver. I have put this truck sideways a number of times and it always leave me with a smile on my face.

Special Thanks to a Good Buddy "Black X" for tuning it and making this little truck another great performing Street Truck.

I'll kick the little brothers ass and get him back on here with an update and some pics. Lazy Bugger!

love it

Hey guys, sorry it has been so long to post an update, been out driving this thing every second I can, absolutely in love with it!

Everything went in fairly easily, definitely couldn't have done it without my big brother (SS94S10) and Black X, major major thanks to those guys, extremely knowledgeable and put a ton of time and effort into this truck and made it happen. Can't blame them too much, always nice to build a motor on someone else's budget and melt their tires!

Truck runs absolutely amazing. Ran faster in the quarter than my dad's 01 vette automatic with exhaust and CIA, I believe that ran a 13.64, and I have to correct Black X (sorry buddy!) I ran a 13.397 @ 102, best time so far. Only have taken it to the track once, and did about 10 runs. I think since it is broken in a little more she might do a bit better. And like Black X mentioned, that was on the 22" rubber and steel wheels (heavy as hell as most of you know). I am dying to try a set of racing slicks to see what she'd really do!

For a quick reminder and basic setup of the truck:

- 2002 5.3L out of a half ton 2WD, transmission from the same truck, 35K miles.
- Schoenfeld headers (1 5/8")
- Yank 4000 stall
- LS1 intake
- 228/230 .571/.573 112 LSA Comp custom grind cam
- Heavier springs
- 4.56 gears with Eaton posi
- 22" steel wheels!
- Stage 2 shift kit/corvette servo
- Custom harness, which my brother spent countless hours making and worked perfectly the first time. Can't thank ya enough bro!
- Custom tune which works AMAZING courtesy of Black X

Future plans are some head work to let er breathe a bit more and possibly some more intake to compensate. Love this truck like you wouldn't believe and it has blown everyone's minds with how well it all works together.

Just wanted to thank my brother Colin (SS94S10) and buddy James (Black X) again for all of their time and hard work, this project really happened because of them, and they are always welcome to shred some 22" rubber whenever they like!:thanks: I will try and check more often to answer any questions you guys might have. Take care guys, see y'all soon!

Here are a couple of vids guys:

http://i664.photobucket.com/albums/v...h_MVI_3848.jpg

http://i664.photobucket.com/albums/v...h_MVI_3723.jpg

I really like your truck. :luv:

You should post up this thread at GMT400 - The Ultimate 88-98 GM Truck Forum !

Your posts would be a great asset there!