Gen IV

[chd1287]

I hate to double post but I doubt many of you are lookin in the newb forum. I was wondering if there would be any problems with puting a gen IV 5.3 or 6.0(w/tranny) in my 99 2-door tahoe. I mean, any more problems than if it was a Gen III. I really like the idea of having active fuel management and possibly runnin E85.

[COWL327]

Good question.....but can it be tuned and not cost a fortune

[Wtfan18]

i have heard that ethanol is junk and actually eats away at your valves? anyone else heard this?

[chd1287]

For now I'm really not worried about that(tuning). All I'm really looking for is a newer reliable engine with more power and better gas mileage than my poor L31 and plenty of potential for later on down the road.

[chd1287]

I heard its pretty damn corrosive, but I would hope GM would have engineered their engines to be able to run a fuel that it was designed before. I have a feeling I would need to change out my fuel pump and lines, but when I do this swap I'd need to do some work on the fuel lines anyways.

[982dr]

i have heard that ethanol is junk and actually eats away at your valves? anyone else heard this?

I haven't heard of damage to any metal parts, but I do know it eats rubber seals.
The benefit of running E85 is an octane rating of 105. 105 octane=more boost/compression/timing!!!(on "pump gas" ) Horrible mileage though.

[RedHeartbeat]

I've heard it actually corrodes aluminum. I don't know if thats a fact or not but read it somewhere.

[dfe1]

Installing a Gen IV engine is no more difficult than installing a Gen III, so long as you get the necessary engine control components. Gen IV engines use an ECM and a separate transmission controller, (as opposed to the Gen III's PCM which controls both engine and trans) so you have to make sure you have the appropriate controllers for the engine/transmission combination you plan to use.

As for ethanol/E85, it is highly corrosive, but only to certain materials. If you buy an engine out of a vehicle designed to burn E85, you just have to ensure that your fuel lines, filter and gas tank are E85 compatible. I'm not sure if your existing fuel tank is compatible or not, but it shouldn't be too hard to find out.

Tuning isn't an issue-- the EFILive FlashScan system allows you to tune all of the controllers used with Active Fuel Management and FlexFuel vehicles.

[chd1287]

OK, so as long as you get the transmission controller from the donor, you can use your stock transmission? Where is it located on the new trucks anyways?

[dfe1]

OK, so as long as you get the transmission controller from the donor, you can use your stock transmission? Where is it located on the new trucks anyways?

No, you have to use an appropriate controller for the transmission you're using. The late model controllers aren't plug and play compatible with earlier model transmissions. If you don't use the same type transmission that was originally connected to the engine, you'll have to do some adapting. Keep in mind that the engine and trans controllers have to communicate. The advantage of using an LS1-style PCM is that you're dealing with a single controller. But since you're after some options that may not be compatible with the LS1 controller, the cleanest approach is to swap both engine and transmission and use the controllers that should come with them. Then, all you're looking at is a fairly straightforward wiring job.