2002 Tahoe 5.3 to LQ9 conversion ?

[r.barn]

Like title says, I have a 2002 Tahoe 2wheel drive with the 5.3

Would like to pep it up with an LQ9 swap and a home made turbo kit.
Turbo stuff I know.

Whats it take to drop an LQ9 into my car though ?
Wire harness ? Computer ?

General idea is an LQ9 w/ L92 heads, GTO stock cam and LS7 intake
with a 4L80E and mild turbo build

Whats it going to take to make the engine and trans plug up to
my computer and still meet emissions testing. This is a DD so everythings
gotta plug up and work like stock.



Thanks

[RedHeartbeat]

LQ9 is a straight swap. Swap your intake over to the LQ9 but keep the 9s injectors if they have a different part number. You'll need to get the tune updated. There are tons of guys that tune, NelsonPerformance is who I recommend and they're our site sponsor.

If you go to the L92 heads go with the L76 car intake. I assume you have a cable driven throttle body, most LQ9s will have electronic so replacing it will be a must.

[GasGuzzler]

The toughest part to me is the 80 swap. The engine drops in.

[r.barn]

Tuning and the build no problem. Have good tuner here in Houston
does the tuning on my turbo-mustang

Yes, I do have the cable throttle body.

So I would just put an LS1 style TB on ? or just keep
my stock 5.3L TB when I swap intakes over ?

What about swapping over to the LS6 intake and just keeping
the 317 heads on the LQ9 ?

Can I make this pass Texas emissions with an LS6 intake swap
and stock GTO cam in an LQ9 ? then add some mild boost, say 8-10psi ?

Again this is my DD, so its gotta drive and pass E-test like stock.

What's up with the 4L80E swap ? I've heard the auto thats in my 5.3
will take a crap in a hurry with any kind of real power thrown at it.

Sorry for all the noob questions. Starting from scratch on learning the
ins and outs of my GenIII Tahoe.


Pushrod Mustangs I know.
Check out my '89 Mustang convertible.
351W - 357ci swap - DIY twin turbos and all the goodies
just finished it up. Did about 80% of the work myself in the garage.

Notice the custom one-off DIS ignition system with LS1 coil packs on valve covers ?

[Beatdown Z]

i may be a diehard Chevy guy but that mustang is fvcking sweet, nice work man