5.3l or 6.0l into a 94

[1994silverado]

New to the site but of all of the posts for this swap I have read through I haven't seen anybody that used there original auto tranny. I want to swap a 6L or a 5.3 into my 94 because I am sick of the tbi causing problems and not getting the power I want. But I don't have alot of money and I would rather keep my known good tranny that is in the pickup. Would either of these engines wiring plug into and run my factory transmission or could i change the plug on the harness out to the old plug and run it. Also would the torque converter bolt to the newer engine flywheel or would I need a different torque converter. Also the pickup is a 4 wheel drive and I don't want to get different driveshafts or anything else just a engine I can bolt up to the tranny were it sits and change what I need to under the hood to make it run. Any help would be appreciated Thanks

[slow94]

on my 2 wheel drive 94, I used the dirty dingo motorsports adjustable mounts, I just left the trans bolted to the crossmember and supported it with 2x4's and a jack, then bolted the engine to the trans and let it drop into place. I would think the 4wd would be similiar. You can physical bolt engine to old-style trans with the 6.0 flexplate that has the built in spacer, you might have to elongate the converter holes. I swapped mine over to a 97 4l80e a few years ago and it bolted straight up. As far as the electronics go, I know the 94 is a non-pwm trans and only has a tcc on/off solenoid, where nearly everything 95 and later is pwm and have a tcc on/off and a tcc pwm solenoid, other than that I can't really help with that part.

[Jaredp]

I'm in a similar situation as he is, so what transmissions will work with a LS engine? I assume whatever came with it factory, but will there be some kind of trouble code, say if you ran a '05 5.3 with a '99 4L80e ? You mentioned a few abbreviations that I am unfamiliar with such as: pwm tcc. what are those?

I think you drive shaft question has a lot to do with your trucks layout ( Extended cab or regular, short box or long)

Thanks for the great info!

[Jaredp]

This link is gold.

http://www.lt1swap.com/all_lt1.htm

[slow94]

I think with proper programming, you could run 4l60e, 4l65e, 4l80e, T5, T56, and the NV3500/4500. Some will require a spacer depending on the year model.
TCC=Torque Converter Clutch PWM=Pulse Width Modulation

I have a 97 4l80e behind my 05 5.3, So I can guarantee thats doable. I had to buy a flexplate from crateenginedepot.com, it came with the spacer and 6 correct length bolts for around $50. then I just found a BIN file for a 6.0/4l80e and tweeked it for the 5.3 and flashed it in using efilive. I've finished the swap, but still need to tidy up the wiring and run some exhaust. The problem is, I just bought a 94 fullsize blazer that I am much more excited to work on, so the 94 truck is gonna be on the backburner for a little longer.

[1994silverado]

Thanks for the info. Whats a decent price for a 6.0? I found one locally for $1,000 with everything but a starter and 92,000 miles but that seems alittle high to me. I could also get the tranny for it for $800 but that's way more than I would pay for a tranny with 92,000 miles.

[fernanbfg1]

I too am in the same situation. I have a LQ4 out of a 2004 GMC Yukon XL that my buddy is installing into my 94' 2dr Blazer. I'm most likely going to upgrade to the 4l80e as well.

According to the guys at Street & Performance (http://www.hotrodlane.cc/):
While on the subject of transmissions, it should be known that
‘94 and earlier 4L60E transmissions used a 12 pin connector
and can not be controlled by the GEN III computer, only ‘95
and Later 4L60E transmissions using 13 pin connecter can be
used.

[kellyflip]

According to the guys at Street & Performance (http://www.hotrodlane.cc/):
While on the subject of transmissions, it should be known that
‘94 and earlier 4L60E transmissions used a 12 pin connector
and can not be controlled by the GEN III computer, only ‘95
and Later 4L60E transmissions using 13 pin connecter can be
used.

I am not sure why they say that only 95 and later can be used. I currently have a 5.3 from a 2002 silverado in my 1993 Z71. I have the original '93 tranny mated up to this engine. the only problem is I get a P1860 code because my tranny does not have the TCC PWM solenoid. overdrive works fine and the lockup seems to work also. I have almost 30,000 miles on this combination without a hiccup.

[khumphreys]

Kellyflip,

Hook me up with some of the items that you needed and what are some of the problem you ran into. Is the wiring a PITA like everyone says?

[kellyflip]

Kellyflip,

Hook me up with some of the items that you needed and what are some of the problem you ran into. Is the wiring a PITA like everyone says?

the wiring is not that bad if you can read wiring diagrams good. I got a subscription to alldata for my truck and the donor truck which made things much easier. it has pinouts for all the connectors and shows what they look like for easy ID. and excellent wiring diagrams. the main 2 things you will need are GM part # 12563532 which is the crankshaft spacer. and a set of engine mount adapter plates. I don't want to give you more parts untill I know what you are putting it in and what the engine came from. But will be glad to help in any way. This is a great forum to be a member of if you are going to be doing a swap of this kind. Many knowledgeable people on here. with the help of these forums I got my swap to start and run on the first try without any problems. good luck to ya if you go thru with it.