5.3 to OBS guages?

[tenerec]

I'm thinking about putting a 5.3 into my '81 2wd longbox and I had a couple of questions.

Has anyone swapped a LS motor and 4l60e into one of these but kept the stock guages? I really like the stock guages and don't really have any desire to upgrade to dakota digital or other aftermarket guages, is this possible?

also, what's the minimum tuning that I'd need to have done to the pcm to make it a driver if I kept everything stock?

Here's a pic of the truck, it's not bad, but it really needs paint.



The truck used to belong to the city of Hamilton, MT as a water service truck and had a custom alluminum bed, a L6, and a 4 speed manual. It also has 3.08 gears in the rear, almost no rusts or dents anywhere, and only about 88k miles on it. I plan to make it a long distance highway hauler for trips, etc. It will eventually have 2.5" drop spindles in the front and a 4" drop in the rear via shackles and hangers.

Other plans include rear load helper airbags, an earlier style front clip, blazer rear bumper with hidden hitch, and power windows/locks. I've already installed dual tanks.

Tim
Rigby, Idaho

[1BADC10]

I think I know someone who's done this... Though I'm running on 3 hours of sleep, I'm feeling offly kind this morning.

5.3L (LM7) Into OBS Silverado

Not to turn ya away, but the search button works pretty well. I found it helpful when I started my project. As always, if you can't find the answer, post a question. The folks here are great for providing answers (or at least pointing you in the right direction).

[farmtruc]

I'm thinking about putting a 5.3 into my '81 2wd longbox and I had a couple of questions.

Has anyone swapped a LS motor and 4l60e into one of these but kept the stock guages? I really like t...

Tim
Rigby, Idaho

Hit up GMCwantsLS1, he had a truck like that, or still does.

[RedHeartbeat]

matter of fact, his is up for sale and you can save yourself all the work by buying his complete truck. Its a looker too.

[GMCwantsLS1]

My stock gauges work fine. I didn't use the stock speedo but you can make that work too. The oil pressure just hook up the LSx sender to the '81 gauge. For the temp get a 3 wire sensor and plug. Two of the wires will run the computer and the third will go to your '81 temp gauge. It is kind of pricy but there is a box that takes a speed sensor signal and turns the speedometer cable. The weather is getting a little bit cooler now so I need to get the engine back in the '81. Then it will be for sale.

[tenerec]

I think I know someone who's done this... Though I'm running on 3 hours of sleep, I'm feeling offly kind this morning.

5.3L (LM7) Into OBS Silverado

Not to turn ya away, but the search button works pretty well. I found it helpful when I started my project. As always, if you can't find the answer, post a question. The folks here are great for providing answers (or at least pointing you in the right direction).

No offense taken. Actually, I spent about 6 or 8 hours searching and reading threads on tuesday, but I couldn't seem to find the info, must have missed that one. Thanks for the link!

[tenerec]

matter of fact, his is up for sale and you can save yourself all the work by buying his complete truck. Its a looker too.

Wish I could, but the only reason that I can afford to start this project now is that I've found a screaming deal on (3) 4.8/5.3 motors with trannys here locally and I already own the truck. Unfortunately, it looks like I may have to buy at least 2 of the motors to make sure I have one complete setup.

[tenerec]

My stock gauges work fine. I didn't use the stock speedo but you can make that work too. The oil pressure just hook up the LSx sender to the '81 gauge. For the temp get a 3 wire sensor and plug. Two of the wires will run the computer and the third will go to your '81 temp gauge. It is kind of pricy but there is a box that takes a speed sensor signal and turns the speedometer cable. The weather is getting a little bit cooler now so I need to get the engine back in the '81. Then it will be for sale.

Thanks! Any idea on how I could make a stock tach work?

[GMCwantsLS1]

Baker Electronics makes an adapter that will make your tach work.