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Thread: 1995 2 Door Tahoe 4x4 to LSx conversion

  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2017
    Posts
    1

    1995 2 Door Tahoe 4x4 to LSx conversion

    I finally found a reasonably priced 95 Tahoe to purchase this past week and got it home. I am starting to plan a swap to an LSx platform. I am leaning towards the LQ4 6.0 engine due to the initial research that I have made that it may be the least intrusive of the bunch.

    I have some experience with some big horse power LSx stuff in the past, but it has been years since I have played with them. I am mainly looking for reliability and being able to take it off road with a bit extra power. I want to leave the 4L60E transmission that is in it in it, the previous owner had rebuilt it at a shop I know, so it should be good. I am not going to lift it any more than the 4" that it currently has on it.

    I plan to tag this in Nevada where I do not have to have emissions but may like to.

    Which engine would you choose to swap into this? Which control harness? Why on both?

    Thanks!

    OH

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Beaufort, SC
    Posts
    234
    Nobody can really answer this for you because it depends on your budget and what is available near you. I got my LQ4 on eBay because it was super clean, low mileage, and fit my price range and plans for the truck. The LQ9 is higher compression and generally considered better for NA builds, while the LQ4 is generally considered a better candidate for boost (and cheaper). The 4.8/5.3 should be cheaper than either and might be readily available in your area (try Craigslist).

    Personally, I don't have the patience or interest to screw around and modify a factory harness to work so I bought my harness, DBW setup, etc from PSI and it was by far the best investment I made for the swap. A little pricey but I plugged the whole harness in in about 15 minutes and fired it up. It looks stock, and I don't have nasty wires running everywhere under the hood. Unless you have the time or inclination to spend hours on wiring, I would highly recommend investing in a pre-made harness. PSI was great and I was able to tailor it to my exact specs for the truck.
    '04 Hemi QC - H/C/I/bolt-ons/tune - Sold

    '70 C10 SWB Stepside - LQ4/4L65E

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    San Antonio, TX
    Posts
    40
    Here is what I did and this was 100,000 miles ago and no issues at all.

    I purchased a used 2005 6.0 with 10,000 miles from a 2500 and swapped into my 1994 Z-71.

    6.0 is easier (IMO) because it will bolt to 4L60 Tq converter with a little grinding on bolt holes in flywheel.

    I used 1" off set engine mount adapter (I think 1") so the transmission and 4WD transfer case are in stock position. I took my ECM and harness to Nelson Performance and he handed me back a harness ready to plug and play. He even modified everything for the 4L60 tranny since the original harness was set up for the 2500 4L80 tranny. I purchased the Novak AC compressor bracket and it has worked perfectly.

    My only goal for this swap was better drivability, better MPG and a lil more HP.

    I have driven over 100,000 miles on this engine, have an additional 100+ HP, get 15 MPG in city and 18 Highway. Doesn't use a drop of oil, sounds awesome, and did I mention an additional 100+ HP???

    The vehicle has 360,000 miles on it and I will be driving this truck and engine for easily another 10 years.


    Just my 2 cents...
    1994 Chevrolet Silverado Z-71 with a really nice Gen III 6.0 Vortec BBBBad to the Bone engine.

  4. #4
    Fishoops, do you have a link for where you got your harness done at?

  5. #5
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Posts
    28
    Quote Originally Posted by fishoops View Post
    Nobody can really answer this for you because it depends on your budget and what is available near you. I got my LQ4 on eBay because it was super clean, low mileage, and fit my price range and plans for the truck. The LQ9 is higher compression and generally considered better for NA builds, while the LQ4 is generally considered a better candidate for boost (and cheaper). The 4.8/5.3 should be cheaper than either and might be readily available in your area (try Craigslist).

    Personally, I don't have the patience or interest to screw around and modify a factory harness to work so I bought my harness, DBW setup, etc from PSI and it was by far the best investment I made for the swap. A little pricey but I plugged the whole harness in in about 15 minutes and fired it up. It looks stock, and I don't have nasty wires running everywhere under the hood. Unless you have the time or inclination to spend hours on wiring, I would highly recommend investing in a pre-made harness. PSI was great and I was able to tailor it to my exact specs for the truck.
    Can you post pictures of your engine bay...I really want to see how you routed your harness

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