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1st gen k5 LS swap

Drawing a blank on someone using the 3500. That may be why you didn’t get a response to that

Most of the LS swaps retain the 4L60e when installed
 
Bent77 said:
Drawing a blank on someone using the 3500. That may be why you didn’t get a response to that

Most of the LS swaps retain the 4L60e when installed
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That’s what I’ve ran into when searching for info - most people go with the auto.
 
ashman said:
I did a 6.0/nv4500 swap in mine. What is your question?
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I guess my question is - do you think a 4.8/nv3500 is enough power/strong enough trans for a 1st gen.

The curb weight of a 2001 Silverado 1500 (possible donor truck) is between 4-5k & my k5 is around 4k.

Not sure I need a 3/4 ton drivetrain in an on road only k5.
 
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I guess with the “enough power” comment I should explain. I don’t expect the k5 to be a high performance car - I have a chevelle for that!

I want my k5 to be a simple reliable (somewhat efficient) cruiser.
 
Tomo1970 said:
I guess my question is - do you think a 4.8/nv3500 is enough power/strong enough trans for a 1st gen.

The curb weight of a 2001 Silverado 1500 (possible donor truck) is between 4-5k & my k5 is around 4k.

Not sure I need a 3/4 ton drivetrain in an on road only k5.
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4.8 + 3500 is plenty for that, especially with stock axles.
 
Tomo1970 said:
I guess my question is - do you think a 4.8/nv3500 is enough power/strong enough trans for a 1st gen.

The curb weight of a 2001 Silverado 1500 (possible donor truck) is between 4-5k & my k5 is around 4k.

Not sure I need a 3/4 ton drivetrain in an on road only k5.
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I don't see why it wouldn't be strong enough. You are keeping the engine/transmission combo the way it was from the factory. And yeah, I'd guess that the blazer will be lighter anyway.

go for it! :waytogo: And post pics. :D
 
Somewhat surprised I can’t find where this combo has been used before - that’s what made me question if I was missing something. It makes sense to me and should be a cost effective route to get FI & OD.

Locally I can buy a running driving 01 Silverado 4.8/nv3500/4x4 for $2k
 
Tomo1970 said:
Somewhat surprised I can’t find where this combo has been used before - that’s what made me question if I was missing something. It makes sense to me and should be a cost effective route to get FI & OD.

Locally I can buy a running driving 01 Silverado 4.8/nv3500/4x4 for $2k
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Personally I wouldn’t go the 4.8. Several 5.3 guys have already opted to remove them for more displacement. I opted for a good 5.7 and it’s borderline

A factory 1/2 ton weighs 4800 pounds.
 
I love my 6.0 with about 400hp, and I wouldn't go back to less hp, but these blazers from the factory came with about 175hp if I remember right. The 4.8 has about 100hp more than that, so it's still a dramatic upgrade. With stock tire size I bet you'd be happy with it.

On the other hand, the difference in price between a 4.8/5.3/6.0 is usually only a few hundred dollars and you've got to do all of the work to get it swapped in anyway, so that is why most guys will spend the extra money up front. It's cheap horsepower.
 
ashman said:
I love my 6.0 with about 400hp, and I wouldn't go back to less hp, but these blazers from the factory came with about 175hp if I remember right. The 4.8 has about 100hp more than that, so it's still a dramatic upgrade. With stock tire size I bet you'd be happy with it.

On the other hand, the difference in price between a 4.8/5.3/6.0 is usually only a few hundred dollars and you've got to do all of the work to get it swapped in anyway, so that is why most guys will spend the extra money up front. It's cheap horsepower.
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I believe both pacfab & dirty dingo engine mounts/crossmembers require a 2” lift so to look right tires will probably have to be 32-33.

I hear you on the engine price.

My concern is more hp requires stronger trans and stronger trans requires heavy duty tcase & it snowballs from there. Price of nv3500 vs price of nv4500.

I want to be reasonable for my intended purpose but I don’t want to regret it when it’s done = my dilemma!! Overkill might be the only way? Haha!
 
Though not a blazer, Papa Smurf is/was running a 4.8 and in his truck weighing about 4k:
https://ck5.com/forums/threads/1968-c30-papa-smurf-prerunner-build-links-beams-and-turbo.325037/

His is about the opposite of your intended use, but sand and dunes need a bit of power, and since he hadn't put the turbo on it yet (as of last year), it is a fair comparison on how a 4.8 can handle that weight.

As for the trans side of things, his is a th400 so can't really compare to what you have.
 
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