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88 c1500 sbc tbi350 swap to tbi454

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kball9217

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got a 88 Chevy 1500 with a 350 I'm tossing around the idea of swapping in a 454 sense the 350 that's in it is blown and needs new bearing I'm going to be using the truck for daily towing at highway speeds I'm pretty handy with engines but not to familiar with motor swaps my question is what all would have to be done to swap in a 454
Am there a certain year 454 that would be a direct swap with none to minimal modifications needed I will also be swapping in a new trans with the 454 could I use one from a 91 or does it need to be the same year I would like to use the original wiring harness if possible
 
You'll want a tbi 454. The 2 transmissions 700r4 and 4l80e use different wiring, and computer. Gm updated the truck computers when they made 4l80e. The old computer wasn't fast enough to run the 4l80e.
Other than that the radiator will need be bigger. You will need the brackets to run the accessories for the big block.
Possibly a drive shaft change in length
 
Wes Harden said:
You'll want a tbi 454. The 2 transmissions 700r4 and 4l80e use different wiring, and computer. Gm updated the truck computers when they made 4l80e. The old computer wasn't fast enough to run the 4l80e.
Other than that the radiator will need be bigger. You will need the brackets to run the accessories for the big block.
Possibly a drive shaft change in length
Click to expand...
I figured I would have to swap radiators and possibly drive shaft! Will the transmission plugs be different? Am I gonna have to rewire anything for the transmission? Will I be able to just swap the 454 computer into my 88c1500 and be able to run the 4l80e or is there another way
 
A well built and properly cooled 700r4 would be able to stay together behind a mild 454. Towing heavy loads frequently will have a shortened life span.
If it were me, I'd go with 4l80e, I would try to get a donor truck. Remove the whole system, engine, trans, computer, and loom.
A 93 94 crew cab dually would be prime.
 
Wes Harden said:
A well built and properly cooled 700r4 would be able to stay together behind a mild 454. Towing heavy loads frequently will have a shortened life span.
If it were me, I'd go with 4l80e, I would try to get a donor truck. Remove the whole system, engine, trans, computer, and loom.
A 93 94 crew cab dually would be prime.
Click to expand...
Are those the only years I would be able to use parts from ?? I won't be needing a engine or trans from one just the computer and loom. Mines a 88c1500 350tbi
 
As you can tell I'm not to familiar with engine swaps when swapping from original motor to something else lol
 
The 350 tbi won't work on a big block, about the only engine parts that will are the alt and power steering pump. But brackets will be different.
You could use 89 and up big block trucks, preferably a 4x4.
Right around 93 the 4l80e got an update. If you get an earlier one rebuilt it will get the updates.
Just to clear for me this is a pick up, and is 4 wheel drive?
 
Yes it is a pick up it's a 88 Chevy 1500 with a 350tbi not sure what's trans it has. And I want to swap in a 454tbi not gonna lie I'm kinda confused here lol Im curious on what year 454tbi and trans would be the closest swap I could get to a direct swap with minimal to no modifications
 
Just buy a big block truck and save yourself all the headaches. As you can tell from the answers you are getting, there's more to it than just deciding you want to swap in a 454.
 
So no 454 pick up ever came with a 700r4 behind it.
Super easy th400 and a new drive shaft. You'll have a check engine light, computer won't get trans input it's looking for.
Still did say if it's 4 wheel drive.
Makes a difference in our answers
 
Wes Harden said:
So no 454 pick up ever came with a 700r4 behind it.
Super easy th400 and a new drive shaft. You'll have a check engine light, computer won't get trans input it's looking for.
Still did say if it's 4 wheel drive.
Makes a difference in our answers
Click to expand...
Yes the truck is 4x4
 
HankScorpio said:
Just buy a big block truck and save yourself all the headaches. As you can tell from the answers you are getting, there's more to it than just deciding you want to swap in a 454.
Click to expand...
Reason I'm wanting to do this swap is because the trucks been in my family for years and that's always been the plan to do this swap I inherited the truck and want to make it happen the trucks already been totally redone painted upolstry working on swapping to 3/4 ton as we speak also
 
Wes Harden said:
So no 454 pick up ever came with a 700r4 behind it.
Super easy th400 and a new drive shaft. You'll have a check engine light, computer won't get trans input it's looking for.
Still did say if it's 4 wheel drive.
Makes a difference in our answers
Click to expand...
It is4x4 and
Will the 700r4 be able to handle heavy duty towing I am swapping to 3/4 ton also and will be doing a lot of towing with this truck and a lot at highways speeds
 
What are you trying to tow? I think a K2500 in the GMT400 chassis was only rated for about 8000lbs.
 
HankScorpio said:
What are you trying to tow? I think a K2500 in the GMT400 chassis was only rated for about 8000lbs.
Click to expand...
HankScorpio said:
What are you trying to tow? I think a K2500 in the GMT400 chassis was only rated for about 8000lbs.
Click to expand...
Nothing in specific own a landscape company so will be hauling equipment full dump trailers pallets of blocks sod stuff like that
 
I do HVAC but the guy that works for me does a ton of landscaping on the side, used to be a foreman. He has a 1989 that started life as a half ton. 454 swapped, kept the manual trans, beefed up the suspension. He took one of my trailers down to Colorado and picked up 3 pallets of sod. Just about killed that truck. Even with extra springs it didn't have enough capacity and no where near enough brakes. It has plenty of power, just not enough of anything else. He now uses a GMT800 crew with the 6.0, much better choice. The '89 just goes fishing and ripping dirt roads now.
 
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