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91 350 to 89 454 swap ?'s

yellowK20

yellowK20

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I have a 91 V3500 with a 350 and a 89 K3500 with a 454

I want to put the 454 in the 91 and i want to do it "right"
I've heard the wiring is differnt the 89 has a TH400 and the 91 has a 4L80E

what would be the best way to make it all jive??? the 89 truck has cruise I want to add that to the 91.

I'm not even sure where to start.

The 89 is a nice truck its just IFS so I'd like to put the 350 in it and then sell it or make it a plow truck
 
One option is the use a 1993 - 1995 PCM:

16147060
16168625
16196395
16197427

These PCM's will control the shifting for the 4L80E. Using one of these PCM's will require a DRAC / VSSB http://www.tbichips.com/drac/

The factory wire harness will need modifications, or get the TBI wiring harness from http://fuelinjectionconnection.com/gpage.html

GM factory PROM Chip programming will work if the 454 engine is stock.

dave w
 
454 is stock I might warm it up with some flat tops and MAYBE a set of Vortecs and a better cam .
 
dave w said:
One option is the use a 1993 - 1995 PCM:

16147060
16168625
16196395
16197427

These PCM's will control the shifting for the 4L80E. Using one of these PCM's will require a DRAC / VSSB http://www.tbichips.com/drac/

The factory wire harness will need modifications, or get the TBI wiring harness from http://fuelinjectionconnection.com/gpage.html

GM factory PROM Chip programming will work if the 454 engine is stock.

dave w
Click to expand...


what type of mods??? are we talking complete re-wire or just a little splice/soldering???
 
yellowK20 said:
what type of mods??? are we talking complete re-wire or just a little splice/soldering???
Click to expand...

The PCM upgrade / conversion I suggested, as one possible option, has the red / blue connectors, so all the connector wires need to re-located. Here is a web site that shows how to re-locate the connector wires. http://www.dynamicefi.com/RePinHowTo.php It's likely a few wires would need to be spliced / soldered also.

Basically I'm suggesting, as one option, is to upgrade / convert to the 94 / 95 TBI model year PCM. The 94 / 95 still uses a PROM Chip, the red / blue connector PCM is the BEST TBI computer, and the red / blue connector PCM will control the shifting of either a 4L60E or 4L80E!!!!

dave w

77-8625.jpg
 
I've looked to see what the computer part numbers are for the 91 and 89 vehicles. It's possible, both vehicles use the same computer part numbers. If both vehicles have the same computers, just swap engines and computers.

The 454 has a different electrical connector for the IAC. I'm sure that there are other differences too.

dave w
 
Thanks for the help,

My 91 has a Jet Stage 2 chip any chance on using it on the 454?? or are they engine specific??
 
dave w said:
I've looked to see what the computer part numbers are for the 91 and 89 vehicles. It's possible, both vehicles use the same computer part numbers. If both vehicles have the same computers, just swap engines and computers.

The 454 has a different electrical connector for the IAC. I'm sure that there are other differences too.

dave w
Click to expand...

So , if the Computers are the same part # does that mean just the programming is different?? ugh sorry about all the Newb ????'s but I'm a Diesel tech.

The actual wiring and and splicing doesn't scare me its getting things hooked up correctly .

I wish there was a step by step intructions with wire #'s
 
yellowK20 said:
So , if the Computers are the same part # does that mean just the programming is different??
Click to expand...
The programming is different for a 350 and 454. If the computers are the same part numbers, then swapping the computers will also swap the programming.
yellowK20 said:
I wish there was a step by step intructions with wire #'s
Click to expand...
Not wire #'s, but wire colors. Make sure to check the wiring diagrams for both vehicles.

dave w
 
Thanks, I'm gonna get Factory Service manuals for both trucks. I'll hit up E-bay right now

Just to be clear though, I can do the swap with the parts I have now, with the exception of changing out a few plug ends , for the IAC ect???
 
yellowK20 said:
Just to be clear though, I can do the swap with the parts I have now, with the exception of changing out a few plug ends , for the IAC ect???
Click to expand...

ONLY IF THE COMPUTERS ARE THE SAME PART NUMBERS!!!!!! Maybe both computers are Part Number 1227747???????????????????????????????????
I think the chances of the computers having the EXACT same part numbers is not that good, but it is possible????

dave w
 
if there not the same Part # then the harness needs to be re-pinned at the connector??

If you dont have the time/patience to explain this stuff to a newb I understand just point me in the direction of those that do.

I dont mind buying stuff but time is something I dont have . so I need to have everything sorted out Before I start the swap I'll have about a week to get the swap done . so the more stuff I figure out before hand the better.
 
I need to know if the computers are the same part numbers? I can make copies of the wiring diagrams and post them / email them.

Everyone has to start somewhere, so I don't mind helping out.

dave w
 
dave w said:
I need to know if the computers are the same part numbers? I can make copies of the wiring diagrams and post them / email them.

Everyone has to start somewhere, so I don't mind helping out.

dave w
Click to expand...

cool, some people get frustrated explaining stuff.

The trucks are at home and I'm at work for another 4 weeks I'm looking at doing the swap in may-june time frame
 
Aside from the ECM issue (maybe a lack of issue) the engine swap itself is a straight forward swap. You WILL need an IAC wiring adapter and you "might" need a TPS wiring adapter as well.

Here is the IAC adapter...http://www.turbocity.com/product_info.php?cPath=16_23&products_id=44

Here is the TPS adapter...http://www.turbocity.com/product_info.php?cPath=16_23&products_id=50

My guess is the ECM's are different since the 91 has a 4L80E trans. Regardless the ECM should be one with a removable chip so then you would just need to contact Brian @ TBIchips and have him burn you a chip for a 454 but leaving everything else unchanged or find a factory 454 chip.
 
Ugh , the more I get into this the more I realize how little I know.

the ECM in the 91 has a plug in chip ( a jet stage 2 ) so your saying leave that computer in place . adapt the IAC and possibly the TPS . and burn a 454 prom ???
 
yellowK20 said:
Ugh , the more I get into this the more I realize how little I know.

the ECM in the 91 has a plug in chip ( a jet stage 2 ) so your saying leave that computer in place . adapt the IAC and possibly the TPS . and burn a 454 prom ???
Click to expand...

That is EXACTLY how it will go down. Brian WILL need to know that you have a 4L80E trans (unless this is the stand alone controller in the 91).
 
Cool, this stuff is starting to make more sense .

I thought only the diesels had stand alone comps for trans?
 
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