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Engine swap. (Newbe)

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Bear Valley 4 fun

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I have a 1990 K5 Blazer 4X4
The stock tbi 350 is blown.
I have a 1996 350 from a Corvette.
In the area I live no smog is required.
What do I need to plant the vett engine in the K5.?
Should I carburete the vett engine . I have no idea what to do here.
I'm retired and looking for a project.
And advice would be appreciated.
 
Solution
dyeager535
If you are retired, need a project, and like to learn, under no circumstances go with a carb. A properly running injection setup will bring a smile to your face every time your engine starts.

I'm not particularly familiar with those engines, it's an LT4 I assume, an evolution of the LT1, which I believe is still basically a small block, albeit with reverse cooling. Also has the maligned optispark distributor, but the later improved cap can be used to improve on it. Front mounted can be a problem in a truck, but from what I've read, unless you are fording creeks with it, you aren't likely to have problems with it.

You'll want to look into tuning before you plunge into this. That uses a PCM, so that will likely be an obstacle when it...
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If you are retired, need a project, and like to learn, under no circumstances go with a carb. A properly running injection setup will bring a smile to your face every time your engine starts.

I'm not particularly familiar with those engines, it's an LT4 I assume, an evolution of the LT1, which I believe is still basically a small block, albeit with reverse cooling. Also has the maligned optispark distributor, but the later improved cap can be used to improve on it. Front mounted can be a problem in a truck, but from what I've read, unless you are fording creeks with it, you aren't likely to have problems with it.

You'll want to look into tuning before you plunge into this. That uses a PCM, so that will likely be an obstacle when it comes to transmission and 4WD. If there are some easy workarounds great, but if it were me, I'd probably want to run a 4l60e or 4l80e. I'm sure there are aftermarket setups to control a non-e transmission for that engine, but personally I like dealing with wiring vs mechanical stuff. Much cleaner install. Being a 1990, your VSS/speedo output from the t-case will help in most OEM EFI swaps.

Another option, depending on how much you want to do, would be swapping a manual trans in at the same time. Im honestly torn on this one anymore however when thinking about starting from scratch. Common truck manual trans suck for shifting and gear spacing, and the components (mainly pedals and bellhousing) are often quite pricey.

I assume some better differential gears would suit that engine better than what it currently has (probably 3.73) and thats potentially a significant expense.

If considering an EFI swap, you should probably price out an LS as well. They are so common that I suspect overall support, such as tuning, components, and workarounds are going to be far more common than the LT4, and there are many that have done the swaps into these exact trucks on this site today. I can't think of anyone here running an LT4. And that invariably becomes important...you'll need parts and knowledge, but because the one off/older stuff loses support rather quickly, what support there is, tends to be pricey and limited.
 
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Solution
I know a few LT1 swapped trucks and there not the best to spend all the time and money on unless 2wd and then they pose a few obstacles to put in .

The 1 4wd swapped truck he didnt care for the power band and as said the optispark sucked in wet 4x4 environments.
 
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While the LT1/LT4 engines did make good power at the time, the short production run creates issues when swapping now.

Tuning is going to be a challenge. The controls are antiquated by today’s standards, even 2000’s standards.

Getting a harness or reworking the vette harness is going to be a challenge due to the age.

An LS is the far more popular choice for many reasons. Very popular to do so choices abound for harness and controller. Brackets to get the engine in are plentiful and cheaper than ever. It’s been done so much there are MANY examples here to show the way.

I get the idea of using what you have. But when you really dig in and look for examples of the same swap you’ll find the lack of examples says something.
 
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My vote would be sell the LT4 and buy and apply the money to a LS. Someone is bound to be looking for a LT4 as a direct replacement out there sooner or later, you can probably get a decent amount for it. Even if you enjoy working and problem solving, I think you're going to run into an awful lot of problems and end up more by keeping the LT4.
 
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L29 454. While I feel the LS is a good engine it is actually easier and less complicated to switch to an L29. Except for the wiring harness it can be done with all factory parts and is user friendly with what ever transmission you choose.
 
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Would that be what I had in my '97 2500? That was my favorite engine...I think it only put out like 300hp, but it seemed to be in all the right spots and ran for over 140k with no issues whatsoever.
 
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Capt Ron said:
L29 454. While I feel the LS is a good engine it is actually easier and less complicated to switch to an L29. Except for the wiring harness it can be done with all factory parts and is user friendly with what ever transmission you choose.
Click to expand...
Shhh. L29’s are cheap. We keep spreading the word and they won’t be for long!:haha:
 
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Sell the vette engine and order up a replacement TBI engine that fits your K5. They are cheap and it will fit without screwing around. Any engine will fit in any truck if you want it to. Just takes time and money but simply putting a new TBI 350 back in gets you out enjoying the truck. You won't save any money trying to use the vette motor.
 
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A 1996 Corvette engine could be either an LT1 or an LT4. Do you just have the engine, or do you also have the complete Corvette?

I would just replace your current L05 with another L05. You could upgrade to a roller cam, and a few other upgrades, but I would stay as close to stock as possible.

Martin
 
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LT4 was only in the grand sport iirc. LT1 was the base engine. They only made 1000 coupes and 53 convertible grand sports in ‘96.

Likelihood of it actually being a LT4 is slim.
 
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ZooMad75 said:
LT4 was only in the grand sport iirc. LT1 was the base engine. They only made 1000 coupes and 53 convertible grand sports in ‘96.

Likelihood of it actually being a LT4 is slim.
Click to expand...

I believe all six speed '96 Corvettes had the LT4. I would have to double check.

Martin
 
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