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LS swap checklist

Well, I went by today and there are three 5.3s that I saw. Now, I've heard it's gonna be a mad house tomorrow. They open at 8am so I'll have to show up early. I'm gonna get there by 6. I should be early enough. They said I could pitch a tent but I don't have one.:rolleyes:

I also found a few transmissions and t-cases. We'll see what I can get.

possum
 
Well, it was pretty crazy there. I was the second one to show up... at 6:10:eek1: Well, only an hour and fifty minute wait. I got to my truck, got the engine hoist and started wrenching. It was a 2001 tahoe but the VIN said it should have been a 4.3 TBI. But this had a 5.3 in it. Yay me. Tough by yourself when you're a complete novice. I'm just not used to SO many wires going EVERYWHERE. Several times I felt quite inadequate when other people would come by and say something like... "Huh, still working on it, huh?" Or "not out yet?" Well, I wasn't cutting anything yet. At least not until I knew what I would need later. My cousin did show up to help after awhile. He helped me get it out then he had to scoot. I ended up with the engine, alternator, PS pump, computer, starter, fuse box, wiring harness all the way to the back lights, air cleaner and Mass Air Flow Sensor (whatever that is). Oh yeah, exhaust manifolds with down pipes cut after the oxygen sensors. Someone pulled the 4L60 between 3 and 6 yesterday after I left. Oh well, it was 2WD anyway. I'll get another one later. All for $455. And I can get $137 back in core charges. Just as soon as I find a bad alternator, starter and PS pump. I have an old 305 I can give them.
Now for the clean up. (Me first, I had to tell y'all first to say thanks for the information on what I need, then the engine and stuff.)

possum
 
One question...
well, for now...
Will and 4L60 bolt up to this, like from a 4.2 V6? I'm thinking yes but thought I'd ask first.

possum
 
A 6L85 is not all that it's cracked up to be IMHO. We have one in the wife's Cadillac Escalade. While it's supposed to be a pretty strong trans, I don't really care for the way it drives. It's always shifting early, keeping the RPM's low, and finds itself in 5th and 6th gear at very slow speeds. I like the 4spd autos better, they let the engine run out a bit higher in the RPM's, right where the LS engines start to open up good.


You don't want a 4L60E from a V6, they are not as strong internally in the clutching compared to the V8 versions.
 
Why would they make them differently? Not doubting you at all, just wondering why they would do that.

possum
 
rjfguitar said:
A 6L85 is not all that it's cracked up to be IMHO. We have one in the wife's Cadillac Escalade. While it's supposed to be a pretty strong trans, I don't really care for the way it drives. It's always shifting early, keeping the RPM's low, and finds itself in 5th and 6th gear at very slow speeds. I like the 4spd autos better, they let the engine run out a bit higher in the RPM's, right where the LS engines start to open up good.


You don't want a 4L60E from a V6, they are not as strong internally in the clutching compared to the V8 versions.
Click to expand...

It takes a bit getting used to but if you daily drive it then you will get used to it and love it. I wish I could swap one in my 82 but I already have a trans and everything set up.
 
Well, seeing as how my engine didn't originally come in the Tahoe I pulled it from, is there any way of finding out the info for this engine? LM7, L59, LM4 or whatever it could be?

possum
 
What's the vin I'll run it through the gm website. Also Tahoe's never got a 4.3l....only odd engine they got was a 5.7L but those are only sold in Mexico.
 
Babaganoosh said:
It takes a bit getting used to but if you daily drive it then you will get used to it and love it. I wish I could swap one in my 82 but I already have a trans and everything set up.
Click to expand...
IDK, I drive the wife's Escalade pretty often. I had a 2015 Tahoe with it for a while too. I just prefer the 4L65E I guess.

In the new diesel pickups, I do like the 6spds.
 
After much research I found out the site where I checked my VIN must have been incorrect. It had the VIN code "Z" for my engine being a 4.3L V6 TBI. Evidently, I have the Flex Fuel variant. Wonderful. Awesome. What the heck do I do with that information? And more importantly, what's it gonna cost in this swap?

I'll probably have to run new fuel lines, right? I'm guessing they aren't cheap?

possum
 
possum70 said:
After much research I found out the site where I checked my VIN must have been incorrect. It had the VIN code "Z" for my engine being a 4.3L V6 TBI. Evidently, I have the Flex Fuel variant. Wonderful. Awesome. What the heck do I do with that information? And more importantly, what's it gonna cost in this swap?

I'll probably have to run new fuel lines, right? I'm guessing they aren't cheap?

possum
Click to expand...

The vast majority of Tahoes of that vintage will be 5.3. Flex fuel just means the engine is set up to run either E85 or standard fuel. You don't have to do anything special, unless you plan on running E85 in the old rig and then you might want to ensure the old fuel lines are compatible, which is a good idea when switching to FI anyway.
 
I'll be upgrading my fuel lines anyway. I have to get an electric fuel pump anyway. So thank you for the answer.

Another quick question though. I'm about to head back out there. Will my 203 hook up to the 4L60? I had found, I think a 246. It had some kind of tube someone said was the selector thing for switching it's gears. Will that work or should I stick with finding a 241?

possum
 
We need more information from you to really answer these questions. What is the exact year truck you are taking this from. You information is very vague and making this a guessing game.

If the t case came behind a 700r4 then it will match up, you will need to find a new adapter from a 700r4 and bolt that into the 4l60.

If it has a electronic throttle cable then yes you need the gas pedal. The tahoes brake pedal has nothing to do with a engine so you don't need it.
 
It came from a 2001 Tahoe. The t-case came from another Tahoe that also had a 5.3. It didn't have the tranny anymore. I got the gas pedal and computer and all from the 2001 Tahoe. No transmission yet.

Possum.
 
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01 should be drive by cable so you do not need a gas pedal and don't need the brake pedal.
 
That's what I thought but it doesn't have the cable, just a solenoid thing.

Possum
 
Post up a picture to tell you if drive by wire or drive by cable or your 5.3 throttle body.
 
picture.php


This is a picture of the throttle body

possum

that's a lot of wires.

DBW.jpg
 
That's a electronic throttle body grab the pedal.

This isn't from a 01 then they were cable driven.
 
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