I am the guy that bought the truck, just happened to stumble across this video. I drive it almost daily and it has been very reliable. The only thing I had to do was replace the fuel pump a few weeks ago, it happens. Its been super fun.
Your swap came out super nice! I’ve been working on swapping my ‘86 with a 5.3. Your videos have been such a good resource! Hopefully I’ll be able to get my swap as clean as yours
Its funny, the diy everything. I was just thinking that to myself on my c10 ls swap I just finished. The only help I got was with my son getting the donor motor and trans out, and my daughter helping my put the hood back on. Though, I didn't paint or do rear end work. Like you I kept the same drive shaft even though the 5.3 and 4l60e were added, it just worked since I made sure my motor mounts didn't move anything. I did dbw for the same reasons as you. Great videos and info you provide for sure!
So did you utilize the stock 5.3 ac compressor and what did you use for exhaust? Stock 5.3 manifolds? Because I thought the steering shaft driver side manifold wouldn't work together.
So I know you said stock harness but would you mind explaining a bit? Like did you use the stock ecu or did you use the 5.3 ecu and either or harness, thanks
Thank you for such an informative video. A want to do a blazer build but couldnt get a real estimate on actual swap price. Was the engine fitting difficult?
Damn, ive got a 99 4-banger and I think the headgasket is slowly on her way out at 169k. Recent oil change revealed that the coolant hasnt completely made its way past the seal because it didnt look like a starbucks mocha frappuccino, but there is some very slight white-ish smoke coming from the exhaust and the CEL is on. I let my buddy borrow my obd scanner so I need to get that back to read the codes but no overheating yet thankfully. Definitely going to need to get one of those combustion leak testers asap to verify but at 169k im almost certain the HG is about done for, especially since the s10s are almost notorious for HG failure and even though ive never had to replace a HG I heard they were very easy on the 4 bangers. Not sure if i want to go with a swap since id be almost halfway there when I go to take the head off to replace all the gaskets.
The headgasket is easy to change, but the head being warped is likely your real issue. So plan to get that checked and decked if needed or your new gasket will go bad shortly.
@@wilsworkshop Yeah im praying the head isnt cracked/warped. Are there any optional tools that you would suggest to make the job easier? Also are there any differences between '98 and newer models or are all gm 2.2's engine parts compatible? Would be good to know what yrs will work so I know what to look out for whenever I stop by my local yards.
Nothing special with tools, it's a pretty basic design. Not sure about head compatibility, the 2.2L heads I've done just needed to be surfaced and reinstalled.
@@wilsworkshop Alright yeah I was planning on taking it to a machine shop after you mentioned the warping but after digging deeper im not sure if I have cracked block or an oil pan gasket leak? Somehow passed the combustion leak chemical dye test but something is letting oil out from above the oil pan, I dont think its coming from valve cover, maybe there is a crack in the head letting a tiny amount of oil seep out. I guess ill find out when the head comes off since ill have a lot more room to look around.
If it had a 4.3L engine it will bolt up with the bell housing, but I'm not sure about the torque converter bolt pattern and center alignment hub diameter. The full size LS truck transmissions are so cheap that's all I use.
Shop prices will vary greatly depending on the vehicle and swap details. The lowest I've charged is $8k, highest was $75k, so a price should be somewhere between those numbers. ( These are tax paying shop prices, not some guy on facebook that will do it for beer money and leave your car half finished and not running). If you're looking for a complete drivetrain for swapping, MARS sells them at swaptheuniverse.com (no affiliation).
So I know this is a crazy question but what kind of fuel mileage do you get with this build I want something with decent power for my s10 but it’s going to be my daily and want it to be efficient
18mpg if I'm beating on it at red lights. 22mpg if i'm just cruising around. Different rear gears and it would probally be around 25mpg. I have 3.73's installed, but have a set of 2.80ish gears in a box I may try one day.
I'm thinking of buying a 03 s10 already converted to v8 with a 04 Tahoe 5.3 engine 6 speed manual non posi for 14,000. Is it cheaper to buy a 03 s10 for around 7k and swap for a ls7? And do you think a ls7 would fit. My thing is if I'm going to swap I'm gonna put the best motor in it.
LS7 is still a small block, so it should fit no problem. 14K isn't a bad price depending on the condition of the vehicle and what supporting mods it has. Most "well done" LS swapped S10's with a decent body and paint sell for around $15-20k.
Around here a rollover smashed truck with an engine that probably idled upside down and was oil starved costs around $2000 plus transportation costs. Even a shell with no title, no engine, and maybe a trans is $1000. I'd love to be able to get $200 trucks to pillage, which state are you in? I have a trailer and a tow truck.
@@wilsworkshop in south carolina i can buy a wrecked low miles silverado for around 500-1500 so a good deal 200 dollar truck isn’t that uncommon around here
@@wilsworkshop by the way your truck is awesome and thank you so much for your amazing video you helped me a ton and I know I’m not the only one thanks man
If it had a 4.3L then the bellhousing will be the same and it will bolt on, but I'm not sure about torque converter compatability or if the trans internals are the same strength as the later V8 4L60e's.
I am the guy that bought the truck, just happened to stumble across this video. I drive it almost daily and it has been very reliable. The only thing I had to do was replace the fuel pump a few weeks ago, it happens. Its been super fun.
is a 5.3 swapped mpg’s similar to the stock v6 4.3?
@@Qftyid assume its about the same or slightly worse
Man your videos helped me out a lot during my swap! Thank you. 👍👍
Glad to hear it!
Your swap came out super nice! I’ve been working on swapping my ‘86 with a 5.3. Your videos have been such a good resource! Hopefully I’ll be able to get my swap as clean as yours
One step at a time and you can make it as nice as you want !
Its funny, the diy everything. I was just thinking that to myself on my c10 ls swap I just finished. The only help I got was with my son getting the donor motor and trans out, and my daughter helping my put the hood back on. Though, I didn't paint or do rear end work. Like you I kept the same drive shaft even though the 5.3 and 4l60e were added, it just worked since I made sure my motor mounts didn't move anything. I did dbw for the same reasons as you. Great videos and info you provide for sure!
Enjoyed it! Keep the content coming!
Thanks! Will do!
Great information man,thanks for sharing your knowledge..
Any time!
looks great !!! super clean
Awesome build and can't beat the total cost, looks like it was installed from the factory!👍👍
Thanks 👍
Great job very nice!
First !
Junkyard costs here in middle TN are much higher. Love the slides bro, that's hilarious!
I hit the Memphis yards a couple times a year, prices are decent but you need to wear body armor.
🤣 not that bad here thankfully.
What computer did you use? Oem Tahoe ? And will it work with a manual trans?
So did you utilize the stock 5.3 ac compressor and what did you use for exhaust? Stock 5.3 manifolds? Because I thought the steering shaft driver side manifold wouldn't work together.
Oh i cant wait… the s10 i just bought is real nice only 147k and runs amazing first truck so once this motor goes hello 5.3 and 4l80
4l60 good enough, 4l80 too big go or the tunnel
So I know you said stock harness but would you mind explaining a bit? Like did you use the stock ecu or did you use the 5.3 ecu and either or harness, thanks
Thank you for such an informative video. A want to do a blazer build but couldnt get a real estimate on actual swap price. Was the engine fitting difficult?
I have a video detailing the process.
Damn, ive got a 99 4-banger and I think the headgasket is slowly on her way out at 169k. Recent oil change revealed that the coolant hasnt completely made its way past the seal because it didnt look like a starbucks mocha frappuccino, but there is some very slight white-ish smoke coming from the exhaust and the CEL is on.
I let my buddy borrow my obd scanner so I need to get that back to read the codes but no overheating yet thankfully. Definitely going to need to get one of those combustion leak testers asap to verify but at 169k im almost certain the HG is about done for, especially since the s10s are almost notorious for HG failure and even though ive never had to replace a HG I heard they were very easy on the 4 bangers.
Not sure if i want to go with a swap since id be almost halfway there when I go to take the head off to replace all the gaskets.
The headgasket is easy to change, but the head being warped is likely your real issue. So plan to get that checked and decked if needed or your new gasket will go bad shortly.
@@wilsworkshop Yeah im praying the head isnt cracked/warped. Are there any optional tools that you would suggest to make the job easier? Also are there any differences between '98 and newer models or are all gm 2.2's engine parts compatible? Would be good to know what yrs will work so I know what to look out for whenever I stop by my local yards.
Nothing special with tools, it's a pretty basic design. Not sure about head compatibility, the 2.2L heads I've done just needed to be surfaced and reinstalled.
@@wilsworkshop Alright yeah I was planning on taking it to a machine shop after you mentioned the warping but after digging deeper im not sure if I have cracked block or an oil pan gasket leak? Somehow passed the combustion leak chemical dye test but something is letting oil out from above the oil pan, I dont think its coming from valve cover, maybe there is a crack in the head letting a tiny amount of oil seep out. I guess ill find out when the head comes off since ill have a lot more room to look around.
What year motor is this
And the harness was it the s10 or Tahoe?
What you use for the driveshaft
What the name of those type of motor mount
Radiator and fans?
I was just wondering did you have to get adaptor plates for your stock 4l60 to fit onto the motor like the 4l60e that normally bolts on
I used a full size truck 4l60e, the one that comes in the 5.3L trucks.
@@wilsworkshop can I use the one the comes with the s10
If it had a 4.3L engine it will bolt up with the bell housing, but I'm not sure about the torque converter bolt pattern and center alignment hub diameter. The full size LS truck transmissions are so cheap that's all I use.
Are you in ga?
I am looking to do this, anyone have a link to a website for a LS and whatever else I need? How much would a shop charge to put it in?
Shop prices will vary greatly depending on the vehicle and swap details. The lowest I've charged is $8k, highest was $75k, so a price should be somewhere between those numbers. ( These are tax paying shop prices, not some guy on facebook that will do it for beer money and leave your car half finished and not running).
If you're looking for a complete drivetrain for swapping, MARS sells them at swaptheuniverse.com (no affiliation).
So I know this is a crazy question but what kind of fuel mileage do you get with this build I want something with decent power for my s10 but it’s going to be my daily and want it to be efficient
18mpg if I'm beating on it at red lights. 22mpg if i'm just cruising around. Different rear gears and it would probally be around 25mpg. I have 3.73's installed, but have a set of 2.80ish gears in a box I may try one day.
@@wilsworkshop thanks bud I appreciate it
@@wilsworkshopwhats funny is this is better then the stock v6 4.3 engine😂been thinking about swapping mine
I'm thinking of buying a 03 s10 already converted to v8 with a 04 Tahoe 5.3 engine 6 speed manual non posi for 14,000. Is it cheaper to buy a 03 s10 for around 7k and swap for a ls7? And do you think a ls7 would fit. My thing is if I'm going to swap I'm gonna put the best motor in it.
LS7 is still a small block, so it should fit no problem. 14K isn't a bad price depending on the condition of the vehicle and what supporting mods it has. Most "well done" LS swapped S10's with a decent body and paint sell for around $15-20k.
@@wilsworkshop kool thanks I'm going to pull the trigger then and buy it.
I buy a wrecked truck for $200, pull what I need then sell the rest of the part's for $700
Around here a rollover smashed truck with an engine that probably idled upside down and was oil starved costs around $2000 plus transportation costs. Even a shell with no title, no engine, and maybe a trans is $1000. I'd love to be able to get $200 trucks to pillage, which state are you in? I have a trailer and a tow truck.
@@wilsworkshop in south carolina i can buy a wrecked low miles silverado for around 500-1500 so a good deal 200 dollar truck isn’t that uncommon around here
Also why the Explorer rear axle
31 spline, disc brakes, clutch locker...good for 800HP or so.
I'd kill to have a friend that could do the swap for me 😢
Awesome build but for the love of god the 5.3 is not an LS. Almost nobody calls them by their proper name.
Well, to be exact, there's no such thing as an LS motor, it's not and has never been an RPO code.
Bro can I just drop my truck off pay you to put ls in my s10 lol
Sure, but it'll cost a lot more then just parts cost.
Where did you get the mounts from and transmission cross member
I used the stock 2.2l S10 trans crossmember and the stock 4l60e trans mount from the 5.3l truck. just had to slot the S10 trans mount hole about 1/4".
@@wilsworkshop what about engine mounts
@@wilsworkshop by the way your truck is awesome and thank you so much for your amazing video you helped me a ton and I know I’m not the only one thanks man
Engine mounts were just basic S10 LS swap mounts from ebay with the poly bushings.
Can I use my 1994 s10 ss 4l60e for the 5.3 swap
If it had a 4.3L then the bellhousing will be the same and it will bolt on, but I'm not sure about torque converter compatability or if the trans internals are the same strength as the later V8 4L60e's.
Use 99 -2006 4l60 . The sensors and prndl switches, valve body , been updated