5.3 swap....

[94NDTA]

Well, the 4.3 is COMPLETELY shot on my 1994 4x4 S10 blazer. I have been debating putting in a 5.3 in it being the hp junky that I am.

Anyways, there is a junkyard close to me that apparently has a really good deal on 5.3's. It's $450 for a used 94 4.3 in the area. I can purchase a complete running (~100K mile) 5.3, 4l65E (I think) ECU, harness, etc...for $900.

According to most people I talk to, this is a steal. Now, I was wondering how much (rough estimate) it would cost to put this in my 94 4x4.

Thanks for your help.

[philntx]

4x4 is the most expensive conversion with an LS based motor.

You'll have to build an oil pan (modified from the truck version)
There are no headers available for the 4x4, you'll have to modify f-body manifolds, raise your truck, or build from scratch.

Contact Current Performance wiring regarding a harness....

It's a lot of work.....

If you do the work, as low as $2500
If you have it done, probably in the range of $7-9,000 (low side)

Custom long tubes for a 4x4 will run around $1,600
Exhaust work will be another $500 (if you require converters)

Contact Jared at CPW, he can provide enough information for you in order to make an educated decision if you want to proceed with the conversion.

[lilsonoma]

The way I have found to make a 4wd LSx swap go easier...get a body lift of at least 1" so that you can set the motor higher up to clear the front differential. The oil pan gets in the way regardless but the truck pan clears if you notch the driver side of the bottom of the pan, position the motor back all the way on the mounts and all the way to the passenger side. So...keep in mind...up higher, and back further. Hammer on the firewall to make tunnel clearances easier right where the firewall meets the tranny tunnel. Or like Philntx said, just lift the truck for no problems whatsoever with the differential.

Exhaust takes some thinking. You can use f-body manifolds but you'll have to modify them quite a bit by cutting off the exhaust flange and extending the collectors down. The driver side collector has to be bent at about a 45 degree angle towards the driver side more, to wrap around the OUTSIDE of the front driveshaft. This is where the 2" body lift helps out again, because you can then route the driver side exhaust pipe up and OVER the front driveshaft meeting up with the passenger side. The exhaust pipe I had done came really close to the bottom of the cab floor so I had heat shielding riveted to the bottom so the floor wouldn't get hot. If you need cat converters mount them on the passenger side when you bring that driver side pipe over either into the Y-pipe or true duals down the passenger side.

With the motor pushed back as far as it'll need to be your front drive shaft's slip yoke will be maxed out for it's length so take it to a driveline shop and have them lengthen it. It wont be cheap, expect $200-300 for just the lengthening. Other than oil pan clearances and getting exhaust to wrap around the LSx 4x4 swap is just like any other S10 swap. I'm working on my 2nd one as we speak.

[ExtCab96S_Dime]

How much would it be to modify f-body manifolds? Also, there is not one pan that will work with 4X4?

[philntx]

Quote: Originally Posted by ExtCab96S_Dime

How much would it be to modify f-body manifolds? Also, there is not one pan that will work with 4X4?

1. Do it yourself and it's just the cost of the saw, the extra pipe and a welder.
1A. Take it to a metal fabrication shop. Probably around $250.

2. Turbotime has a pan that works on Gen1 4x4 Trucks. (it was built for a Typhoon LS twin turbo conversion). Expensive....yes...but it works.

[ExtCab96S_Dime]

Cool, thanks for the info. I'll hopefully be picking up a 5.3 in a few weeks, and doing the swap in my Blazer later.