[CBR600RRider]

Hi first post here, hopefully there isn't a thread already on this (or something similar) i tried using the search bar.
I got gifted from my neighbor a 1988 S15. He said it wasn't running, and the thought a head gasket went bad.
I pulled the head, and there is a hole in one of the pistons. I got quoted over $800 from a machine shop to bore (there's a lip) and hone + surface the block.
Plus what ever the engine will need to rebuild. The plans for this truck was to always swap in a 350 V8, especially since they can be had for so cheap.

I guess now its time for my question.
So right now on FB market place there is a 97' Tahoe with a 5.7L in it only 120k miles. Guy wants 600 bucks, since it has a blown dif and body damage. I figure buying a full donor truck would be my best bet swapping everything over.
Truck will be going Carbed
What else can i expect to buy swapping this all over? Trying to keep this low as my Wife and I just had a baby, and she gave me a shoestring budget for the build.
thanks!

 

[Rhotpursuit]

Welcome...nice to see another person from the Evergreen State.

 

[CBR600RRider]

Welcome...nice to see another person from the Evergreen State.

Thanks for the warm welcome! Or should I rather say cold and rainy, since that's all we've had here this past week.

 

[Rhotpursuit]

Where are located? I'm out in Spanaway.

 

[CBR600RRider]

Everett area, so not to far away. Still off the i5 corridor anyways.

 

[Rhotpursuit]

The problem is the area between us....

 

[Mad Max]

I'll give you $1200 for it
sight unseen...
I'm near Chico.
Are you looking for performance or a daily driver?
$800 is a little steep for that work
you could buy a used 2.5 for 200 or so, even a rebuilt long block on ebay for about $500.

 

[CBR600RRider]

I'll give you $1200 for it
sight unseen...
I'm near Chico.
Are you looking for performance or a daily driver?
$800 is a little steep for that work
you could buy a used 2.5 for 200 or so, even a rebuilt long block on ebay for about $500.

Hah, $1200 is tempting. But I've been looking for a clean s15/10 for awhile and for me to get gifted one was a godsend.
The whole reason i don't want to buy another used 2.5L, is i don't want someone else's problem and be back at square 1. Same could be said for the used 5.7l. But i'd rather build a SBC and use the power
It'll become a daily, so what ever i need to do to get it reliable under the 5.7L. I know these swaps have been done a lot. But i can never find a complete thread ( always like 3-10 years old ).

 

[Rhotpursuit]

@oldeerslayer can point you in the right direction.

 

[Rhotpursuit]

I'll give you $1200 for it
sight unseen...
I'm near Chico.
Are you looking for performance or a daily driver?
$800 is a little steep for that work
you could buy a used 2.5 for 200 or so, even a rebuilt long block on ebay for about $500.

I'm guessing your talking about Chicago...lol. There is a Chico Washington over by the Bremerton Naval Base...

 

[Mad Max]

Ha... I'm currently in Cali.
Who knows where I'll be next.

You could rebuild the 2.5 for cheap $$ and still have some bag from it...
Even easier... pop a new piston in the hole.
The front cylinder is usually where the biggest ridge forms (at the top of the cylinder) If the ridge is small or non existent, you could easily make this a runner.
That way, you would be on the road and could shop for some new power at the same time (if the Tahoe deal falls through).
Read this:
Rebuild: Healthy Duke

Believe it or not, if you rebuilt this the way I describe, it would actually be a fun rig to drive.
I know it won't leap tall buildings in a single bound, but the 4 cylinder howl out of a front to back performance exhaust is sort of cool
Sounds nothing like a ricer.
I have (2) 2.5 S10s. One is mostly stock and has a Clifford header on it ($$) with a huge exhaust system. I did some minor head work and roller rockers. It is very respectable and will pull 85 MPH all day. (5 speed + 3.42 rear gear)
The other is going to have a "full house" 2.5.
Early Chevy 327 6.0" rods, 350 flat top pistons, huge cam, MSD distributor (super rare), 4 barrel intake, mega head work with roller rockers and custom pushrods - blah blah.

I have built several 2.5s, one I sold to a member on the forum. He drives the wheels off of the truck and has said the engine has good power (for a weezer 2.5).
I know I'll probably get flamed for this suggestion, but having something a little different has been my game, and a punchy 2.5 falls into that range.

 

[CBR600RRider]

wow, very informative post thanks!
i did buy the Tahoe, got it for a steal at $300 bucks after talking to the guy. Engine is strong and so is the transmission. I’m probably going to sell the 2.5l, transmission and exhaust for $250 (whole exhaust system is brand new)don’t know if that’s to much for a non running 2.5l or not. Already have it all pulled, cleaning up the engine bay now and buying parts I’ll need for the swap.
If I read the other v8 swaps correctly. It seems all I’ll need is

Radiator
Rear Axle ( probably going to swap the Tahoe axle in)
Motor mounts
Shorty headers
Exhaust
??

(sorry for wording on mobile.)

 

[Mad Max]

Radiator.
They are inexpensive and Ebay has lots of them.
There are many nice all aluminum examples for sale including efans in some cases.

You can buy a complete dual exhaust from Summit specifically for an S10 fitment. It's a bolt in.

Suggestion:
Before you change rear axles, complete the swap and run it.
Even though the stock axles assemblies are not super strong, they will stand up to a stock small block with an automatic.
If you run a 5 speed and do burn outs regularly, or drag race... all bets are off.
I've seen guys running 11s at the track with welded stock rear ends.

A full size Tahoe axle will be too wide...
Unless you're talking about an S10 Tahoe

 

[seymourj98]

If/when you blow the 7.5, some auto 2 door 2wd Blazers came with a 8.5 rear end that will swap in. For daily driving, the 7.5 shouldn't be an issue. Especially if you keep stock size wheels/tires, you probably won't get enough traction to break the diff from even spirited driving.