[Bobsmith7000]

Between my procrastination and Holley's delays I finally started my swap after 2 or 3 years of ownership. 89 S-10 reg cab short bed 4.3 auto tahoe pkg with 137k miles. Truck has minimal rust, zero rot, and also zero clear coat Truck was bone stock when purchased and the first project was to get the stance, brakes, and handling improved.

Restored some zq8's, probably not the final product paint wise but I'm 100% done sanding these turds.

Belltech coils, belltech front shocks, belltech 98+blazer spindles+blazer brakes, zq8 bars front and rear, zq8 steering gear, zq8 leafs, 2" blocks, cheap rear shocks, zq8 wheels, square 245/50/16

As of Friday the engine and trans was pulled. Saturday I'll spray bomb a few things, re-assemble my cylinder heads, re-gasket the engine and hopefully drop it in this weekend at some point. Basic run down of the setup. Used gen3 4.8l 100k miles, summit stage 4 truck cam 226/230 550ish lift, summit springs, hand ported 862 heads, tbss intake, Holley coated manifolds/steering shaft/oil pan/engine mounts/trans crossmember/. Trans is a 4l80e that is freshly rebuilt(the only thing I haven't done myself). I also have a 8.8" 3.73 disc rear end but it still needs plenty of work before install. I'll add some more pics of the engine stuff later today or tomorrow. Its mostly a large pile of parts and a semi dirty short block.

Any questions ask away and thanks for looking!!!

 

[aitch]

Looks like a great project under way. Nice job on the wheels - I refinished a set of ZR5's for my Sonoma a while back. A fair amount of 'elbow grease' involved, but worth it. And, ya don't need no stinkin' clear coat - too much reflective glare! The matte finish/ patina of the existing ought to do jest fine.

 

[Rhotpursuit]

Someone put a towel on your bumper...

 

[aitch]

Someone put a towel on your bumper...

Good eyes - likely a remnant of the recent wax/ polish/ detail job!

 

[Bobsmith7000]

Looks like a great project under way. Nice job on the wheels - I refinished a set of ZR5's for my Sonoma a while back. A fair amount of 'elbow grease' involved, but worth it. And, ya don't need no stinkin' clear coat - too much reflective glare! The matte finish/ patina of the existing ought to do jest fine.

Yeah I did a set of 15" s10 swirls about 15 years ago and said I'd never do it again.....ill never do it again lol

Someone put a towel on your bumper...

Previous owners marketplace photos.

 

[bk2life]

Someone put a towel on your bumper...

Good eyes - likely a remnant of the recent wax/ polish/ detail job!

i bet he covered his license plate, cause, ya know, were going to look up his address and go have beers with him while he gets the engine swap done

 

[Tranzman]

Nice looking project vehicle... The more that post on here about their swap, the more idea's for other's!!!

 

[s15_neub]

Poppy’s patina is a great wipe on clear coat if you want to keep the patina. Highly recommended super easy to prep and apply

 

[Bobsmith7000]

Poppy’s patina is a great wipe on clear coat if you want to keep the patina. Highly recommended super easy to prep and apply

Thanks, been thinking about something like that to hold me over but theres so many products or homebrew cocktails. I'm an auto tech not a paint n body guy so kind of saving that stuff for after the swap. I'll take a look at it.

 

[jimmykicker]

i bet he covered his license plate, cause, ya know, were going to look up his address and go have beers with him while he gets the engine swap done

Mos def. He'd get nothing done with me around and beer. And the firing order would be all wrong.

 

[Bobsmith7000]

Small bit of progress and of course a step back. Removed the factory ac/heater box and installed the heat only box. Also, set the motor in and of course the box needs modified a bit. Before I go cutting it up or denting it in I'll wait till the trans and trans crossmember are installed. Besides for that everything is fitting pretty well. Can definitely understand why people pull the core support and/or mod the crossmember. Its a tight squeeze for sure. For anyone that's done a first gen did you remove the factory ecm and the majority of the harness that comes from the grommet below the heater box? I plan on doing my own harness but haven't explored how much of the original s10 engine harness I need. Haven't cut anything yet but sure would like to soon.

Spit polished 4ptGreat

Empty bay

Not empty

Random manifold clearance photos for future peeps. Holley everything, mounts, pan, crossmember, manifolds.

 

[oldeerslayer]

Buy this.

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It'll help you immensely in figuring out the wiring. You'll be able to intelligently decide what has to stay like wipers and blower motor and what can go. Glad to hear you didn't cut anything yet. It's much harder to put them back together if needed. If you do cut off any at the firewall plug. Leave an inch or so sticking out and cover it with marine shrink wrap. Should you ever have to go back, you'll have something you can connect to. That plug is out of site so you could just fold or roll up and tape together any unused wires. The longer I do electrical, the less wires I cut. Unless your truck is fully loaded with every available option there are probably existing unconnected wires in a number of places.

 

[bk2life]

i love those cast manifolds. they work so well and sound great

 

[jslezak83]

Dang, look at that clean underside and unmolested pinch weld. Nice looking project thus far.

Got any of those A/C parts left? I’m looking for a few oddball parts to put A/C back into my Blazer.

 

[s15_neub]

Are you planning any brake upgrades? My truck has all new brakes but I imagine if I had LS power it would be a little sketchy hahaha

 

[Bobsmith7000]

Dang, look at that clean underside and unmolested pinch weld. Nice looking project thus far.

Got any of those A/C parts left? I’m looking for a few oddball parts to put A/C back into my Blazer.

Yeah the truck is pretty solid and I really don't want to cut it up too much. Without smashing the pinch weld or notching the crossmember I was able to install the engine with the manifolds attached and the steering shaft in place. It wasn't smooth though, probably should have left atleast one manifold off.

What A/C parts do you need? Most of them are gone already in the trash or scrap pile.

i love those cast manifolds. they work so well and sound great

Yeah the fitment looks nice and they are beefier than a set of 6.2l manifolds I have laying around.

Buy this.

1989 CHEVROLET S-10 S/T TRUCK ELECTRICAL DIAGNOSIS & WIRING DIAGRAMS MANUAL | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 1989 CHEVROLET S-10 S/T TRUCK ELECTRICAL DIAGNOSIS & WIRING DIAGRAMS MANUAL at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

It'll help you immensely in figuring out the wiring. You'll be able to intelligently decide what has to stay like wipers and blower motor and what can go. Glad to hear you didn't cut anything yet. It's much harder to put them back together if needed. If you do cut off any at the firewall plug. Leave an inch or so sticking out and cover it with marine shrink wrap. Should you ever have to go back, you'll have something you can connect to. That plug is out of site so you could just fold or roll up and tape together any unused wires. The longer I do electrical, the less wires I cut. Unless your truck is fully loaded with every available option there are probably existing unconnected wires in a number of places.

Thanks I have access to alldata and GM tech info so wiring diagrams wont be a problem. I know a custom harness attaches at the bulk head on the drivers side but not too sure how much of the passenger side ecm wiring mess I'll need just yet. I've seen some examples with that harness completely removed but I'll have to verify none of the heater wiring goes thru that passenger side gromment. Wiring will be the last things I do. I kind of enjoy it but I also know I'll probably have an ass load time in wiring it up.



Thanks for the kind words everyone.

 

[Bobsmith7000]

Are you planning any brake upgrades? My truck has all new brakes but I imagine if I had LS power it would be a little sketchy hahaha

Already upgraded the front a bit to dual piston calipers. When I install the 8.8 rearend it'll get disc brakes in the rear too. I'm kind of picky with brakes. Going fast is cool. Not being able to stop isnt.

 

[jslezak83]

PM sent about A/C stuff.

As for the wiring, I think all you’ll be concerned with from the passenger side is the small white connection near the ECM. That contains wires for SES, DRAC, ect. I believe the VSS goes through on the drivers side. That also has the oil pressure, coolant temp, brake signal, keyed power, wipers, ect.

 

[Bobsmith7000]

PM sent about A/C stuff.

As for the wiring, I think all you’ll be concerned with from the passenger side is the small white connection near the ECM. That contains wires for SES, DRAC, ect. I believe the VSS goes through on the drivers side. That also has the oil pressure, coolant temp, brake signal, keyed power, wipers, ect.

Awesome, thanks for the info. I'll be diving under the dash this weekend to remove the ecm and replace the heater core. Looks original and a weeee bit crusty/leaky.

Pm sent. Cross ur fingers.

 

[CaptainAJ787]

You’re looking to be in about the same spot with your swap than I am haha. Yours looks like it fits a little bit better though. My passenger side manifold looks to be aimed straight at the frame. I appreciate avoiding cutting up the truck too. So far I haven’t had to modify my crossmember at all. The heater box has a nice dent in it though from installing like you mentioned. I’m looking like I might be able to get away without pushing the radiator forward too which makes me super happy.

The swap looks clean though! I’d like to see what you come up with on wiring. I was originally planning on running the harness I got with the motor, but the more I look into it the more tempted I am to order a cpw harness.