84 K10 5.3 Vortec 4l60e swap help..pointers

[Captkaos]

You will have to have a VSS style speedo to run the 4L60E as there is no mechanical connector.

You will need a cable throttle body for use with the 700R4. 

As for rebuild, if you have the cash why not rebuild it.  Unless it has really low miles like less than 40000, I would assume you will eventually need to rebuild it...

[Irish_Alley]

afaik, yes

[84Silverado4x4]

I've started compiling parts and I got my RV fuel sending unit and 96-up fuel pump.  Will this set up need a regulator?  I will also be ordering a set of the dirty dingo motor mount plates.  It seems like a drive by wire 5.3 and a 4l65E will most likely be the combo I try to put together in the truck if I can find a good low mileage combo.  One question I have is wether I should be installing an electric fan setup in the truck or if a mechanical set-up is fine?  I've been driving the truck as my daily driver this winter and the engine comes to temp good but even with the heater core free and clear the truck has a hard time keeping the cab warm with its mechanical fan set-up on the current 350.

[stereojnky]

Yes you need a Wix C5 corvette fuel filter/regulator. I forget the part number but you can look it up on rockauto.
As for mount plates. I've heard of guys using the 1" setback plates without having to modify the driveshaft.
As for the fan, I'm going to use Ford Windstar dual fans for my swap. They're almost a bolt in.

[84Silverado4x4]

I think ive heard of the vett filter regulator being used.  Will this be a returnless or return system?  Are all the 5.3s set up the same or are they different throught the years?  What year windstar are the fans from? 

[stereojnky]

The C5 filter has a built in pressure regulator and return.

I want to say the Windstar fan is from maybe a 96 or 98 van. I'll have to check but the cool thing about dual fans is that you can wire one up to come on with the a/c for additional cooling. Nothing wrong with a mechanical fan though if it fits.

[stereojnky]

33737 Wix filter/regulator. The fans are from '95-98.

[dvdswan]

I think ive heard of the vett filter regulator being used.  Will this be a returnless or return system?  Are all the 5.3s set up the same or are they different throught the years?  What year windstar are the fans from?

this depends on the manifold/injector set up you will be using.  the truck return line goes form the manifold back to the tank, the vette/Camaro runs from the filter back to the tank.  last yr I picked up a 2003 5.3/4l60e/246 and rebuilt the engine and trans and sold the 246 and bought a 241.  if you can it will be a lot easier to buy a complete set up with the harness and ECM.

[84Silverado4x4]

I guess I will know more for the fuel system once I get my engine.  I ordered the dirty dingo mounts and they said that a truck oil pan will clear with a little persuasion.  He also said I will need to do a/c relocation mounts... they had some but sounded kinda spendy...is this true and are there a good inexpensive set of mounts/brackets?  Or are there's a good buy?  The truck had a/c factory and I would like to have it again one day but it's not something I need right away however I know I will need to address it or find a way to run a belt in the meantime.  Just wondering my options if I have any.

[Captkaos]

The truck engines will have a regulator on the rail if it is a 5.3L, some 4.8L don't have one.
All 99-03 systems were return style with a 3/8" feed and a 5/16" return.
2004-up non Flex went to returnless setup with a 3/8" feed.

The only benefit of running the Vette filter/regulator is you don't have to run a long return line.  The negative is the fuel will be "heated".
So, what ever you get make sure that you plan accordingly.  You can convert a return style to non return but it requires a rail change.

The mechanical fan will work on the truck.  On mine I am running a Perma Cool setup that bolts right in.

For the AC relocation I am using the one from Novak Conversions that mounts the original R4 compressor up high.  It just has to be a Serpentine setup.  All this info is in my R10 Driver Members Ride thread.

[stereojnky]

Holley a/c brackets work with a cheaper and easier to find r4 compressor if you don't want to go sanden
plus they look factory.
The cool thing about the Holley brackets is if you need all the accessories, you can get all of the brackets for a little over $300. The good news is they use a cheap truck alt and R4 compressor.  The bad news is you need a C5/C6 (expensive) p/s pump.

[Captkaos]

The Novak ones work with R4's as I stated also.  This is on my truck

[84Silverado4x4]

Both of those options look good but looks like they are more spendy than the dirty dingo set up.  They sell there bracket assembly with tensioner for $249.99 and it works with a 508 sanden compressor that they sell for $169.99.  Does this sound like a good route to go?

[Captkaos]

If you want to use a Sanden compressor and want cheap, just get the Kwik Performance kit.
I can tell you this.  I would find out where to find the tensioner when it goes bad and how much one is.  The Novak setup allows the use of an off the shelf one that any parts store would carry.  When selecting one for a driver that you plan to drive you might want to keep this in mind.  Getting a one off one shipped to you when you are stranded (these eliminate the secondary AC belt, so you only have 1) wouldn't be fun.   I think Kwik uses off the shelf also.  The Dirty Dingo uses a manual adjuster I believe.

[dvdswan]

I bought the Corvette accessory kit for space to the radiator



I bought the Kwik kit and Sandeen compressor as well, IIRC I reused the original tensioner (maybe changed the pulley size) I would have to look in to it.