Ls engine to 85 4wd with a 4 speed

[stepsideclyde]

Kinda looking at an Ls engine swap,  but would like to keep stock standard trans.... how much work and/or money will this entail?  Plenty of info on wiring and mounting but most I trans info is automatic.

tc

[bake74]

     Your best bet is to find someone who actually has done that swap, maybe someone will chime in and let you know what they did.

[SAATR]

Keisler automotive engineering has everything you need for that swap, including the flywheel, clutch, and bellhousing.  They aren't cheap, but will be the most direct route to what you're looking for.

[lechez71]

i did an ls swap in my 82 c10 but went with an auto trans. what ever you decide do not get a 99-00 6.0L they have a longer crank end and your tranny selection is limited.

[runt90]

I have installed a 5.3 in my 86 K10.  You have to use a .400 thicher flywheel to adapt to your tranny. Summit and Jegs have these in stock.  I made my own engine mounts out of 1/8" plate and you need to notch the front crossmember to get it to fit.  Not a complicated install.  Better have decient wiring skills and alot of patients when wiring it up.  Holley has a plug and play now, wish they did when I installed mine.  Also, if you get a drive by wire(dbw) throttle body get the gas pedal,wiring harness and box for it when you get your engine or you could have trouble getting one cheap.   I need to do a build thread on this.  Any questions ask, I'll help if I can.

[lechez71]

i dint have to notch the frame on mine. i sent my harness to Nelson Performance to get reworked, saved me lots of headaches. if you dont have a harness they can build you one, comes out real nice all wires are tucked and hidden.

[runt90]

The crank pulley and oil pan was in the crossmember on my 4x4. I used the stock Tahoe pan. I sent my harness of to E Z 2Wire.  They didn't do a very good job and I had to add a fuse/relay box to the harness. Took me a day to sort it out.

[stepsideclyde]

Thanx Guys, Great info....Are you happy with the swap?.. was it worth the effort as opposed to a standard small block swap?

[runt90]

I love it. I paid $550 for my 5.3 with all accessories, wiring harness, exhaust manifolds, and ecu.  Still working on mine , but I have taken it for a few spins on the road. I work away all week and only get to work on it on the weekends.  It was well worth the time spent doing it in my opinion. I can install any LS series engine in now, all the hard work is done. I'll try to answer any questions you might have.

 Correction on who did the wiring harness,  it was Wait4me Tuning.  I got my fuse/ relay box from EZ Wire. They were top notch, I would use them again.

[lechez71]

to me it was the best investment i put into the truck. nothing wrong with old school sbc there awesome but IMO ls engines are much better all around, nice smooth running engines, great power ad tq, good mpg, very long lasting, and reliable. its a win win situation. you wont be dissapointed.

[screamin86]

Should be a great swap I'm doing the swap in my trans am now and when the time comes where the motor dies in my truck it will most likely get a 5.3 or if I get a good deal on a 6.0 for the car ill swap that 5.3 into my truck.