Anyone ever try putting an f-body drivetrain (awesome) into another vehicle, like a newer Tahoe or Yukon? Anyone know if it would be a kluge, or are there ways to hook up instrument cluster, etc.??
Thx

 

yes i do them at my shop, but I wire them in on a one time swap as customers bring their trucks in, I don't have any pre-made set ups, I use the F-Body or vet drivetrain and wire harness, PCM, and accessories and mate them to the truck chassis harness, sometimes we have to replace gauges or build a new dash with autometer gauges, and I have tjwong on here edit my PCMs for me. But there is a place that will build you a swap harness cheap, http://www.currentperformance.com/

 

Thanks for the post - I've been wondering for some time now. And that's great news to me. As an engineer, I can't figure out what downfalls there might be, but it seems like there shouldn't be any....the LT-1 has lots of low-end torque; should work okay for a heavy truck, even pull a trailer(?). And it gets great mileage compared to the standard truck 5.7L (12mpg) or newer 5.3 (17mpg but no power). Have the projects turned out well after-the-fact? (any problems in performance in the trucks?).

 

this is one of my favorites I built, but it has been sold for about 3 years now, still runs great. Its a 4x4 1995 S-10, I installed a 1997 dual cat F-Body LT1, true duals, programed PCM, Z-28 4L60E built with Vet Sevro, Redline syn DEX III and huge cooler, GMC Wings West Front end, F-Body 077 eagles with BFGoodrich Tall Trail radials, 3:73 posi, and it is one sweet truck. The original 4.3ltr CPI enigne was a whimp, got like 17mpg and was a slug. The LT1 with cruise driving from Portage to St Paul would get mid 20's mpg (engine made so much more torque it did not have to work hard). And sure does surprise the fast n furious crowd when they pull up to a 4x4 s-10 with their powerfull 140hp SOHC V-TECS and smirk at your redneck 4x4 truck, until the light turns green!!!!!
OK I have the cruise, A/C, ABS and 4x4 on that truck all working as factory application! not a cobble job, will post the engine pics

 

What about just an LS1 with the stock 99' Silverado pcm? I have a 98 LS1 with 80k and my truck is at 200k. Just something I've been kicking around. I would get the truck tuned of course.

 

Sweet S10 -- my '95 Jimmy has the 4.3.....thinking how fun to drive w/ the conversion like yours....and the surprised faces....

Okay, one project at a time! Thanks for the currentperformance URL Kingslam. I talked with Jared there today - he says he can build a harness for an LS1 into a Yukon for $850 + $415 programming+handheld.

Now I'm wondering about 1) transmission and 2) mounting differences.
Anyone know of engine mounts, kits, etc. for the changeover? And I can't remember how a 4wd transfer case hooks to the drivetrain....do I need a tranny with an extra output shaft, or can I use a 4L60E? (Jared says I should use a 4L80E, but I'm not familiar with it yet).

I'm estimating an LT1/LS1-Yukon change would cost: $3500 (Engine+Trans; young used), $1300 electrical (harness and programming), $1000 mechanical changes (my labor); total: maybe $6k?

 

ok on the trans, the 4L60E, 4L65E and 4L80E all can be used, the 4x4 version has a shorter output shaft (that can be installed into the 2wd version, they are the same trans) and there is an adapter tail housing that bolts in place of the 2wd tail housing. the 4L65E is the replacement trans for the ls1 engine (has the new bolt pattern) 4l60e as they cannot handle torque of the more powerfull LS series engines or a mild soup up of a LT1. If you use your 4.3LTR 4L60E you need a good trans shop to beef it up, the 6cyl trans have two less cluch plates and weak servos so have performance clutches installed and a corvette servo. In a S-Series truck you need to move the engine back as far as you can get it so you need to shorten the rear drive shaft and lengthen the front one, but in a full size that is not an issue, you can mount the engine and trans in the same place as yours and use the trans mounts, if you use a LT1 Engine you can use the 5.7ltr Iron Vortec mounts, if LS1 use the truck 4.8, 5.3, 6.0 chassis and motor mounts. And I burn rice too yes you can use the LS1 and truck PCM. Check out the posted web site....

 

Thanks Kingslam -
I'm truly considering buying an LS1, a high-mileage Yukon Denali (5.3 or 5.7) if I can find one for cheap, a reman 4L80E and building the truck I want. I wonder if it's worth the trouble, $$$, and potential 'gotchas' of the learning curve....?
But if it turns out well, it would be an amazing truck, one to keep for years!
I wouldn't consider my S15....I need a heavier chassis for pulling a couple of trailers in the family.

Wish I knew what your experience has taught you.....
If I undertake this project - you available for some consulting?!

 

Forgot to mention - without meaning to, I ended-up w/ two user names; wunfunLT1 = SLPLS1. I started with a 93 formula back in 2002, now have a '93 plus an '02 SLPLS1 Formula (7kmi, bought to rebuild from light salvage title wreck).
My LT1 is now at 140k.....maybe I should rebuild it and use it for a truck project....and part the car. Decisions...decisions....

 

Kingslam -
What would I have to do for suspension changes in either the S10 or the full-size Yukon? I think both have the torsion springs in front....

 

after install, just crank it up(or down) to return the truck to the proper(or desired) ride height