TruckinAin4Sissies
L.E.D. Whisperer
Quoted from Truckin' Magazine
Original article found HERE
For decades, GM’s Gen I small-block was the go-to engine swap for anything that needed cheap, reliable power, but its reign is coming to an end. GM’s Gen III V-8 debuted in the new-for-’97 C5 Corvette, and during those 14 years it has been installed in North American vehicles from Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Cadillac, Isuzu, and Saab. This widespread use means that complete engines can be found in wrecked vehicles in salvage yards from coast to coast. The power potential, efficiency, and availability of the engines makes them a natural selection for swaps, but there are some hurdles to overcome. For example, the Gen IV small-block was ushered in with the LS2 and while the Gen III and Gen IV engines share a common foundation and offer a lot of parts interchangeability, the electronics, fuel systems, and emissions systems can vary from year to year and between applications. We’ll help you sort out some of the confusion and put you in touch with the people that can answer your specific technical questions.
In addition to giving you the ins and outs of common LS engine swaps, we’ll also give you a quick look into common LS engine dress-up parts. To help us get exactly what we needed, we contacted Stylin’ Trucks and placed an order to match the engine we were swapping in with the truck year and make. Thankfully, the 2000 Silverado that originally came with a 4.3L V-6 also came with the optional 5.3L V-8, which we picked up from a local salvage yard for under $1,000. Once the must-have OE parts were secured, we dressed up the 5.3L with good-looking performance parts and had our Chevy ready for cruising and showing. See a full step-by-step LS engine install in next month’s issue. Now you should have the confidence to swap in some real power and slam the pedal to the floor.
What about the transmission?
TCI and Advance Adapters both make flexplates that allow you to keep your Turbo 400 or Turbo 350/700-R4 transmission. The companies listed in the Source Box also make wiring harnesses that can help with late-model swaps. To make things really simple, a manual transmission will solve any late-model automatic computer problems—and they’re more fun.
How do I get my gauges to work?
If you’ve got a late-model GM truck that needs a V-8, Speartech can provide you with an in-line plug-in adapter that keeps your factory gauges and A/C working. For older vehicles, Auto Meter makes speedometer-sending units that thread into various transmission tailshafts.
Most LS engines use an electronic “drive-by-wire” throttle body like this one from GM Performance Parts’ LS3 ECU kit. Unless you’re using an older cable-operated system, you’ll need the pedal to match the wiring harness.
For more information, contact: GM Performance Parts www.gmperformanceparts.com Crate engines, wiring harnesses/ECUs, vast array of LS engine parts.
Throttle bodies changed connector plugs from Gen III and Gen IV generations; an adapter is available from Torque Rush Performance to convert the factory truck 75mm throttle body to the newer 90mm throttle body from an LS3 or LS7. It’s plug-and-play.
For more information, contact: Torque Rush Performance Inc. (204) 232-3118 www.torquerush.com Throttle body wiring conversion for 8-pin to 6-pin applications.
Here’s the cam position sensor on the front timing cover of a Gen IV LS3 block. On a 4.8L, 5.3L, or 6.0L Gen III, the sensor will be at the top rear of the block. If your computer and engine are from two different generations of engine, you’ll need an adapter that can be picked up from Lingenfelter or Speartech. Lingenfelter also makes a reluctor wheel conversion harness that works great and converts the truck 24X wiring harness to the newer 58X reluctor wheel. We’ve used it, and it’s worth its weight in gold.
For more information, contact: Lingenfelter Performance Engineering (260) 724-2552 www.lingenfelter.com Wiring adapters for Gen III and IV GM engines.
Speartech Fuel Injection Systems (765) 378-4908 www.speartech.com Complete powertrains, transmission, wiring and gauge solutions for swapping between 24x and 58x LS engines.
One vitally important thing to consider is fuel delivery. LS engines need at least 58 psi of fuel pressure for optimum performance. If you’re swapping in a fuel-injected LS into a carburetor-equipped truck, a fuel cell may be your best option. Aeromotive sells a fuel cell/pump combo that will support up to 1,000 hp. Fittings and high-pressure fuel hose is also a must and Earl’s makes a huge assortment of hoses and fittings. Fuel injectors also vary from Gen III to Gen IV LS engines and Speartech makes the appropriate wiring harnesses to convert them if the need arises.
For more information, contact: Aeromotive (913) 647-7300 www.aeromotiveinc.com Fuel cells, fuel pumps, and fuel fittings.
Earl’s Plumbing www.holley.com Fuel hose, fuel fittings, and adapters.
How do I fit an LS in place of my V-6 or four-cylinder? LS engines are surprisingly small. Their overhead valve configuration makes them compact for their displacement compared to DOHC V-8 engines that have massive heads that can prove too wide for many applications. LS engines have been shoehorned into everything from Miatas to Geo Trackers, so there’s no reason why they can’t fit into any mini or fullsize truck. The real variables are motor mounts and headers that will clear your frame and suspension. If you’ve got a common platform for swaps, like an S-10 or an ’88-’98 Chevy, then you’re in luck; Hedman makes S-10 LS swap headers, and Summit carries Schoenfeld headers for swapping an LS engine into ’88-’98 Chevy/GMC truck or SUV. Jags that Run and Current Performance can also help you out with motor mounts and wiring harnesses, but just because you don’t have a Chevy doesn’t mean you can’t easily drop an LS in place. Advance Adapters makes conversions to mount LS engines to Toyota and Jeep transmissions as well. Check out our sources at the end of the article to help with your specific questions.
Here’s a checklist of items you’ll need for a conversion, besides the long-block, of course.
• Engine control module (ECM) • Wiring harness, including: Injector harness (varies by injector) Cam Position Sensor, gray sensor located on the top rear in Gen III, black sensor on the timing cover on a Gen IV. Reluctor wheel. Gen III (LS1 and older truck Vortec engines) = 24X wheel, Gen IV (LS2 and LS3) = 58X wheel. Make sure the wheel matches the computer, or your engine will be so confused it won’t even start. • Throttle pedal, necessary for any drive-by-wire throttle body. • Bellhousing/Scattershield • Oil pan. Note: A factory Camaro pan is a good choice for most swaps, as its shallow rear sump makes fitment easy in most applications • Motor mounts • Headers • Fuel pump • Cooling system with sealed overflow bottle/container • Dyno tuning shop to get your new computer dialed in and running its best
Now that we’ve shown you the basics, we’ll also show you some great dress-up and go-fast goodies for your engine swap. If you’re putting an LS engine into a truck that was designed to fit an LS, header choices are plentiful. When we swapped our V-6 to a V-8, we picked up these SLP shorty headers from Stylin’ Trucks and they fit perfectly. But even if your truck wasn’t designed for an LS, plenty of companies make headers that will make your swap a whole lot easier. Check out Jags that Run, Schoenfeld, or Hedman.
For more information, contact: Jags That Run (925) 462-3619 www.jagsthatrun.com Engine mounts, headers, and instructions for S-10 swaps.
Schoenfeld Headers, Inc. (479) 474-7529 www.schoenfeldheaders.com ’88-’98 Chevy truck LS swap headers.
Stylin’ Trucks (800) 434-6627 www.stylin.com Performance parts and accessories for most late-model engine applications.
Adding horsepower means adding improved cooling as well. Flex-A-Lite makes radiators and fans of all sizes to keep your engine cool no matter what the application, and we ordered it directly from Stylin’.
For more information, contact: Flex-A-Lite (866) 447-5967 www.flex-a-lite.com Aluminum radiators and fans.
An overflow tank or bottle is a requirement as LS engine’s don’t use a traditional radiator. We picked this one up from a salvage yard but dressed it up with a paintable plastic cover from Stylin’.
For more information, contact: Stylin’ Trucks (800) 434-6627 www.stylin.com Performance parts and accessories for most late-model engine applications.
With the COP (coil on plug) ignition systems that come equipped on LS engines, it leaves much to be desired for show points. We covered up these unsightly coils with billet plates from, you guessed it, Stylin’.
For more information, contact: Stylin’ Trucks (800) 434-6627 www.stylin.com Performance parts and accessories for most late-model engine applications.
A few final pieces of the dress-up puzzle was the customization of a paintable engine cover and a new Spectre air intake, also from Stylin’. Whereas the engine and coil covers aren’t required for an engine swap, they sure made this show truck look great with its new 5.3L under the hood.
For more information, contact: Stylin’ Trucks (800) 434-6627 www.stylin.com Performance parts and accessories for most late-model engine applications.
Original article found HERE
For decades, GM’s Gen I small-block was the go-to engine swap for anything that needed cheap, reliable power, but its reign is coming to an end. GM’s Gen III V-8 debuted in the new-for-’97 C5 Corvette, and during those 14 years it has been installed in North American vehicles from Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Cadillac, Isuzu, and Saab. This widespread use means that complete engines can be found in wrecked vehicles in salvage yards from coast to coast. The power potential, efficiency, and availability of the engines makes them a natural selection for swaps, but there are some hurdles to overcome. For example, the Gen IV small-block was ushered in with the LS2 and while the Gen III and Gen IV engines share a common foundation and offer a lot of parts interchangeability, the electronics, fuel systems, and emissions systems can vary from year to year and between applications. We’ll help you sort out some of the confusion and put you in touch with the people that can answer your specific technical questions.
In addition to giving you the ins and outs of common LS engine swaps, we’ll also give you a quick look into common LS engine dress-up parts. To help us get exactly what we needed, we contacted Stylin’ Trucks and placed an order to match the engine we were swapping in with the truck year and make. Thankfully, the 2000 Silverado that originally came with a 4.3L V-6 also came with the optional 5.3L V-8, which we picked up from a local salvage yard for under $1,000. Once the must-have OE parts were secured, we dressed up the 5.3L with good-looking performance parts and had our Chevy ready for cruising and showing. See a full step-by-step LS engine install in next month’s issue. Now you should have the confidence to swap in some real power and slam the pedal to the floor.
What about the transmission?
TCI and Advance Adapters both make flexplates that allow you to keep your Turbo 400 or Turbo 350/700-R4 transmission. The companies listed in the Source Box also make wiring harnesses that can help with late-model swaps. To make things really simple, a manual transmission will solve any late-model automatic computer problems—and they’re more fun.
How do I get my gauges to work?
If you’ve got a late-model GM truck that needs a V-8, Speartech can provide you with an in-line plug-in adapter that keeps your factory gauges and A/C working. For older vehicles, Auto Meter makes speedometer-sending units that thread into various transmission tailshafts.
Most LS engines use an electronic “drive-by-wire” throttle body like this one from GM Performance Parts’ LS3 ECU kit. Unless you’re using an older cable-operated system, you’ll need the pedal to match the wiring harness.
For more information, contact: GM Performance Parts www.gmperformanceparts.com Crate engines, wiring harnesses/ECUs, vast array of LS engine parts.
Throttle bodies changed connector plugs from Gen III and Gen IV generations; an adapter is available from Torque Rush Performance to convert the factory truck 75mm throttle body to the newer 90mm throttle body from an LS3 or LS7. It’s plug-and-play.
For more information, contact: Torque Rush Performance Inc. (204) 232-3118 www.torquerush.com Throttle body wiring conversion for 8-pin to 6-pin applications.
Here’s the cam position sensor on the front timing cover of a Gen IV LS3 block. On a 4.8L, 5.3L, or 6.0L Gen III, the sensor will be at the top rear of the block. If your computer and engine are from two different generations of engine, you’ll need an adapter that can be picked up from Lingenfelter or Speartech. Lingenfelter also makes a reluctor wheel conversion harness that works great and converts the truck 24X wiring harness to the newer 58X reluctor wheel. We’ve used it, and it’s worth its weight in gold.
For more information, contact: Lingenfelter Performance Engineering (260) 724-2552 www.lingenfelter.com Wiring adapters for Gen III and IV GM engines.
Speartech Fuel Injection Systems (765) 378-4908 www.speartech.com Complete powertrains, transmission, wiring and gauge solutions for swapping between 24x and 58x LS engines.
One vitally important thing to consider is fuel delivery. LS engines need at least 58 psi of fuel pressure for optimum performance. If you’re swapping in a fuel-injected LS into a carburetor-equipped truck, a fuel cell may be your best option. Aeromotive sells a fuel cell/pump combo that will support up to 1,000 hp. Fittings and high-pressure fuel hose is also a must and Earl’s makes a huge assortment of hoses and fittings. Fuel injectors also vary from Gen III to Gen IV LS engines and Speartech makes the appropriate wiring harnesses to convert them if the need arises.
For more information, contact: Aeromotive (913) 647-7300 www.aeromotiveinc.com Fuel cells, fuel pumps, and fuel fittings.
Earl’s Plumbing www.holley.com Fuel hose, fuel fittings, and adapters.
How do I fit an LS in place of my V-6 or four-cylinder? LS engines are surprisingly small. Their overhead valve configuration makes them compact for their displacement compared to DOHC V-8 engines that have massive heads that can prove too wide for many applications. LS engines have been shoehorned into everything from Miatas to Geo Trackers, so there’s no reason why they can’t fit into any mini or fullsize truck. The real variables are motor mounts and headers that will clear your frame and suspension. If you’ve got a common platform for swaps, like an S-10 or an ’88-’98 Chevy, then you’re in luck; Hedman makes S-10 LS swap headers, and Summit carries Schoenfeld headers for swapping an LS engine into ’88-’98 Chevy/GMC truck or SUV. Jags that Run and Current Performance can also help you out with motor mounts and wiring harnesses, but just because you don’t have a Chevy doesn’t mean you can’t easily drop an LS in place. Advance Adapters makes conversions to mount LS engines to Toyota and Jeep transmissions as well. Check out our sources at the end of the article to help with your specific questions.
Here’s a checklist of items you’ll need for a conversion, besides the long-block, of course.
• Engine control module (ECM) • Wiring harness, including: Injector harness (varies by injector) Cam Position Sensor, gray sensor located on the top rear in Gen III, black sensor on the timing cover on a Gen IV. Reluctor wheel. Gen III (LS1 and older truck Vortec engines) = 24X wheel, Gen IV (LS2 and LS3) = 58X wheel. Make sure the wheel matches the computer, or your engine will be so confused it won’t even start. • Throttle pedal, necessary for any drive-by-wire throttle body. • Bellhousing/Scattershield • Oil pan. Note: A factory Camaro pan is a good choice for most swaps, as its shallow rear sump makes fitment easy in most applications • Motor mounts • Headers • Fuel pump • Cooling system with sealed overflow bottle/container • Dyno tuning shop to get your new computer dialed in and running its best
Now that we’ve shown you the basics, we’ll also show you some great dress-up and go-fast goodies for your engine swap. If you’re putting an LS engine into a truck that was designed to fit an LS, header choices are plentiful. When we swapped our V-6 to a V-8, we picked up these SLP shorty headers from Stylin’ Trucks and they fit perfectly. But even if your truck wasn’t designed for an LS, plenty of companies make headers that will make your swap a whole lot easier. Check out Jags that Run, Schoenfeld, or Hedman.
For more information, contact: Jags That Run (925) 462-3619 www.jagsthatrun.com Engine mounts, headers, and instructions for S-10 swaps.
Schoenfeld Headers, Inc. (479) 474-7529 www.schoenfeldheaders.com ’88-’98 Chevy truck LS swap headers.
Stylin’ Trucks (800) 434-6627 www.stylin.com Performance parts and accessories for most late-model engine applications.
Adding horsepower means adding improved cooling as well. Flex-A-Lite makes radiators and fans of all sizes to keep your engine cool no matter what the application, and we ordered it directly from Stylin’.
For more information, contact: Flex-A-Lite (866) 447-5967 www.flex-a-lite.com Aluminum radiators and fans.
An overflow tank or bottle is a requirement as LS engine’s don’t use a traditional radiator. We picked this one up from a salvage yard but dressed it up with a paintable plastic cover from Stylin’.
For more information, contact: Stylin’ Trucks (800) 434-6627 www.stylin.com Performance parts and accessories for most late-model engine applications.
With the COP (coil on plug) ignition systems that come equipped on LS engines, it leaves much to be desired for show points. We covered up these unsightly coils with billet plates from, you guessed it, Stylin’.
For more information, contact: Stylin’ Trucks (800) 434-6627 www.stylin.com Performance parts and accessories for most late-model engine applications.
A few final pieces of the dress-up puzzle was the customization of a paintable engine cover and a new Spectre air intake, also from Stylin’. Whereas the engine and coil covers aren’t required for an engine swap, they sure made this show truck look great with its new 5.3L under the hood.
For more information, contact: Stylin’ Trucks (800) 434-6627 www.stylin.com Performance parts and accessories for most late-model engine applications.
