96 Yukon GT 4x4 5.3 or LS swap

[WestPalm83]

My truck has 104k miles and just threw a rod bearing this morning. This is my daily driver and needs to get up and running fast! I am looking at the L32R crate motor from GM and just replacing like for like. The only thing is I had hoped to keep driving the truck for a while and build a motor before it needed one and put something with more performance in it.

Would a 5.3 or LS swap be too much work in a short period of time? what is required? I have not done this type of work before.

 

[bigfootchiro]

I almost did an LS1 swap in my 90 GMC, but that was TBI. From what I've read in the past, it's not a hard swap, just need to make sure you repin for an 0411 PCM and have it tuned correctly, and all wiring harnesses match up, in general. There are more details, I am sure, but that's the jist. There is a lot of info from googling "96 Tahoe LS swap" that might help you. Are you located in West Palm Beach, FL?

This might help, as well: http://www.ls1truck.com/forums/lsx-...hoe-4wd-385-stroker-lq4-cam-headers-pics.html

 

[WestPalm83]

I almost did an LS1 swap in my 90 GMC, but that was TBI. From what I've read in the past, it's not a hard swap, just need to make sure you repin for an 0411 PCM and have it tuned correctly, and all wiring harnesses match up, in general. There are more details, I am sure, but that's the jist. There is a lot of info from googling "96 Tahoe LS swap" that might help you. Are you located in West Palm Beach, FL?

This might help, as well: http://www.ls1truck.com/forums/lsx-...hoe-4wd-385-stroker-lq4-cam-headers-pics.html

I needed to get on the road quick so I ended up getting a crate motor from GM. I will still do the swap at some point but its not as pressing now. Yea I am located in West Palm

 

[adventurenali92]

That's a bitchin looking 2-door!! I like it alot!

 

[RED TAHOE LS]

Anthony, what a nice ride, very slick/original BEAST. Let him live with the crate 5.7, their hard to match without a lot of work. The 5.3 is no match, and a day will come when you move it on to someone else that want's it in it's ORIGINAL birth. JMHO and good luck.
David g.

 

[bigfootchiro]

I needed to get on the road quick so I ended up getting a crate motor from GM. I will still do the swap at some point but its not as pressing now. Yea I am located in West Palm

I live in West Palm Beach, too. I'm not very knowledgeable on replacing a motor, but if you need any help just let me know!

 

[Back N Black]

First of all, what is the L32R crate motor? I can't seem to find any info on it. Unless they've changed the name of it in the last 6 months, I don't see it anywhere. I'm curious about the specs.

Secondly, a 5.3 is an LS motor. It's in the same family as the 4.8, 5.7, 6.0, etc.

How quickly it can be done, depends on one thing . . . MONEY. If you have a lot of it, it can be done in no time. There's probably a shop that would do the swap for you, and alleviate all of your worries. If you have a lot of money, and rush through the process, then it will also cost you more in the long run.

For a home mechanic, yes . . . it is a lot of work in a short amount of time. Epecially so, when you've never done a motor swap. Before you even spend a penny on motor or any other part of the swap, you need to research the process as much as you can. Use this forum, Performance Trucks.net, and google message forums for 1988-19988 Chevrolet/GMC/GMT-400, etc. There is tons of info out there. Research the exact parts you will need for your own particular swap, and where to buy them.

These are just a few of the general things you will need:

*LSX engine - your choice.
*Transmission - I suggest a nicely built 4L60E (if you must), but prefferably a 4L80E
*PCM - 0411 PCM is preferred
*Engine harnes - you can either buy a custom harness, or re-wire the harness yourself. The first option is expensive, but the second option will drive you insane.
*Custom tune

If you take your time, you can do this wisely, and save a lot of money. Or you can rush it, over-spend, and make mistakes. The most important thing is RESEARCH. I hope you take your time, and make sure everything is done correctly.

 

[ivin74]

Anthony, what a nice ride, very slick/original BEAST. Let him live with the crate 5.7, their hard to match without a lot of work. The 5.3 is no match, and a day will come when you move it on to someone else that want's it in it's ORIGINAL birth. JMHO and good luck.
David g.

X2 on what David said, but if you what durability I would go with the LS swap. 5.3 LS motors are easy to find and cheap, you can find them on offer up for just under $600 bucks

 

[WestPalm83]

Since this truck is my daily and i didnt want to buy something else to drive while i did a swap i went ahead and put in the L31. It was a pretty easy project and I got it done over the weekend.

 

[RicanGM]

Hello Anthony, was the oil pressure low before the engine spun the bearing?

That's a very low mileage to have a blown engine.