questions about ls swap in 99 tahoe

In the next month or two I will start gathering parts for a 5.3 or 6.0 swap, probably a 5.3 for mileage reasons. This will be in a 99 2dr 2wd Tahoe.

From what I understand, I need.....
MAF, complete engine, computer, motor mounts, and I plan on using the Nelson harness. Is that really it?

Do I need the harness from the donor? what about O2 sensors, can I use the ones I already have?

A/C I can do without right now(been through 4 texas summers without it)

I know I'll have to have alot of little stuff, but what would be things I could buy in advance? I have done a lot of research and it just seems I am missing something when I run it through my head.
I know the donor computer will need a tune, right? What about the factory Tahoe one?

I'll be going to E-fans, and getting the 60e rebuilt. Might install some good heads and mild cam before the swap.

Thanks for the help guys.

That pretty much it. You won't need the harness that comes with the motor if you are buying a new one from Nelson. Unless, you want to just have Nelson rework the original harness from the motor to save bout $200. You really won't need the tahoe computer at all you can leave it in or rip it out. The new computer will definitely need a tune. Yes, you will need (2) O2 sensors. You need coolant hoses, motor mount adapters, fuel line adapters and a couple gauge sending unit adapters. I'm sure I forgot something but that's bout it.

motor mounts

Chevrolet-GMC 73-86 C10 2WD Truck-Blazer-Suburban to LS Dirty Dingo

Ok a few more questions, the fuel gauge problem is one of them. I need to get a fuel pump and sending unit from a 97 Tahoe?

Also what about a flywheel? From what I understand the 01 5.3 one will work, right? (the engine is a DBC '01 5.3 w/ 34k)

I have one financial obligation in the way right now but within 2 months I'll be actually doing the swap. Now I'm just trying to get lined out, on what exactly I'll need so maybe I can cut back on the truck's down time.

Radiator hoses, headers, Nelson harness, 97 2dr tahoe fuel pump and sending unit?
The whole fuel gauge thing is what is eating at me.....
I'm sure the physical part will be pretty simple and most of the wiring shouldn't be too bad.

In the link above I didn't see mount adapters for 88-98 trucks?

thanks

Your fuel pump and gauge should be fine the way it is

im usually all about the 5.3 but in your case you'd prolly get better mileage with a 6.0 because there would be less pull on the motor with bigger cubes, basically a 5.3 will have to work harder than a 6.0 lugging a tahoe around i would think.

I thought about the 6.0 but right now I rather have the economy of the 4L60E tranny, and I'm worried that it wouldn't hold up for long behind a 6.0. After a secure a permanent daily driver later down the road I will do another swap with a built 6.0/4L80E combo.
From what I have read my Tahoe weighs in very close to an ext cab 2wd.


What exactly do I need from S&P for the oil pressure gauge to work? I've looked through the catalog but can't find it. I'm sure I'm overlooking it

Don't forget fans. Oh, and another vehicle to get around in, till the swap is finished.

S&P catalog pg 94 for the gauge sending unit adapters

yeah fans are on the list, and possibly a corvette filter.

thanks for the page number I'm planning ordering some small things next week: mount adapters, gauge sending unit adapters. radiator hoses and heater hoses.
thanks for the help

BTW how would an FLT built 4L60E hold up to a heads/cam 6.0
I haven't acutally bought any motor yet, I'm still looking at options and getting opinions. I know I don't want an 80E for daily duties, and truck wont see much track time if any

Ok, I know this is new to me but I have briefly checked in to doing this same thing to my 97 RCSB and I thought I was told you need to keep the vehicle's computer to control the rest of the components on the truck. Is this not correct?

You might wait on the corvette filter cause you might not need it. If you get a motor with a return system the the corvette filter wont be needed.

4L60Es usually dont stand up behind even stock motors no matter how they are built. Most people end up going 4l80e anyway. 6.0 with heads/cam will be a lot of torque and will probably roast a 60e in no time. Just IMO

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Originally Posted by Tyler25

Ok, I know this is new to me but I have briefly checked in to doing this same thing to my 97 RCSB and I thought I was told you need to keep the vehicle's computer to control the rest of the components on the truck. Is this not correct?

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You can leave it in there but theres not really any need. I cant think of anything there is left to control...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by flattopwill

You can leave it in there but theres not really any need. I cant think of anything there is left to control...

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Like I said, I don't want to sound retarded b/c I'm just learning about this but I was told it would be needed to control the transmission and things like gauges and sensors on the truck? (ABS, airbags, etc??).

well im not sure on airbags and i think the abs has its own controller but the transmission and sensors will be controlled by the new pcm and the gauges will be partly controlled by the new ecm and partly by the existing sending units

I don't want to hi-jack this thread but what about using the gauges from the newer style vehicles? Is anyone successfully doing that?

I'm sure you could but getting the cluster to work in your dash would be a chore

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tyler25

I don't want to hi-jack this thread but what about using the gauges from the newer style vehicles? Is anyone successfully doing that?

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This is not necessary at all. All the trucks gauges will hook up. The oil pressure & fuel level & water temperature gauges are simple anolog gauges, that have nothing to do with the computer, for instance. Speedo & tach take signals from your new computer, but the computer DOES need to be programmed for your year trucks speedo. The ABS module needs only one signal wire from the new computer for VSS, which it gets from the tranny, etc...

Did this swap work? Planning a ls1 for my 99 suburban and buying parts now