LS3 Erod in 95 Tahoe

[WTBTahoe]

I am New to the site and was over at TYF and someone suggested I post my concept build here.

I have been thinking about doing a cool sport truck project with a 95-99 2 door Tahoe, and one of the goals of the build was to replace the Vortec with a later LQ motor; but with Calirornia smog laws I think it pretty much eliminates any of the regular LQ motor swaps. But I believe that the LS3 Erod package can be used in a Tahoe in California since it is legal on pre '96 vehicles that are OBD1, so I am focusing on a 95 Tahoe.

I would also like to use the 6l80e trans since I am planning on removing the 4wheel drive case and trans, and would probably do some upgrades to the handling setup; might even go further and replace the frame with a two wheel drive setup.

Anyway, the post is to get feedback on the engine swap pitfalls/issue and if anybody has any experience in doing this swap. I have done this type of engine swap before but that was in a Chevelle using an LS1 and that had been pretty well engineered by the time I did it. I have also found some of the other Tahoe/LS swap threads e.g. the S&P build, and I have read all of those, but this is thread is specific to California and this engine swap, or any others that are out there that are legal. Still formulating the plan and looking for the project truck, and haven't started anything yet.

Welcome any and all constructive feedback that anybody has to offer.

[Chevy-Art]

Plenty of California guys have done LQ4/9 swaps. So I don't think you necessarily need to do the LS3 E-ROD. As long as the engine is newer than the vehicle it is going in and you use all the smog equipment you should be good.

[chvz99]

same that art said.
as long you use a newer motor than 95 and keep all the emission components from the motor you will be ok . i was going to use the ls3 e-rod package on mine but decided to use an lsx376 instead and i used all amissions components listed on their erod kit. with high flow cats.
somewhat of an LSX376 e-rod

[WTBTahoe]

same that art said.
as long you use a newer motor than 95 and keep all the emission components from the motor you will be ok . i was going to use the ls3 e-rod package on mine but decided to use an lsx376 instead and i used all amissions components listed on their erod kit. with high flow cats.
somewhat of an LSX376 e-rod

Do you live in the Golden state and were you able to get it smogged? And do you have a build thread on your truck? I originally started with the concept of using a 96-99 two wheel drive Tahoe but I wasn't sure that I could make an engine swap pass the referee. I am unsure which smog components will have to be taken from the donor truck and how to incorporate them into the project truck. Any links or threads that you know of that I could review?

Thanks for the enlightnement: I realy wasn't looking forward to doing the full engine and four wheel drive swapout.

[RS/SS 4.8]

I think the only emissions stuff on ls motors are the cats and evap. Except for early ls till 03 i believe they used egr.

[chvz99]

im in texas. you will have to use components from the year motor u install. 4 o2s, cats purge solenoid ,evaporation canister .i install the canister at the stock location on my truck and the bracket has a small bracke where i installed the new purge solenoid.
im also using longtube headers. i have just finish my swap fired it up friday only codes i have rigth now are p0101 and p0449 . 2nd is for purge solenoid which i think the canister is bad since im using the old one in the truck not the new one i bougth . p0101 is for something todo with mass airflow im taking it to a local tuner to get checked.
by using a swap motor you will be able to add bolt ons later on as you will only need to pass emissions for the motor /vehicle you took the motor off. by using the erod you wont be able atleast not in cali since that will void the carb certificate.