Questions about LSX swap into 1993 4x4 TAHOE/BLAZER

[1991SSP]

This would be my 3rd lsx swap,, my previous 2 swaps were into 2 wheel drive trucks now the 3rd one will be on my friend's 93 tahoe. He does not have alot of cash to put into the swap

He wants to keep his current trans to keep costs down...I have used 4l60E transmissions on my swaps,,, neither of us are 100% positive on which trans he has.. Basically I need to know what it will take to make his current trans compatable with the new engine.... we will be making his harness from a harness that's included with his engine.. we will be using 99-02 5.3 with the cable throttle body...

[Mickeymotormount]

If his trans is the original, it would probably be the early 4L60E. From what I've read here, you can only use a '96 or newer trans, unless the old trans is updated with a newer internal wiring harness. That's all I know.

[1991SSP]

We have got a 5.3 with the transmission from a 2000 silverado 4x4, will this engine and trans work with his transfer case without any modifications? Would he still be able to use his original driveshafts without any mods to them as well??

[Mickeymotormount]

If the trans is a 4L60/65E, it should bolt up to the original transfer case. You can use the original driveshafts provided the engine mounts are the 1" setback type. I found out the hard way by ordering standard engine mounts which put my engine 1" forward of where it should have been.

Regarding the trans, take some dimensions of his trans from the bell housing flange to the cross member mount. Compare them with the new trans and see if they correspond.

My trans was the older style 4L60E bolted to the transfer case. My new trans(also a 4L60E) was out of '99 Escalade all wheel drive. The new trans bolted right up to my original transfer case.

[Bear]

Can't help with the wiring but the 93 trans bell housing is just a little bit more than half an inch shorter than the newer one found behind the ls motors. I ran into this issue when I tried to stab mine for 2 days before I put some calipers on it. I have a 2002 trans from a silverado and it was still too short for my 05 motor. I went down to a local trans shop in town and they had a pile of bell housings in the corner. The guy sold me one for 10 bucks, but I had to come back for help in swapping the housing off because it was held on by what looked like standard torx style bolts that turned out to need a special tool. After that the trans stabbed in fine in just minutes on the first try.

[Mickeymotormount]

Bear, thanks for the correction. My trans happened to have the same dimensions as my old trans, because it came off a Gen 1 350 Vortec, not the LS Vortec. It bolted up to my '99 6.0 because this year LS engine didn't require the spacer or special flex plate. I guess I just got lucky.

I have read though that the bolt on bell housing flanges are different for different engines.

[Bear]

How's well that 60e holding up behind the 6.0, I still have my factory trans and not sure if it's worth holding on too or if it's worth anything?

[kewljay223]

I think mikeys is still holding up just fine but iirc, he said he doesn't really punch it. I love to use the ls power and my 60e with 200k on it only lasted a month after putting in my lq9 before the clutches were shot... went with the 80e and haven't looked back. I guess it depends how u drive the truck.

[Bear]

Definitely understand, if you have it, it's hard to keep your foot out of it no matter what your intentions are. Hope I can resist destroying mine next month when I start daily driving my truck again. Will probably pick up an 80 and slowly build it up for that day.

[Mickeymotormount]

As 'Jay stated, I don't really get on it. The trans is out of a '99 Escalade with a 5.7 Gen I Vortec. Mileage unknown since the dash was taken out of it. I pulled the pan before intalling it and found minimal residue in the pan. The original fluid was red, so I treated it to a new filter and resealed it with a new gasket. I do use it to haul snowmobile trailers and 2 trips a month to the scrap yard. Scrap iron loads in excess of 4000 pounds are not uncommon in this truck since the engine/trans swap.
What this engine has for full throttle starts is still unknown to me. I'm just basically looking for smooth power with some reliability. The weak link in the reliability chain will be the trans. That's why I baby it. It's not a daily driver. Twice to three times a month driving is about tops for this truck.