6.0 LS into 86 C10

[JoeR Jr]

I came across a nice deal on a 6.0/4L80E combo today. It is supposed to have low mileage on it. I suppose you never know though. It did have original spark plugs in it. It is supposed to have come out of a Chevy van. It has 317 heads, a throttle cable and a fuel pressure regulator. The wiring harness has been pretty hacked up, so I'll have to see if it's worth saving. I think I'll try power up the PCM and wiring in a scanner to see if I can't retrieve the VIN. Maybe a Carfax will give me some idea what I bought.
It's my first big swap like this, but it will be nice going from a clapped out 4.3L to a 6.0L.

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[animal]

Nice score

 

[Camar068]

Nice!. I'd go ahead and check the compression on each cylinder while it's out of the vehicle. I'd also pull the injectors and clean them up. Amazon has a small jewelry ultrasonic cleaner I used on mine. It was only $30 on amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Famili-FM800...pID=41HInfkHVnL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

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[oldman]

cool .when you get it running you,ll be real happy

 

[JoeR Jr]

Got the engine mounted on a stand. Pulled the valve covers. Looks nice and clean inside. Ran a compression test. Had 2 cylinders at 150. The rest were over 175. I need to leak it down, but I may just pull it apart anyway. Just for giggles I wired the PCM for power and connected a scanner to the Serial data Line. I got a VIN out of it. Verified it was from a 2003 Express Van 2500. I'm contemplating running a Carfax on it to see if I get any mileage reports.

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[dcameron787]

Nice.....just completed the same swap on my K10. I ditched the 317 heads and upgraded to the 243’s. I also put cam motion stage two truck cam in it. Very nice package...

 

[quadracerx]

I have a 1 ton Im thinking about doing the same swap.... My truck has a 454 w/TBI, do you think the 6.0 will be better than rebuilding my 454?

 

[JoeR Jr]

I have a 1 ton Im thinking about doing the same swap.... My truck has a 454 w/TBI, do you think the 6.0 will be better than rebuilding my 454?

I believe it will make more power and get better mileage that your 454. It's not a simple swap though. As I am learning about it, there's plenty of help available on the internet, but a most of it is not set in stone. There's still debate on fuel pumps, and returnless FI systems. Then you'll have to do something with the transmission. There's no good answer for what to do with your gauges either, including the speedo...so if you're looking for a project, it will be fun. If you're fixing a work truck, maybe fix the 454.
Joe

 

[JoeR Jr]

Nice.....just completed the same swap on my K10. I ditched the 317 heads and upgraded to the 243’s. I also put cam motion stage two truck cam in it. Very nice package...

Cool. How's the torque with that cam? Is it still good for normal highway driving or did it make it a lot weaker on bottom end?

Joe

 

[dcameron787]

Truck makes great low end torque. Very happy with the cam and swap. I’m running the original turbo 400 tranny so can’t really give you feedback on the highway as I’m running 2500 rpm at 60mph. I don’t do much highway driving with it so decided not to put the 4L80 in it. If you need any info let me know. It’s a pretty strait forward swap. When I was doing my research I found that a lot of problems with these swaps were related to fuel dilevery. I opted to spend the money on an 87 tank with new sender and Delphi 381 pump in the tank with an lines. Setup works perfectly and worth the extra $$.

 

[Z7master167]

What headers did u go with?

 

[dcameron787]

I used Schoenfeld headers, part# SCH-1302LS1. They fit well. Only issue was the O2 bungs were in the wrong place and I had to cap them and re locate them. I also had them ceramic coated.

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[JoeR Jr]

Wow! What a sanitary install! Thanks for the fuel pump info. I will follow your advice. I'll need some help getting the right fuel line and fittings. What radiator shroud did you use, and where/how did you locate the PCM? Did you change the tune?
Joe

 

[dcameron787]

Hi Joe,
I will dig up the fuel fitting that I used later tonight and post. I used the stock k20 shroud with the stock mechanical fan from the LQ4. I will need to swap this out eventually for an electric fan when I put the AC in as I need more space for the intake to clear the ac compressor. But for now this works. I put the PCM on the inner fender well with the stock computer case. I did get a mail order tune by frost. You have to do this if you change your cam. I am probably going to get it Dyno tuned at some point to dial it in..

 

[dcameron787]

Hers a pic of the computer location

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