what is the easiest way to swap an LS motor into a K10?

[Mattchu60]

I have an 1987 K10 with TBI 350 which is pretty worn out. I was planning on swapping in a crate 350, but I read so much good about the LS swap.

I have read a lot about the swap, but I get really lost in all the wiring. I dont know much about wiring a vechicle and dont want to lose my trucks functionality (a/c, cruise, etc).

I am pretty confident I could get the engine and a 4L60E swapped into the truck, but I would be totally lost trying to actually get it running and mated up with the trucks systems.

Is there a company out there that sells a total kit for wiring and ECM to run everything that makes it dummy-proof? I want plug and play if possible.

Also - I read conflicting posts on wether the oil pan on an LS engine will clear the front axle on a K10. I have no lift on this truck - will i have an issue?

 

[87lsxgmc]

if your worried about wiring, and tune and all that stuff, when i swapped a ls1 into my camaro, i did a carb conversion. 6010 msd box for ls engines are real easy to wire up, mostly plug and play. hook up to a lap top to set the timing. for your ac, youl have to adapt the old lines to the new compressor. ill be trying to figure out a way to do that on my truck this summer. not sure about cruise or the oil pan issues.good luck!

 

[MrMarty51]

I`m a watching and listening

 

[87lsxgmc]

im about to do a 5.3 conversion on my 87. im fixed on going injected since i have a donor truck with everything i need, but to run a carb is just too damn easy. anyone whose been around carbs long enough knows you can dial them right in. if i didnt tell you my camaro was carbd you would think its injected. excellent throttle response. i had all my friends fooled that it was injected till i popped the hood.

 

[oneluckypops]

I have an 1987 K10 with TBI 350 which is pretty worn out. I was planning on swapping in a crate 350, but I read so much good about the LS swap.

I have read a lot about the swap, but I get really lost in all the wiring. I dont know much about wiring a vechicle and dont want to lose my trucks functionality (a/c, cruise, etc).

I am pretty confident I could get the engine and a 4L60E swapped into the truck, but I would be totally lost trying to actually get it running and mated up with the trucks systems.

Is there a company out there that sells a total kit for wiring and ECM to run everything that makes it dummy-proof? I want plug and play if possible.

Also - I read conflicting posts on wether the oil pan on an LS engine will clear the front axle on a K10. I have no lift on this truck - will i have an issue?

I can help you with the Wiring. I do wiring harness modifications for vortec swaps. I could also build you a custom harness that would allow you to mount the computer and the fuse box anywhere you should choose. Turn around time is definitely faster and cheaper with using a stock harness and modifying it for your application.

PCM is not all that difficult, you will need to fill out a tune sheet telling the tuner what you are doing and what you want removed from the PCM memory, Most of the tuners are more then willing to help if you have questions on what you need and don't need.

A/C is pretty straight forward once you find a place to make your hoses, O'reillys does mine. But there are other sources out there as well.

Fuel system is probably the most difficult, but honestly it is not all that hard.


Let me know if you would like for me to help you or not. PM me for the fastest responses.

 

[Mattchu60]

Thanks for the info guys. OneLuckyPops - I live in north IA and there are no tuners around here, probably closest is around 125 miles away, I assume there are guys that do it through mail order. Are your harnesses all tagged so its dummy-proof?

What year/model truck should I look for an LS and trans swap? I would want to keep the cable driven throttle I think - I want to retain Cruise Control - would my factory system work or would something need to be rigged up?

Lastly -anyone have an idea if the oil plan will clear?

 

[Jims86]

Motor? You going electric?

 

[oneluckypops]

Thanks for the info guys. OneLuckyPops - I live in north IA and there are no tuners around here, probably closest is around 125 miles away, I assume there are guys that do it through mail order. Are your harnesses all tagged so its dummy-proof?

What year/model truck should I look for an LS and trans swap? I would want to keep the cable driven throttle I think - I want to retain Cruise Control - would my factory system work or would something need to be rigged up?

Lastly -anyone have an idea if the oil plan will clear?

Yes you would probably be best with a mail order tune.
Yes when I do a harness it is "dummy proof" all connectors, fuses, Relays, Grounds, Ignition, and Power wires are labeled. The labels will even tell you where the connection needs to be made... I also include my e-mail, and phone number so that you may call or text me with any questions you may have during your installation.

As far as cruise control is concerned. Yes you can use your factory cruise set up, BUT IMHO I would consider going with the newer style cruise. To me it is much more reliable then the vacuum operated.

 

[scottsdale77]

i have a 1977 4x4 k10 scottsdale with a 4in suspension lift and a 3in body lift. With a rebuilt 350 and transmission. I was wanting to put a Ls1 with transmission in my tuck, i was wondering if it was worth my time and money to do it.

 

[87lsxgmc]

what do you use the truck for? a th350 is hands down stronger than a stock 4l60e, you could split it up and just drop the motor in, and get an adapter plate for your converter and run the th350. for a little bit more hp is it worth it, thats up to you and your goals with the truck, imo the ls base engines are a better platform to start with, get a mild cam kit in any stock bottom end your easlily going to make 450hp good luck!

 

[Joshua8336]

I have an 1987 K10 with TBI 350 which is pretty worn out. I was planning on swapping in a crate 350, but I read so much good about the LS swap.

I have read a lot about the swap, but I get really lost in all the wiring. I dont know much about wiring a vechicle and dont want to lose my trucks functionality (a/c, cruise, etc).

I am pretty confident I could get the engine and a 4L60E swapped into the truck, but I would be totally lost trying to actually get it running and mated up with the trucks systems.

Is there a company out there that sells a total kit for wiring and ECM to run everything that makes it dummy-proof? I want plug and play if possible.

Also - I read conflicting posts on wether the oil pan on an LS engine will clear the front axle on a K10. I have no lift on this truck - will i have an issue?

painless makes a kit. depending on the year and if I can find some pinouts you can send me your engine harnesses and I can mate them together. PM if interested

 

[Matthew Scott]

I can get an LS 5.3 out of a Silverado with 104K miles for $400 and it has all the wiring. Should this be an easy swap? Does anyone make a list of the small parts needed?

 

[smurfasaur]

Thanks for the info guys. OneLuckyPops - I live in north IA and there are no tuners around here, probably closest is around 125 miles away, I assume there are guys that do it through mail order. Are your harnesses all tagged so its dummy-proof?

What year/model truck should I look for an LS and trans swap? I would want to keep the cable driven throttle I think - I want to retain Cruise Control - would my factory system work or would something need to be rigged up?

Lastly -anyone have an idea if the oil plan will clear?

Tons of people do mail- order tuning if you’re not near a local tuner. I had BlackBear performance do a tune for my 5.3 since I did a cam swap and headers, etc.

Harness isn’t scary at all. Only 2-3 sensors use the same plug if I remember right so it’s pretty foolproof if you buy a premade harness.

Cable throttle body was from 99-02 or 03 I believe and IMO is easiest like you say. Drive by wire isn’t rocket surgery either though and makes hooking up cruise control really slick.

Oil pan clears just fine depending on your engine position and motor mounts. I used dirty dingo slider mounts to get my engine/trans as close to stock as possible and I had to put about 0.25” spacers in between the block and mounts in order to have clearance on the engine crossmember. I believe there are some folks that have used tejas mounts on 4x4s with no spacers though. Definitely check out Tejas, and the LS swap squarebody Facebook group. Tons of help.


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[Camar068]

I had to put about 0.25” spacers in between the block and mounts in order to have clearance on the engine crossmember.

I got lucky with the dirty dingo's and had a 1/4" between the two....and there was a vacuum hose (not being used) sitting in that spot so it's jammed in there lol. Thought about the washers, will do that if needed.

Mathew Scott, you'll need a sender from an 87 to add the fuel pump to. Could probably make the older style work, not sure though. This is assuming your using your existing saddle tank.

 

[smurfasaur]

I got lucky with the dirty dingo's and had a 1/4" between the two....and there was a vacuum hose (not being used) sitting in that spot so it's jammed in there lol. Thought about the washers, will do that if needed.

Nice, yeah I’ve heard mixed things about having to notch the crossmember or do spacers. If I had to do it again I would probably just fab a new crossmember.


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