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LS3 Swap for 15 Tahoe with LT1 5.3?

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Old 12-12-2015, 09:29 PM
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Default LS3 Swap for 15 Tahoe with LT1 5.3?

Can you swap an LS3 into a 15 Tahoe with a LT1 5.3?

I know the computers are different and of course would require a tune...
But are the harnesses the same?

What I really plan on doing is putting the LSX 6.2 with a whipple 2.9 on it...for a nice AWD monster.

I didn't know where to post this....so it is a conversion.

I would buy a Denali (which is just a Tahoe with a 6.2 LT1), but if I can do this swap it would be about 50%-60% of the cost......new Denalis are like $80K-$90K out the door(with charger), which is way too much.
Old 12-12-2015, 09:49 PM
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Can it be done? Sure. In California legally? Doubtful.
Old 12-12-2015, 10:50 PM
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CA has done away with the dyno test.....too expensive for operators to maintain. Just needs to pass a visual and the idle sniff test.

It just needs need to pass a visual.....and an LS3 from the outside looks just like an LT1 or L83 5.3. And with the Whipple I get the CARB EO sticker....so everything will look compliant. As long as I keep the cam down it'll pass the hearing test and sniffer.....I put an LS3 with a whipple in my 5.3 truck and it passed.

Its a great power combo.....I've put 40K miles on that swap with no issues. And I beat the crap out of that thing with towing, 2wd burnouts, and AWD runs from light to light.

I guess the question is will the new computer and harness in the 15s run an LS3......non direct injected engine.
Old 12-14-2015, 03:06 AM
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Probably be easier to find the 6.2 LT1 from a wrecked truck and swap it over.
Old 12-14-2015, 11:18 AM
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A Ca smog check for '99 and newer vehicles involves plugging into your OBDII port and a visual. No sniffer.
http://www.smogcheck.ca.gov/Consumer...heck_Test.html
Old 12-14-2015, 07:18 PM
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L92 is the truck version of LS3. Get that with the 6L80 trans from a Denali or Escalade.
From the outside, they should be visually identical. You'd just need a tune.

I don't know the the smog test shops could tell if your ECM has a tune installed.
I'm not sure about the supercharger thing. You could always install the smog legal edelbrock or similar (or even the GM version).

Doug
Old 12-14-2015, 07:20 PM
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Hey one more thought:
Check out Duraburb. They do Duramax diesel swaps in to suburban / yukon platform vehicles.
They turn up the wick to 600hp and 1200 ft lbs. The trucks are absolute rockets. Might be a bit more than the swap you are talking about, but those should be good on gas, too.
And they use all OEM parts. Maybe you can go that route.

They have videos of the swapped vehicles on youtube. Crazy quick.

Doug
Old 12-14-2015, 07:31 PM
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Check this out:
http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/63-...us-states.html
Old 12-14-2015, 07:38 PM
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Originally Posted by fasteddy
Can you swap an LS3 into a 15 Tahoe with a LT1 5.3?

I know the computers are different and of course would require a tune...
But are the harnesses the same?

What I really plan on doing is putting the LSX 6.2 with a whipple 2.9 on it...for a nice AWD monster.

I didn't know where to post this....so it is a conversion.

I would buy a Denali (which is just a Tahoe with a 6.2 LT1), but if I can do this swap it would be about 50%-60% of the cost......new Denalis are like $80K-$90K out the door(with charger), which is way too much.
The engine harness is completely different mainly due to the 2015 5.3 having direct injection and the LS3 has old school injectors. Having wired both I can tell you that you're in for a real treat....
Old 12-15-2015, 01:32 AM
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Yup......No can do.

14 and 15 computers and harnesses won't run old injection system
That just sucks!

LT1 crate motor is $3K more than an LS3.
Charger is the same.....


Makes it a near $20K swap.....with shop labor.
Still not bad for 650hp with 2,4 and AWD.

But I've seen folks on this site spend more....


Just need to find a good donor Tahoe....
Old 12-15-2015, 09:58 AM
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don't discount the duraburb option. I think their swap is $18k.
600 HP and 1200 ft lbs is achievable. It'd blow doors on the LS3 with blower swap. And get much better mileage. 15 around town and 25 on the highway is what they said in their videos.

Doug
Old 12-15-2015, 11:00 AM
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Originally Posted by DW SD
don't discount the duraburb option. I think their swap is $18k.
600 HP and 1200 ft lbs is achievable. It'd blow doors on the LS3 with blower swap. And get much better mileage. 15 around town and 25 on the highway is what they said in their videos.

Doug
No....I didn't discount it....would love it, but
where I live its hard enough getting people to work on gas engines.
I wouldn't even know where to start looking for diesel maintenance.
I'm going to look though.....but does that include a transmission that will hold 1200lbs of TQ.....sounds badass.
Old 12-15-2015, 11:29 AM
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Do you have a dealer? They use OEM parts, so supposedly Duraburb customers just go to the dealer.

I bought my L92 / 6L80 drivetrain from Eric (owner of Duraburb). He's great.

Where in SoCal are you?

Doug
Old 12-15-2015, 12:13 PM
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I think Duraburb uses the Allison transmissions. you will use the whole OEM drivetrain solution (which is bolt-in) but with maybe a hotter turbo and tune.

Doug
Old 12-16-2015, 10:26 PM
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GMPP now offers the LT4 supercharged engine. That should be a straightforward swap, give or take...

Andrew
Old 12-17-2015, 12:33 AM
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Originally Posted by DW SD
I think Duraburb uses the Allison transmissions. you will use the whole OEM drivetrain solution (which is bolt-in) but with maybe a hotter turbo and tune.

Doug
I was thinking of replacing my truck with a duramax truck (765lbs of TQ). Its funny though, after driving one, its doesn't feel half as torque'y as my truck with only 550 lbs of TQ. (LS3 w/Charger).

But Im looking at the diesels for towing......my truck is so thrashed from distance towing, rockchips and other wear and tear.....the front looks sandblasted.
Old 12-17-2015, 12:36 AM
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Originally Posted by Project GatTagO
GMPP now offers the LT4 supercharged engine. That should be a straightforward swap, give or take...

Andrew
If GM would give me emissions compliance documents I would consider that.
Old 12-17-2015, 11:21 PM
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Screw the new ones.....don't really like that body style anyway....
I'm just gonna build a bushwacher Tahoe from the last generation.
With a forged LSX 6.2 and a whipple.
Easy to buy, easy to install, smoggable, and they look badass.





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