GMT400 Chevy Tahoe Gets 5.3L, 10-Speed Swap for Improved Performance

By Brett Foote - December 31, 2024

This 1997 Chevy Tahoe only had 22k miles on it to begin with, but it has been upgraded with a modern powertrain and other cool bits.

It’s no secret that older, boxier trucks and SUVs are all the rage these days, which has prompted automakers to create new vehicles that look, well, a bit retro in that regard. Consumers just can’t get enough of this particular look after being bombarded with what amounts to rolling eggs on wheels for many years, understandably, though at the same time, the values of older models continues to rise as well. This 1997 Chevy Tahoe was such a nice example with just 22,000 original miles on the clock, but the owner has opted for an upgraded powertrain, regardless.

In this video from the YouTube channel Stangkilr Productions, we get a closer look at the finished 1997 Chevy Tahoe build, which is now equipped with a newer 5.3-liter V8 equipped with a Brian Tooley Stage 4 cam and LT2 intake, plus a 10L90E 10-speed automatic transmission. The build was just wrapped up and there are a few kinks to work out, but the early prognosis is the this milder swap has resulted in a seriously sweet-driving SUV from the past that now has more power, to boot.

The owner of this 1997 Chevy Tahoe wanted precisely that, but he was just looking for something he could cruise around in comfortably, which is precisely the point of such a powertrain swap. The SUV was already lowered and fitted with more modern brakes, so the shop opted to go with a brand new 5.3-liter V8 out of a 2024 Chevy Silverado, along with a 10L90E that came from a 2021 Camaro and has been fitted with a Circle D torque converter.

All of these upgrades are joined by a few exterior enhancements such as blacked-out chrome trim and a set of black 20-inch front and 22-inch rear wheels, but the engine bay itself is a true work of art thanks to some custom fender wells and the fact that all of the wiring has been hidden from view – not to mention all of the factory electronics and unsightly stuff. The interior is in fantastic condition as well, with a few upgrades including a new steering wheel with paddle shifters, Dakota Digital gauges, and an Alpine head unit.

The result is a seriously cool modern restomod of sorts, the kind of build that we’re surely going to see more of in the coming years. After all, a lot of folks love the way these older body-style SUVs and trucks look, but crave a bit more power and modern driving dynamics – and in this case, that formula has clearly been perfected.