1990ChevyC1500LSX

Just wondering if someone could give me a list of the bare necessities on swapping a LS motor into my 1990 Chevy C1500. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Jimbo1367

More info needed on your end. Using your stock 1990 trans?? etc...Swap plates (1" setback) OEM LSx truck FEAD, OEM ECM & harness. Easiest swap would be a complete dropout from a DBC motor. Try a SEARCH and buy a LS swap book.

bustac

iTrader: (1)

We swapped a 2001 5.3 into 1989 Silverado with a 4L80e, used generic swap plates with the 305 mounts. Used some generic mid length headers for 2001 Silverado. Ran the factory 5.3 harness with the underhood fuse panel only 4 wires to hook up 12v to fuel, PCM, ignition.

1990ChevyC1500LSX

I want to do complete motor and trans swap. Prefer 5.3 6.0 or 6.2 Just need to find out mounts and what I need to use from the harness and if any pins to pull as well as fuel supply keeping my stock tank. Would a 98 fuel pump feed enough fuel or would I need a different one? The motor in there now is a 1976 Corvette 350 carbureted with the 700r4 trans. Just want to have something to build more powr and still get reasonable fuel mileage.

bustac

iTrader: (1)

You need good fuel pressure, most people use a walbro or similar inline electric pumps They're cheap and easy to hook up, one wire to your under hood fuse block.

Chevy-art

iTrader: (4)

I did the LS1/4L60E in my truck and I love it. Here is a good website, lots of good info here, http://www.lt1swap.com/ . It is really an easy swap when you are done, but when you start it seems like you will never finish.

88mmrocket

What did you guys do about gauges? I have a 94 that I want to do the same thing to.

Chevy-art

iTrader: (4)

Use the original sending units and the gauges will work. Just have to find the corresponding wires.

sbf

I did the 6.0 swap in my 94 silverado all my gauges work fine I used a 4l80e .stock gas tank with 98 silverado fuel pump ac delco direct fit.shoenfield swap headers direct fit.trans adapt motor plates from jegs $65.00 and a custom wiring harness from current performance.wiring harness is pricey but it plugged into my fire wall just like oe my check engine light work as if I had the oe motor.

1967camaro78

iTrader: (1)

What oil pan did you use? I am thinking about doing 6.0 in my 89 c1500 have complete engine.

BigEd_72455

iTrader: (7)

Thread resurrection here, sorry.


Does using the speed sensor on the 4L60e work the 89 speedo properly? I traded for a truck that has already had the 5.3/4L60e put in it. But the harness work and finishing re-assembly is on me to accomplish. Any suggestions? I would like to retain original gauges and speedo if possible.

tfi racing

iTrader: (2)

Here's a place for some helpful hints:
http://www.ls1truck.com/forums/lsx-truck-conversions/

L92 OLDS

C/K trucks up until 91 had the crappy "moony" style gauges which I despise. I would swap in the nicer, updated gauge cluster from a 1992-1994 truck which has a tachometer and much better graphics. The DRAC / VSSB unit for the newer gauges is compatible with newer transmissions and can be configured / calibrated to your gearing and tire size. This DRAC/VSSB is located behind the glove box door and has DIP switches that you can play with. They are a dime a dozen in the salvage yard. Here is a link that might help.

http://www.tbichips.com/drac/

BigEd_72455

iTrader: (7)

But what about the wiring itself? Does that plug right in to the older instrument cluster wiring? Or do I have to go thru the whole fiasco of changing that harness as well?

reedld

iTrader: (7)

A 95 cluster won't fit a 88-94 dash truck without swapping out entire dashboard. The 95 and newer were nicer dashes. I previously owned a 94 that didn't have the tach...I bought a gauge cluster with tach from eBay and it worked without any issues. As far as figuring out which wires go to where..id buy a chilton or Hayes book for the electrical info. You will need to put specific wires from the LSx pcm to the new cluster.

L92 OLDS

Guys, my bad on the years....It's been a while since I've done this. The nicer 92-94 gauges with tachometer will physically fit an older C/K truck (88-91). The wiring is color coded and needs to be changed to fit the newer style gauge cluster. It is not as difficult as you would think and this change as been done many times on the truck forums. I did it on my 90 truck but do not have documentation. Here are a few links. Dakota digital is also an option

http://www.fullsizechevy.com/forum/g...ster-swap.html

http://www.dakotadigital.com/index.c...160/prd160.htm

http://www.chevytalk.org/fusionbb/sh...php?tid/258562

L92 OLDS

Here is a step by step instruction with pics showing how to swap to the newer needle style gauges

http://www.someotherplace.com/info/c...p/cluster.html

arobertson91

what do you mean by original sending unit? I have a 91 k1500 that im putting a 2001 5.3 in and am using the wiring harness and the ecm off the truck I got the 5.3 out of and want to know if my gauges will still work with that will I have too splice my old wires into the new wiring harness for the 5.3

arobertson91

so when you did the 6.0 swap did you use a ecm out of a truck with a 6.0 or did you use the ecm that was originally in your truck?

BigEd_72455

iTrader: (7)

You wont be splicing anything. What he is saying is mount your original sending units for oil and temp in the new engine. Find the plugs for them in the original engine harness and plug them in. That will allow your original dash gauges to work properly.

You will use the 6.0 harness but you have to convert it to stand alone. Or buy a stand alone harness already converted.

Don't forget to have the Ecu programmed to turn off the VATS so you can start it and run it. If you have done a lot of engine mods, you will need to find someone to tune it for you to get the most out of your combo.