First, thanks for the add. I've been messing with motors pretty much since I could turn a wrench, (no exaggeration. I used to take tools out of Dad's tool box while he was away, so I could take things apart, just to find out how they worked.). I've built my share of small block and big block Chevys over the decades, as well as small block MOPAR and MOPAR Magnum engines. I've dabbled a bit with EFI, (Crossfire and TBI and now MOPAR MPFI), but I've decided to enter the LS/Vortec realm.

I have a 1957 Chevrolet 3200 4wd pickup truck that I built on a modified and shortened 2nd Gen Dodge Ram 1500 chassis. When I did the 4wd chassis swap, I was lacking a GM transmission and driver's side drop transfer case and my budget wouldn't allow for it, so I kept the drivetrain from the donor truck, a 5.9L Magnum V8, mated to a 46RH automatic and a NP231 transfer case. I kept the factory EFI and used a factory service manual to sort out the wire harness and make it all work like it should, because there's only one company that offered a standalone harness for the Magnum V8s, starting at $1,000.

Now, 8 years later, I'm tired of the MOPAR drivetrain and have purchased a LM7 from a 2005 Tahoe, along with the wire harness and ECM. Yes, I am aware that the LM7 is a Vortec truck engine and not a "true LS", but the similarities are enough that I can use the site to harvest the tidbits I need to learn for a successful swap. The plan is a strong towing and highway cruising platform. This truck is no drag racer, so I'm thinking the new cam will be TSP's Stage 2 High Lift truck cam and hopefully some long tube headers if I can find a set that will fit the Dodge chassis.

The transmission is going to be a 4L60E, once I find one, and a NP241 manual transfer case. The axles are geared with 3.55s and the tires are 32" tall, so no real reason to mess with gearing. Right now, with the re-cammed 5.9 Magnum, cruising down the interstate at 75-80 is easy and fuel mileage runs between 14-17 MPG, which isn't horrible for what it is.

I'm looking forward to this next step and the exchange of ideas that will lead to a successful swap.


Ethyl the Shameless Hussy