Chevy engine swap

[rrman61]

How hard would it be to swap out my 350 and replace it with a 2004 5.4 in my 95 Chevy 2500 with 4L80 transmission?everything needed for the 5.3 is there on the engine less whatever it takes to swap it over

 

[rustred]

you would have to know if the engine block bell housing pattern is going to mate up to the 4l80. i dont know that 5.4 engine. i had a 95 with that trans. and the 6.5 diesel.

 

[rockcreek4630]

How hard would it be to swap out my 350 and replace it with a 2004 5.4 in my 95 Chevy 2500 with 4L80 transmission?everything needed for the 5.3 is there on the engine less whatever it takes to swap it over

It's not hard but you will have to buy some parts. The biggest deal is figuring out what you want to do with the electronics.

 

[rockcreek4630]

you would have to know if the engine block bell housing pattern is going to mate up to the 4l80. i dont know that 5.4 engine. i had a 95 with that trans. and the 6.5 diesel.

The bell housing are the same but you only use 5 bolts.

 

[used red MN]

How hard would it be to swap out my 350 and replace it with a 2004 5.4 in my 95 Chevy 2500 with 4L80 transmission?everything needed for the 5.3 is there on the engine less whatever it takes to swap it over

It's not hard but you will have to buy some parts. The biggest deal is figuring out what you want to do with the electronics.

The electronics and namely the fuel injection. Also the data the transmission needs to operate/shift. You would need to get a system like Holley has available that mix/mashes the electronics. Look like they start at about $1500.

 

[stevieb49829]

Mounts and bellhousing pattern should interchange. The wiring could prove to be a nightmare, unless you are good at that. Then there's fuel delivery if one is and the other one isn't FI. The in-tank fuel pump for FI puts out a lot of pressure, and will overwhelm a carburetor without a fuel pressure regulator. steve

Sorry, red and I must have been typing at the same time.

 

[rrman61]

It's not hard but you will have to buy some parts. The biggest deal is figuring out what you want to do with the electronics.

Mounts and bellhousing pattern should interchange. The wiring could prove to be a nightmare, unless you are good at that. Then there's fuel delivery if one is and the other one isn't FI. The in-tank fuel pump for FI puts out a lot of pressure, and will overwhelm a carburetor without a fuel pressure regulator. steve

Sorry, red and I must have been typing at the same time.

It’s throttle body now and the 350 only has 40,000 miles on it.I just want more hp for pulling a trailer.a better throttle body and intake for the 350 is an option.I’ll call Holley tomorrow to pick their brains

 

[stevieb49829]

It’s throttle body now and the 350 only has 40,000 miles on it.I just want more hp for pulling a trailer.a better throttle body and intake for the 350 is an option.I’ll call Holley tomorrow to pick their brains

I imagine the other engine is available? But, if you are planning on adding power, I'd favor a newer big block, like a 454 for towing.

 

[rrman61]

I imagine the other engine is available? But, if you are planning on adding power, I'd favor a newer big block, like a 454 for towing.

I can get a used 5.3 for 500 bucks with 140,000 miles on it.idk if I should just stay with my 350 and boost hp on it if it’s about the same money anyway.

 

[Duner Wi]

Is your diagnostic connector 12 or 16 pin.1995 was a transition year for OBD 1 to 2. Your 95 has a distributor I think. 2004 is coil on plug , my guess that will cause difficulties. I can foresee lots of fun with wiring but I could be wrong. Swap a 500 inch Cadillac in there and be done with if you want torque.

 

[rrman61]

I can get a used 5.3 for 500 bucks with 140,000 miles on it.idk if I should just stay with my 350 and boost hp on it if it’s about the same money anyway.

As in same price to convert everything to make the 5.3 work or same price to improve the 350.290-300 hp would be enough for what I pull

 

[rockcreek4630]

As in same price to convert everything to make the 5.3 work or same price to improve the 350.290-300 hp would be enough for what I pull

I would tune the 350. The time and dollars to do the swap for improved pulling get a 6.0.

 

[rrman61]

I would tune the 350. The time and dollars to do the swap for improved pulling get a 6.0.

Ya that 6.0 is a good engine in my experience.the 6.0 in the company truck has 375,000 miles and is still strong

 

[used red MN]

Apply double the money and trade up, cuts the PIA factor way more than in half. In fact you’ll probably get onto the positive side of the PIA factor, better creature comforts etc. Easy for me to spend your money from my phone screen.

 

[ss55]

How hard would it be to swap out my 350 and replace it with a 2004 5.4 in my 95 Chevy 2500 with 4L80 transmission?everything needed for the 5.3 is there on the engine less whatever it takes to swap it over

Do your homework as newer 5.3 and 6.0 engines build their HP at much higher 5200 RPM that your TBI 350 4000 RPM engine is capable of running.

Your 1995 Chevy 2500 350 might be a TBI (Throttle Body Injection) LO5 engine (VIN letter K) rated at 205 HP at only 4000 RPM and 310 Ft-Lb torque at 2400 RPM. The 1996-2000 Vortec L31 engine was rated 255 HP at 4600 RPM and 330 Ft-Lb torque at 2800 RPM mostly from different cylinder heads and MPI (Multiport Fuel Injection). Your TBI cylinder heads have no chance of flowing enough air to build HP at higher RPM, the bottom end might not be capable of higher RPM either. If you do stay with a 350 investigate if a new crate engine is available already built to meet your goals rather than try to rebuild your old engine yourself.

The 2000 and up 5.3 and 6.0 made their HP at 5200 RPM and maximum torque at 4000 RPM. Transmissions are different with shift points at higher RPMs. The internet is full of information from people who have made that swap.

TBI 350 vs. gen III 5.3l LM7

So, my Blazer has a perfectly good TBI 350 with a brand new 700R4 behind it. The plan was to put on some Vortec heads, a cam, bigger throttle body and a chip and hope I get somewhere close to 300 HP. However, I'm picking up a 2000 chevy with a 5.3l and 4l60e this weekend. Would you yank...

www.rme4x4.com

 

[cjunrau]

I would just stay with what I got. If you have a good engine and swap an I do not know engine, you may have a oil burner in a few weeks and maybe no engine. I bought a "rebuilt" engine and did a swap. Turns out it was not a rebuilt but re assembled with broken parts and painted. i had to do all the work again and find a new engine. I would personally buy a different truck.

 

[Steven Allen]

I have Tahoes with both the 350 TBI ('95) and the 5.3 (2001). I pull trailers with both.

Stick with the 350.

Trick it out if you feel the need, but the 350's powerband is much more useful unless you are pulling a very light trailer at very high speeds (and even then the OD makes the high revs unnecessary except to get there).

Just one guy's experience; YMMV.

 

[Mark-Ia]

Lots of videos on Youtube that cover the swap process.

 

[buickanddeere]

How hard would it be to swap out my 350 and replace it with a 2004 5.4 in my 95 Chevy 2500 with 4L80 transmission?everything needed for the 5.3 is there on the engine less whatever it takes to swap it over

What is a 5.4L

 

[ss55]

I can get a used 5.3 for 500 bucks with 140,000 miles on it.idk if I should just stay with my 350 and boost hp on it if it’s about the same money anyway.

$500 for a used 5.3 engine is about the same as the exchange core charge for a rebuildable 5.3 engine. Rebuilding a 5.3 would cost another $3000 to $6,000. Unless I knew and really trusted the seller I would not rely on a $500 late model engine to last very long, especially if worked hard.

Used vehicle prices are starting to drop as used buyers are tightening their belts until their income tax refunds arrive. If the truck is used for business this might be time to trade the 31 year old truck ( $3000 private sale value? ) for something more suited to your needs. If this is for pleasure and your old truck is still reliable then you have plenty of time to get places, plan your trips and take the back roads and enjoy the trip when pulling loaded trailers.