My swap. 5.3 into a 1990 3/4 ton 4x4 Suburban.
 

Picked up my motor yesterday so this just became real! Figured I could start my build thread now. The short story is, im going to be putting an '02 5.3 into my 90 suburban that originally had a TBI 350. Im going to keep the TH400 trans. My goal in this swap is to make everything look as factory as possible without being obsessive.

Got my engine, computer and harness ready to run from a guy who had it as his project that ended up going the diesel route. Here is the motor when i loaded it up in the back of my Blazer bringing it home.

http://i597.photobucket.com/albums/t...i/IMAG0351.jpg

Video of it being ran for me before i took it home.


Going to be using these motor mounts from Car Shop Inc.

http://carshop.carshopinc.com/produc.../98457/CSP2370

http://i597.photobucket.com/albums/t...i/IMAG0344.jpg

I'll be using,

Fuel pump, EP381 Delco# (E3270 Airtex #) = Flow = 50-60 GPH & PSI = 80-90

Flex plate spacer, 12563532

Flex plate spacer bolts, 12563533

For the fuel system, my motor is a return style so im going to be doing the fuel lines as follows, beginning at the point where the old braided lines started around the bellhousing area. From there back will all be stock unmodified stuff.

http://i978.photobucket.com/albums/a...elfittings.png


RUS-640850 = LS FUEL RAIL PRESSURE SIDE
RUS-640860 = LS FUEL RAIL RETURN SIDE
FRA-491971-BL = ORIGINAL FUEL LINE PRESSURE SIDE
EAR-9894DBHERL = ORIGINAL FUEL LINE RETURN SIDE
SUM-220690B = HOSE ENDS X4

I'll run autometer adapters for the oil pressure sending unit and temp sending unit. I will also be using the stock Speed sensor in the transfer case.

Oil pressure adapter is 2268
Water temp is

So here is what im starting with.

http://i597.photobucket.com/albums/t...i/cacb6fdb.jpg

Will update as things progress! Hoping to have the old engine out and the new one set in place just after christmas.

Re: My swap. 5.3 into a 1990 3/4 ton 4x4 Suburban.
 

Sounds like you have done some homework! Thats what I did and I had mine in and running in a few weekends. Don't forget you have to have a steam vent and a plan for your throttle cable.

Re: My swap. 5.3 into a 1990 3/4 ton 4x4 Suburban.
 

Looks like a great project! I'm in

Re: My swap. 5.3 into a 1990 3/4 ton 4x4 Suburban.
 

I have done lots of homework in fact! I think i have it to where i will be able to wire it all up and have everything look and work like factory. Hope that this build will inspire others to not be shy about taking the leap!

Re: My swap. 5.3 into a 1990 3/4 ton 4x4 Suburban.
 

Forgot to add that i will be using a stock '02 tahoe/suburban/siverado throttle cable and upper radiator hose. The lower hose will use the stock 90 one. Im not doing A/C on it yet but when i do im just going to do a sanden compressor mounted up high on the passenger head using some to be determined relocation brackets. Im going to switch to driver side battery and run stock intake ducting and air box over to the passenger side for as factory of an install as possible. I'll be sure and document everything as well as possible especially when it comes to the wiring which if i didnt care as much, would be much more simple!

Re: My swap. 5.3 into a 1990 3/4 ton 4x4 Suburban.
 

It really is a simple swap when you plan ahead a little. I've put about 200 miles on mine already and the only issue I had was one tranny line was dripping a little. Now i'm thinking a good cam and tune...

Re: My swap. 5.3 into a 1990 3/4 ton 4x4 Suburban.
 

Looks like a good plan of attack! I did notice though that you listed an Airtex part number after the Delco for your fuel pump, this is just my opinion, and we all know everybody has one, but I'd definitley spend the extra money and get the Delco over the Airtex. I personally have had bad luck with Airtex, and they always seem to go out when you have a full tank, and dropping a Suburban tank full is nobody's idea of fun. Just my $0.02 ;)

Re: My swap. 5.3 into a 1990 3/4 ton 4x4 Suburban.
 

Thanks! The Telco pump is $79.95 from summit. I'm sure i can handle that.
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Re: My swap. 5.3 into a 1990 3/4 ton 4x4 Suburban.
 

Can you please post most of the steps to doing this because I'd like to do this swap in the future in my suburban but don't have a clue what to do especially with the wiring
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Re: My swap. 5.3 into a 1990 3/4 ton 4x4 Suburban.
 

Yep! That's the plan! Flex plate spacer showed up the other day.

http://i597.photobucket.com/albums/t...i/IMAG0357.jpg
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Re: My swap. 5.3 into a 1990 3/4 ton 4x4 Suburban.
 

Ordered the fuel pump, temp sender, and oil pressure sensor adapter. Next purchase will befuel line stuff once I come up with a final plan for that.
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Re: My swap. 5.3 into a 1990 3/4 ton 4x4 Suburban.
 

Finally got the motor unloaded out of the back of the blazer. Getting it cleaned and preped. Also pulled the intake to make sure I didn't break it when I unloaded it. So now its sitting on the bench getting cleaned also. I'm starting to think these motors really are easier to work on then the old motors!

http://i597.photobucket.com/albums/t...i/IMAG0380.jpg

http://i597.photobucket.com/albums/t...i/IMAG0381.jpg
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Re: My swap. 5.3 into a 1990 3/4 ton 4x4 Suburban.
 

The hoodless truck.

http://i597.photobucket.com/albums/t...i/IMAG0385.jpg
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Re: My swap. 5.3 into a 1990 3/4 ton 4x4 Suburban.
 

Man! I would like some info on how to do this to my suburban! It looks great, will the mpg's be better? Can you email me the pros and cons of this swap I'm really interested!!!
Rodriguez_dav79@yahoo.com
Thanks again!
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Re: My swap. 5.3 into a 1990 3/4 ton 4x4 Suburban.
 

91subed, it will take me a while to get around to e mailing you. There os basically no cons to the swap other then the cost which still isn't much. Yes the mpg will be better then with the tbi 350. Also about 100 more HP! Got the motor all ready to pull today. Just need to hook up the hoist!

http://i597.photobucket.com/albums/t...i/IMAG0389.jpg
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Re: My swap. 5.3 into a 1990 3/4 ton 4x4 Suburban.
 

That's cool just keep me updated I really wanna do this! What looks intimidating is the wiring and computer part.
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Re: My swap. 5.3 into a 1990 3/4 ton 4x4 Suburban.
 

The wiring is easy, esspecially if you install the factory fuse block. Only 5 or 6 wires to hook up in total. If you are a bit more adventurous like I am, then you can easily strip down the factory harness and install your own fuse / relay block. Just finished a 5.3L install into a 92 Jeep Commanche, working on a 6.0L into a 97 Ford Ranger, and also about to start an LB7 Duramax swap on my 95 Tahoe.

As for getting the PCM flashed, I would reccomend Wayne Hartwig from Pirate4x4.com, $150 bucks + shipping both ways. If you need / want something changed in the future (new cam, intake, exhaust, want more power etc) all you pay is shipping both ways for the life of the PCM.

Re: My swap. 5.3 into a 1990 3/4 ton 4x4 Suburban.
 

You guys are pushing to doing this sooner than later! Keep the info coming plez!!!
I'm gonna look for an engine this weekend...do I need the trans or can I use my 700r4?
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Re: My swap. 5.3 into a 1990 3/4 ton 4x4 Suburban.
 

I'd use a 4l60e with a 4.8 or 5.3L powered truck, and a 4l80e with a 6.0L. The 700r4 is not a bad transmission, but there are complications involved with hooking it up (TV cable), it limits you to the older and less powerful drive by cable engines and simply put, they don't shift as well as the new ones do.

Re: My swap. 5.3 into a 1990 3/4 ton 4x4 Suburban.
 

Ok so I've been searching and I've seen different 5.3 have different horsepower one 295 and one at 315...is there a specific year that's better for this swap?
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Re: My swap. 5.3 into a 1990 3/4 ton 4x4 Suburban.
 

How much will this swap cost me???
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Re: My swap. 5.3 into a 1990 3/4 ton 4x4 Suburban.
 

LOL that's about the most in answerable question ever. I would imagine if a person were thrifty and patient and lucky it could be done for as little as $1000 but of a person was the opposite of that it could easily run up to $6000. Mine is looking to end up right at $1600.
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Re: My swap. 5.3 into a 1990 3/4 ton 4x4 Suburban.
 

BTW I got the motor pulled last night!

http://i597.photobucket.com/albums/t...i/IMAG0391.jpg
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Re: My swap. 5.3 into a 1990 3/4 ton 4x4 Suburban.
 

Well I'm gonna be patient and do as much research as possible. And I'm gonna follow your swap as well. I was originally gonna get a reman350 long block but then I heard about this swap. Is it really better? More reliable? More power? Better MPG? Easier to work on?
Any opinions???
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Re: My swap. 5.3 into a 1990 3/4 ton 4x4 Suburban.
 

...all of the above.