Rooster86C10

Hi,
I have a 1986 C10 that I have totally rebuilt the front end and rear. Am cureently doing body. Got truck for a steal with a bad 305/700r4. I really want to transplant the engine/tranny form 1999 up Silverado into it and maintain all appearances of stock truck except under the hood.
I know this has probably been beat to death, and I have read the posts concerning this swap. Header issues, wiring, mounts. I still have a few questions as I am about to do this swap and would really like some information prior to jumping into this.
1. Cooling... What needs to be done concerning radiator and cooling?

2. Fuel delivery... I understand the need for hi pressure fuel lines, but what pump?

3. My goal is to transplant stock 5.3 and tranny into this truck. I do not intend at this point to modify it, do I need to have pcm tuned?

4.I am going to run stock 10bolt 3.73 geared rearend, any issues?

5.Will the stock exhaust manifolds work with this and do I need cats to make engine and pcm work correctly?

Thank you for any help. I will definitely be using this forum as a tool to accomplish this swap. I am a diesel generator technician by trade so fabrication and electrical are within my skills. Thank you again.
Rooster

bowtieguy79

iTrader: (1)

Rooster,
Let me start off by saying welcome to the LSx club! The grass is greener over here!


1. Cooling... What needs to be done concerning radiator and cooling?
you can use the OE radiator, just be sure to run a air bleed off tube to the upper end of the radiator, some OE radiators have a 5/8's heater hose bung that can be adapted down to fit the 3/8's line off the heads
2. Fuel delivery... I understand the need for hi pressure fuel lines, but what pump?
I used the 1979 lines that ran up the frame. I used Russels tube nuts to -6 fittings with stainless steel hose connecting everything. see photo's




as far as a tank. I used the 1979 tank but used an 87 sending unit with a 96-99 CK GM truck, I would however suggest using a complete 87 tank for the baffleing used in it. Mine tends to slosh when below 1/4 tank and loose fuel.
3. My goal is to transplant stock 5.3 and tranny into this truck. I do not intend at this point to modify it, do I need to have pcm tuned?
You will need to modify your pcm, it will need to have all the anti theft turned off to be able to fire. You can send your PCM off to many different places, very good ones on this site. John Speer is one of the best, he does harness rework as well as custom tunes.
4.I am going to run stock 10bolt 3.73 geared rearend, any issues?
no issues at all, should be a great choice!
5.Will the stock exhaust manifolds work with this and do I need cats to make engine and pcm work correctly?
The manifolds will be fine, but you are going to have to hack away some frame and if you have a 99-02 manifold you will have to do away with EGR and grind away at the EGR mount on the manifold. You can tap and plug the hole for EGR in the manifold. Be sure to use new ruber mounts on the frame while your there. I used the old ones I replaced 10 years ago, and the settled to much, enging tags frame over rail road tracks... As far as your cats, its your call, I see your in CALI so you may want to keep a cat on it. But it can be tuned to run with out cats. Mine sure shounds good with out it!

You are asking all of the right questions! Good luck finding a donor engine/trans!

montecarloss

iTrader: (18)

1.cooling-i used my factory radiator assy and pluged my heater outlet.also drill and tap my water pump and connected to my head coolant pipe.
2. fuel- I bought a 87 fuel injected sending unit with a walbro 255 pump, ran high press hoses to a corvett fuel filter,bought high press line from oraillys that had clips for fuel rail.I used car intake with camaro fuel rail.
hope this helps you,look at my post history and you will find pics of my truck,good luck

Rooster86C10

Thank you. Any pictures of your completed install? Are you running stock 285 hp? And also does it have plenty of torque? I really like the idea of doing this, just want to make sure all bases covered before I start. Again Thank you.

montecarloss

iTrader: (18)

no problem check this out https://www.performancetrucks.net/fo...=417816&page=3

Rooster86C10

That is one awesome looking truck! Hopefully mine will come out at least half that good

montecarloss

iTrader: (18)

thanks man and your truck will,later

Rooster86C10

What about o2 sensors and what tranny should I try for? and does tranny require another computer?

bowtieguy79

iTrader: (1)

O2's and MAF are optional, but a good idea to keep. Stick with a complete pull out from a 99-02 2wd truck. 5.3L and 4L60/65E. You won't be disapointed. You may have to get your drive shaft reworked to fit properly. If you have a LWB it may still work. Mine did.

JeevesRules

iTrader: (1)

i have pics in my photobucket ..... i say do it!

i used an msd fuel pump with bad luck and switched to a tsunami nock off with execellent results

radiator is a griffin dual 1 inch

engine and converter are a 350th with tci 3600

rear - stock 10 bolt with gears and locker

truck seen best of a 12.20 w/ 75hp shot @4500 lbs