I wanted to convert my TBI 305 Caprice Wagon to diesel so I could get over 30 MPG with it, but then someone on this forum planted the bug in my ear of doing an LS 5.3L swap (a variable displacement 5.3 from a Tahoe, Suburban, Silverado, etc). Then it happened: I bought a 1997 Suburban with a cracked frame for upgrade parts for my 1993 Suburban. The 97 has a much nicer interior, and I swapped the seats, the overhead console (the 97 had an LCD TV and a DVD player in it, so now on long trips the kids can watch Veggie Tales), I swapped the sideview mirrors and the rear bumper as well. I am going to swap rear axles because the 97 has a 3.42 axle with the gov-loc differential, whereas my 93 Suburban has an open 3.73 rear end. I want the taller ratio and the locker, so this is a win/win. I bought this from my neighbor, who just had the trans overhauled about 5,000 miles ago (I helped him pull it out and put it in in his driveway, as well as hauling the trans to the trans shop for him with my truck) and it was built by a local shop with a reputation for excellent work, especially with 700R4 and 4L60/4L60E transmissions. This trans is upgraded with 5 pinion planetaries, a stronger sun shell, and all the other upgrades that (unofficially) make it a 4L65-E. It also has a new Torque Converter. This got me thinking about the Vortec 350 under the hood. I'm thinking about refreshing it (it does need a new "spider" injector unit) tearing the engine down, re-ringing it and putting in fresh bearings, timing chain, water pump, etc. and using it in the wagon along with the fresh 4L60E instead. The P.O. said that the 97 would do 23 MPG on the highway so I am thinking the same engine and trans in a round body wagon with 3.08 gears should maybe do 27 MPG highway (which is what my Suburban gets, and is only 1 MPG less than the V6 Camry I am replacing with the Wagon. I remember being impressed with the power of the engine even though the injection isn't working correctly right now and even though it had over 200,000 miles on it when I test drove it after the trans swap. I think in a 1,500 lb lighter car it would run much stronger, like an LT1 car. My question is if the accessory brackets for the 305 will work on this engine because I don't like the idea of having to custom fabricate A/C lines (the Vortec brackets puts the AC compressor on the other side of the engine and uses a different compressor). I intend to use a set of 5 lug truck rally wheels (I have a set of 15x8" wheels in the garage) with a set of 235 70 R15 tires, and putting 9C1 Caprice police car swaybars front and rear on it as well. I'd still rather use an LS engine if cost were no object, but this option is attractive because I have the parts already (I got the 97 Suburban for $350.00 which is what the salvage yard offered my neighbor) and mechanically the drivetrain is sound. I already have the parts, and I like the way this engine runs already. I'd appreciate any comments, as well as what you think my 55 MPH cruise control on fuel mileage might be. I will save my 6.5L diesel for a different project. I look forward to your replies. Oh, FYI, while custom fabricating A/C lines does bother me, the wiring involved and converting the car to OBDII does not. Wiring and electrical are my specialties.
Well there you go...... I would think that wiring / electronics would be the biggest problem area on this swap, so if you can deal with it no problem, you're gonna be running the streets with it in no time...... I'd suggest setting up a 'Project' thread on it here: http://www.stationwagonforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=32 Marshall
Is that the same morphodite setup I have on my 4.3 GMC with the single injector and all the plastic lines running off it to each cylinder? When mine went bad, it was only available from the dealer as a complete unit at $400. Further research found I could just buy the injector from OReillys. It worked great.
argo-----custom fabricating A/C lines does bother me Sounds like you got a good deal and know what to do. Down here NAPA and other shops can make any line with any end you want and the prices are not bad.
