Chevy & GMC Vans

a friend recently got in an accident due to a snow storm. No one was hurt luckily but his 3/4 ton chevy truck was totaled.
He decided to strip the truck (only had liability) and scrap it out. Luckily I found out prior to him getting to far into stripping.
I asked him every question I could think about concerning the engine, to which he replied "you can have it for $150.00 if you help me strip the truck. Of course I am getting the 97 Vortec 5.7 with 130,000 miles. recently tuned up 3 new sensors, oil change every 3 to 5 thousand miles. My plan is to clean it up, pull the fuel injection and replace it with the GM TBI intake so I can install it in my 89. I already have the TBI unit , the PCM, and a few other essential parts for the swap. I will take pics as we pull the engine and on from there. Mark

Sweeeet!
Nice Scoop...

Ask him if you can get the trans and the computer for another $50 and a case of beer.
Then you could do a compete swap all at once. It might be easier in the long run compared to peicing a intake and computer together. Plus the 97 should get way better mileage over a TBI.

But great snag for $150 no matter what it's hard to go wrong.

Kidhauler wrote:Ask him if you can get the trans and the computer for another $50 and a case of beer.
Then you could do a compete swap all at once. It might be easier in the long run compared to peicing a intake and computer together. Plus the 97 should get way better mileage over a TBI.

But great snag for $150 no matter what it's hard to go wrong.

X2.And that is the Vortec heads which aren't haft bad.A easy 300hp+ and good gas mileage.

my transmission is brand new with shift kit and corvette servo. I can do engines and transmissions but I don't do electrical. so TBI is something easy for me. To swap out the computer and harness not my thing. I could have gotten a 5.3 (LS) truck engine but the wiring was not something I'm willing to try on a vehicle I need soon.

Mark,sometimes you just have to force yourself into a position where you have to learn.The importance in this case is the pressure of electronics impact getting greater by the yr on engine swaps and hot rodding in general.The fear should be without learning the electrical being left behind and finally being left out.

Oh I agree with you but we are trying to move west before next winter so I am limited on time and on cash at this point. I can clean up and change a few parts and drop the engine in and have it running in two weeks the way I am going. If I was to swap it over totally then I would have to not only do the wiring but then I would have to figure out how to get my 2000 dollar transmission to work with the newer system. I figure I do it this way then buy a engine kit to rebuild it later with a better then stock cam, possible headers (depending on what state we settle in, Texas looks good ) And possibly a Holley TBI unit.
And the stock 5.7 vortec with the GM TBI intake will happily tow my trailer to Texas or where ever.

Good luck with the swap. I hope it goes smooth.
-Bruce

markmitchinnh wrote:Oh I agree with you but we are trying to move west before next winter so I am limited on time and on cash at this point. I can clean up and change a few parts and drop the engine in and have it running in two weeks the way I am going. If I was to swap it over totally then I would have to not only do the wiring but then I would have to figure out how to get my 2000 dollar transmission to work with the newer system. I figure I do it this way then buy a engine kit to rebuild it later with a better then stock cam, possible headers (depending on what state we settle in, Texas looks good ) And possibly a Holley TBI unit.
And the stock 5.7 vortec with the GM TBI intake will happily tow my trailer to Texas or where ever.

Not talking about hot rodding parts at all.A direct swap OEM and some wiring.In terms of your 700R maybe you could do some horse trading with the tranny shop to have the 4L done up.

He already sold the pcm, and part of the fuel injection system, besides I would have to buy another fuel pump because its different then the new one I just installed in my van last fall. I am going with the TBI set up. Thanks for your input either way.
The main concern I have is moving at this time, Here in New Hampshire we just got hit by a late season snow storm witch means everything is in stop mode again. Looks like another two weeks before I can do anything at. Another reason to want to get the heck out of this God forsaken part of America.

Damn, do you feel like you are being browbeaten into doing something you don't want to do?!

I think your logic is fine. Post it up as you go along!

mdmead wrote:Damn, do you feel like you are being browbeaten into doing something you don't want to do?!

I think your logic is fine. Post it up as you go along!

Sooooooooooo hows the new shop coming??. Petey wanted to know too.

mdmead wrote:Damn, do you feel like you are being browbeaten into doing something you don't want to do?!
I think your logic is fine. Post it up as you go along!

Damn, I hate it when that happens.... (the browbeating, not the logic or the update posts)

I like TBI I understand its the simplest type of fuel injection going but that is why I like it.

markmitchinnh wrote:I like TBI I understand its the simplest type of fuel injection going but that is why I like it.

Me too. Its never left me hanging, never let me down, always starts first spin.
Also, It is what my vans already have and doesn't involve rewiring the van.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Now, If I were installing the 97 engine into a 97 van that didn't originally have TBI, I would try to use whatever electronics it had originally.
You will still get great mileage from that engine with the TBI.