Well....for those of you who are not aware of anyone in Ontario with a V8 Astro, mine has a 2005 Silverado 5.3 LS series engine. It was a very sucessful project that has been more dependable than a new vehicle, and is 10 times the fun. Regarding insurance, my agent told me that it did not matter wha...

On my 2wd project, I used the truck pan and it fit perfectly, although it does sit about an inch lower than the engine crossmember. It does have extra oil capacity however so that's a benefit. I will most likely keep the deeper sump, and build a reinforced steel drop plate on the crossmember to prot...

I am really surprised that everyone is shying away from the factory Astro/Safari thermostatically controlled mechanical fan. I did a 5.3L V8 swap into my 1998 Astro, modified (shortened) the length of my original shroud assembly, and mounted the 4.3 thermostatically controlled fan on the water pump ...

I did a successful 5.3L into a 1998 Astro van and it works great. The 4.8, 5.3 and 6.0L are the same physical size.Here's what I posted on another topic in this forum. I haven't set up a Photobucket account yet, but I'll get to it soon. Here's some details of the swap. 2005 Silverado 5.3L LM7 truck ...

Try this site I captured early in my build. It is a fellow that did an AWD Astro conversion. It has many pictures and details that you may find helpful.
http://www.aei.ca/~nmaclennan/index.htm

I think, judging from your pictures at the beginning of this post, that you put the black plates on the wrong sides. If you look at the picture where you have the engine sitting in the chassis, and the drivers side mount sits too far back, then look at the second picture from the top, you will see t...

My van is a 1998 Astro, 2wd.

I haven't set up a Photobucket account yet, but I'll get to it soon. Here's some details of the swap. 2005 Silverado 5.3L LM7 truck engine with original PCM and full engine harness, LS 4L60E transmission, 2005 Tahoe exhaust pipe w/cats and custom fabricated balance of exhaust with Magnaflow 2005 Sil...

I just completed my 5.3L conversion into my 1998 Astro, and I must say it was the most fun I have had in a long time. Mating the engine harness to the Astro was over 400 connections, but when the moment came, every one was correct and she started right up. Mind you I spend at least 5 days a week for...

I am about 70% complete on my 5.3L swap. It is an intense project, and not for the casual hobbiest. There are many things that require deep thought, fabrication and extra parts. The engine is almost too wide for the doghouse, but does fit. The transmission is a 4L60E, but it has a different belhousi...

If anyone is looking for an almost new 5.3L Gen III engine, complete with everything for a swap, check out Chev's posting in the "For Sale" forum under "2005 5.3 for v8 transplant". I've seen it and it's worth looking into. I wish I'd found it before I purchased my "used&quo...

So far, I have not been able to find an device that can perform the necessary voltage modifications for our 0-90 ohm gauges. Our problem is in the way the 5.3L PCM communicates to the gauge panel, which is through serial communications. Our Astro vans have an analog signal, which means that there ar...

G.M. sells just the pocket insert if you want the easy way out. They used it in the base and cargo vans. Cost about $5.00

New plan. Classic Instruments, and Stewart Warner sell the correct sender that is simply a sender (no tubes, extra wires or fuel pump mountings) for a lot less than a factory aftermarket replacement. They are even adjustable for the depth of the tank. Time to get ordering.

I have a friend who is a G.M. mechanic, and he asked me a question when I told him I was putting a 2005 5.3L V8 in my Astro. He asked if I was putting a factory exhaust pipe with cats, or an aftermarket set. I asked him why, and he replied that recently, he installed a complete Magnaflow performance...