Chevy & GMC Vans

Hey Logan, when you drop the sub frame, the only brake line you have to open is the one going from the abs to the rear axle. Loosen the master cylinder from the hydro boost and let it hang and the front brakes will be ready to go when you reassemble everything and you only have to bleed the rears.

Betcha the sumbitch'll end up actually making money on his swap. He did so the last time....

"Full speed ahead captain"...aye aye "Full speed ahead"

Check out LS1AWD's swap. What you're doing should come out to be very similar.

I really shouldnt see these 5.3 threads......... it puts ideas im ny head.

this all took place a year ago, did logan ever finish?

I haven't even gotten the engine!! I called to make sure it was still there before I went to get it and it was already gone to someone else. Grrrr. I told them to call when they had another setup and never heard anything back. I kinda forgot about it actually and Honestly, with Miranda and I reconciling, then the birth if the twins, purchasing a lot of diapers and paying a lawyer for a divorce I never got; the swap has kinda taken a back burner. Then I bought that bus (impulse buy) and then the Excursion..... I'm flat broke. I really miss my AWD too. Even though I get to drive my V8 everyday and I've put 20,000 miles on it since I finished, I wish I had my Awd back. I'm actually thinking about just pulling the heads, having them checked and replacing the gaskets. IF I can ever find the time.

yup. i am subscribed to this post/thread.
would like to know where the stock location A/C settles in at.
cable or drive by wire?
hard plumb lines for a/c aren't that much of an issue.
i am looking for a 5.3L LM7.

wdmickjr wrote:yup. i am subscribed to this post/thread.
would like to know where the stock location A/C settles in at.
cable or drive by wire?
hard plumb lines for a/c aren't that much of an issue.
i am looking for a 5.3L LM7.

If you check the last post date, this may not be one to follow.

Here's what I've determined with my imaginary swap. (I have the van, 5.3L and subframe sitting in my shop.)

The A/C can't stay in the stock 5.3L location down low, at least on an AWD swap. But there is an affordable kit to mount the A/C back up in the 4.3L stock location. Requires a specific Sanden A/C compressor and I've never checked to see if it is the one we already have.

A lot of people swap to the drive-by-wire, but to me that seems like the hard way. I'm going to find a cable-operated throttle bottle and keep mine stock. I think this will also make it easier to keep the cruise control. This route will for sure require a PCM flash, but that is just about necessary to remove VATS and other stuff not needed/wanted.

The stock 5.3L truck pan appears to interfere with the axle on an AWD, although guys on the Astro/Safari Facebook swear they are running the stock pan with no mods. (I believe they custom made their mounts and I'm trying to work with LS-to-small block adaptors and JTR AWD mounts.) I think the H3 V-8 pan will be *really close* to a bolt in and am likely to try it if the stock pan doesn't work. (I found some LS-to-small block mounts that can adjust up to 1/2" rearward which may help... although I don't know if most can afford to move the V-8 deeper into the stock engine cover. My subframe will incorporate a 5" lift, so I think it won't be an issue if need be.)

That's all I know... or think I know... for now.