88 Chevy Truck Manual
For decades, GM’s Gen I small-block was the go-to engine swap for anything that needed cheap, reliable power, but its reign is coming to an end. GM’s Gen III V-8 debuted in the new-for-’97 C5 Corvette, and during those 14 years it has been installed in North American vehicles from Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Cadillac, Isuzu, and Saab.
This widespread use means that complete engines can be found in wrecked vehicles in salvage yards from coast to coast. The power potential, efficiency, and availability of the engines makes them a natural selection for swaps, but there are some hurdles to overcome. For example, the Gen IV small-block was ushered in with the LS2 and while the Gen III and Gen IV engines share a common foundation and offer a lot of parts interchangeability, the electronics, fuel systems, and emissions systems can vary from year to year and between applications. We’ll help you sort out some of the confusion and put you in touch with the people that can answer your specific technical questions.
In addition to giving you the ins and outs of common LS engine swaps, we’ll also give you a quick look into common LS engine dress-up parts. To help us get exactly what we needed, we contacted Stylin’ Trucks and placed an order to match the engine we were swapping in with the truck year and make. Thankfully, the 2000 Silverado that originally came with a 4.3L V-6 also came with the optional 5.3L V-8, which we picked up from a local salvage yard for under $1,000. Once the must-have OE parts were secured, we dressed up the 5.3L with good-looking performance parts and had our Chevy ready for cruising and showing. See a full step-by-step LS engine install in next month’s issue. Now you should have the confidence to swap in some real power and slam the pedal to the floor.
What about the transmission? TCI and Advance Adapters both make flexplates that allow you to keep your Turbo 400 or Turbo 350/700-R4 transmission. The companies listed in the Source Box also make wiring harnesses that can help with late-model swaps. To make things really simple, a manual transmission will solve any late-model automatic computer problems—and they’re more fun. How do I get my gauges to work?
If you’ve got a late-model GM truck that needs a V-8, Speartech can provide you with an in-line plug-in adapter that keeps your factory gauges and A/C working. For older vehicles, Auto Meter makes speedometer-sending units that thread into various transmission tailshafts. Here’s the cam position sensor on the front timing cover of a Gen IV LS3 block. On a 4.8L, 5.3L, or 6.0L Gen III, the sensor will be at the top rear of the block. If your computer and engine are from two different generations of engine, you’ll need an adapter that can be picked up from Lingenfelter or Speartech. Lingenfelter also makes a reluctor wheel conversion harness that works great and converts the truck 24X wiring harness to the newer 58X reluctor wheel. We’ve used it, and it’s worth its weight in gold.
1988 Chevy Truck Repair Manual Pdf
For more information, contact: Lingenfelter Performance Engineering (260) 724-2552 Wiring adapters for Gen III and IV GM engines. Speartech Fuel Injection Systems (765) 378-4908 Complete powertrains, transmission, wiring and gauge solutions for swapping between 24x and 58x LS engines.
I am soon gonna be needing to change the throw out bearing (getting noisy),clutch, etc. In my old gal and would like to buy a tranny to replace.
One vitally important thing to consider is fuel delivery. LS engines need at least 58 psi of fuel pressure for optimum performance.
If you’re swapping in a fuel-injected LS into a carburetor-equipped truck, a fuel cell may be your best option. Aeromotive sells a fuel cell/pump combo that will support up to 1,000 hp. Fittings and high-pressure fuel hose is also a must and Earl’s makes a huge assortment of hoses and fittings. Fuel injectors also vary from Gen III to Gen IV LS engines and Speartech makes the appropriate wiring harnesses to convert them if the need arises. For more information, contact: Aeromotive (913) 647-7300 Fuel cells, fuel pumps, and fuel fittings. Earl’s Plumbing Fuel hose, fuel fittings, and adapters.
How do I fit an LS in place of my V-6 or four-cylinder? LS engines are surprisingly small.
Their overhead valve configuration makes them compact for their displacement compared to DOHC V-8 engines that have massive heads that can prove too wide for many applications. LS engines have been shoehorned into everything from Miatas to Geo Trackers, so there’s no reason why they can’t fit into any mini or fullsize truck. The real variables are motor mounts and headers that will clear your frame and suspension.
If you’ve got a common platform for swaps, like an S-10 or an ’88-’98 Chevy, then you’re in luck; Hedman makes S-10 LS swap headers, and Summit carries Schoenfeld headers for swapping an LS engine into ’88-’98 Chevy/GMC truck or SUV. Jags that Run and Current Performance can also help you out with motor mounts and wiring harnesses, but just because you don’t have a Chevy doesn’t mean you can’t easily drop an LS in place. Advance Adapters makes conversions to mount LS engines to Toyota and Jeep transmissions as well. Check out our sources at the end of the article to help with your specific questions. Here’s a checklist of items you’ll need for a conversion, besides the long-block, of course. Free service repair manual 2005. Engine control module (ECM). Wiring harness, including: Injector harness (varies by injector) Cam Position Sensor, gray sensor located on the top rear in Gen III, black sensor on the timing cover on a Gen IV.
88 Chevy Truck Manual Transmission Problems
Reluctor wheel. Gen III (LS1 and older truck Vortec engines) = 24X wheel, Gen IV (LS2 and LS3) = 58X wheel. Make sure the wheel matches the computer, or your engine will be so confused it won’t even start. Throttle pedal, necessary for any drive-by-wire throttle body. Bellhousing/Scattershield.
Oil pan. Note: A factory Camaro pan is a good choice for most swaps, as its shallow rear sump makes fitment easy in most applications. Motor mounts. Headers. Fuel pump. Cooling system with sealed overflow bottle/container. Dyno tuning shop to get your new computer dialed in and running its best.
Now that we’ve shown you the basics, we’ll also show you some great dress-up and go-fast goodies for your engine swap. If you’re putting an LS engine into a truck that was designed to fit an LS, header choices are plentiful. When we swapped our V-6 to a V-8, we picked up these SLP shorty headers from Stylin’ Trucks and they fit perfectly. But even if your truck wasn’t designed for an LS, plenty of companies make headers that will make your swap a whole lot easier. Check out Jags that Run, Schoenfeld, or Hedman. For more information, contact: Jags That Run (925) 462-3619 Engine mounts, headers, and instructions for S-10 swaps.
Schoenfeld Headers, Inc. (479) 474-7529 ’88-’98 Chevy truck LS swap headers. Stylin’ Trucks (800) 434-6627 Performance parts and accessories for most late-model engine applications.
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