Thread: Putting a 2006 5.3 into a 1995 Tahoe

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Yeah I know it's not in the true form of hit rodding, but in a sense it is so I figured I'd ask. Can get a super clean 95 Tahoe cheap w/blown engine & have a 06 donor rust bucket truck w/a 5.3 w/a Automatic. What is involved in doing the mtr/trans swap. I know I need adapter mtr mounts & some of the wiring for the 5.3, but what else. I need some pointers because I have never done a late model swap, let alone this kind.. Thanks for any help, joe

As long as you have the donor truck and can get all the wiring and components that work with the computer it shouldn't be too bad. I helped a friend put a 6.2L into his pickup, he had an aftermarket harness though so it was just all "plug and play" connections. I think Jerry Clayton's son has a bunch of time on these type engines, too. It's a popular swap, should be tons of information available Joe.

From memory, an F body LS A/C bracket will allow the original compressor be used. Just have the 5.3 harness modded for standalone or buy a standalone harness and use the 5.3 ECU. you need the DBW gas pedal assembly but it should actually bolt into your truck with a little work.

The 1995 model year was something of a cross over. I have been told that there are a few items that are unique. One I know of was the AC controls. GM apparently was slowly transitioning to the Vortec and LS setups.

95 should have used an electronic speedo, but I don't know if the signal it needs will be correct as supplied by the 06 ECM. Dakota Digital has a box that can convert speedo signals to several different outputs and it may work for you if the signals are different.

The 06 will be drive by wire, so you will need the pedal from the donor. You may also have a module that has to go with the pedal to supply the ECM with the signal it needs. You could convert the 06 engine to cable throttle, but that would require a new throttle body, as well as altering the ECM programming.

The cruise control is built into the DBW setup, but if you go cable, you will have to hook up the 95 cruise module to the 06 ECU. I know this can be done with some ECM's, but don't know if the 06 ECM will work this way.

The F-body brackets mentioned will most likely not line up the belts. The trucks used a longer front drive that the Camaro. Here is a link to a bracket that looks like it will work.

A/C Brackets | LS Brackets

It's down the page a ways.

Sounds like a good project and, yes, as far as I'm concerned, it is a form of hot rodding.

Nice info Mike. Here is another source for brackets when trying to mix car and truck accessories.

https://www.lssimple.net/click-here-...-spacing-kits/

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