Complete Rebuild

Within the next couple of months I'm taking my 96 C/K 1500 off the road for a couple weeks to do some major rehaulage (350 000km worth). The transmission is barley hanging in there, no reverse gear sometimes and shifting is getting rougher all the time. So I'm looking for a tranny and motor to replace my old tranny and that underpowered 4.3 with a 5.0, my friend with a 5.0 cheyenne told me that the tranny was the same between the two trucks and I just wondering if this was true. If not what are my options for A/T to mate up with that 5.0? Also, I'm pretty sure the 5.0 is a bolt in from the 4.3 but not 100% sure. Any suggestions?

you can go with a 5.0 or a 5.7 bolt to a 4l60e which is more than likely what you have in yours. wiring and computer is gonna be a little issue as u have to change some of it. not to bad a job though.....

if you're pulling out a 4.3, and gonna put a v8 in its place, why not go ahead and drop a 5.7L? The difference from a 5.0L and a 5.7L is the 5.0 is a 305 whereas the 5.7 is a 350. The 305 and 350 in reality are exact same block, just different bore and stoke. Your 4.3L is a 350 block minus the 2 front cylinders and has same bore and stroke as the 350 (5.7L) I have a 4.3L and if or when I replace it, I wouldn't think twice about putting in a 5.7L over a 5.0L. My guess is your overall won't be that much with a 5.0L. The only reason I would do this if I were you is if you already had one on hand. If not, then might as well go with the 5.7L. As for what tranny you can use I can't help there, sorry.

planedude is right, the tranny you have is a 4L60E. You can mate this to a 4.3, 5.0, or 5.7. If you have your choice, go with the 350, or 5.7, it's the same thing. A 350 is simply a bored and stroked 305. 350 will give you more bang for the buck. Plus it will be easier to convert the computer and stuff. I have never personally done this but I have seen it done. If you need to talk to someone about swapping and computer issues I suggest you try to catch "slowprocess". He swapped a 4.8L to a 6.0 in his truck and he knows some tricks.

BTW you may try to find a crashed truck (1996 - 1998 is what you need) at a local scrap yard for cheaper than you can get the engine and trans.

Yes, make sure you get it out of a 96 to 98 model for sure. This will make life alot easier on you. Between 96 and 98 very little (if any) was made on these trucks. 94-96 would probably work as well but not sure what all is different. Just try to get stuff from a 96-98 model

The Vortec started in 96...best to stay post-96