Easy S-10 engine swap

[hx214]

Well I decided to just go out a buy a newer machine, but Im going to hang on to my 94' s-10 with the lame engine. I need to find a replacement engine. What I need to know is what would be the easiest swap? I really didnt mind the little 2.2l but she ate head gaskets like no tomorrow, so besides swapping out the 2.2 with another 2.2 what engine will go in there with minimal problems that I can find at a junk yard? Also what type of electronic's am I going to have to switch. There seems to be an abundance of older (88-90) s-10's around the junk yards here, will that 2.5 slide in with little problems?

[rlith]

Why not just drop in a v8? They're relatively cheap.

[hx214]

Well i thought about it but wouldnt I have to change alot more stuff, like the rear end and modify the space under the hood so it would fit? If I had the extra money I would but Im still in college and Im poor...

[rlith]

No modifications under the hood what so ever. Very little wiring, your rear will stay the same, you will have to change the tranny though, simple enough as your throwing the engine in.

[hakogen]

if you can find a 350, go to your local boneyard and find the electronics off of any old 4.3 v6. same parts. plenty of documentation out there on a 350 swap, too. hell, check barnes and noble.

[hx214]

hey thats sounds a lot better than I thought, I have the 5 speed tranny would I still have to swap it out? With all that stuff I would buy and a used engine, what do you think that whole project would cost? No fancy stuff, just what I would need to get her running?

[BlazinUP]

a 4.3's electronics are the same as a 350?
computer and all? if so..interesting

[tom3]

To go from a 2.2 to anything else, you'd pretty much pull out your whole drive train back to the rear end and start all over. Most guys around here buy a wrecked car and get everything from it, then need conversion headers, driveshaft, and new exhaust system. Not a cheap swap to do it right, but sure is a sweet setup when done.

[smokey041369]

2.5 with manual fuel pump- guy's run them bored out in super mini truck racing class here with a little tranny work it will do up to 85 mph in first gear

there are several books for doing the v8 swap and tells you everything you need and what has to be changed

there also web site forums of guy's that have done the swap and will offer you info to help you to do the swap

[rlith]

www.v8s10.org

I've got my new v8 (5.7 vortec from a 99 escalde)
Adding a more agressive cam and redoing the fuel curves in the ecm. Should push about 300-320 by the time we're done.

Things needed for the conversion...

96/97 k1500 ECM and engine harness
Ls1 headers (narrower so that it fits in the engine compartment)

Conversion Oil Pan
2.2 conversion motor mounts (adjustable)
e-fan (already have it)
Radiator

Using my existing tranny (4l60e)

Updated fuel pump...

about 4 wires to re-do..

My total cost including the engine will be about 1500 bux..