2001 Blazer LT 4x4 350 swap questions
 

So I currently saved this beautiful Gem
It is a 2001Chevy Blazer LT 4L60E 4x4 v6 4.3 fully loaded heated leather all power options absolutely no rust garage kept its whole life it has all the documentation an service receipts done by gm from new to 2021 it still has the original sales papers an window receipts from the factory stating all the features an how they function accompanied by the original owner manual and a unopened pamphlet in the original unopened box for the onstar features
i even have the original sale receipt with the vin# sales code (E) the dealer number where it was delivered to the lot in Dayton Ohio where it met all standards an passed on inspections (All 109 of them) for final assembly an wore a actual sale price of $32,143 and zero cents

it left the lot with a 3 year or 36,000 mile limited warranty with the original delivery date being 3/21/01

well after 21 years it blew a head gasket an they kept runnin her without water an what water it did have ran out of it into the oil causing it to smoke an drop oil pressure on idle an still driving it needless to say the crankshaft didn’t hold under the heat


so long story short she’s got a pretty nasty rod nock however I did drive it home on its own power the gears shifting silky smooth but it was jerking an banging knocking an popping the whole way (6miles) still starts today but sounds like a power stroke on 3 cylinders 😂 so I checked the oil it’s not super milky but it is swirly an has a nice amount of metal shavings I know the old 4.3 has seen her days so I’m in the mind of replacing the motor with another 4.3 that has lower miles that I can properly maintenance an keep record of but I’m also leaning towards doing the old school LT1 long block 350 swap
with the carb

now I’ve read it can an can’t be done with the 4x4 still in tact an functional.
I’ve also read that you can’t do the old school build with the electrical aspect of the 4l60e because the electronic o/d the gauges an ecu run power to the motor , trans & transfer case from the computer because it’s all push button power differentials

So what I was wondering is would it be easier to swap the trans for a th350 to put behind the LT1 under its own power. Non electric ?

Or do I do the 5.3 tbi an add the 2 front injectors swap the oil pan out an try an keep the 4l60e for the luxury of 4x4 an the electric features

( pictures for attention ). Please no rude comments I’m not a noob nor am I a rookie I just have never tried to build a all wheel 350 launch monster I need someone’s educated input that has actually worked on a similar project ( or ) anyone who has did the old school carbureted 350 with the th350 trans in a blazer any help would be greatly appreciated


Also not to mention I only payed $500 for it
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You can do the old school build but you need to retain the PCM, BCM, TCCM, etc to run the stuff in the vehicle like transmission, gauges, transfer case, front axle, 4WD. So don't hack up or remove any of the wiring anywhere - disconnect only. A better choice would be an LS engine and retain factory fuel injection. You can buy wiring harness and pcms to do conversions. Check out ChuckNTruck post in this same forum. His is 2WD but I imagine mounts and oil pan for 4WD are available.

Bro definitely
 

100% I would go with the 5.7 old school carb set up. So much easier to adjust and maintain. Carburetor has been around since the beginning and always will be. I'd probably do a 650 holley ( doesn't have to be a double pumper) and f'n let her eat. 💯 🔥