I'm going to be doing this swap sometime early next year so right now I'm gathering parts and info, a friend of mine gave me a great deal on a 98 LS1 from a Z28. I'm going to put forged 6.125" rods and forged pistons in it with a polished stock crank and coated rod, main and cam bearings along with all ARP studs. Then I'm going to sell the stock heads and buy the Patriot Performance cnc ported stage 2 5.3 heads and a cam (not sure of specs yet) and I'm going to put an Edelbrock Victor Jr carb intake along with the MSD 6ls box and my BG 850 vac secondary carb. I found the correct oilpan and headers to fit the Blazer chassis and I'm going to completely rebuild the trans and install a Ford 8.8 rear.

 

sounds sweet keep us in the loop..

 

Keep us updated, sounds like a good plan.

 

will it fit ???????

 

I want to do the same thing, but not because it would be cool to have a ls1 under the hood, but because i want the power and torque that comes with it. I also threw up the idea of just dropping a 350 small block in there but i don't really know how well that can go. I just know the v6 vortec is a good motor but im used to having 350's and working on them and working on this vortec is more complicated then i want and it doesn't have the power that i want either.

 

350 swap is pretty easy actually, ls1 isn't, but your standard 5.7 vortec out of 96+ is.

getting my parts together to do my swap, motors on it's last legs.


http://www.marquisphotos.com/ZR2_Blazer/V8ZR2/index.htm

there is a good link to a 2nd gen 350 swap

 

I planned on having my swap done before my b-day next year, but i moved so now my money isn't there to get the parts but im still hoping to have my swap done by july. it'd be nice to have a nice rumbler that isn't just an cat-back exhaust.

 

I personally prefer the LT1 swap rather than the ls1 although the ls1 would make more power and be something rarley done. Although i love the 350 swap idea that'll be something to look into in the future

 

i am thinking of the 5.3 swap on a 98 2wd 4dr for the gas milage the 4.3 is a gas hog with no power and distributor problems, plus it will never run as smooth as a v8 if i could use the DOD 5.3 that would be cool but i am unshure of the extra work involved but still a regular 5.3 thats driven smartly will make better fuel numbers than a 4.3

 

For anybody who's done a V8 swap, have you run into any problems with the differentials or axels? and what kind of power are you putting out.