I have a 94 Sonoma just sitting around doing nothing. What I'm considering doing is doing a V8 Swap into it. I can get my hands on a low mileage 96 5.7 out of a 3/4 ton Chevy. I know it will fit. This should be an easy swap as the Sonoma is a TBI engine. I'm pretty sure its a drop in.

Will the stock 5spd handle the extra HP and Torque of the 5.7? I plan on using it for off roading and some street use.

Currently a 4x4 5spd truck. No A/C so there is lots of room to play.

What do you guys think.

 

that trans will puke the first chance you do anything other than say hello.

here are some pic's of the original 5 spd that was in my '92 Jimmy. this damage was done before i bought it, and i replaced the trans 4 times in total. when i pulled this one to do the clutch (which is how i found the damage), i bought a reman from GM (cost me $2800 in late '96) and that one only lasted 2 1/2 years-broke the output shaft in two. the 2nd replacement ended up sounding like it was full of gravel after a year & a half. so the 4th and final swap was putting the original one back in.

FYI: my Jimmy was a "Z" code truck, completely stock (although it was stupidly fast-was clocked @ 247 KPH). i was hard on the truck-7 grand shifts, 4 grand launches in 4HI to beat the Imports-so i'm not 100% cetain that the trans was always @ fault, but i wouldn't trust it behind the torque of a 350-and definately wouldn't try to "get on it" at any time.

for your viewing plesure............













hope this helps you with your decission brother.

 

Well I guess that answers the question then. I hadn't planned on drag racing it. Just some trail running and a DD. I guess I'll keep the V6 for a while then. There is nothing wrong with the V6, just thought it would benefit from the swap. That money could be better spent on a lift kit and some new mud tires.

Thanks for the info.

 

glad i could help you out, and i hope the pic's didn't scare you too much, hahahahaha! but i did want you too know just how weak these trans can be.

besides, doing the suspension and tires, that's a much better use of your money. plus it'll "look" cooler going down the road/trail. where as a V8 swap, you'd have to pop the hood for somebody to see the work you did.

 

I guess I don't really need 300 HP to go and do some trail riding. Thanks for the input. It stays as is and I work on the suspension and other misc stuff that it needs.

Maybe one of those $25 glasspacks will make it think it's got a 350 in it.