1994 vs. 1997 engine swap compatable?

[moedog]

Hello guys, I have a possible buyer for my 97 takeout 6.5 and l480 tranny. He has a 1994 6.5 with a bad rod and high mileage so he wants the engine and tranny. Does anyone know if they are compatible or does the computer need a different prom?? How about the tranny management???
Any help would be appreciated, My last buyer had a big mouth and a little wallet!!!and backed out.
Thanks
Dan

[ronniejoe]

You should be able to just hook the 94 harness up to the 97 engine components.

[rjwest]

My son did the swap as you stated, but he swaped the front
assembly to keep the asc drive units on the same side as the
94..

[moedog]

Hate to be ignorant but what did he swap???I dont know what the asc drive units are??? and if he doesnt do this will his wiring still reach 97 connections???
thanks for the help

[diesel65]

RJ meant the a/c compressor and the alternator brackets has to come off of the original 94 engine and installed onto the 97 engne. The accessories were relocated in 96. You could use the the injection pump that is already installed on the 97 block, but you need to check that the PCM does not have the odd-ball chip for the 94 model year, either you install the 94 pump onto the 97 block or get a new chip, I think John Kennedy should be able to help you with that.
While you are swapping parts, replace the crank sensor I have seen the wire deteriorate from oil where it comes out of the sensor, also you would need to move the power steering pump to remove the crank sensor if you were to do it in the vehicle.

The only other problem I can think of is the oil cooler ports in the block will be different pipe size. The 94 has 1/2inch NPT wereas the 97 should be 3/4 NPT. Your options would be:

1- Install a bushing and reuse the old connectors (cooler lines might hit exhaust manifold from being spaced out by the bushing)

2- Find a competent GM part man and locate two special connectors to install a late model block into a early model vehicle.

3- Upgrade the oil cooler system by replacing everything, two new connectors, two oil lines, plastic clip by the engine mount, the plastic bracket on the radiator support, and the oil cooler.

4- Install the aftermarket oil cooler kit from Lube Specialist.

I forgot to add that the 94 has the single thermostat and low volumn waterpump were the 97 has the dual thermostat and high volumn pump, you can leave the 97 pump and thermostat housing on but the 94 alternator bracket will need to be modified with a little grinding.

[Mark Rinker]

Everything 'diesel65' said is right on track.

I did almost the same swap...bought a '98 engine with 58K from a wreck and swapped it into my '94.

- We used the donor '98 dual setup cooling mods, and GM-8 turbo.

- We replaced the harmonic balancer, oil cooler and lines with OEM parts.

- We added JK's water pump and fan clutch, Heath's Turbo-Master, chip and exhaust.

Have 47K on since the swap with no issues. Whole deal with labor and parts set me back about 8K.

If I could do it over again, I would have done the timing chain and hi-pop injectors when the engine was on the stand, but money was flowing like a river and they weren't necessary at the time.

[moedog]

WOW!!!! As always you guys have helped me more than the gm shop down the street and at an affordable yearly membership fee.
I really appreciate the sharing of all your trials and tribulations freely.
If this buyer doesnt backout, he has a detailed map of what to do before the engine goes in. I have the original oil cooler and lines so i will include them and he can swap that out.
My cummins conversion is fabulous so far. Im pulling my 5th wheel and motorcycle trailer to utah monday(if it quits snowing). That will be the real test. Made 21.6 mpg hwy.city combined to Denver last week. Real happy with that and it pulled the pass without incident.

THANKS AGAIN!!!!!

[16gaSxS]

Dan it's good to hear your repower is running so well and your happy. 21.6 mpg is GREAT with your Crew Cab Dually and 4.10s Sorry your first buyer bailed. I hope this new fellow comes through. Let us know when you get back how things ran for you. Drive carefull and enjoy!