like the title implies, I'm wondering which of the 2 trucks would be an easier LS swap. I have both. '79 C10 with good body, bad motor. '97 2wd 'burban with high miles, bad mpg. I already have the 5.3/4l60 with all accessories, computer, and wiring harness. I've done alot of research on the '79, but not as much on the '97. I'm looking for daily driveability with the stock 5.3. anyone have any input on which route you would go and why?

 

More details on the c10 please.

 

my C10 is a bone stock 305 engine with what I think is a dead cylinder. turbo 350 trans has been rebuilt. body is straight and 99% rust free. I want to keep the truck, but put a modern motor in it.

 

Details I wanted.... 1/2 ton or 3/4? Long bed, or short? lol

 

sorry about that. c10 is 2wd half ton, long box. from the research i've done swapping the 5.3 into this truck would be pretty straight forward. motor mounts, crossmember pushed back a little, shortened drive shaft. fuel pump and sending unit. then just a matter of hooking up throttle and shifter linkage. i know thats dumbing it down a little, but from what i've read the 73-87 trucks are a pretty easy swap. especially in stock form. but is the '88-98 trucks even easier? what more is involved in those?

 

Your c10 will much easier, the stock gauges will be almost useless though. Several companies makes a replacement bolt in panel to hold autometer type gauges. You can even use your stock power steering lines.

 

I've read that some of the later suburbans of this era have electric speedos that can work with the computer, but the rest of the gauges are useless. I was planning on going with Autometer or another brand of aftermarket gauges.
I'm going to try and reuse the original radiator, but know of a good aftermarket one if I go that route. original mechanical fan will stay instead of electric fans.
stock truck manifolds won't clear the frame on the passenger side so I'm either going to trim the frame or get some Trailblazer SS manifolds. A/C will have to go bye bye as well due to frame clearance.
baffled tank from an '87 truck would be best, but hoping to keep the '79 tank and just make sure I don't run it low on fuel. I'll find an '87 sending unit to replace the original. I've heard the internal fuel pump from the '97 will work, but I may go with the Walbro unit. Corvette filter/regulator if I switch to non-truck fuel rail(I know the stock truck manifold is self regulated)
can anyone think of any other obvious things I'm missing?

 

i like the older c10s. New ls in one of those and you have a great daily..or hotrod...i love the stock ls1 in my 88 ram.. i drive it every day

 

The 97 already has the fuel system ready to go.
The 97 gauges can be made to work.

To me it would come down to which one you would LIKE more, anything can be swapped anywhere. But the 97 would be the techically easier swap IMO.

peace
Hog

 

Thats true, I just wired up some gauges on a 98 truck last friday. Making the 96-98 speedometer work is nowhere near as complicated as multiple post on various forums. C2-50 to B5 C100 on the 96-98 firewall connector.