Suggestions on a swap
 

Thinking about putting a 1994 chevy 350 into a 1983 chevy truck. This engine has 82,000 miles on it. Is there anything major i'm gonna have to switch out to make it run in the 83? Should I just sell that motor and get an LS motor?

When this is done I plan on doing this to my car also.

I wanna hear everyone's suggestions and opinions on which way I should go...Dismantling starts this next week... :hmmm:

You will need a flexplate for a motor with a one piece rear main seal if the donor motor doesn’t come with one, as your current one would be for a two piece rear main. Then you will need to match up the starter to which ever size flexplate you end up going with (12.3/4” 153 tooth or 14” 168 tooth). You will also need an intake manifold for the newer style TBI heads for use with a carburetor if that’s what you’re planning or elongate the four center bolt holes of the intake from the ’83 to match and use a wedge shaped washer due to the TBI heads having the center bolts go straight up and down instead of angled like the rest. You will likely end up having to use an electric fuel pump, even going with a carburetor due to the likelihood that the block is not drilled for a fuel pump pushrod. Some are, some aren’t, as they were not needed being injected, you will just have to check. It is still a straight forward swap.

Should you just pick up an LS motor? Well, I guess that’s only a question you can answer, as it will take more effort to get in and running. There are several here that have done exactly that and there should be enough info to get you through it. I will say that stock for stock, there is no comparison between the two (Gen I vs Gen III or IV) for power and fuel economy.

to me putting the 94 TBI motor in the 83 pickup will be a waste of time and money. and you wont me impressed with it. i would never mess with tbi id rather stay carbed. forget about the tbi swap and do an LS based swap. youll never regret it. the power, fuel millege, and reliability is so much better. im just getting done swaping an ls motor in my 82 c10 and its not to diffcult to do, they sell motor mount adapters and such forth to complete the swap. either way you decide to go good luck, if you do an ls based swap feel free to ask questions, i know i did.

Thanks guys I really appreciate the info...I will be selling both of the vans as soon as somebody buys them. LQ4 6.0 here I come!