Gen III swap question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Chrome8 · 12-26-2005, 01:33 PM

I've been doing research on the web about swapping a 5.3L sbc and 4l60E infront of an np205. I have my eyes on a 72 k10 lwb for the build. I'm trying to compile the parts now and i've hit a roadblock. I found some motor mounts at brothers and this is what the description read "This kit allows the installation of a 1999 or newer Generation III small block Chevy (LS1) engine into your 1963-72 Chevy / GMC truck. Designed to allow the bolt-in installation of 4.8, 5.3 or 6.0 Gen III engine. Slight frame modification may be necessary. Will not work on 4WD application. " No 4x4. I've only seen these engines go in 2wd trucks and thats not an option, i have one of those i want a 4x4! Has anyone ever done this swap in a 4x4? I have other questions as well. If im running a 205 I won't have a way to get vss data, is there an adapter out there that has a vss on it? I want to smooth my dash and put a GM nav system in there so i need a vss. Anyone done this? Offer any help?

DirtyLarry · 12-27-2005, 02:03 AM

I have personally not done this or known anybody that has but I bet if you use the GEN III engine mounting brackets from a 2004 or later Workhorse P42 commercial chassis (Step-van chassis) with either a 4.8L or 6.0L they might be a perfect fit with little or no modifications. GM sold the P-Chassis strip chassis division to a start up company back in 1999 called Workhorse Custom Chassis. The Workhorse chassis has been the same basic strip chassis as the older GM chassis up until 2006 when Workhorse introduced the W42 commercial chassis. Many of the P-chassis components are common with pre-1987 pickups.

I am pretty sure the engine mounting brackets would work as the forward portion of the P42 frame rails are pretty much identical to pre-1987 pickup frame rails. When Workhorse started using the GEN III’s they dropped IFS and went with I-beam across the board for commercial chassis due to engine interference issues with the IFS engine crossmember. (P-chassis used the same engine crossmember that was used in Pre-1987 pickups and G-vans) I don’t see why the P42 engine mounting would not work in a 4x4 pickup for this kind of swap. Maybe you can be the first guinea pig to see if it works.

If you are interested in being a guinea pig, let me know and I will PM you more details.

There are companies that make a complete VSS & speedo cable assembly so you have both a VSS signal and can still retain the factory speedometer cable to operate the speedometer. Turbo City is one of them.

Hopefully, this picture of the Workhorse engine 4.8 and 6.0L mounting will work………..

Chrome8 · 12-27-2005, 03:30 PM

you wouldn't happen to have a GM part number or group? I can always send em back. Ill be the guinea pig. I'm the dealer so sending them back would be easy.

DirtyLarry · 12-28-2005, 01:29 AM

Chrome8,

PM sent......

jays68yak · 01-11-2006, 03:56 PM

A buddy just dropped a 6liter into his 72 blazer. He had to fab up his own crossmember to bolt the mounts to.

**Zoomad75** · 01-13-2006, 08:25 PM

The Workhorse stuff should be a bolt in deal though. If you got the fab skills go for it. I'm thinking of going this route if I can get my grimey paws on a 6.0.

LQ4G30 · 07-15-2006, 11:50 AM

DirtyLarry,

Could you post the part number for the P42 motor mount or PM me?

I'm thinking about putting a Vortec 6000 Gen III in a G30 van. Do you think I'll have interference problems between the pan and the 2WD crossmember?

Thanks,
Jay

12-26-2005, 01:33 PM	#1
Chrome8 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Park Rapids, MN Posts: 288	Gen III swap question I've been doing research on the web about swapping a 5.3L sbc and 4l60E infront of an np205. I have my eyes on a 72 k10 lwb for the build. I'm trying to compile the parts now and i've hit a roadblock. I found some motor mounts at brothers and this is what the description read "This kit allows the installation of a 1999 or newer Generation III small block Chevy (LS1) engine into your 1963-72 Chevy / GMC truck. Designed to allow the bolt-in installation of 4.8, 5.3 or 6.0 Gen III engine. Slight frame modification may be necessary. Will not work on 4WD application. " No 4x4. I've only seen these engines go in 2wd trucks and thats not an option, i have one of those i want a 4x4! Has anyone ever done this swap in a 4x4? I have other questions as well. If im running a 205 I won't have a way to get vss data, is there an adapter out there that has a vss on it? I want to smooth my dash and put a GM nav system in there so i need a vss. Anyone done this? Offer any help? __________________ 1969 K20 not running, complete but rusty with wrecker boom and push bumper 1969 GMC C20 un-molested rust free original paint "a 4 eyed girl named 'Tina" 1971 Chev K20 4X4 Box Delete Commercial Truck Flatbed "Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life." Confucius

12-27-2005, 02:03 AM	#2
DirtyLarry Windy Corner of a Dirty Street Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Pueblo West, Colorado Posts: 2,926	Re: Gen III swap question I have personally not done this or known anybody that has but I bet if you use the GEN III engine mounting brackets from a 2004 or later Workhorse P42 commercial chassis (Step-van chassis) with either a 4.8L or 6.0L they might be a perfect fit with little or no modifications. GM sold the P-Chassis strip chassis division to a start up company back in 1999 called Workhorse Custom Chassis. The Workhorse chassis has been the same basic strip chassis as the older GM chassis up until 2006 when Workhorse introduced the W42 commercial chassis. Many of the P-chassis components are common with pre-1987 pickups. I am pretty sure the engine mounting brackets would work as the forward portion of the P42 frame rails are pretty much identical to pre-1987 pickup frame rails. When Workhorse started using the GEN III’s they dropped IFS and went with I-beam across the board for commercial chassis due to engine interference issues with the IFS engine crossmember. (P-chassis used the same engine crossmember that was used in Pre-1987 pickups and G-vans) I don’t see why the P42 engine mounting would not work in a 4x4 pickup for this kind of swap. Maybe you can be the first guinea pig to see if it works. If you are interested in being a guinea pig, let me know and I will PM you more details. There are companies that make a complete VSS & speedo cable assembly so you have both a VSS signal and can still retain the factory speedometer cable to operate the speedometer. Turbo City is one of them. Hopefully, this picture of the Workhorse engine 4.8 and 6.0L mounting will work……….. Attached Images __________________ Current vehicle collection: 1978 Chevrolet K10, 8.1L, NV4500, NP205 1989 Chevrolet Suburban, 8.1L, NV4500, NP241 1993 Chevrolet C1500 Sportside, TBI 7.4L, 4L60E 2001 Chevrolet K2500HD, Ext Cab, SWB, 8.1L, ZF 6 speed 2014 Chevrolet Impala LTZ 3.6L Vortec 8.1L because life is too short to tolerate underpowered vehicles Instagram

12-27-2005, 03:30 PM	#3
Chrome8 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Park Rapids, MN Posts: 288	Re: Gen III swap question you wouldn't happen to have a GM part number or group? I can always send em back. Ill be the guinea pig. I'm the dealer so sending them back would be easy. __________________ 1969 K20 not running, complete but rusty with wrecker boom and push bumper 1969 GMC C20 un-molested rust free original paint "a 4 eyed girl named 'Tina" 1971 Chev K20 4X4 Box Delete Commercial Truck Flatbed "Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life." Confucius

12-28-2005, 01:29 AM	#4
DirtyLarry Windy Corner of a Dirty Street Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Pueblo West, Colorado Posts: 2,926	Re: Gen III swap question Chrome8, PM sent...... __________________ Current vehicle collection: 1978 Chevrolet K10, 8.1L, NV4500, NP205 1989 Chevrolet Suburban, 8.1L, NV4500, NP241 1993 Chevrolet C1500 Sportside, TBI 7.4L, 4L60E 2001 Chevrolet K2500HD, Ext Cab, SWB, 8.1L, ZF 6 speed 2014 Chevrolet Impala LTZ 3.6L Vortec 8.1L because life is too short to tolerate underpowered vehicles Instagram

01-11-2006, 03:56 PM	#5
jays68yak Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Gilroy, CA Posts: 1,453	Re: Gen III swap question A buddy just dropped a 6liter into his 72 blazer. He had to fab up his own crossmember to bolt the mounts to. __________________ 1969 Chevy Project SWB Fleet, 20s, 5.3, t56, in the weeds. 1970 Chevy Truck cab on a 1979 Jimmy frame-8.1 liter 496 bbc/sm465/np203-jeds doubler-np205/d60/14bff Welded/42 tsls on recentered H1s 1998 Chevy Crew Cab K3500 SAS'd with hpd60, links and swayaway coilovers. 8.1l vortec DD/towrig "I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me. "

01-13-2006, 08:25 PM	#6
Zoomad75 K5Camper Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Pueblo, CO Posts: 1,513	Re: Gen III swap question The Workhorse stuff should be a bolt in deal though. If you got the fab skills go for it. I'm thinking of going this route if I can get my grimey paws on a 6.0. __________________ Rob Z. 1975 K5 350/465/205/D44/12b 4" lift on 35's- RIP 1991 K5 8.1L/NV4500/241/D44/14b FWC Camper

07-15-2006, 11:50 AM	#7
LQ4G30 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: California Posts: 1	Re: Gen III swap question DirtyLarry, Could you post the part number for the P42 motor mount or PM me? I'm thinking about putting a Vortec 6000 Gen III in a G30 van. Do you think I'll have interference problems between the pan and the 2WD crossmember? Thanks, Jay



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