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73-87 to 88-98 trucks interchangability

To make a long story short, I had a 76 silverado and some guy hit me, now the truck is totalled. Prior to it getting destroyed I had just put an entirely new driveline it in. New engine, trans, 12 bolt posi rear end, $700 worth of 2.5 inch dual exhaust with headers. Engine is a 350 with a turbo 350 transmission

I've been trying to find another 73-87 but i've had trouble finding one thats solid. I've been looking at the 88-98 trucks and theres still plenty in good shape for not too much. I'm worried about interchangability though.

Will my 12 bolt rear end bolt into the truck or is it incompatible?

Is the shifter for the auto transmission still a cable linkage or is it fully electronic ? I want to use the turbo 350 since it will cost me too much to get a 4L60E built to handle the power of my engine at this point.

Is the speedometer cable driven or electronic?

Will my headers work ?

Will the exhaust system work or is there a gas tank in the way ?

The engine is carbureted, and making the TBI system work with this engine is going to cost too much for now. I'm going to need a larger aftermarket throttle body and larger injectors to feed engine. The cam in this engine will freak out the stock computer for sure so thats why the stock setup wont work. Since the transmission is out of the picture too, the computer wont be doing anything.

I realize that if I even have to ask myself these questions, a lot of this is probably not going to work but I figured I would ask since I dont know much about the 88-98 era of trucks. I know that to do this swap right, I would need to do the modify the TBI system and get a performance built 4L60E, but with the money i've invested so far I really dont want to throw it all away. I will probably just bite the bullet and find a nice 73-87, but i'd still like to know about the interchangability anyway.

Reply to
sccastles
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Doesn't take much damage for an insurance company to total a vehicle that old.

Is it all sheet metal damage, or was the frame damaged as well? Most every part of that trucks body can be ordered aftermarket.

Whitelightning

Reply to
Whitelightning

My truck got hit head on, so the front frame rails resemble an accordian shape now. The body isn't worth putting on another chassis either.

Reply to
sccastles

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Wow.

In a couple words... Completely different trucks.

You would have to measure the rears, but I think this is one thing that'll work. some c/k 2500's came with 12 bolt rears, so it might slide right in.

The stock computer set up on the 88-98 will in no way work with what you have... There might be some after market computer controllers, but you wouldn't be able to use stock harness. I think you would have to install a custom dash with gauges to work with your set up as well. All the sending units plug into the ECM on the 88-98's. The exhaust wont work if its a true dual exhaust. 88-98's have the fuel tank inside the frame rail on the drivers side. 4X4's use independent front suspension with track bars (No front springs).... but your headers should fit fine. Not sure about the tranny, but my guess is there are holes drilled in the frame rails so you can relocate the trans cross member to fit yours. Some chevys had cables, some were electronic, for the trans gear selection. My guess is that you could use your cable and steering column anyway.

I think 94 was the year the trucks switched to OBDII... you can get a chip and tuning software to run that motor with the stock ECM and its sending units.

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It would be a job, but not impossible.

H
Reply to
HDS

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