lookin to do an engine swap

[dethntxz]

hi i came here lookin for some help full information on how to do an engine swap on my 88 gmc jimmy 4x4. currently its unfortuantly sporting a 2.8 v6 tbi and i would like to swap it over to a possible 350 tbi. i am not sure how to do so or what i would need to do it. i have general ideas but i would liek to get specific details and when i gather enough information i will start my project and i also need to know where i can find a 4-6 inch lift kit for it as well if there is one?

thank you for the help :)

sincerly,

dave c

[racer1182]

if you are gonna do lift I would convert it over to solid front axle unless it will be a daily driver then leave the ifs in there. If you do end up lifting it then you will not need the 4x4 oil pan I believe.

Greg

[-Deception-]

Welcome to the site and good luck on the swap.

[bignate]

look thru some of the old threads you will find alot of guys who have done exactly what ur doing and will save you some time waiting for answers.also look to spend at least 600$ for the 4x4 swap and a good lift kit will cost you about that to good luck

[harleyboy]

welcome to the site and have fun with your truck.

[bigdsr56]

Welcome to the site.Good luck on your high riding project.

[spacecadet]

Welcome to the site. THe 4x4 conversion isn't that much differnt than the 2wd conversion. I would suggest getting soem parts from the parts store. Headers and mounts. The other thing that would be helpfull would be a body lift kit. Althought is not required, it does give a little more room.
search throught old threads theres tons of info here on this site. You will also get tips from the pictures in the gallery.

My truck is an 84 Blazer. There are pics in my gallery,
Space

[wild572s10]

welcome to site and good luck with build,also upgrade membrship so you can post more than once a day

[dethntxz]

yes thank youfor the uspport now i will start looking through old threads and see what i can find. now i found an older 79 and an 84 350 motor. i know therenot tbi but a carb, am i bettergoin off witht he carb or the tbi. it be nice i would believe to have the carb build but i wanna assume all will be better with a tbi motor and also found outformmycoworker ( btw i work at autozone so isorta know what imdoin ijust like havin allt he bases covered) that there is a conversion kit for like 300 dollars to switch between the v6 and the v8 that includes headers and everything but what bout a trans and transfer case? could i use a turbo 400 trans or what would i look for for the transfer case and trans. there is prolly a thread on here for thta ill just search but i wanted to see ppls input on this matter. and thank you all for the best of wishes. and to everyone good luck your projects as well

[dethntxz]

wow i sounded and typed like an idiot yesterday lol i rather seem stupid then act like a know it all lol i do have a turbo 350 tranny sittin ( im assuming that i wont be able to use it because it was out of a 2wd vehicle; its out of an 78 el camino with a 350;) now i would liek a 4 speed tranny be nice with overdrive but not nessicary should i consider a th 400 trans that is out of an 4wd vehicle or should i possibly shoot for a 700r4? now from what i am reading is that carb is the easiest way to go for a swap and the cheapest. now i would like to be cheap but i dont mind spending extra money to use a better engine/ better way of doin this so i do it correctly. now i do work for autozone and i can get some decent parts. i dont know what im fully doin here because i have never done a swap and i wanna make sure i do it correctly. now i looked at the one coversion kit on here which is what i want but says do not do a body lift. well i would like to do the body lift so im assuming that i will have to buy different headers and get the kit at the same time and have an extra set of headers sittin around. now what headers would i have to get if im doin a 2" body lift? now my other question is bout the transfer case. should i use the current one int he truck or what vehicle do i have to rip one out of so i can use it properly? now i would liek to switch to a solid axle but also i use my truck as a daily driver so i guess i can keep the IFS? and the gearing in the differential will have to be changed or no? or even change the rear? as well i read that the drive shaft will have to be shortened possibly? i guess that depends on what transfer case and tranny i use? well all help is nice ill try to upgrade membership tomorrow hopefully i get done gettin my promotion for work and goin to the class i need to go too. i also plan on doin in the next few months and take a week off of work to do so. i just want to make sure i have everything i need and every piece of detail possibly ready in hand so i can do this transition more easily. thank you for all the help i much appreciate the time and effort takes to write the post to help ill keep reading on

[Melonhead]

Doing the swap with a carb is the easiest. The thing to think about is that TBI is not very complicated. You can swap out from a fullsize truck for the computer and TB. The ending result will be a better response and economy. The TBI will be better on fuel as a daily driver.

[Ryoung68]

Whoa There! Talk about run-on questions, :icon_lol: just kiddin' Your right the problem with the body lift will be the steering rod going thru the header tubes. Depending on the amount of lift the steering column can be offset to alleviate the problem. The other options would be to go with manifolds or custom headers. :hammer: