[FieroDW]

Hi all! I recently joined and am very impressed with the knowledge level of the group. I am from Michigan and am strarting my 1993 v-8 conversion on an awd. I am able to do the usual mechanical items as I have
already performed a 1986 rwd v-8 conversion, however the awd poses some new chalenges and different approaches. I am particularly in need of identifying what headers will work with the v-8 conversion. The 93
currently has a cpi 4.3 and I have only done the TBI swap in the past. I have a set of engine mounts from JTR
and would like to know who all has done an awd v-8 swap for resource support. Thanks

 

[SIGHTS AND SOUNDS]

welcome. sorry i dont know anything about the swap but you will find it here!!!!!!!!

 

[lockdoc]

I have done this swap on a 93 with CPI. First thing you need to do is convert your CPI to TBI. That involves changing out your harness or modifying yours and changing the ECM. You'll need the FSM for that and a lot of patience. After that it is plug and play almost. Just like a RWD. I have a full write up of how to do it but I can't post it here. The write up I had on the old board got lost. The most common header for this swap is the flowtech 91830FLT. You have to dent a tube a bit to clear the ABS but good otherwise.

 

[FieroDW]

Wow! that was very fast and right on the mark, thanks and I will buy a service manual for the 93 . I will get the flowtech
next payday now that I know which one to purchase. Lockdoc, you mentioned a writeup? I wonder if I could pay for a copy?
Anythng you can think of to facilitate my goal would be appreciated. What did you use for a donor computer? I would imagine
any 1993 and older truck TBI set up would work. (Maybe). :?: Thanks again Lockdoc for the immediate data resolution.

 

[astro355]

You have a PM.

 

[lockdoc]

You will need a 93 or 94 ECM from a TBI powered van or truck with a 4L60E with the same size engine you will be installing. Only those two years as that is the only years compatible with your transmission. As for the wiring it is a matter of putting both the W and Z engine engine harness diagrams together, finding what is common between the two and changing what isn't. You will find that you will reuse wires from the W harness with new connectors. For instance, the variable tuning thing on top of your engine will become the wires for one of the injectors, you will only use two wires instead of five for the EGR, etc.

Another thing, you do realize you need to modify the stock V6 AWD oilpan to fit?

 

[astro355]

Is splicing two seperate wiring harnesses the only way to do this? Can't you just use the engine harness and ecm with the engine you want to swap in? I'm sure you did it that way with good reason, I'm just trying to understand what the reason is.

 

[ghostrider1061]

good luck with your new project. keep us posted and include some pics.

Mod edit: let's keep this positive, ok?

 

[lockdoc]

Is splicing two seperate wiring harnesses the only way to do this? Can't you just use the engine harness and ecm with the engine you want to swap in? I'm sure you did it that way with good reason, I'm just trying to understand what the reason is.

As I said in the my first post you need a new engine harness or modify yours. I had a hard time finding a good harness from a 93-94 TBI Astro. Those are the only two years that would be a direct replacement. Using a truck one would be a pain due to it being configured differently to mount the PCM behind the glove box. I found it to be easier to snag just the connectors I needed from any TBI harness I could find and splice it in to the exsisting one. The ironic part is at the moment I'm removing a perfectly good 93 TBI engine harness from my cargo van so I can intall an LT1. Figures. Even if I did use the Astro TBI harness I would still need to modify it because the 4.3 engine uses two knock sensors and linear EGR. The V8 TBI uses the vacuum style EGR and one knock sensor.

 

[astro355]

As I said in the my first post you need a new engine harness or modify yours. I had a hard time finding a good harness from a 93-94 TBI Astro. Those are the only two years that would be a direct replacement. Using a truck one would be a pain due to it being configured differently to mount the PCM behind the glove box. I found it to be easier to snag just the connectors I needed from any TBI harness I could find and splice it in to the exsisting one. The ironic part is at the moment I'm removing a perfectly good 93 TBI engine harness from my cargo van so I can intall an LT1. Figures. Even if I did use the Astro TBI harness I would still need to modify it because the 4.3 engine uses two knock sensors and linear EGR. The V8 TBI uses the vacuum style EGR and one knock sensor.

Ok, sorry. I didn't see you mention getting a new engine harness in your first post.

I just see it being a lot easier to use the engine harness that comes with the engine. Tomato, tomato I guess.

 

[FieroDW]

It is good to be back home in Traverse City after two days of medical training downstate. The project continues and thanks for all of your ongoing input. I was able to pick up the lifting bracket from The welding shop in town. They do some fine fabing for just about anything you want. Since I didnt want to experience the engine pull out the front again I will try the lifting of the body off the subframe routine for once. I dont have a lift so I will try a chain fall or even my brothers engine puller. Thanks
Lockdoc for the reminder about the oilpan. I read about and had talked to the guys at JTR about it but have not made a decision to fab or buy a new one. I had better get the camera out and chronicle the process for everyones critique and suggestions which are much appreciated. Thanks Again.

 

[lockdoc]

I used an engine hoist.

 

[FieroDW]

Nice photo Lockdoc and very helpful, thanks tons. I see my planned lifting point has to be lowered quite abit. I ordered up the
Helms Manual like you suggested and they should be here in a couple of days. This weekend is family reunion time so all goes on
the back burner. I will be looking for a 93 or 94 TBI Van or Full size truck to harvest the neccesary computer and harness. If all goes well the process will be picking up speed. Thanks again to all and have a great weekend.