It is best to use a year close to the year of the vehicle. It is also best to get engine with the tranny. The LS series r aluminum block & r in Corvettes, TAs & Camaros. The engines in trucks r pretty much the same, but iron block.

 

Truck LS does not have more torque/ HP ? So my 2002 astro I need to find LS & trans from 2002- 2005? or can I go out to 2007

 

I would recommend the L33 for any Astro after 1999. It is an all aluminum 5.3L and already has the Silverado oil pan you will need for a 2wd Astro and has the computer on the left like an Astro to avoid the wiring nightmare of a Z28 / Trans-Am engine and having to change oil pan and pickup. A later / newer year Astro battery box will already fit the LS series computer.

 

Thanks, Excellent... Less changes the better

 

http://s1132.photobucket.com/user/mikeh ... all&page=1
Some pics from my '98 with a '99 trans-Am LS1. This ride is current;y owned by Mike, who "Pro Streeted" it.

 

http://s1132.photobucket.com/user/mikehaaksma/library/?sort=3&start=all&page=1
Some pics from my '98 with a '99 trans-Am LS1. This ride is current;y owned by Mike, who "Pro Streeted" it.

Very nice....

 

I would recommend the L33 for any Astro after 1999. It is an all aluminum 5.3L and already has the Silverado oil pan you will need for a 2wd Astro and has the computer on the left like an Astro to avoid the wiring nightmare of a Z28 / Trans-Am engine and having to change oil pan and pickup. A later / newer year Astro battery box will already fit the LS series computer.

So if I have Engine, trans, computer is this a plug and play kind of thing or will it be a custom everything..?

 

DRZ (Stan) is the expert on putting in V8 in Astros & Safaris. What he suggests will b the easiest swap.

I do suggest using another subframe to mount the V8 in first, less downtime & just easier.

 

I would recommend the L33 for any Astro after 1999. It is an all aluminum 5.3L and already has the Silverado oil pan you will need for a 2wd Astro and has the computer on the left like an Astro to avoid the wiring nightmare of a Z28 / Trans-Am engine and having to change oil pan and pickup. A later / newer year Astro battery box will already fit the LS series computer.

So if I have Engine, trans, computer is this a plug and play kind of thing or will it be a custom everything..?

Not totally a "plug & play" . I used a '97 Z28 dual fan setup with the stock radiator and had to make front motor mounts and bought stainless "U bends" from Jegs to make the exhaust system. Custom made an adapter to mate the stock PS reservoir to the LS1 PS pump. A/C tubing was hand made and other details BUT the biggest problems was the '99 or newer engine in a '98 or older system. Fuel gauge, ABS, and some sensor systems changed between the '98-'99 model years. In '98 most sensors went directly to the gauges and '99 on were routed via the computer. That CF is avoided if the swap stuff stays on either side of the '98-'99 model year imo. Probably more stuff but that's all that jumps out to me right now. It's all relative, some swaps are a LOT worse than this. The Photobucket pics USED to have notes under them explaining stuff but Photobucket "improved" their site and did away with all my notes.

 

I would recommend the L33 for any Astro after 1999. It is an all aluminum 5.3L and already has the Silverado oil pan you will need for a 2wd Astro and has the computer on the left like an Astro to avoid the wiring nightmare of a Z28 / Trans-Am engine and having to change oil pan and pickup. A later / newer year Astro battery box will already fit the LS series computer.

So if I have Engine, trans, computer is this a plug and play kind of thing or will it be a custom everything..?

Not totally a "plug & play" . I used a '97 Z28 dual fan setup with the stock radiator and had to make front motor mounts and bought stainless "U bends" from Jegs to make the exhaust system. Custom made an adapter to mate the stock PS reservoir to the LS1 PS pump. A/C tubing was hand made and other details BUT the biggest problems was the '99 or newer engine in a '98 or older system. Fuel gauge, ABS, and some sensor systems changed between the '98-'99 model years. In '98 most sensors went directly to the gauges and '99 on were routed via the computer. That CF is avoided if the swap stuff stays on either side of the '98-'99 model year imo. Probably more stuff but that's all that jumps out to me right now. It's all relative, some swaps are a LOT worse than this.

Thats not bad.. now the hard part finding and ls and extras for cheap

 

Had to swap the shift rod that goes in the left side of the transmission from the Trans-Am with the one from the Astro but easy to do. It's right at the bottom of the transmission when the pan is off and you want to start out with a fresh filter and oil anyway to kinda see just what condition your new stuff is in. When you drop the sub frame, just unhook the brake line from the ABS that goes to the back, take the master cylinder off the Hydra boost and leave the entire front brake system hooked up. That way you can drive it right away and bleed the rears when it's easiest to do.