Starting in 2007 some Silverado-Sierra pickup trucks used the LU3 4.3 with a distributorless ignition. The LU3 was also used in Astro-Safaris 02-05 but with the miserable pancake distributors. This thread is a place to slowly collect info on whether the distributorless system is a viable swap into an Astro-Safari. I'm in no rush to figure this out but thought I would put it out there as something to think about.
I have a left over short block LU3 4.3 I pulled out of my 2002 cargo van because the heads where fatally corroded by old dexcool left in by the previous owner. Other than the leaking heads it was running great. I replaced this engine with a complete LU3 pulled from a salvage yard Astro. Now it sits in a shed as a backup in case of catastrophe with the current engine. If I'm gonna get a top end for this it may as well have something more modern than a distributor. My local salvage yard charges the same price for any engine, Chevy or Mercedes, any year. Half price every Wednesday. I could probably get heads and distributorless ignition for under $200 or a whole engine for not much more. A 2014 or so engine sounds attractive.
Questions to answer.
1- Possible donor vehicles? Years?
2- Does this require a computer repgrogram or a donor computer?
3- Does it work? In what year vans?
4- Does it fit?
5- Will it work on non LU3 engines?
6- Is it emissions legal in your state?
7- Other stuff to consider?
Any contributions of knowlege are welcome. You can even say it's a dumb idea but please at least say why.
That is a good idea. I looked I don't see any how to on the net yet. Just 2 people asking how to do it like you with silverado trucks. This would be a godsend for gen2 issues if it works out.
If you are going to do it, yes it would need the donor computer, basically you would want a whole 'dropout' to make it work for you. That said, I would love to see it adapted.
I guess the easiest would be to use an MS3(?), the one with the ignition control, if you don't have to worry about emissions testing.
I agree. I would never consider doing this just to do it, only if I were pulling an engine anyway. Pulling a 2014 LU3 with the ignition and computer is only marginally more expensive than getting an old 2002 LU3 with a distributor. A little education can pay off down the road.
I'm agreeing again, it's not a huge problem. My gear was worn down to almost to a knife edge on the teeth and I never knew because it still ran great. I only saw it because I pulled it out while I had the whole subframe out. It did take the several tries to get the new one in right.
AstroWill said:
If you are going to do it, yes it would need the donor computer, basically you would want a whole 'dropout' to make it work for you. That said, I would love to see it adapted.
I would love to see it work out, so you are looking 07-14, not sure about all of the differences. Just thinking out loud here, timing cover, reluctor ring, intake, injection system, accessory/engine/transmission mounts/mounting?
This would be great as I am currently(slowly) acquiring parts for a turbo build. I have the IC, exhaust, turbo(will upgrade this later), piping all complete, the intake and fuel rails on hand, but still need to get the injectors, wiring, etc. Oh and the biggest thing is the RWD Astro to put it all in, so I'm not in a huge rush
I would love to see it work out, so you are looking 07-14, not sure about all of the differences. Just thinking out loud here, timing cover, reluctor ring, intake, injection system, accessory/engine/transmission mounts/mounting?
All good questions, not many answers because I have never actually laid eyes on one of these donors. Since it's the same LU3 block I ASSume the accessories and engine mounting points are exactly the same. Old exhaust manifold should bolt right up meaning no exhaust mods needed. Right? I assume the Astro injection would bold right on but then you run into computer compatibility issues I think. Maybe if you are taking the newer computer you have to take the whole system, injection, ignition, intake, everything. Now the cost is going up. The devil is always in the details.
If you don't want the hassle of total system transplant then maybe a later year LU3 long block would be a straight up bolt in donor for a van with a dead engine. In theory, all the old van stuff should bolt right on with no mods. You're still stuck with the old distributor and injection but at least the main guts is recent year stuff.
The Express/Safari vans also had the 4.3 but with and extra 15 lb-ft of torque. I guess it's just a computer re-tune to get the extra torque.
I think the ultimate would be a marine version engine plus all the modern electronics from a late model truck or van. Or, just take out a loan and go buy a new vehicle today. In 5 years I will own it and it will be worth 30% of what I paid for it.
I know that they changed the timing cover(and bolt pattern?) and reluctor ring, which rules out using the older computer if you are going to keep that reluctor ring.
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