The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 5.7 vortec

I was thinking of picking up a drive train from a wreckers, I would like a 5.7 liter between 96 and 99. My questions are; if I were to take a motor from a 4x4 truck and a trans. from a 2 wheel drive would it matter from which vehicle the ecu unit would come from? 2 If the motor came from a truck that had a standard trans and want to run with an auto. would I have to get a ecu from a truck with an auto, 3 does the ecu have to be 5.7 specific or will one from a truck with a 5.0 liter also work and are the ecu's model year specific as well. 4 if I decided that things would be so complicated because of the wiring an such can this newer motors be run carburated. I think that's all aI'd like to know at this time, I'm sure you all will find out in time :confused:

1- I would say that you would want an ecu from a 2wd truck, espacially if the engine came from a truck with the Autotrac t-case. An aftermarket standalone ecu would be even better. 2-yes, the trans gets its shift signals from the ecu. 3 I'm certain that the ecu can be re-flashed fith the parameters for either engien, but one from a 5.7 will be much more common to find. 4 you can go carburated, if you don't want to fool with the electronics. You will need the Vortec specific manifold (the ports are different) and a dizzy that doesn't need a computer to run.

Hy cheford, These questions should all be answerable by the wrecker you choose to purchase the parts from, depending on the year of automatic trans you choose you will need an ecu to control that as well. As far as running carburated, that would not be a problem, just install the carb of your choice and a high energy or any distributer you like. Hope that helps.

Just a thought, but aren't most of the recent Vortec engines equipped with multiple coils? I dont know what year they started getting away from the distributor, but I do know that my 2000 4.8L has them.
Great engine tho, even being the smallest of the V8's, it's got loads of power. Could use one in my '56!

Hey there, thanks for your replys and advice. We only have one wreckers that's close and he's not the most helpful, so I'll have to wait until I hit the city wreckers. I was also thinking of checking out the insurance auctions as well and maybe able to pickup a complete wreck cheap I'm hoping. I'm also thinking that it will be easier finding a two wheel drive in the city as most of the pickups around here are 4x4's including mine. Thanks again
John

No advise on anything but the engine balancing. Some engines designed for use with standard transmissions use wights on the flywheel to achieve balance. If you hook that up to an auto trans all you will have will be a flexplate with no possiblities for balancing. You'll need to balance internally or perhaps with the harmonic balancer.

The dizzyless Vortec is the '99 and up 4.8/5.3/6.0/6.2. The '98 and earlier (up to '00 on 2500/3500 HD and Tahoe/'Burbs) still had the old style electronic dizzy.