PontiacBonnevilleClub.com

Looking at getting a 94 Z71 5.7L Extended cab to replace the F-150. I've always been more of a Chevy guy and the standard cab is getting a little old... So the one I'm looking at has been driven around for quite some time with bad head gaskets so I'm just going to assume the engine junk. Just wondering if anyone knows how involved of a project it is to swap the newer Vortec engine into one of these?

Having done my fair share of engine swaps, you're going to have to define 'newer'. The key is how integrated the security system is and if you're planning on using the OE computer or aftermarket.

The other think to look for is you want an engine with the same trans bolt pattern, and you may have to use a different torque converter to match the flywheel.

The rest of it is just plumbing/wiring.

Are you talking about like the 5.3L LS/ LS based engines from 99-up? If so, your best bet would be to look at the ls1tech forum. If you are on the book of faces, there is a group called LS engine swaps and solutions. There is a guy on there a lot who claims to have swapped at least 40 LS's into GM trucks of every body style. Also, if you can swing it, get rid of that 700R trans and get a 4l80.

The trans swap would depend on just how much of the donor computer/bcm systems you need to get the engine to run. I'm fairly sure that the trans in 94 is a 4l60e/4l80e (I don't know if the z71 was offered as a 3/4 ton+), which is different than a 700-r4 that doesn't need a computer to control it.

You know, the more I'm thinking about it maybe it isn't really worth it... I was thinking about the Vortec 5.7, but I can get the old 5.7 waaayyyy cheaper from what I'm seeing online...