1991 drivetrain into 1999 suburban

[jjqsgc]

I am wanting to swap the 5.7 tbi engine with tranny and tranfer case from my 1991 chev k1500 into a 1999 suburban for a project build. The truck drivetrain has a new tranny and 30k on the rebuilt engine etc.
What challenges will I run into?

[JollyBowtie]

You are gonna have to swap the wiring harness and computer. And drastically reduce fuel pressure. And come up with some way to run your electric speedometer with a cable driven setup on your 91 model tranny. And deal with the fact that you are making a 50 hp or so drop by doing this. Why?


ROb

[JollyBowtie]

Oh, and the transfer case is going to drop on the wrong side for the 99 'burb.

ROb

[jjqsgc]

I picked up the burb with a thrown rod in the engine and with a questionable tranny. I'm afraid the
Engine may be damaged and the guy had parted out some of it. Computers are all there but some of the ignition system is gone. Do you think I should try to rebuild it and find the the missing parts? It has 220k miles on it.

[jjqsgc]

Actually going to use a 99 ford hp d60 front with sas

[JollyBowtie]

I would rebuild what you have. The transfer case is still gonna drop wrong for you. You are gonna have more time and money wrapped up in cobbling something up than just doing it right. Is the 99 burb 4x4?

[likestrucks]

A 91 K1500 will have IFS with the transfer case output on the drivers side just like the 99 Suburban shouldn't they? Both are OBS.

[JollyBowtie]

1991 was the last year for the square suburban. That is the one with the uber-desirable front clip for the older pickups. As such, gonna be solid axle and right side drop on case.

ROb

[JollyBowtie]

Just re-read and realized the 91 was not a 'burb.

ROb

[jdoggat22]

if emissions are required were you intend of registering the truck, the tbi and OBD1 system will throw a red flag. 99 emissions come from the OBD2 port not the sniffer. also exhaust manifolds are different, you will need new pipes off the manifolds. the fuel pump will have to be changed to the 91 fuel pump for the lower running pressure of the tbi, or a regulater might have to be added to the line if the 99 pump was used (vortecs used 60 psi pumps tbi used 15 psi, or something close). swapping the tbi harness and ditching the vortec harness will be a PITA but not impossible.

for the hassel its probly better to just get parts to fix the vortec setup. more power and alot less crap to deal when you just replace parts. IMO

[GrayFox]

Go find a good used motor. They made plenty of them