Tahoe engine swap

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Heldju

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Hi.
I have some questions about a engine swap I’m planning.
The car I have is 04 Tahoe 5.3 and the engine I plan to put in is from a 06 Tahoe (05 according to VIN).
Will this be straight forward plug an play swap or are there any differences between the years?

The reason for the swap is not because my engine is broken, but the opportunity to put a Magnacharger in my car. A guy living close to me manage to put his car in the ditch, and are now going to sell it for parts. The car has 60000mils on it.
 

Tonyrodz

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Are you going from a 5.3 to another 5.3, and then going with a Magnacharger later on? Due to the lower mileage on the newer motor? Just trying to understand what you're doing.
 

Doubeleive

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If the 8th digit in the VIN's match then yes straight swap, otherwise you need to swap the ecm as well (as far as I know)
 

adriver

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05-06 had an electronic fan as opposed to the mechanical clutch fan you have (from the factory) now. Look into the swap. Its pretty simple but you will want his 34" radiator (if you don't have one), efans, efan harness, and you need to turn the pin on in the PCM, or possibly get his if any of that survived the ditch.. (no clue on the electronics if there are other problems with doing that or if its easier to just turn yours on. If its supercharged, it should certainly be tuned and you would want that too).
 
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Heldju

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The plan is to swap everything into my car. That includes complete engine, transmission with transfer case, gas tank wit upgraded pump and all coolers with fans.

Can I use the ECU from the donor car that’s already been tuned?
 
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Heldju

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Are you going from a 5.3 to another 5.3, and then going with a Magnacharger later on? Due to the lower mileage on the newer motor? Just trying to understand what you're doing.

The donor car is already set up with a Magnacharger and upgraded transmission. That is the reason for the swap.
 

Tonyrodz

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Ok. If it was me--I'd swap the complete drivetrain including the ecm and possibly the bcm if it has the same options as you do(not positive on that tho). You'd need to get it flashed to your vin also. As mentioned, also the radiator if it's the bigger one.
 

adriver

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The donor car is already set up with a Magnacharger and upgraded transmission. That is the reason for the swap.

Ok. If it was me--I'd swap the complete drivetrain including the ecm and possibly the bcm if it has the same options as you do(not positive on that tho). You'd need to get it flashed to your vin also. As mentioned, also the radiator if it's the bigger one.
Yeah this. You should just get the entire driveline then if that's an option.


See what other options they may have, upgraded diff or better gearing, any suspension upgrades that are still good, better interior. I hope you asked him what he wants for the whole car. Just to get rid of the hassle, and be done with it, you might get a better deal than you think. You can then slowly do projects when you have the time, (if you have the space and ability), or slowly part out what you have left, or what you are replacing, and make that back along the way. Not sure if that 60K is the vehicle, or engine, but thats incredibly low. I would guess it has been garaged and taken care of as a second vehicle. That should be a pretty clean interior.
 

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