How To LS Swap Your S10 // The ULTIMATE Video guide! Full Parts List Breakdown 

This video is excellent! Gonna comment some tips to add from experience with a 1988 4.8 5 speed 2wd and a 1996 5.3 5 speed 2wd TRANSMISSION- Using a 4.3 NV3500 on trucks HEADERS/STEERING SHAFT- When choosing a header you can also go with Hooker Manifolds. It worked great on my 2nd Gen 2WD swap once I got the Hooker Blackheart steering shaft and took and angle grinder to the manifold and shimmied the engine mounts all the way away from the manifolds lol On my 1st Gen 2WD swap I used 2nd Gen S10 Sanderson shorty headers and have a ton of clearance to run my factory shaft Also running a non-powersteering factory setup in my 1988. I daily drive this truck and it doesn't seem any harder to drive than it did with the 2.5 THROTTLE- Factory throttle cable from my 2.5 worked on my 4.8, factory throttle cable from my 2.2 worked with my 5.3 HARNESS/GAUGES- On both 1st and 2nd Gen swaps I have used a JH Performance stand alone engine harness. The downside is that it doesn't connect to your factory gauge cluster, I have used old school manual gauges on both swaps. ALSO we offer a full S10 line of Reversion Raceworks dash parts on our site! S10LIFE.ORG ELECTRIC FANS- On both of the swaps I am running dual generic parts store electric fans also using 4.3 radiator on both REAR END/DRIVESHAFT- I was able to run the stock 7.5 and stock drive shaft on both trucks. I have swapped to a ZR2 rear in the 1988 with a custom drive shaft and a Eaton TrueTrac Please feel free to ask me anything about my comment folks!

Thank you so much man. I appreciate your advice. I'm ready to get this started!

Your videos have been a big help with my s10 ls swap build. I’ve gone back and watched your videos numerous times. It’s awesome to see what you’ve done with your s10 and excites me for when I get mine on the road. Thank you for all your content!

Thank you so much-l'm starting my 91' S-10 Ls swap in March and l didn't want to cut into that cross member. This really helps a lot.

Good advice. We took some of it and used it on our LS swapped S10. Thanks

Next month I will be a year into building my first hot rod: a candy purple 97 S10 - single cab, short bed, fleetside, 4.3 with a 4l60E, crank windows. My daily driver at the time. I'm throwing an LM7 with a BTR Hot Rod cam, TBSS intake, and Holley Terminator X EFI in front of a Tremec TKX and built 9 inch Ford from Quick Performance. Boxed the frame. Put in a steel 10 point cage from SW Race Cars. Aside from going through the heads I have done everything myself minus some bodywork that my Dad (a bodyman of 50+ years experience) did for me. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences and your knowledge. You in particular helped me decide to take the leap and go all the way with this truck. You are the fuckin man. I look forward to seeing what LSBluu is really capable of. Best of luck always.

I just found your videos and subscribed, there is some really good info here. I have a 1990 S 10 that I purchased with the intention to swap. I’m definitely going to spend some time looking at all of your videos.

I'm tearing into my 95 Sonoma this week. I'll have a playlist of your videos playing on the garage big screen. LOL

Appreciate the video. You're an awesome resource and inspiring

You really didn't miss anything! But there are a couple things I'd add. The 302-1 style oil pans also work very well on these swaps. Also if you need to have the driveshaft shortened that's a great opportunity to upgrade to an aluminum driveshaft from a full-size gm truck or a trailblazer. Also if using the factory pcm, you can use an obd2 reader like an elm327 to display a lot of engine data via the torque app. The only gauge you would need to wire up or add is oil pressure

Thanks for sharing your knowledge boss

I have the 2.2l sonoma myself and im about to but a 5.3 and put in it so your videos will definitely be helpful during these times also they help alot as i have not much knowledge on all this as im only 15

great video. Gen1 s10 currently sbc powered. I'm going a little different route. ly6 carbed. th350. I got a great deal on the carbed intake and msd box and I already have a great carb and built transmission. someday I will switch to efi but for now, with budget in mind and not wasting good parts this is what i'm doing. Also if people want a direct bolt in rear end upgrade try to find a 8.6 rearend from a 2wd 5speed 2nd gen blazer, just take that rearend and put a limited slip and you are good to go, already has 3.42 gear and disc brakes also

The 2.2 in my 2002 s10 just died thx man im gonna be following ur build steps

love the vid bud thank you for all the good info

Thanks Líder 💪

If my 02 Xtreme's 4.3 wasn't so solid, this would be awesome to do! I'm a middle aged dude who doesn't need much. The 4.3 still smokes the tires if I'm not easy on the fun pedal, so I'm happy enough!

thank you for making this video

Enjoyed the vid. Very informative! How about a few pics of your roll bar install? Instead of notching your frame cross member it appears you removed the center section and replaced wt round tubing. Looks a lot nicer than the notch. Thanks for the info

Just starting my build, everything I need is here minus the cpw harness I'm still waiting on it. 5.3 4l60 8.8, 4.3 rad, intrepid fans pretty "basic build" for everything I need including the s10 I got about 2500 invested got motor trans and truck all pretty damn cheap lucked out with everything. Been subbed to your channel for a couple years keep it up

I used 2005 Corvette accessories and didnt have to cut up the core support and move the radiator. Have a inch of clearance with intrepid fans. But did notch the frame for AC Comp.

Headman also sells longtubes that are a 2 piece header flange its what i run thier around 400 $ and two of the header tubes wrap around the frame on both sides spark plug boots will need to be small 90 degree boots but othe than that pretty good clearance

Great video. Do you know if the recommended oil pans work with the 1st gen as well? Thanks for any help!

Beautiful Ride. For fuel I also recommend Quantum Fuel Services for the fuel pump. 150 bucks very powerful. Not a sponsor.

Thanks!👍👍👍

Do you have a video explaining your intake,throttle body , nitrous set up …. Thanks

I’ve got a 97 s10 2.2. I have my 5.3 motor and I’m trying to plan all of this so it’ll be easy to put it in my truck. The ls I have is the l59 (flex fuel). Your vid helped with a few things but will my stock fuel pump really work with the engine (even if I run e85)? I’ve heard that you can use the Silverado assembly but do you have to modify the truck for that? For your transmission crossmember you just used the 4.3 without any modifications? What about your drive shaft? Can you use the stock one or do you have to have one made? Sorry for all the questions.

95-01 Ford Explorer SUV or 02-04 Explorer Sport-Trac “pickup” 8.8 rear ends are a great swap and come with 31 spline axles, LSD and 3.73 - 4.10 gear ratios. Pretty much bolt right into s10 and can be found in every junkyard. Only difference is the 8.8 is wider than stock s10 rear ends. They don’t need to be shortened to fit but they can be if desired

Project 6.0SS is getting disc brakes on the rear right now power stop kit

Just totalled my 2 door 1997 s10 blazer. Its mostly front clip. I got that figured out already. Im gonna swap it while i unwreck. The 4.3 put me in a spot i couldn't get away from. My goal is swap and unwreck in 2 to 4 months i think i might document the build

So do you upgrade your fuel pump wiring if you put a 2.2 or 255 pump in?

So I have a 1999 gmc Sonoma I want to put a 5.3 LS in. I’m going to most likely get the cpm plug and play. I have the 4.3 v6 what fuel pump should I use and because I’ve never done this before where is it located and how do you actually change them?

My truck has the 2.2l with the stock t5, any recommendations on putting the stock tranny to the ls, I know it a weak trans but it's more for the novelty not for speed

Iv got a 4.8l. I want to use my original t5 that was with the 2.2l it's a 2nd Gen 1994 s10. This t5 uses the Ford mout between the trans and bellhousing. I know the t5 isn't the best. But would it be possible to use it.

What did you do for your ignition? Switch or stock column?

6.0 swap will still work in a 4x4 s10 if I follow these instructions?

Does anyone know best engine mounts when adapting from a 2.2, my original plan was to line up what matched and drill new holes, but if there is another adapter I'd rather go that route

I still want to build one, it should be 1000lbs lighter than my Silverado. That would put it in the 11s easy. The biggest turn off for most people is the cost of the headers if you want long tubes. Headman has some for $403, but they have PUNY 1.5" primary tubes. (Part #69050) All of the 1.75" primary say "not in stock, will be special ordered" (Part #45900) The #45240 1.625" primary mid lengths - "only 4 in stock" as of today 3/10/24. The cost of the wiring as you mentioned, is costly too if you want everything to work. Not all of us are wiring gurus and can do what CP and BP Auto can do. I would want AC in mine, it's too hot in Florida to not have it. It's doable, just more costly. Love your truck, great color, etc.

Did u have to trim the crossmemeber to fit the 4l80

So I have a 96 2.2 is most of this going to apply to that it’s a manual so how bad is it gonna be to swap it in reality

So what about the electrical for the lights?

Will that work with a 4x4 96 s10

Nice video , putting together a first gen now. Got a question maybe off topic but is there any difference between the 4 cly frame and the 6 cly ?

Just started watching. I'm hoping there's mention of 4x4's because I'm preparing to do mine. Oil pan is the main thing I'm wanting to know.

Just came across an 01 Xtreme and plan to build an 02' 5.3 for it. I've never done a swap but I was told that the bell housing would have to be changed from the OEM 4.3 to a V8(???)

yeah man, great video.

Have you every thought of doing your shop?Just doing s10/sonoma ls swaps

I got a super clean 02' Blazer ZR2 4.3 vortec & would love to do a LS Swap but with the 4x4. I hear it's a pain.

How much harder is it to do 4x4 s10

Is this swap possible on a 4wd

I've gotta 99 s10 and I've heard I need the flex plate adapter to run my stock transmission behind my 4.8ls. is this true? My trans is a 99 4l60e removable bellhousing type from another s10

Might be a dumb question but I can’t seem to find any information regarding the 4x4 being a problem. Will the 4x4 cause issues and if so- how do I get arround it without taking the 4x4 out

What's the sensitivity of pinion angles on our trucks? How precise does it have to be?

Waiting for the video with the new setup making a few passes

You got me thinking i could do all this in a single weekend all parts in hand dang im hyped

Question Ive wondered? Is your front bumper fiberglass?

I’ve been told that you have to replace your stock break booster with a 98ish malibu break booster for clearance. How true is this?

On the trans are you using a short tale shaft or long

If I'm not mistaken the stock 2.2 filter has the built in regulator same as the C5 and should work well with the car style intakes.

this video isnt for a 6.0 swap right? just the 5.3 1500 swap?

I hope to LS swap my s10 but how much in all would this swap cost?

Any 5 speed strans that would fit on my 5 speed s10 if I do a ls swap?

Will the nv3500 work?

wish l d seen this 5 yrs ago;ld still have knuckles..

What hood is that you got brother

Will this be the same for an87

are you around baltimore ?

I live in middle tn have a 1998 extended cab s10 ....4.3 auto ....if any one on here wants to swap an ls into my truck ...i am looking to pay someone to do so (that has proof of experience and a good reputation) ....i will buy parts needed for swap ....and engine ....interior of truck is already out only driver seat and dash ....i wire brushe and fix all the floor pans and then primed them ...and then put heat sheild and sound proofing all over floor and cab ....for ls swap and the audio system i have .....this is a serious ask.....i will buy a harness from painless or comprable harness...

holley headers aren't available anymore

That "truck" lower radiator hose, is that an S10 4.3 hose or the 5.3 truck(silverado) hose?

What hood is that?

How hard is it ?

What happen to ur old hood? U wanna sell it?

What was that ,that fail off the truck at end of video.

Wait so what engine is in it

Dude I have Like 40 years doing v8 s10

Has anyone v8 swapped a 4wd

What you use for driveshaft

Where is the lmao emoji? 😂 You could barely beat a dodge neon and I know you can't beat a daily driver hellcat or even a weed eater Tesla. Let me know when you make 8 second quarter passes running air conditioning on pump gas all while cruising across the country at 90 mph.

is there anyone that has done a awd LS swapped s10?? o and with a manual trans??

This is like your fifth time making this video and my dumb ass still happily watches for new notes😂