Installing newer 350 vortec engine in 1983 C10, Help and advise!

[Slammed72blazers]

Hello, im installing a 1996 350 vortec engine form a suburban 4x4 to my 1983 Chevrolet C10 2wd 350engine/700r4, I want to install the vortec engine with many of its components and electrical wiring and use the same 700r4 tranny from my 83', I was wondering if anyone had tips or advise for this biuld, one of my main questions is electrical, as in connecting the vortec engine to my 83, and if painless wiring would be an option for my biuld, another concern is connecting the 700r4 tranny to the 96 vortec, any help or advise will be very appreciated, Thanks

[rfmaster]

The TV cable for 700R4 will be major Pita. The 96 Vortec was backed by 4L60E which does not require TV cable - it's controlled by PCM. You'll have to fab TV cable bracket for TB throttle arm and mounting bracket for the intake manifold. Getting correct TV cable geometry will be interesting.

IMHO I would ditch 700R4 and find 4L60E instead. Just make sure that your trany wiring harness was set up for 4L60E. IRC the 4L80E plug is the same as 4L60E but pin out is slightly different!

http://www.powertraincontrolsolution...TCM4100SCH.pdf

The OBDII PCM will have to re-flashed to handle 700R4 functions. You may need to contact shop that specializes in custom OBD-II PCM programming and modify harness to match 700R4 requirements.

[deth_1970]

the 4l60 and the 700r4 are the same beast, it's not till they added the "E" to it is when it became computer controlled, if I am thinking right in 96 it was still the 4l60 (700r4), does you burban have a TV cable, if so it is a 4l60,(700r4) the 4l60e did not use a TV cable all shifts where handled by the computer

[rfmaster]

Originally Posted by deth_1970

if I am thinking right in 96 it was still the 4l60 (700r4), does you burban have a TV cable, if so it is a 4l60,(700r4) the 4l60e did not use a TV cable all shifts where handled by the computer

In 1992 electronic controls were added, and 4L60 (aka 700R4) became the 4L60-E.

Vortec uses PCM - powertrain control module, which was specifically designed to control 'E' style transmission. Mercifully, TV cable went away at the end of '92 and starting 93 model year the 'E' trany came into wide use. The P4 PCM were the OBD-I power controllers with part numbers 16197427, 16196395, and 16156930 were in wide use with TBI injected trucks. Vortec a completely different injection approach and has its own type under-hood weatherized PCM.

//RF

[Slammed72blazers]

alright i see that buying a 4l60E tranny is a better decision, but is their a kit to make the tv (Detent) cable fit to the 96 vortec engine, or can i eliminate that option, and if installed a newer 4l60e would it fit proper as the 700r4 to the original brackets

[walkerscott]

4l60E hands down

for the 700r4 proper cable alignment and adjustment is a pia...
the longest cable i know of for a 700R4 trans is from a TPI engine.. possibly lokar could do a custom cable for ya.

note best i can recall 97 and later trans were 2 piece housings and i think the overall length is different

fyi speedo may need to change to electronic for the vss

you can modify the harness its easy figure 20 hrs