09 4.8 swap for 04 LS1 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Dustytrix · 10-11-2018, 09:47 PM

I hope someone can answer this for me. I have an 09 sierra with 4.8 engine thats to weak for me. I also have a 04 LS1 that I am going to build. Is there anyway to swap the 04 LS1 engine in place of the 4.8? Or what would it take to use the external parts off the 4.8 onto LS1 ?

71cadc10 · 10-20-2018, 09:04 AM

knock sensors, camshaft sensor, and crankshaft reluctor wheel are all not going to 'plug and play'
all can be handled, with various methods...but not a drop in deal.
The reluctor wheel, if the LS1 is apart...have a machine shop install a 58x wheel on the crank before you assemble the short block.
then you can bolt the front cover with it's cam sensor, and most external parts from the 4.8 engine onto the LS1.
knock sensors, you could drill / tap the sides of the LS1 block and install the 4.8 knock sensors to it.

**Mr_Rich** · 10-20-2018, 01:38 PM

After '05 or so LS engines were Gen IV versions whereas before that like the LS1 engine you're interested in using is a Gen III and the two are not compatible in a lot of areas. I have an LS1 in my garage that came out of my '98 Firebird and I would've loved to install it in my '09 truck. It requires too much internal engine work in addition to the possibility it wouldn't be permitted due to Calif. smog laws. The Gen III engines have a 24X reluctor wheel while the Gen IV engines have a 58X reluctor wheel which the prev. poster mentioned. The reluctor wheel is used by the ECM to count the crank rpms and the 58X ECM's are also faster and advanced over the older ECM's.
The best bet would probably be to find a newer Gen IV engine with more cubes for your swap and all you would have to do is get a tune on your ECM.

BR3W CITY · 10-20-2018, 03:28 PM

Gen IV started in 07 in trucks.

Dustytrix · 10-20-2018, 08:04 PM

Thanks guys, I have been doing some research since I first posted this. I am going to use the external parts off my 4.8 like suggested. All I have is the 5.7 block, so pistons rods and crank will have to be bought. Then Geoff Skinner can work his magic on the ecm.

ls1nova71 · 10-20-2018, 10:19 PM

You'll need to change the reluctor on the crank and use a 58x crank sensor.

Dustytrix · 10-21-2018, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ls1nova71

You'll need to change the reluctor on the crank and use a 58x crank sensor.

OK, can I use a LS2 crank with 58 reluctor ? I got a lead on one just havent seen it yet?

71cadc10 · 10-23-2018, 01:55 PM

yes LS2 crank with 58x would work...may need rebalancing depending on what pistons/rods you mate it to

Dustytrix · 10-23-2018, 08:36 PM

Thanks 71cadc10.

10-11-2018, 09:47 PM	#1
Dustytrix Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Petal,Ms. Posts: 428	09 4.8 swap for 04 LS1 I hope someone can answer this for me. I have an 09 sierra with 4.8 engine thats to weak for me. I also have a 04 LS1 that I am going to build. Is there anyway to swap the 04 LS1 engine in place of the 4.8? Or what would it take to use the external parts off the 4.8 onto LS1 ?

10-20-2018, 09:04 AM	#2
71cadc10 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Boiling Springs, PA Posts: 435	Re: 09 4.8 swap for 04 LS1 knock sensors, camshaft sensor, and crankshaft reluctor wheel are all not going to 'plug and play' all can be handled, with various methods...but not a drop in deal. The reluctor wheel, if the LS1 is apart...have a machine shop install a 58x wheel on the crank before you assemble the short block. then you can bolt the front cover with it's cam sensor, and most external parts from the 4.8 engine onto the LS1. knock sensors, you could drill / tap the sides of the LS1 block and install the 4.8 knock sensors to it. __________________ 71 C10 long bed, 2003 6.0L, 06GTO E40, T56, 12bolt 4.10 rear

10-20-2018, 01:38 PM	#3
Mr_Rich Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Yucaipa, Calif. Posts: 790	Re: 09 4.8 swap for 04 LS1 After '05 or so LS engines were Gen IV versions whereas before that like the LS1 engine you're interested in using is a Gen III and the two are not compatible in a lot of areas. I have an LS1 in my garage that came out of my '98 Firebird and I would've loved to install it in my '09 truck. It requires too much internal engine work in addition to the possibility it wouldn't be permitted due to Calif. smog laws. The Gen III engines have a 24X reluctor wheel while the Gen IV engines have a 58X reluctor wheel which the prev. poster mentioned. The reluctor wheel is used by the ECM to count the crank rpms and the 58X ECM's are also faster and advanced over the older ECM's. The best bet would probably be to find a newer Gen IV engine with more cubes for your swap and all you would have to do is get a tune on your ECM. __________________ 1989 K1500 Chev. EC Original owner; some of the aftermarket parts I've installed are Borla headers, Hypertech chip, Edelbrock water pump, and a Stillen rear disc brake conversion kit. 2009 Hummer H3T 3.7L 5M (sold) 1997 K2500 Chev. EC 7.4L/ 4L80E 2018 Dodge Ram 2500 HD R/C

10-20-2018, 03:28 PM	#4
BR3W CITY meowMEOWmeowMEOW Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: MKE WI Posts: 7,128	Re: 09 4.8 swap for 04 LS1 Gen IV started in 07 in trucks. __________________ *'66 Short Step / SD Tuned / Big Cam LQ4 / Backhalfed /Built 4l80e / #REBUILDEVERYTHING* MY BUILD THE H8RDCPTR //\\ MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL REV J HD

10-20-2018, 08:04 PM	#5
Dustytrix Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Petal,Ms. Posts: 428	Re: 09 4.8 swap for 04 LS1 Thanks guys, I have been doing some research since I first posted this. I am going to use the external parts off my 4.8 like suggested. All I have is the 5.7 block, so pistons rods and crank will have to be bought. Then Geoff Skinner can work his magic on the ecm.

10-20-2018, 10:19 PM	#6
ls1nova71 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Independence Mo Posts: 4,119	Re: 09 4.8 swap for 04 LS1 You'll need to change the reluctor on the crank and use a 58x crank sensor. __________________ My '72 short bed build. http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/conver...6-0-4l80e.html 5.3 swap into my RUSTY '71 C10 http://ls1tech.com/forums/conversion...71-c-10-a.html

10-23-2018, 01:55 PM	#8
71cadc10 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Boiling Springs, PA Posts: 435	Re: 09 4.8 swap for 04 LS1 yes LS2 crank with 58x would work...may need rebalancing depending on what pistons/rods you mate it to __________________ 71 C10 long bed, 2003 6.0L, 06GTO E40, T56, 12bolt 4.10 rear Last edited by 71cadc10; 10-23-2018 at 02:00 PM.

10-23-2018, 08:36 PM	#9
Dustytrix Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Petal,Ms. Posts: 428	Re: 09 4.8 swap for 04 LS1 Thanks 71cadc10.

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