1981 Chevy SWB C10, 5.3L 4L60E

[CHIEFWAHO]

1981 Chevy SWB C10 2WD, 5.3L 4L60E

Have owned the old truck since the mid 80’s. Drove it all thru high school.
Has set the last few years as the 305ci with turbo 350 just guzzles too much gas.

Picked up a 2WD, 5.3L (DBC), 4L60E combo it’s supposed to be from a 2003 Tahoe with 56K miles.
The combo was already pulled when I bought it.
The VIN (1GNEK13ZX2J301248) provided after the purchase shows it being a 2002 4WD Tahoe.

So I need some help determining what year the combo may be?
Here is information I have from block, heads and transmission.

Block
Passenger front block G04
Driver rear stamp/cast 12551358
Dot Matrix CYZ128778
Passenger rear side Sticker FHB (big letters) 10FHBW991765040
Heads
‘862’
Driver front Dot Matrix 9917418163739864
Driver rear Dot Matrix 9174T3858865
Driver rear sticker FHB (big letters) 10FHBW991765040
Passenger rear Dot Matrix 9917418163639664
Driver rear Dot Matrix 9174T3848865
Transmission
Sticker: 24202741 610CCDY27621305 OOCD
Dot Matrix CYE399253



Engine tranny combo


Parts stock pile: gas tanks, headers, misc


Started stripping her down


Labeled the harness during removal

[CHIEFWAHO]

More breaking it down

[CHIEFWAHO]

Reserved for future 2!

[ls1nova71]

I'm not sure how to break down the numbers, but judging from the pics, I'd say it's a '99-'01 due to the steam line that goes to all four corners of the heads, by '02 they started blocking off the rear two and just using the front two. Definitley not an '03 Tahoe since all trucks went to drive by wire in '03

[CHIEFWAHO]

Courtesy of LT1SWAP.com
http://www.lt1swap.com/identify_vortec_engine.htm

I'll check it out this evening.
Hopefully I'll get enough of them to match to narrow down what year I have.

Computers: Both of these had red/blue computer connectors.
09354896 from 99-00
12200411 from 01-02

Fuel Injector: flow rate is very important to have programmed correctly in your PCM. Find a small 8 digit number located on side of each fuel injector.
Here is the breakdown:
25317669, 25320287 - 1999, 4.8L and 5.3L - flows 2.742 gm/sec or 21.8 lb/hr @ 58 psi
25317670, 25320288, 25323974 - 1999-2000 6.0L, 2000 4.8L and 5.3L - flows 3.125 gm/sec or 24.8lb/hr @ 58 psi
25317628 2001-2007 - 4.8L, 5.3L, 6.0L - flows 3.180 gm/sec or 25.2lb/hr @ 58 psi

ENGINE SIZE SPECIFIC INFO
Vortec 4.8 / 5.3 differences: GM used a shorter stroke crankshaft in the 4.8L and a longer connecting rod. 99 to 03 or so, the 4.8L's all had completely flat top pistons. 5.3L's had a slight dish. However, after about 2004 sometime, the 5.3L's could have true flattop's. So really the BEST way to tell is measure stroke, or casting number on crankshaft. Of course if you are standing in-front of a vehicle, you can look at the VIN#. 8th digit is the Engine, 10th digit is the year. T = 5.3L LM7, V= 4.8L LR4, Z = 5.3L L59 Flex Fuel (1999 to 2007) Typically 1999 to 2002 were cable driven throttle bodies, however, some did get drive by wire as early as 2000 I have seen.

1999-01 4.8/5.3 Had EGR, 2002+ did not have EGR. 2002 most used a factory block-off in the intake. After 2003, all intakes should be cast shut in the EGR tube area.

2001+ Used MLS (multi layer steel) head gaskets. This can be identified by looking for a small brass rivet in the head gasket at each end of cylinder head where head meets block. Rivet = MLS

[CHIEFWAHO]

After some additional research I am going conclude motor & trans are both year 2000

Deciphered transmission sticker # 0CCD (so it is a 2000)

PCM /ECM / ECU # is 09354896 (those were used 1999 to 2000)

Injectors # is 25320288 (those were used in 2000)

These sites aided my search! Maybe they will help someone down the line.

http://www.lt1swap.com/identify_vortec_engine.htm

http://southernperformancesystems.com/Tech-Info/trans-codes.html

[CHIEFWAHO]

Eric (ls1nova) are you doing your own PCM's?

I am going to try and do my own harness but will probably be looking for someone to do a basic tune to get it running and then maybe a street or dyno tune there after.

Any recommendations of who to use?
I know there are tons on the net but would like to do it in person.
I am in SE Kansas about 2 hours from KC, 1.5 hours from Wichita, Joplin and Tulsa.

[ls1nova71]

I don't do my own PCMs, I have a friend that does them for me. I would like to get HPTuners so I can try it, but just never have, maybe one of these days!

[CHIEFWAHO]

Been slow going, lot of cleaning, painting.

CAM install. Guess I got excited and forgot pictures.
Texas Speed package (Comp) 220/220 .581/.581 LSA 112 CAM
w/ .625 beehive springs, 7.40 chromemoly pushrods


Currently working on getting heads back together.

Got lucky at a swap meet, picked up the engine lifting plate for $20






The aluminum parts are being sand blasted and then clear coated with hi-temp. Hi-temp gloss black on the block.




New shallow oil pan kit # 12631828




Lapping the valves. Did not really need it but while I was in there thing.

[CHIEFWAHO]

Also lucked into this deal. Not so lucky for my co-worker.
He hit some black ice and had a super slow roll over.
He was fine truck not so much.
Not sure if I am going to fix or part out.

It is a 2005 GMC 1/2 regular cab long bed 4x4 w/ 5.3L
He bought it NEW, has 180,000 miles, mostly highway.
Has always had it serviced at recommend times.

The passenger side looks perfect, driver side, hood and roof not so much.
Broke windshield and driver window.

[CHIEFWAHO]

Assembled and installed the heads over the weekend.
Really like the silver and black combo.

[Nitis]

A little late here and not sure how much it matters but that vin you posted is definitely a 4wd always look for the "k" that means 4wd "c" is 2wd in the 5th spot. Been that way for a long time