Engine SWAP! 6.0L v8 From a Trail Blazer...Can It Be Done?

[albertatester]

hey guys. just picked up a 2007 Chevy 6.0L v8 motor from my friend. Its out of his Trailblazer. Now the thing is. Do you guys think it can fit into my 92 explorer? what all will i have to change? just new transfer case and drive shafts? This explorer is for offroad use only so i dont have to worry about lights or anything. just going to put up light bars. what do you guys figure?
think it can be done or am i wasting my time lol

 

[Joe Dirt]

I would assume that you have all of the harnesses, etc? Or are you bypassing the electronic fuel systems and stuff? I can't imagine that putting a new school computer controlled engine into a car that doesn't have the electronics to run it may be costly...

sure it's possible- how much money do you have?

 

[Hartman]

I'm gonna go ahead and say you're wasting your time.

 

[Willard]

You will need a new transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, probably completely new motor and tranny mounts, it's also liable to be a fairly tight fit. I'm not sure how big that motor is, but I'm thinking it's gonna be a good amount larger than a 5.0L, which is a tight fit.

With all the computer controls, you would need the computer for it, and that would pose all sorts of problems integrating that.

In short, Hartman is right, it's not worth the effort. IMO, if you want a V8, sell the 6.0L, and pick up an explorer 5.0L with tranny and a 4406 x-fer case, maybe build it a little bit, and it would be a much easier swap.

 

[albertatester]

yeah i can get anything and everything from it. he rolled it and it was a write off. figure it will all work? i am just worried about it fitting into the engine compartment and i would hate to sell it because well its a 400hp motor lol its a ls2 motor from a corvette lol

 

[Turdle]

That engine is a small block chevy ---sort of. It isn't all that large-

However-you are in for a nightmare. Along with all of the needed drive train changes, I think there are fuel pressure sensors in these newer trucks. You may end up try to get the fuel tank mounted in there-it could go even deeper than that.

I know the power sounds all good-but i would bet you could sell all that stuff, build a ford small block to 400 hp and be money ahead after your install. JMO

 

[albertatester]

ok. what about a body off? just take my explorer body off and swap it onto the trailblazer chassis? he pretty much gave me the damn thing so i can do whatever i want with it. and the motor is still in it as we speak. so what about a body off

 

[Turdle]

Well, start measurin', you'll know then.

 

[albertatester]

then again i cant find any lift kits for a trailblazer. how would i go about lifting it?

 

[Turdle]

then again i cant find any lift kits for a trailblazer. how would i go about lifting it?

You night try finding a trailbalzer forum.

 

[410Fortune]

You cant lift a trailblazer LOL they are minivans

Look to spend upwards of $10K on this project, seriously. Thats taking into consideration that you already have the engine/trans/t case. Is the t case a drivers side drop? Does this truck even have 4 low?
The 2007 computer is going to be VERY tricky to get it to talk to your 92 truck, not to mention Ford vs Chevy......this is a big deal IMO. 2007 computer will also have a security key, so you will need the key and security systems from the Trailblazer, likely built into the steering column, again a big deal.
You will have to fab the cooling system, the fuel system, the computer system, the exhaust, the engine mounts, and much much more.

This would be a huge undertaking, do you have any experience doing these sorts of conversions?

I would sell the entire drivetrain, part out the rest of the trailblazer and use the $$$ towards a practical conversion if you are serious about fixing up your first gen.


the trailblazer must have had firestone tires on it LOL

 

[albertatester]

haha i cant remember what tires are on it lol but yeah i dont think ill be doing anything with my explorer to do with this motor lol pain in the ass...im going to talk to my friend that has a 87 chev 4x4. maybe he wants to sell it to me for cheap since there is no motor in it. i really wanted to stick that motor in the explorer. something original thanks very much for the help guys

 

[410Fortune]

It can be done, anything can and has been done, its just ALOT of work, a BUNCH of Fab, and a hell of alot of $$$$$$$ In the end you would have an 11 second 4x4 explorer though if the front and rear axles /suspension held up to the power

 

[albertatester]

pretty sure if i was draggin the explorer i would be blowin diff's none stop

 

[Willard]

The rear diff should have no problem, it'd be the front one I'd be worried about. Although jtsmith hasn't blown a diff yet launching his in 4wd.

 

[Mbrooks420]

Take the Trailblazer, part it out, buy a rolled Explorer with the V8, and then work from there. Less than half the headaches, and the guys here can answer any questions you have. Off road only that thing would probably be too high strung, anyways.

 

[vroomzoomboom]

a buddy of mine sent this to me a while back.

http://www.s10forum.com/forum/f213/whats-black-x-been-up-to-new-project-306280/

it's a mustang, but it will give you kind of an idea what you'd be up against. the good news is they are also from alberta, how far from you though, i don't know

 

[Jamesus]

This can totally be done -if- you can get the motor to fit in your Explorer engine bay.
Since you are using the Explorer for off-road use ONLY and have no intent on making it street legal, then you can legally bypass using the stock Chevy computer by going with an aftermarket computer and sensors. This will require professional tuning and will set you back a few thousand. Not really worth it in my option, but it would give you great tuning options especially if you ever decided to go all out on the build.

You can also look into swapping the stock engine harness AND dash harness over. This is probably the best and most practical way to approach this swap. I would start at the computer and completely remove every harness that connects to it. At the least, you will need to make the Chevy gauges fit in your Explorer. Some Trailblazer's have the electronic climate control which I believe ties in the computer somehow (you would find out for sure if you pulled the computer and harnesses as suggested). That wouldn't be necessary, but nice if you can get it to fit. Maybe measure up the dashes, do some trimming or whatever, and see if you can do a full dash conversion and have the Trailblazer dash in the Explorer?!?!?

Look into tuning software that is used on stock computers. LS1, HP Tuners, and EFILive come to mind. I know of MANY supercharged Siverados, Sierras, and Trailblazers pushing big hp using LS1 edit - using the same same motor you have! In addition to tuning the ignition and fuel maps these programs incorporate options to turn off things that would typically trigger a check engine code (O2 sensors, knock sensor, etc.) You may be able to bypass any fuel tank pressure sensor junk this way (if the Trailblazer even has one).