Trooper v8 swaps
Trooper v8 swaps
I am looking for all the information i can get on v8 engine swaps for a gen 1 trooper. I’m looking to build a very nice, streetable, freeway-able gen1 trooper. Any info on drivetrain combinations that mate, front axle fixes, etc. I’m looking for a very classy, smooth, strong project. Thanks for any help.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 5
I can possibly help a little and at the same time maybe get some pertinent questions answered for both of us.
First of all, and depending on what answer we get, you didn't say what engine that you have. If it's the GM 2.8 V6 you have a couple possibilities because there are at least 2 available that would bolt directly to your trans. The 4.9 Cadillac (actually there are smaller versions that are older, I think 4.1 & 4.5), also the LS4 Chevrolet. I say that these engines will bolt to your trans but there may be other problems like the starter and the clutch slave cyl. I have a Cad. 4.9, they can be bought rather cheaply, I got a whole '95, runs good, for $250.
If it's the 4ZE1, 2.6 4 cyl., then I'm not sure and now my question to everyone else who sees this. Does the 4ZE1 use the same bell housing configuration as the V6? I have a 1988 with the 4ZE1, and I was led to believe that it does not. In that time period GM used 2 different bell housing configurations, the BOP, and the Metric. The Metric was what was used for all front wheel drive engines. This means that another choice you have (if you have the V6) is the 3800 V6, a great engine. These are also cheap and can be had with a Super charger, which has more HP than the Cad. but torque is about the same, as I remember. Since the 2.8 was also used as rear drive in S10 & S10 Blazers, from what I understand they still used the Metric bell housing.
So does the 4ZE1 use the same bell housing or when they made a V6 Trooper did GM supply them with an entire front drive train, engine, trans, and probably TCASE from what would have gone into a S10? I need to have this question answered and you do too if you have the 4ZE1.
First of all, and depending on what answer we get, you didn't say what engine that you have. If it's the GM 2.8 V6 you have a couple possibilities because there are at least 2 available that would bolt directly to your trans. The 4.9 Cadillac (actually there are smaller versions that are older, I think 4.1 & 4.5), also the LS4 Chevrolet. I say that these engines will bolt to your trans but there may be other problems like the starter and the clutch slave cyl. I have a Cad. 4.9, they can be bought rather cheaply, I got a whole '95, runs good, for $250.
If it's the 4ZE1, 2.6 4 cyl., then I'm not sure and now my question to everyone else who sees this. Does the 4ZE1 use the same bell housing configuration as the V6? I have a 1988 with the 4ZE1, and I was led to believe that it does not. In that time period GM used 2 different bell housing configurations, the BOP, and the Metric. The Metric was what was used for all front wheel drive engines. This means that another choice you have (if you have the V6) is the 3800 V6, a great engine. These are also cheap and can be had with a Super charger, which has more HP than the Cad. but torque is about the same, as I remember. Since the 2.8 was also used as rear drive in S10 & S10 Blazers, from what I understand they still used the Metric bell housing.
So does the 4ZE1 use the same bell housing or when they made a V6 Trooper did GM supply them with an entire front drive train, engine, trans, and probably TCASE from what would have gone into a S10? I need to have this question answered and you do too if you have the 4ZE1.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 5
I neglected to mention 1 other choice that you have, the Cadillac Northstar. This all aluminum engine, 4.6 would be great except they seem to be problematic and along with the LS4 more troublesome to install. I should have mentioned this so that you didn't this confused with the 4.9. The 4.9 (and variants) has an aluminum block but cast iron heads, it is a pushrod engine. The weight is not bad because of the way they made the heads, much like an FE Ford, and the 2.8, the top of the heads are "cut back" and are replaced with aluminum from the intake manifold. More extreme than the FE Ford they are said to save 1/4 of the weight of the heads. I think this would be a great engine for the Trooper and since I already have one it's the direction that I want to go.
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