How To LS Swap Your S10 // The ULTIMATE Video guide! Full Parts List Breakdown

This is the ULTIMATE video guide for Ls Swapping a S10. In this video I will go over a couple tips and tricks, a complete parts list, and links to all the parts and information forums.

I have compiled information from multiple people with Ls Swaps to create this massive video crammed packed full of Ls Swap goodies. If you're wanting to get your S10 running and driving under a Ls this is the perfect video for you!

Update in 2024: having trouble finding mid lengths.

Visit the website:

A very very good write up:

Awesome website:

Glenn's Auto Performance:

All my Ls Swap videos:

Holley 302-1 oil pan:
Other Pan:

Ebay oil pan:

CPW 2.8 poly mounts:

CPW trans mount:

Shorty headers:
Hedman Mid Lengths:
Hedman Long tubes:
CPW Long tubes:

Trans adapter spacer:

S10v8 Steering shaft 2nd gen:

Throttle Cable bracket:

Fuel rail adapters:

C5 Corvette fuel regulator:

[slife]

This video is excellent!

Gonna comment some tips to add from experience with a 1988 4.8 5 speed 2wd and a 1996 5.3 5 speed 2wd

TRANSMISSION- Using a 4.3 NV3500 on trucks

HEADERS/STEERING SHAFT- When choosing a header you can also go with Hooker Manifolds. It worked great on my 2nd Gen 2WD swap once I got the Hooker Blackheart steering shaft and took and angle grinder to the manifold and shimmied the engine mounts all the way away from the manifolds lol On my 1st Gen 2WD swap I used 2nd Gen S10 Sanderson shorty headers and have a ton of clearance to run my factory shaft
Also running a non-powersteering factory setup in my 1988. I daily drive this truck and it doesn't seem any harder to drive than it did with the 2.5

THROTTLE- Factory throttle cable from my 2.5 worked on my 4.8, factory throttle cable from my 2.2 worked with my 5.3

HARNESS/GAUGES- On both 1st and 2nd Gen swaps I have used a JH Performance stand alone engine harness. The downside is that it doesn't connect to your factory gauge cluster, I have used old school manual gauges on both swaps. ALSO we offer a full S10 line of Reversion Raceworks dash parts on our site! S10LIFE.ORG

ELECTRIC FANS- On both of the swaps I am running dual generic parts store electric fans also using 4.3 radiator on both

REAR END/DRIVESHAFT- I was able to run the stock 7.5 and stock drive shaft on both trucks. I have swapped to a ZR2 rear in the 1988 with a custom drive shaft and a Eaton TrueTrac

Please feel free to ask me anything about my comment folks!

[dillonkennedy]

Your videos have been a big help with my s10 ls swap build. I’ve gone back and watched your videos numerous times. It’s awesome to see what you’ve done with your s10 and excites me for when I get mine on the road. Thank you for all your content!

[brianhinkemeyer]

Next month I will be a year into building my first hot rod: a candy purple 97 S10 - single cab, short bed, fleetside, 4.3 with a 4l60E, crank windows. My daily driver at the time.
I'm throwing an LM7 with a BTR Hot Rod cam, TBSS intake, and Holley Terminator X EFI in front of a Tremec TKX and built 9 inch Ford from Quick Performance.
Boxed the frame. Put in a steel 10 point cage from SW Race Cars.
Aside from going through the heads I have done everything myself minus some bodywork that my Dad (a bodyman of 50+ years experience) did for me.

Thank you so much for sharing your experiences and your knowledge. You in particular helped me decide to take the leap and go all the way with this truck. You are the fuckin man.
I look forward to seeing what LSBluu is really capable of. Best of luck always.

[skyonedesignersplus]

Thank you so much-l'm starting my 91' S-10 Ls swap in March and l didn't want to cut into that cross member. This really helps a lot.

[SavageSpeedNation]

Good advice. We took some of it and used it on our LS swapped S10. Thanks

[Granpapag]

I'm tearing into my 95 Sonoma this week. I'll have a playlist of your videos playing on the garage big screen. LOL

[acunit]

Thank you so much man. I appreciate your advice. I'm ready to get this started!

[sundance]

Excellent video!!!
Gonna swap a 5.3 in my 01 Sonoma and this made so much easier…

[mattfanke]

I just found your videos and subscribed, there is some really good info here. I have a 1990 S 10 that I purchased with the intention to swap. I’m definitely going to spend some time looking at all of your videos.

[montehuseby]

You really didn't miss anything! But there are a couple things I'd add. The 302-1 style oil pans also work very well on these swaps. Also if you need to have the driveshaft shortened that's a great opportunity to upgrade to an aluminum driveshaft from a full-size gm truck or a trailblazer. Also if using the factory pcm, you can use an obd2 reader like an elm327 to display a lot of engine data via the torque app. The only gauge you would need to wire up or add is oil pressure

[bryantburgess]

I have the 2.2l sonoma myself and im about to but a 5.3 and put in it so your videos will definitely be helpful during these times also they help alot as i have not much knowledge on all this as im only 15

[pauljohnson]

Appreciate the video. You're an awesome resource and inspiring

[rachit]

Just starting my build, everything I need is here minus the cpw harness I'm still waiting on it. 5.3 4l60 8.8, 4.3 rad, intrepid fans pretty "basic build" for everything I need including the s10 I got about 2500 invested got motor trans and truck all pretty damn cheap lucked out with everything. Been subbed to your channel for a couple years keep it up

[internallycombusted]

great video. Gen1 s10 currently sbc powered. I'm going a little different route. ly6 carbed. th350. I got a great deal on the carbed intake and msd box and I already have a great carb and built transmission. someday I will switch to efi but for now, with budget in mind and not wasting good parts this is what i'm doing. Also if people want a direct bolt in rear end upgrade try to find a 8.6 rearend from a 2wd 5speed 2nd gen blazer, just take that rearend and put a limited slip and you are good to go, already has 3.42 gear and disc brakes also

[mewrongway]

I used 2005 Corvette accessories and didnt have to cut up the core support and move the radiator. Have a inch of clearance with intrepid fans. But did notch the frame for AC Comp.

[mackmcmillan]

If my 02 Xtreme's 4.3 wasn't so solid, this would be awesome to do! I'm a middle aged dude who doesn't need much. The 4.3 still smokes the tires if I'm not easy on the fun pedal, so I'm happy enough!

[Cheap]

Headman also sells longtubes that are a 2 piece header flange its what i run thier around 400 $ and two of the header tubes wrap around the frame on both sides spark plug boots will need to be small 90 degree boots but othe than that pretty good clearance

[jeffbrevelle]

Enjoyed the vid. Very informative! How about a few pics of your roll bar install? Instead of notching your frame cross member it appears you removed the center section and replaced wt round tubing. Looks a lot nicer than the notch. Thanks for the info

[GelatinousRicardo.]

The 2.2 in my 2002 s10 just died thx man im gonna be following ur build steps

[carlosbermudez]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge boss