Hey guys I’m performing an engine swap and transmission swap ( won’t get pass the 3rd gear) on my old truck i rebuilt the engine a few times but now the original is beyond repair I found a donor truck but it’s a 97 5.2 and it’s a extended cab while my original truck is a 98 regular cab will I have any problems swapping both ? I already notice the fuel rail is different I’m gonna swap it out with the one from the 98. Also noticed the drive shaft on my truck is smaller compared to the one on the donor. Please let me know both trucks have been sitting up almost 2 years now and I have to fix it before the new year or I gotta get rid of it and I don’t wanna get rid of it was my first truck.

 

The motor will swap over fine. It's the same size as the original one. You may need to use the intake and fuel rails off the original motor, but the motor will work fine. While you're at the motor swap, be sure to update the intake plenum gasket (see the plenum thread), the timing chain and gear set to a new double roller chain and gear set, plus install a new water pump. Also, pull the oil pan, clean out the pan/sludge and install a new oil pan gasket. I'd also change the freeze plugs and install new brass freeze plugs in the block and heads (1-5/8" plugs in the block, 1-1/4" plugs in the front and back of the heads).

As for the transmission, is this truck 2WD or 4WD? You will need to use the drive shaft from your truck, as the regular cab truck's drive shaft will be too short. While the dimensions of the transmission remain the same, I believe the transmission electronics and valve body changed a bit in 1998. If 4WD, the transfer case changed some as well. You will likely need to rebuild and re-use your existing transmission or find a good used 46RE transmission from a '96-'97 truck.

 

Both trucks are 2WD and bro thanks so much for responding so fast there a lot of stuff I can pull from my old truck engine as part the engine had a complete top end rebuild may 2019 (after blown head gasket) also changed oil pump fuel injectors and as far timing chain goes could I use the one off my old engine?

 

Yes, you can use the timing chain and gear set from your original motor if its in great shape and the chain hasn't stretched. Using a new/newer oil pump in the new motor isn't a bad idea either. Check the oil pump pickup tube/screen to ensure its clean as well.

 

Wassup Atomic been a while I got both engines out started taking crank and pistons off of my block decided to go with it the other block from the donor truck had too many problems after opening it up so I took the heads from it. I got them in shop rn getting a pressure test done I think I’ll leave them stock maybe put in some after valve springs? I’m trying to get more power thinking about putting bigger pistons bore over .030in and a bigger cam links down below would be worth it shooting for around 300hp maybe 320 with keep heads and crank stock any recommendations ? My budget is 1500-2k


https://www.jegs.com/i/COMP-Cams/249...bmodel=LARAMIE


https://www.jegs.com/i/Sealed-Power/...bmodel=LARAMIE

 

The cam you listed won't work in the magnum motors. That cam is for the earlier LA engines. You will need a hydraulic roller camshaft that's used in magnum motors.

As for an easy way to enhance your power, find a 5.9 motor. That provides you with an added 42 cubic inches, along with it's enhanced power. If you decided to overbore it .030, you will gain a bit more. The motor will bolt up in the same way as the 5.2 and uses the same automatic transmission (46RE). Only major difference is the flex plate and harmonic balancer and oil pan, as they are specific to the 5.9 motor. I found a used 5.9 magnum motor several years ago via my local Craigslist and replaced my rusted and worn out 5.9 motor. When I did the swap, I installed a new double roller timing chain and gear set, a new high volume oil pump and screen, new water pump, new freeze plugs and new gaskets and installed the motor. It's still running strong today.

 

is there a cam that will work I’m really trying to stick with 5.2 since I already have it Ik a 360 would be better but this currently what I’m stuck with is there any budget friendly cam options out there you could name I think I’ll stick with the pistons I wanted to originally turn it into 392 but the kit along with the engine work is outside my price range rn I got jus about everything else far as gasket , high flow oil pump once I get this stuff ordered I’m gonna start building

 

What are your plans for the truck? Are you big on towing, drag racing or something else? Staying with regular gas or don't mind the cost of burning premium fuel?

 

Mild street performance/Low end torque I would prefer to stay with regular gas but I’m not against going premium as this truck won’t be a daily driver I originally wanted to build a drag truck but this will be my first engine build so I’m not gonna get to far ahead of myself. I also haul cars from time to time to flip em so this truck will be used for there and I’m not towing anything to large. As always any advice is greatly appreciated thanks

 

I'd strongly suggest going with a 5.9 motor (no replacement for displacement!). You should be able to find them used fairly easily (and cheap!) depending on what part of the country you're in. The 5.9 will easily generate more torque that the 5.2 on pump gas regular, which makes it a very good motor for towing. The heads on the 5.2 motors interchange with the 5.9 motor. You can easily swap out the 5.2 and the 5.9 fits into the same spot with ease. As far as modifications, for exhaust I run a set of shorty coated JBA headers, a Magnaflow Catalytic Converter - #99047HM (dual 2" inlets, 3" outlet, front O2 sensor port), a Dynomax UltraFlo Welded Muffler - #17233 and a 3" tailpipe. I took these parts to a local muffler shop to get the truck to 3" single exhaust from the cat on back. Other modifications include a Big Gulp throttle body from Hughes, a double roller timing chain and gearset, along with a timing chain tensioner and a high volume oil pump with hardened oil pump drive. I did upgrade the 3.54 gearing to 4.10 in the front and rear differentials, along with running 33" tires. Since these trucks don't tend to pass any gas stations, I strive to keep my modifications moderate, so that I can continue to run the engine on regular fuel. This truck will haul and tow whatever I want with relative ease.