is putting in olds 350/350 combo in 94 s-10 blazer about the same process as putting in a chevy 350 or since it is a olds block are the motor mounts different? i have plenty of time to plan this swap and do it all when i get home from my deployent in the middle east. the reason i would like to know about this swap is a fellow soldier is putting a 455 in his 72 cutlass and will give me the engine/tranny combo for free. can anyone help me with this?

Mike P., SGT, U.S ARMY

This is way illegal at the federal, state and local level. And that's just for starters, there is nothing dimensionally similar between an Olds 350/350 and what's in an S-10. There are at least kits and lots of guidance to drop a Chevy SBC-V8 into an S-10, there's nothing out there to put an Olds into one. You'll spend way more money and time than this free engine/transmission will ever save you; and if you ever have to SMOG it, it's over for you there's no state in the union that will issue a license if they know what's in it. The law states that the engine/transmission must be a legally qualified unit to the year of vehicle manufacture or newer. It must include in functional order all emissions equipment required by the chassis and engine/transmission. This means fuel system, exhaust system, cockpit instruments, antilock braking, you name it and it's probably involved.

Bogie

ok, i guess i wasn't thinking of the legal aspect of this swap. so this combo is out,but if i do go ahead with a sbc swap what is the easier fuel injection swap-tbi or tpi. the truck has a 4.3liter cpfi or cmfi. what would i need to go ahead with one of these swaps, computer, manifolds, etc?thanks for your insight.

SGT , US ARMY

Check out www.mondellotwister.com

They have mounts to put big block Olds engines in S trucks.  They probably have them for small blocks too.  You'll probably have to e-mail them and ask

Check this site out, Mr Knell has 2 books specific to SBCs in S-10/15s. They save a lot of pain, time and expense. 

http://www.jagsthatrun.com/

A 94 S10 with a 4.3 will readily accept a 94 or 95 305/350 with either TPI or TBI. There is no reason why you couldn't use a later model Vortec or LS-1 family engine, it's mostly integrating more modern systems. The real issue is if you live in a state that requires emission testing at a minimum or if the state is California or uses California regulation that also requires a physical inspection. The easiest solution in those places is to use a 94 to present engine/transmission/wire harness/systems as a complete transplant. This usually comes 100% from a selected donor vehicle. Mr. Knell's books provide complete low level details making this swap pretty easy. While I do a lot of these and drive a 95 LT 1 powered 89 S-15 myself, there isn't space in a chat room forum to write about details. Overall such a swap is not too difficult, the electrical systems will be the most time consuming to accomplish.

I always build to California standards even though I don't live in California for several reasons; first is the recognition that we cannot have polluting vehicles for obvious reasons, beside these modern injected engines provide performance and economy that pre injected/computer manged engines can't come close to; second, people move around in their lives and vehicle built in one place may need to be licensed somewhere else in the future, a state you move into is under no obligation to license a vehicle that does not meet the manufacturer's emission and safety qualifications mandated by the federal and or state goverment. Therefore, building to the worst case scenaro, that being California, saves a lot of hassle and you being in the military are certainly familiar with having to move around.

Anyway order up Mr. Knell's books they'll make good reading.

Bogie

Okay if you just drove the cutlass and it impressed you that does not mean it should go in the truck.A small block chevy would be cheaper.