Can you put an Ls1 into a chevy colorado?

Question

I have a 3.5L I5 2004 extended cab colorado. I was wondering if it is possible to drop a Ls1 V8 into the colorado. Ls1 get as good mpg as the inline 5 but with more power and torque...is it possible to swap in an Ls1?....how much would it cost to buy an Ls1 and have it installed by a mechanic?

Answer 1

Look into buying a crate engine Ls1. You might have to make i little bit of room by making the wheel wells in the engine compartment a bit lower/pushed out. But it is doable.

Answer 2

The short answer is, yes. The engine bay is definitely big enough for a LS1 to be shoehorned in. The engine will be expensive, maybe $3,500-5,000 for a good one from the junkyard (w/accessories, fuel rails, alternator, starter, ps/pump, ect...), but you will also need a new wiring harness, ignition, radiator, sensors, ECM, fuel pump,  transmission, driveshaft and possibly a new rear-end to handle the power, not to mention all the other odds and ends that come up during an engine swap. It's gonna be expensive to do.

Answer 3

Yes its possible.  The 09 models even come with a 5.3 V8.  GM looked at putting the 6.2 V8 from the Escalde in there a few years ago before gas prices went up so far although thats obviously been canceled now.