Inliners International Forums General Discussion Engines Engine and Trans match?

Hey guys,
Pretty new to the site and have a question. Been reading a lot about the 4200 vortec and the colorado transmission matching up... checking to see if anyone knows if the 2008 trailblazer vortec matches with the 2006 gmc canyon manual trans for sure? Not keen on doing a $2000 gamble...

I am possibly looking at putting this combo in my 83 C-10 RWD truck that I am working on rebuilding... is this feasible?

Thanks for any imput.

Hi Jerome, this combo will serve you well!

There was only one bellhousing pattern available on the 4.2 from 2001-2009. I personally run a 2006 Trailblazer Engine with a 2006 Solstice trans. The 2 are connected with an H3 bellhousing.

You'll need a custom flywheel from Jerry Weight, otherwise you can use stock canyon clutch, slave, pilot, etc.

The trans control stuff is easily deleted with a tune to make the 4.2 play nice with a manual.

If you haven't already, you may want to check out vortec4200.com where there are several swaps being documented.

I run lime-swap.com and sell stand-alone harnesses and PCM reflashes for the 4.2

EFI runs emtechmotorsports.com where you can get a rear sump pan.

BTW, $2000 is a pretty good deal for a 2008 motor! There's not many of them around.

thats the motor with 58k miles and the transmission with 24k miles.

Sweet, ya gonna buy them then?

I am not sure. I am leaning toward possibly replacing the 250 I6 to a 292 I6 and then not worrying about the rest of the drive shaft and transmission wiring stuff. Plus I still have the novelty of a beautifuly carborated engine. i just gotta search on here to see what I need to do to get the max HP out of the 292.

Are the mounts on the 4200 vortec the same as the 250 I6? I am checking to see if I do need to actually change the transmission, or what adapter could I use to achieve this? I am not sure what transmission I am using as it isn't what came stock in my chevy.

It is currently a manual 4-speed and my truck came stock with a 3-on-the-tree.

Anyone know?

Jerome,

I had a 292 and swapped to a 4200 and would do it again in a heartbeat.

Don't know if you plan on driving the vehicle much but the 4200 will almost double the 292 fuel mileage. Its one of the reasons I got rid of the 292. 200Hp and 14mpg highway sucked. An this was a well build 292 to boot. It was used by Tom to do all his dyno pulls.

Efi, are you still making that adapter that would work with a Muncie?

Limequat,
are the 2008 and 2006 engine wiring harnesses the same?

Not exactly, but close. If you want to use my 2006 wiring guide there would be some differences. If you decide to go that way, I will give you better info.

I've decided to just go with the 4200 vortec. After hearing so many positive comments about it, I think it will be worth the extra work. The 2008 engine I am getting has everything except the wiring harness. The only wiring harness I can seem to find is one on e-bay for an 06. I have called many, many, many local salvage yards and can't find any wrecked envoy/trailblazers.

Will the 06 harness work for the 08 engine?

Yes

Welcome to the darkside, Jerome

As far as the harness goes, there's always changes year to year in the connection to the electrical box.
Also, in later models they they changed from a 8 pin to a 6 pin connector on the throttle body. Worst case you'd have to repin it. If you want a lime-swap harness, I'll fix you up. Otherwise, PM me and I can walk you through whatever needs to be done. No big deal either way.

You guy's are awesome. Thanks for all the help so far.