This mod will transform the way you perform an engine swap.
Suppose you’re an American automotive enthusiast who likes a combination of performance and utility wrapped up in a package of good looks. In that case, you might want to check out the new Carcass project truck on PowerNation. With the popularity of C10 pickups going through the roof, people have started restoring the next series of trucks, otherwise known as an OBS (Other Body Style).
Carcass‘ latest build is no exception — a 1996 Chevrolet Silverado C1500 single-cab pickup. The truck is one of the most popular vehicles for builders looking to make tons of power and spend as little money as possible. Luckily, that’s where Edelbrock comes in.
Anyone following this build on Carcass will know that Jeremy and Jimmy have been working on this daily driver project OBS truck. After replacing some body panels, fixing some rust, and repainting it, the guys went to a local salvage yard and picked up an engine practically built for the single-cab platform. That is the Chevy 5.3-liter Vortec V8 engine which is widely accepted as a member of the LS family.
Benefits Of An EMS
With just a little tuning and some modifications here and there, you can bring horsepower up significantly in a Vortec over factory numbers to create a vehicle that burns rubber unlike anything else on the road. However, one of the challenges of an engine swap like this is the engine management system. Luckily, Edelbrock’s Pro-Flo 4+ complete engine management system is here to help the PowerNation crew in their quest for horsepower. Edelbrock’s Mark Campbell was on hand to help swap out the stock engine management systems that regulate fuel/air ratio (among other things) to get the most output possible.
The Pro-Flo 4+ EFI system makes every aspect of your vehicle’s performance instantly customizable to your preferences. The self-learning feature will adjust to any future upgrades as well. The system even communicates with an electronic transmission, like the 4L60E on the Carcass truck, through the Edelbrock TC controller. On top of that, it is relatively easy to install, as seen in the video. Although these guys are mechanics by trade, you can have this system installed and running over a weekend.
Carcass Gets To Work
The team gets to work swapping out the old, crusty wiring harness with a much cleaner, more pliable harness with water-tight connections. That will allow them to place the crucial components under the hood or wherever they want. The wires are clearly labeled to correspond to each connector. After the main harness was laid in place and connected, the Carcass crew got to work on getting the fuel pressure adapter into the fuel line. The next step was mounting the ECU and transmission control unit on the inner fenderwell. Nearing completion, the accessory harness was next in line. It powers things like the fuel pumps and electric fans if present. While Jimmy replaced the stock throttle body, Jeremy worked on getting the throttle pedal mounted and wired under the dash.
After putting the truck on the lift, they finished the installation by hooking the oxygen sensor into the exhaust. Lastly, the Carcass team connected the transmission controller before putting the truck back on the ground. Mark input some information about the specific engine into the setup wizard on the provided Pro-Flo 4+ tablet to ready it for its first start. Once the tune was loaded, the team fired up the old truck and kept it running to let the system learn.
One of the best things about this setup is that the engine management system learns while you drive and adjusts settings accordingly. Overall this is an excellent option for anyone looking to make a ton of power without going to the tuning shop every time you make a new mod. As the Carcass video shows quite well, it’s worth every penny.
