[rover67]

OK, like many others I decided to do the Vortec v-8 Swap... I thought about it for a while and was set on a 1HZ but th eavaiability was just not there.

Right now I am busy getting all the bit stogether so I can get the project started. Thanks to many for answering all of my questions, I appreciate it!

I have gotten the engine (2004 5.3 Vortec with ~ 30k miles), with the wiring harness and computer already done by fuel injection specialties, bought a brand new h55f from cruiserparts, bunch of odds and ends from cdan, clutch and headers from Advance Adapters, Marks adapter (that fits the gen III lock) and still have more random bits to go.

Leading up to this I have done the OME suspension kit (heavy heavy), rebuilt the rear axle with new brakes and bearings, and still need to do the front axle and brakes. Hopefully I can knock that out soon before starting the swap.

Anyways, I am getting excited and just wanted to share the joy. I'll try to make a little thread out of it if you guys are interested..

Got some engine and wiring pics below... if i can figure out how to include them..

later,
Marco

Attachment 159084



Attachment 159086

[fowldarr]

very nice, good luck

[Tapage]

Nice .. how much power you get from this engine . ?

[rover67]

they are rated at 300 or so HP and 330 lb-ft of torque with all the emmsions stuff and factory exhausts. Should move it pretty well )

[vipergrhd]

i better stop drooling for now,that is a nice set-up you got there.good luck on the swap and keep us posted on the swap also pics if you can post them.btw how much did the harness and engine alone cost you,just need a general idea.thanks. john

[MrZero]

Oh it'll move it along just fine!! FIS does awesome work don't they? Oh, and I too just ordered mere minutes ago a set of Dakar heavies for the rear since the front is now so much lighter!

[digger]

Your going to like it. I put the same thing in my '87. Good luck .

[cabron]

Great project, what kind of dog is that?

[Tapage]

Originally Posted by rover67

they are rated at 300 or so HP and 330 lb-ft of torque with all the emmsions stuff and factory exhausts. Should move it pretty well )

Damn .. this cruiswer gonna be like a bullet ..

[rover67]

ok, had to take apart the rear brakes again to fix what was apparantly a warped drum. Got them machined, we'll see how it works.

I also went to autozone and got some 95 4 runner calipers, new pads, and new rotors to go on the front axle while I am taking it apart to put new seals and bearings in it. Hoping I can make this thing stop before doing the swap next week.

going to finish up the front tomorrow and take it for a test drive.. I am excited.

as far as swap stuff goes, all i have done is put the shifter on the tranny and placed the order with summit for the exhaust u bends, muffler, cats, and fuel line junkola.

Just wanted to share the progress and a few pics.
Mead (the great dane) didn't help too much today as always..

[rover67]

more pics..

[ad20k]

5.3 looks great. I'm curious to know if you had any clearance problems with your new brake calipers with the stock wheels. I have the 4runner S13WB calipers that I plan to install on my FJ62 and am wondering if I'll need spacers. Thanks,

[rover67]

sure, let ya know tomorrow..

[Tofudebeest]

Great Dane pup. Maybe 4-5 months old, right?

[rover67]

shes right at 7 months and 105lbs.

[Nosuke62]

And going to get much, much, bigger. I used to know some people who raised Great Danes, cool dogs.

And other cool stuff going on in this thread, will be watching.

[rover67]

looks like the new calipers fit just fine. All I had to do was trim up the dust sheild, and they sit right under the wheels with plenty of clearance. almost done with the new wheel/knuckle bearings and brakes, just got a little bit of the left side to finish up on tuesday whe i get back from yet another work trip (boo). Had to wave goodbye to it for a few days a minute ago.

[rover67]

mmmmmm. 4 runner caliper and fresh guts in the knuckle.

[GM60]

rover67,
Excellent thread and photos man!
Please keep them coming.
Do those calipers bolt straight up?

[calphi27]

Would you mind posting a list of parts and costs? I know there are quite a few here thinking about this same swap.

[rover67]

yup, the calipers bolted straight up with a little bit of cutting on the dust sheild. honestly it was pretty easy with the angle grinder.... and they are fitting under what look to be the stock wheels. as far as a sheet with total cost goes, i have a pretty complete spreadsheet started with part numbers, prices, and vendors that i am using to make sure i have all my parts. i can post it as the list gets more complete. there are of course the many trips for random crap that may not get recorded though. looks like in total it is probably going to be roughly a 6500 dollar deal. thats with no skimping on parts, but looking for best deals and shopping around. also realize i do all my own welding and fab work... so stuff like exhausts just costs me the parts (u bends, ect.) .

anywho, thanks for the intrest!

marco

[rover67]

got a lot more done finally. took the whole front end apart and pulled the motor tranny trans combo. Had a good last drive in the truck to IA and back to memphis with the old combo... cant wait till the new stuff is in and running.

welded flanges to the headers, put the motor mounts on the engine, started to set up the marks kit and clutch, and am off to pull apart the transfer case tonight. hopefully i cna get it all apart tonight and start cleaning.

Also pulled the heater core out to figure out where the antifreeze leak was coming from, man that was a bear... had to take the WHOLE dash apart and out to get to it. hopefully i never have to do that again.

Motor came out without a hitch, just hoisted it like you see in the pics, it tilted back to clear the transfer case shifter and slid right out with little effort.

enjoy the pics..

[rover67]

motor and stuff will be for sale....

[rover67]

yikes.

[Elbert]

what are your plans for the radiator, fan and shroud?

[rover67]

stock rad and ford contour fan. we'll see if it works...

had the rad rebuilt a few months ago, so hopefully it will be up to snuff. The old engine overheated some, but I think it was due to a faulty thermostat and worn out fan clutch.

[philos1]

LOOKING GREAT! Welcome to the Vortec club! you will love it- mine has the H-55 too and I can do 75-80 EASY up hills with room to spare

[MANUCHAO]

Originally Posted by rover67

stock rad and ford contour fan. we'll see if it works...

had the rad rebuilt a few months ago, so hopefully it will be up to snuff. The old engine overheated some, but I think it was due to a faulty thermostat and worn out fan clutch.

I wish I could use headers.........

I thought of going with a stock rad but ended getting a custome made one with both spouts coming out on the same (right) side and built in tranny cooler since I gotta keep the original Engine/tranny combo....

Looking good eh !!

[rover67]

got the old tranny and transfer case off of the 2f tonight.

took for ever to blast all of the grease off of the old parts at the car wash... but they are finally getting close to clean. The transfer case had almost every bolt loose in it, it is a wonder it was running fine the way it was. should be a lot smoother with everything tight again.

thanks for the props, i appreciate it!

see ya'll later.

-Marco

[djawahir]

Hey Rover, do you have the part number for the Mark's Adapter you're using? Is that the adapter that requires no drivetrain mods? Did you get it from Cruiseroutfitters?


Manuchao, I've ordered the L59 Vortec like you did, but I'm going to hook it up to the H55F. I'm in San Diego, but I'll try to jump through the hoops to get it certified in CA...keep your fingers crossed for me.

I'd love to see a parts list for this. I'm going to start on my conversion in about 3-4 weeks.