Cruiserdrew
On the way there
If your budget is severely limited, you might be better served just keeping your 2F. Underfunded major modifications usually end badly.
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If your budget is severely limited, you might be better served just keeping your 2F. Underfunded major modifications usually end badly.
Thanks.
In reality, I think a mechanical diesel swap is easier than an electronic gas engine swap. A starter is a starter, alt is the same, got to have supply and return fuel lines, exhaust, air filter, etc. With a diesel, no ECM, ECU, in tank fuel pumps, etc.
My swap won't push you back in the seat like a V8, but I can do the South bound Grapevine on Hwy 5 here in SoCal loaded with 3 people, 3 dogs, camping gear, 100 degree's f with the AC on in 5th gear at 70 mph + and get 20 mpg.
Sorry for the Hi Jack, but while you're planning, a little dreaming does not hurt!
Right! That is really what I am hoping to get at with this. A GENERAL guide as to what is required and cost approximations of what it will all cost. Of course there are going to be cheaper or more expensive builds because of the different variables that are added. Hell just general geographical location will add or reduce some costs simply because of the inventory of certain items in the area. If you live in/near a major metropolis that has tons of yards then you may have more availability than the sparse farmland of the mid-west. And even in those areas it may be really only left to the TBI as newer vehicles are not seen in most yards and if they are they are quickly gathered by large salvage companies.I'm not all trying to debate gas vs. diesel, TBI vs. newer, etc. in this post, but am only trying to make the point that going back with anything other than a 2F is going to require touching every system on the truck.
If you break it down by system, you can do a pretty good job of cost estimation. If you are thorough, there will be very few nickel & dime parts. The key is being able to draw the line on "while you're in there" stuff, because you will be tempted.
There is a minimum number of parts you will have to have to make it work and many of those you will not want to buy used or Chinese.
You will pay for this one way or another, whether it is with time or money, or future time or future money. I think the $5000 mark will be tough, going lower even tougher.
Make a list of all the parts and start window shopping. It adds up quick.
I did a TBI swap with a motor I rebuilt and used the Mark's adapter to mate to the transmission. Had to buy a used computer and bought a thinned out harness and a bunch of miscellaneous pieces like a tach converter, VSS, fuel pump. etc. All told I think I'm right around $4500 in parts alone. I was in the same boat as you, cheap as possible. I went too cheap on some things which turned into not so cheap. From one cheap bastard to another, do it right the first time, it will be cheaper. I wasted money fixing f-ups because I went too cheap. Halfway through the build I started spending more to do it right, I was tired of doing it twice. I probably would have spent less in the long run if I would have spent a little more up front.
My build took me just under a year. I didn't have the cash up front so a lot of that time was waiting for the reserves to build back up.
@FJ60Cam Can you go a little more indepth on that Cam? While the research I have done on the Vortec swap has been minimal all the posts that I have read show that the Vortec harness and wiring has been a bit more involved than the TBI. Again most everyone ends up switching to the 4L60 transmission so finding one that has been done with the H55 or H42 has been scarce to say the least.Unless you are modifying the wiring harness yourself, the electronic nature of the later GM motors is a non-issue IMO. You will have a stand-alone harness with relatively few required connections to make. +12V, ignition +12V, ground, +12V to fuel pump, check engine light (plus a brake switch for TC unlock if running the auto trans). The rest is self-contained or optional.
@FJ60Cam Can you go a little more indepth on that Cam? While the research I have done on the Vortec swap has been minimal all the posts that I have read show that the Vortec harness and wiring has been a bit more involved than the TBI. Again most everyone ends up switching to the 4L60 transmission so finding one that has been done with the H55 or H42 has been scarce to say the least.
Oh and for my area, average cost of getting a decent 5.3L Vortec with everything is verging on $2k+ just for the engine assembly depending on the mileage. Where I can pick up a TBI engine assembly for half that or less.
Every time I see @doug720 s engine bay I get pangs of envy. That is super sweet and clean looking. When you want to sell, talk to me first.
Every time I see @doug720 s engine bay I get pangs of envy. That is super sweet and clean looking. When you want to sell, talk to me first.
Speaking for myself, I would rather work a second minimum wage job however many hours it took to buy a new harness vs. the DIY route.
My hat is off to anyone that tackles that, but it is not for me
Ed's harness is probably good, maybe he'll make you a deal!