1973Guppie
Supporting Vendor
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2003
- Threads
- 952
- Messages
- 10,227
- Location
- "the whale's vagina", CA
- Website
- www.noahsarkstlc.com
Hi Everyone,
I am changing direction some on my FJ55 build. I have recently decided that I am going to go with a Vortec engine and drivetrain (automatic tranny), probably mated to a split case. More info on my project build below in my sig line.
The question I am trying to answer now is which Vortec engine to install? The considerations are the 4.8L V8, 5.3 V8 and 6.0 V8. I am also considering the vortec V6 engines, which trucks do these come out of? Silverado's only or other chevy models?
The issues I am concerned with are that I have been told with the 5.3L V8's you have issues in fitting the exhaust headers between the frame rails, as well as issues with the height of the actual engine, clearancing the oil pan.
The build is not one for off road. I want the pig to be fun to drive around town and do some light wheeling / camping which is why I will go with the vortec / auto setup.
Anyone with reccomendations / opinions on which model engine to go with would be appreciated, especially those from people with first hand FJ55 pig experience in swapping in V8 engines. I am not concerned with gas mileage as it is will not be a daily driver or long distance truck. I would like to put in the cleanest engine with low miles as possible. For these reasons I would prefer to use a newer year engine and as big and as much power as possible. I figure if I am going to do the swap I might as well get the largest engine that makes sense. That being said, I would like to hear what issues others have had with these engines into FJ55's. If a smaller V6 or a 4.3L V8 will fit much easier and be a much simpler swap than that's the way I will go. I have been told that the pig engine compartments are somewhat tight even more so than the FJ40's. I have a vortec in my FJ40 and love it, but it is somewhat tight. It is a 99 vortec which I have heard will fit better but I doubt I will be able to find a low mileage 99 engine out there and thus am looking into other newer model alternatives.
Sorry for the rant and thanks for the help. My apologies to the purists out there for going to the "dark side".
Noah
I am changing direction some on my FJ55 build. I have recently decided that I am going to go with a Vortec engine and drivetrain (automatic tranny), probably mated to a split case. More info on my project build below in my sig line.
The question I am trying to answer now is which Vortec engine to install? The considerations are the 4.8L V8, 5.3 V8 and 6.0 V8. I am also considering the vortec V6 engines, which trucks do these come out of? Silverado's only or other chevy models?
The issues I am concerned with are that I have been told with the 5.3L V8's you have issues in fitting the exhaust headers between the frame rails, as well as issues with the height of the actual engine, clearancing the oil pan.
The build is not one for off road. I want the pig to be fun to drive around town and do some light wheeling / camping which is why I will go with the vortec / auto setup.
Anyone with reccomendations / opinions on which model engine to go with would be appreciated, especially those from people with first hand FJ55 pig experience in swapping in V8 engines. I am not concerned with gas mileage as it is will not be a daily driver or long distance truck. I would like to put in the cleanest engine with low miles as possible. For these reasons I would prefer to use a newer year engine and as big and as much power as possible. I figure if I am going to do the swap I might as well get the largest engine that makes sense. That being said, I would like to hear what issues others have had with these engines into FJ55's. If a smaller V6 or a 4.3L V8 will fit much easier and be a much simpler swap than that's the way I will go. I have been told that the pig engine compartments are somewhat tight even more so than the FJ40's. I have a vortec in my FJ40 and love it, but it is somewhat tight. It is a 99 vortec which I have heard will fit better but I doubt I will be able to find a low mileage 99 engine out there and thus am looking into other newer model alternatives.
Sorry for the rant and thanks for the help. My apologies to the purists out there for going to the "dark side".
Noah