Vortec V8 conversion in NC, FJ62

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J

justinf

10 Year 15 Year
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Apr 1, 2008
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5
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Hi guys. My 62 finally lost its motor on the Saluda grade headed toward Asheville, NC last night. I'm the original owner and it's served me well over many years.

So, I've decided it's time to upgrade to a Chevy Vortec V8 and tranny, probably a 5.3 LM7 or similar. I'd like suggestions on the following, having not found suggestions by searching:

1) where to source a high-quality engine, i.e. vendors beyond Craigslist and such, and

2) a quality mechanic that would be inclined to take on the project in either the Charlotte or Asheville area

Many thanks, Justin
 
FJ60 V8

Hey Justin glad to hear you are going to take the plunage into the V8. I''m currently in the process of doing the same. I sent couple of years doing research here on mud and other web sites. The chev Vortec engine install is very easy in the sents that many others have gone before us and figured out the major headaches. Here is what I 'm doing; a Vortec 5.3 connected to a NV4500 tranny and then the Toyota transfer case.. The big decision you have to make is where you want to go auto or manual tranny. From there most of the decidtions choose them selfs. Talk to the good guys at Advanced Adapters. Those guys have been doing these and other conversions for over 40 years. Check out there web site and order the toyota conversion catalog. Don't go thru Specter off road or Man-a-fre. Their both really good companies and parts suppliers but in the case of the conversion parts they are a middle man taking their share of your money. Also be aware of junk year engines. Most of them are pulled out of trucks and then it's up to you to find a place to rebuild them and do the wiring. Here is a place in my town that is rebuilding and doing the a brand NEW wiring harness. The price is a crack under $2800. That is a TURN KEY ENGINE ready to go!!! You can't find anybody that can touch that price. I know I looked. This guy is so good he ships 5-7 turn key engines to South Africa. Here is his address:

SSPWIRING
Sand & Street Performance
9467 E Valley Rd. Ste. D
Prescott Valley, AZ 86314
928-632-4372
Wiringinfo@sspwiring.com

Here is where my cruiser project is as of this evening later :steer:

image.webp
 
you might want to go to the NC clubhouse area and ask around, if you are looking for local guy to do the swap.
 
There is a thread on Pirate4x4 where one of the site supporting vendors does turnkey chevy engines. I remember reading on it and one of the guys on here used his service and loved it. If I remember correctly you can get a turnkey 4.8L (budget engine) that has been rebuild with all the paperwork on what it came out of and what was done for pretty damn cheap. [strike]Wish I could remember the name, I will see if I can find it.[/strike] Never mind found it....http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/moto...-3l-6-0l-turnkey-engines-starting-1995-a.html
 
gregnash said:
There is a thread on Pirate4x4 where one of the site supporting vendors does turnkey chevy engines. I remember reading on it and one of the guys on here used his service and loved it. If I remember correctly you can get a turnkey 4.8L (budget engine) that has been rebuild with all the paperwork on what it came out of and what was done for pretty damn cheap. [strike]Wish I could remember the name, I will see if I can find it.[/strike] Never mind found it....http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/moto...-3l-6-0l-turnkey-engines-starting-1995-a.html
Click to expand...

FYI, those aren't rebuilt engines. They're used, but they've been compression-tested etc., and are generally low-miles.
 
gregnash said:
There is a thread on Pirate4x4 where one of the site supporting vendors does turnkey chevy engines. I remember reading on it and one of the guys on here used his service and loved it. If I remember correctly you can get a turnkey 4.8L (budget engine) that has been rebuild with all the paperwork on what it came out of and what was done for pretty **** cheap. [strike]Wish I could remember the name, I will see if I can find it.[/strike] Never mind found it....http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/moto...-3l-6-0l-turnkey-engines-starting-1995-a.html
Click to expand...

This is who I went through, for my 55. Brain's engines are low milage, used motors. He puts them on a run stand and tests everything with video for you. Also makes a new harness and sets up the computer. Very helpful guy.

IMG_1283.webp


IMG_1736.webp
 
if youre only in NC, id just ship it down to ACC in atlanta. They specialize in toyota/Lexus and have lots of experience in diesel and Vortec swaps. Fun group of guys as well. They are a vender here on mud and there are TONS of happy customers.

Here a link...
Atlanta Custom Creations
 
Yea I too would recommend ACC, They have worked on my truck in the past.
Honest guys. I'll be back over to ACC again when I have need for their help.
 
I would talk to a guy named Travis @ 317-225-1717 to see if he has a motor. I did the swap, and while I didn't get my motor from him (he was out of the one I wanted at the time), he was an awesome connection. He specializes in low (20K) mileage motors and trannys and should be able to hook it up. Make sure you have everything - fan to pedal, like everything else the incidentals will eat you up. I sent my harness and computer to wait4me performance, they rewired, reprogrammed and deleted non-needed emissions goodies. I ordered adapters from Georg here (orangefj45), he's been awesome to work with and is quick to ship. The biggest problem I had was hoses - your shop will probably take care of this, but they were a bear for me. Let me know if you have more specific ???s. Good luck, its a blast to drive!
 
Check out old north state cruisers for sure. They have a mechanic in the club that seems to know his stuff. Also Trollhole Cruisers is in Mauldin SC as well! Pending on exactly where you are he could be just as close!
 
If You are looking at an automatic tranny and want a bulletproof combination, You will be hard pressed to beat the 4L80E trans....

Now, if You want to cheaply use a 4L80E with a factory wiring harness and computer tuned to match the tranny, You will have to go to a 6.0L engine out of a 3/4 or 1 ton or a 4.8L/ 4L80E out of a Chevy Express van/ GMC Savana. The 4.8L/4L80E combo from a van was going to be one of my main setups that I was looking at. I was hoping for a setup that could get better mileage than a 5.3 or 6.0 and would happily accept a single turbocharger for a little boost in power!

I had secured a 4.8L with 4L80E tranny, computer, and wiring harness all for $1500 with only 60K miles on the engine and tranny!!!!! (the 4.8L isn't as desirable as a 5.3L - until You want mileage or a factory boost safe engine!)

www.car-part.com is a great place to search out used engines/transmissions, setups....
 
The 4l60e is quite a bit better offroad then 80e due to the large difference in first gear. 80 will defiantly run forever behind a 4.8 though. Behind a stock engine 4l60es hold up 200k miles pretty regularly.

I have a 5.7tbi and 4l60e in my 60 and the v8 is the best mod you can do to a 60. They drive like a more modern vehicle and still have the classic style that turns heads

If i swapped a newer vortec it would have been a 6.0 hands down. I just liked the simplicity of the tbi and the price was right so i dropped it in.
 
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Are either of those trannys ('60' or '80') better than the other for towing?
 
the 80 is the 3/4 ton transmission...
 
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