in all this rambling - can you tell us if you have actually driven an 80 with a vortec swap?
Builds 1996 LX450 5.3L swap let the fun begin!!
- Thread starter RockJock82
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
in all this rambling - can you tell us if you have actually driven an 80 with a vortec swap?
Ww awesome build! I bet it's just a dream to drive with the added power. Love the V8 swaps in these rigs. Thanks for sharing all the details of your swap.
Needs a bumper. Stop slacking and get to it. Post pics and vids. 
Speaking of bumpers... Tell me about the front bumpers on those rigs? Did you just rip the stock bumper in half? I love it! Simple, but effective! Give us the deets!
RockJock82
Sometimes you have to kick a little A$$
- Thread starter
- #245
I have an ARB I have acquired that's going to be trimmed down to fitNeeds a bumper. Stop slacking and get to it. Post pics and vids.
. Hopefully this weekend.RockJock82
Sometimes you have to kick a little A$$
- Thread starter
- #246
Yes, I trimmed down half of the bumper. Just took some painters tape, masked it all out and cut it with my angle grinder. I did fab up some additional mounts but nothing too difficult. Looks much better
alia176
SILVER Star
did you ever sell this drivetrain....if yes, what did it yield?When was the last time you saw CHEAP and Toyota used together..? HAHA. I would like to sell the motor, trans, tcase all in one sha bang even ECM if your interested PM me.
RockJock82
Sometimes you have to kick a little A$$
- Thread starter
- #249
I sold the drivetrain as a package including labor.
Cool....how much do motor/tran/case go for with 90k miles.....i am no purist my friend
Quick question, on the Dirty Dingo website it states that these motor mounts won't work with a low mount A/C compressor. Have you had any issues with the 6.0L motors and fitting these?
NCFJ
Supporting Vendor
Good morning, I'll chime in on the reliability aspect of wanting the 1FZ. A little research will yield all kinds of information about the reliability of the Vortec 5.3 L and 6.0 L. These motors are iron block for a reason, these are fleet motors in use all over this and other countries. The Vortecs mentioned see 300-500K mile on just oil changes and spark plugs. This meets or exceeds the numbers being posted by the 1FZ.
Parts availability is a non starter, you can build the entire Vortec motor out of an Auto Zone. The HP and torque numbers speak for themselves. The big winner is pure drive ability. If you want an idea of how it feels, go take a used Tahoe or Suburban with the Vortec drive train for a ride and imagine you are driving your cruiser.
What is really cool, with the Vortec you can choose to slow down and see all that scenery everyone talks about as a proponent of the stock 6.
In the end it really is not one single reason a swap makes sense for a lot of people, its all the positive changes that add up. I look at it as an investment in the future of the truck. Like any other mod you do to your cruiser, this one is not for everyone. But if you plan on keeping your cruiser you will have to include rebuild or repower in your long term plan.
Parts availability is a non starter, you can build the entire Vortec motor out of an Auto Zone. The HP and torque numbers speak for themselves. The big winner is pure drive ability. If you want an idea of how it feels, go take a used Tahoe or Suburban with the Vortec drive train for a ride and imagine you are driving your cruiser.
What is really cool, with the Vortec you can choose to slow down and see all that scenery everyone talks about as a proponent of the stock 6.
In the end it really is not one single reason a swap makes sense for a lot of people, its all the positive changes that add up. I look at it as an investment in the future of the truck. Like any other mod you do to your cruiser, this one is not for everyone. But if you plan on keeping your cruiser you will have to include rebuild or repower in your long term plan.
i just wanna know what a stock low miles oem LX motor/trans gets price wise
RockJock82
Sometimes you have to kick a little A$$
- Thread starter
- #254
1500-2000 high end. For the stock 1fz and transmission. Of course it depends on the mileage.
Last edited:
82,771
RockJock82
Sometimes you have to kick a little A$$
- Thread starter
- #256
1500-2000. But again something is only worth what someone is willing to pay
alia176
SILVER Star
Good morning, I'll chime in on the reliability aspect of wanting the 1FZ. A little research will yield all kinds of information about the reliability of the Vortec 5.3 L and 6.0 L. These motors are iron block for a reason, these are fleet motors in use all over this and other countries. The Vortecs mentioned see 300-500K mile on just oil changes and spark plugs. This meets or exceeds the numbers being posted by the 1FZ.
Parts availability is a non starter, you can build the entire Vortec motor out of an Auto Zone. The HP and torque numbers speak for themselves. The big winner is pure drive ability. If you want an idea of how it feels, go take a used Tahoe or Suburban with the Vortec drive train for a ride and imagine you are driving your cruiser.
What is really cool, with the Vortec you can choose to slow down and see all that scenery everyone talks about as a proponent of the stock 6.
In the end it really is not one single reason a swap makes sense for a lot of people, its all the positive changes that add up. I look at it as an investment in the future of the truck. Like any other mod you do to your cruiser, this one is not for everyone. But if you plan on keeping your cruiser you will have to include rebuild or repower in your long term plan.
You brought up some excellent points. Last weekend I went camping and a stock '04 Tahoe 5.3 4x4 joined us. When I asked him about his mpg, he told me 22mpg
That is a sweet engine/trans combo for sure.
I've got an 02 suburban with a 5.3l that's got 230k on it. Runs fantastic, doesn't leak or burn a drop of oil and I get 20mpg. Can't wait to get one in my 80
I am extremely suspect of the 20-22 mpg claims. Is this actually verified at the pump or is this what the cars computer is telling you ?
I'd like to know this as well, I was leaning on a diesel swap but if 20-22 is possible on gas then it would seem to be an easier swap.
