Amazing how a 60 will get up and go with ample power and a proper manual trans.
'88 FJ62 Build Thread - The Millennium Falcon
- Thread starter TheElegantFox
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We are all dreaming about LS swaps!
LT swaps
I'd say run it as is while you figure our what you want to do.
Don't run it till it dies though I had to sell mine to someone so they could kill the engine for me. 3fes have an issue of taking major abuse and keep on going.
Don't run it till it dies though I had to sell mine to someone so they could kill the engine for me. 3fes have an issue of taking major abuse and keep on going.
I want my Chevy swap as simple as possible.
big dumb 5.3 with no fluff or programs.
all the power you'd ever need for a 60 series
big dumb 5.3 with no fluff or programs.
all the power you'd ever need for a 60 series
The swap really is a game changer in drivability. Just being able to keep up in stop and go traffic is bliss. Finding parts at every parts store in town is nice as well.
We are talking about 40 year old vehicles that were under powered from the start, even in traffic back then. Driving a 60 that can get out of it's own way is a blast.
We are talking about 40 year old vehicles that were under powered from the start, even in traffic back then. Driving a 60 that can get out of it's own way is a blast.
Completely understand that. Nothing wrong with an early Gen III. Once you get to later gen III an IV with DOD a Gen 5 really isn't more complex. Just newer with less swap parts currently. DI is a nice game changer though. Only real downside is having to clean intake valves more.
- Thread starter
- #28
I’m really like the idea because I’ll be able to keep daily driving my favorite rig with lesser headaches.
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What do you mean your engine “let go?”
Those compression numbers are better than good.
Replace plugs. Repair oil galley. Test current oil pressure for real with mechanical test gauge. Your engine is likely fine. You’re probably down about 30% power from those spark plugs looking like that.
We recently had a 62 come through for an inspection, the owner had almost fully convinced himself that it “needed a full overhaul” and his plugs looked just like that. We replaced them and he couldn’t believe what a difference it made.
I would be very interested to see this “scoring and piston damage”. Got any borescope pictures you can post?
I also wouldn’t say that 3FE parts availability is a realistic issue or concern for 62 owners. My shop services a ton of FJ62’s and parts are just not an actual problem.
Those compression numbers are better than good.
Replace plugs. Repair oil galley. Test current oil pressure for real with mechanical test gauge. Your engine is likely fine. You’re probably down about 30% power from those spark plugs looking like that.
We recently had a 62 come through for an inspection, the owner had almost fully convinced himself that it “needed a full overhaul” and his plugs looked just like that. We replaced them and he couldn’t believe what a difference it made.
I would be very interested to see this “scoring and piston damage”. Got any borescope pictures you can post?
I also wouldn’t say that 3FE parts availability is a realistic issue or concern for 62 owners. My shop services a ton of FJ62’s and parts are just not an actual problem.
- Thread starter
- #30
Hmm, yeah maybe I’m thinking myself in circles about the 3FE. I don’t often get into the engine internals so I definitely lack experience to talk definitively about it.
I might have made an incorrect assumption that the engine was done. That being said, I’m kinda sold on the LS swap now. I think this is turning into while I could run the 3FE longer, I just want an LS lol.
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If you’re going the LS route, @cruisermatt is your guy for supporting items or the whole swap
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Happy to discuss the LS with you privately and talk you through it as well as my catalogue of parts to make it easy. That being said, while my shop does them, and I help DIY'ers with them all the time it isn't the end-all project for everybody.
I would say our highest satisfaction/effort/dollar-ratio customers are doing the H55f into the FJ62 keeping the 3FE since it is such a easier and faster project.
If you think they are realistically going to take the truck on +2000 mile road trips regularly then the LS is the way to go
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- #33
Yeah, long haul trips is the goal. I’ll reach out in DM/instagram.
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best is email. info@cruisermatts.com or call 407-257-3693
long haul trips?
I'd get something with coil springs and more sound deadening.
I'd get something with coil springs and more sound deadening.
It's a lot in a <100" wheelbase truck!
- Thread starter
- #37
We finally procured the engine, should be shipping to the shop eventually with all the winter weather delays going around:
GM 6.0L (L96) Crate Engine NEW - https://michiganmotorz.com/gm-6-0l-l96-crate-engine-new/?setCurrencyId=1&sku=12729510
This was one of the very few places we could source a new fully built L96 6.0 engine from since most of the Chevrolet Performance offerings have shifted to higher end motors like the LS364 and we wanted to prioritize 87 octane use. Otherwise, we'd be building up from a naked L96 block meant for warranty work.
GM 6.0L (L96) Crate Engine NEW - https://michiganmotorz.com/gm-6-0l-l96-crate-engine-new/?setCurrencyId=1&sku=12729510
This was one of the very few places we could source a new fully built L96 6.0 engine from since most of the Chevrolet Performance offerings have shifted to higher end motors like the LS364 and we wanted to prioritize 87 octane use. Otherwise, we'd be building up from a naked L96 block meant for warranty work.
What transmission are you going to use?
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- #40
We landed on a 4L80E, but I haven’t sourced one yet. I feel like a rebuilt unit would be fine, some of the new transmissions from Chevy are a bit high priced.