97 LX gets a v8 and more! (1 Viewer)

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Please realize this project is not 100% complete yet. This video is just a teaser. The ABS light will be dealt with along with the oil light. We are still working on A/C and cruiser control. I also didn't give it everything it has in this video, about half throttle.

First tank of fuel got us 13.5mpg average. 90% of that tank was before the final tune, now that it is tuned it runs much much better. On the hwy I am seeing high 15's to low 16's for mpg. :)




Cheers
 
The v8 LX got some 100-series love today!

IMG_3716.JPG


National Luna 2nd battery kit installed as well as x2 Odyssey 1750's and a Ridged Industries LED light bar. Tomorrow I take the truck on its first real road trip!

Cheers
 
I thought I would close out on my time with this truck a second time!

I was in Boise, Idaho for about six weeks, four or so weeks of that I drove this sucker. I got to break it in and even took it on a 600 mile round trip drive to Wyoming and back. I put around 850 miles on it from first start to pretty much last Sunday. I left the truck with @Krazytoy who very obviously has also done a lot of the work in this build. While I had it those four weeks I installed the National Luna second battery kit, the new batteries, ScanGuage2, LED light bar as well as did some other things to it. The v8 LX is an absolute dream to drive and every time I drove it I was grinning ear to ear. 208 Motorsports who tuned it estimated it is at about 425hp, they dialed in tach and speedo without the need for any aftermarket modules even with the 315s and stock gears both are spot on. Got to love working with people that know what they are doing! All stock gauges work and are accurate because our wiring guy adapted Toyota sensors to the Chevy v8. On the HWY at 80-85mph it doesn't even down shift or slow down on grades until they get good and steep. Strong head winds don't phase it either until they are over 40mph and then it simply down shifts a bit more on grades and mpg goes down a bit, still holds 80-85 easily. Down very steep grades, like Teton Pass in Wyoming, downshifting to 2nd and I hardly had to brake at all which is something nobody could complain about. Up grades like that it will do 70+mph easy if you ask it to.

Since it got the 1.25" body lift which it really needed to clear top of engine to hood the owner wanted to fix the look of the bumpers so that is getting done this month along with the last few things.

Any ways a v8 LX or 80-series is just about my favorite Cruiser there is. So much fun to drive and all around better when it comes to power and mpg. I saw as much as 17.5mpg with a tailwind on the highway flats. In the end not a cheap project but it breathed a whole new life into this truck giving it another 20yrs or more of enjoyment and reliability.

By the time I see it again it will be with the owner who is a good friend of mine. Until then, I say see ya later to this super awesome Cruiser!

Cheers
 
Looks fantastic.
 
So, it's time for the owner of this baby to start a new thread!!
 
I think @Krazytoy needs a new project... my 97 needs more power.
 
ThomasMore66 said:
I think @Krazytoy needs a new project... my 97 needs more power.
Click to expand...
I already have the next one and it is being built as a flip. Picked up a Green 95' with cloth interior and gold trim, it's in near mint condition other than the engine has a knock so it fits the bill perfectly. Only problem is I am really struggling with what power train combo to run? I feel that the LS is played out and too easy of a swap to do, thinking maybe the direct injected 5.3L and 6l80e or maybe even one of the earlier Vortec Atlas engine, for some reason that engine intrigues me, hell maybe even a diesel since all you Cruiserheads like diesels so much.
 
Krazytoy said:
I already have the next one and it is being built as a flip. Picked up a Green 95' with cloth interior and gold trim, it's in near mint condition other than the engine has a knock so it fits the bill perfectly. Only problem is I am really struggling with what power train combo to run? I feel that the LS is played out and too easy of a swap to do, thinking maybe the direct injected 5.3L and 6l80e or maybe even one of the earlier Vortec Atlas engine, for some reason that engine intrigues me, hell maybe even a diesel since all you Cruiserheads like diesels so much.
Click to expand...


Still haven't made up your mind on that one!? Sheesh!

:rofl:

Cheers
 
I am not a buyer at the current time so please take this opinion with a grain of salt, but I would love to see a Yanmar 6LPA-STP2 dropped into a cruiser.

Unbelievably Yanmar uses the base 4.2L Toyota diesel engine but uses mechanical fuel injection and some more modern touches and achieves 311bhp and about 520ft/lbs.



Yanmar 6LPA-STP2 engine review

45371.jpg



Krazytoy said:
I already have the next one and it is being built as a flip. Picked up a Green 95' with cloth interior and gold trim, it's in near mint condition other than the engine has a knock so it fits the bill perfectly. Only problem is I am really struggling with what power train combo to run? I feel that the LS is played out and too easy of a swap to do, thinking maybe the direct injected 5.3L and 6l80e or maybe even one of the earlier Vortec Atlas engine, for some reason that engine intrigues me, hell maybe even a diesel since all you Cruiserheads like diesels so much.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
@scottryana
Actually those are impressive numbers put out by a mechanical fuel injection system.
Common Rail would more quieter vs mechanical... maybe a little more power too.
Nothing wrong with a mechanical setup in my book.
 
If I am going diesel I don't want a single computer. lol.

Dragos80 said:
@scottryana
Actually those are impressive numbers put out by a mechanical fuel injection system.
Common Rail would more quieter vs mechanical... maybe a little more power too.
Nothing wrong with a mechanical setup in my book.
Click to expand...
 
The way to do it would probably be to buy the Toyota engine and then just buy the injection system from Yanmar. You couldn't use their intercooler plumbing, etc anyways.

Dragos80 said:
Well, hurry up and buy one off eBay. Discounted to $25k due to being rebuilt. :)
Click to expand...
 
Good idea, especially for those already running the 4.2 TD.
A used one is often offered for sale at around $10k. Who knows how much the injection would cost.

Our diesel swap laws are not favorable to most of us. A few states don't care about it.
The options for diesel are plenty and very appealing, but the legality is what will always turn people away from doing it.
 
scottryana said:
Unbelievably Yanmar uses the base 4.2L Toyota diesel engine but uses mechanical fuel injection and some more modern touches and achieves 311bhp and about 520ft/lbs.
Click to expand...

While certainly a bad ass engine, I don't think it's a very viable option for a flip due to the $25k price tag.
 
Dragos80 said:
@scottryana
Actually those are impressive numbers put out by a mechanical fuel injection system.
Common Rail would more quieter vs mechanical... maybe a little more power too.
Nothing wrong with a mechanical setup in my book.
Click to expand...

With virtually all cool water you need for engine and intake .. limits can be push much more easier ..
 
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