Builds A 1994 80 Series gets an LQ9 GM V8

[newtomelx]

^^^said one craftsman to another!

 

[Skrewball]

What rpms do you see running at 70mph, any mpg estimates yet? What does a turn key conversion like this cost?

The RPM at 70mph is around 2100. The truck is stock 4.10 gearing and 255/85(33") tires. For the best highway MPG we're guessing it would be happy with 35" tires.

With a trip that had mixed hills and flat interstate, the truck got just over 12MPG.

The truck isn't a race car with this engine, but the torque is very, very nice!

 

[Lionsgarage]

Wow, someone stepped on a nerve there, used is not always junk Beno. The vehicle I sourced the LC9/6L80 from was a totaled 2013 silverado with 3500 (yes not quite due for its first oil change) and I looked it over close, it ran and sounded fine before pulling it.
I will trust it just fine, plus it will be easy to remove in 200k for a freshen up if the install is engineered correctly.
Not my first rodeo, just my first 80.
Thanks tho

 

[rockrod]

Wow, someone stepped on a nerve there, used is not always junk Beno. The vehicle I sourced the LC9/6L80 from was a totaled 2013 silverado with 3500 (yes not quite due for its first oil change) and I looked it over close, it ran and sounded fine before pulling it.
I will trust it just fine, plus it will be easy to remove in 200k for a freshen up if the install is engineered correctly.
Not my first rodeo, just my first 80.
Thanks tho

this sounds like another good build pending. let me know if you need wiring info. i have the ewd for your model truck and the spread sheet to interface.

 

[Otamiway]

Nice build.. love the exhaust... work of art. As is the rest of the build... What size tires on the ARB rear bumper:

 

[Skrewball]

Nice build.. love the exhaust... work of art. As is the rest of the build... What size tires on the ARB rear bumper:

The tires are Toyo M55 255/85/16. Roughly 33" tires.

 

[Otamiway]

The tires are Toyo M55 255/85/16. Roughly 33" tires.

Thanks.. Do you think that a pair of 35" (315s) will fit back there?

 

[Skrewball]

Thanks.. Do you think that a pair of 35" (315s) will fit back there?

I'll measure tomorrow!

 

[Otamiway]

I'll measure tomorrow!

Thanks.... awesome rig..

 

[Lionsgarage]

Will do Rockrod, I've gutted the interior as well so I will start on it as soon as the rain sets in here in western WA.

 

[Skrewball]

Thanks.... awesome rig..

There is a 3" gap between the tires now with 33's. 35's should fit and leave you with a 1" gap between the tires.

 

[Arya Ebrahimi]

I got to see this thing up close at the inaugural bro-lite race in Cumberland last weekend, and it is as clean a swap in person as it appears on the web. I didn't get a chance to catch up with Vince or Nathan as I had to leave fairly early, but I look forward to seeing what you guys come up with in the future.

I will probably be in touch over the winter, as I am doing a similar swap(L92/6L80) into my '94, and it appears I'd be better off to just drop mine off to have some of the finer details wrapped up(thinking AC in particular).

 

[Otamiway]

There is a 3" gap between the tires now with 33's. 35's should fit and leave you with a 1" gap between the tires.

Ok thanks Vince

 

[Skrewball]

Everything is working well! Only thing we haven't made work properly is the shift lights in the dash...that is gonna require a special "unit" that doesn't really exist yet. Speedo is within 1 mph and tach is within 50 rpm.

 

[rockrod]

and the cruise works

I am curious in the range of engine temps are you seeing with the high compression 6.0? I would guess it's in the 202-204f range based on what the stock dash gauge is showing when the pic was taken.

 

[35inchoverdrive]

The fans kick on at 205* and off at 200*, so that's where it sits most of the time. The warmest it got running through the mountains in WV was 208*.

 

[alia176]

I'm only on page 13 and taking my time with the story. One thing that I can appreciate is how Vince/Nathan are taking the pictures. Not only the pic quality is good but also the shots are framed so that one can understand how things are laid out in relation to each other. This is not easy to do. Usually, folks just zoom in too close or zoom out too far and the lighting is poor but in this story, pics and descriptions are well done.

Did I hear correctly, the cruise control is working? Well, this must be the first swap with a factory CC working! Very nice indeed. I'm guessing this was due to using a drive by mechanical vs DBW manifold?

 

[FloridaFJ80]

Awesome Swap!!! great work.... Glad you guys are on the east coast, makes it alot easier to get an LS swap done

 

[rockrod]

The fans kick on at 205* and off at 200*, so that's where it sits most of the time. The warmest it got running through the mountains in WV was 208*.

that's were it should be

 

[mikedamageinc]

I got to see this thing up close at the inaugural bro-lite race in Cumberland last weekend, and it is as clean a swap in person as it appears on the web. I didn't get a chance to catch up with Vince or Nathan as I had to leave fairly early, but I look forward to seeing what you guys come up with in the future.

I will probably be in touch over the winter, as I am doing a similar swap(L92/6L80) into my '94, and it appears I'd be better off to just drop mine off to have some of the finer details wrapped up(thinking AC in particular).

Totally agree, I stopped by the shop the other day and got to see the rig and talk to Nathan and Vince for a while. Great guys and it was fun to talk about details of how things were done. Very clean swap, looks, sounds, and runs great. Its weird for an 80 to get up and go so effortlessly. I just wish I was closer to my swap but I'm probably a couple years away. I look forward to your build thread with the 6L80.