Attempting the next best engine swap for 80s IMO

[ScotyDosentKnow]

Why not just let me put a LM2 in your 100 series, I won’t charge labor you just buy parts so I can develop 100 series mounts

Its an intriguing offer but it would not solve all of my dislikes about the 100 series (I do generally like it though). When I purchased it years ago it was a compromise between me wanting an 80 series and my wife wanting a 200 series. Comfortable enough to run errands/take kids to school, but not so expensive that I would cry getting a scratch off road. Years later we are not in that situation anymore though.

I'm also not a fan of the IFS and the 100 Series head unit and lack of a good solution for it bothers me every time I drive it lol

 

[ScotyDosentKnow]

I share similar sentiment wrt the 2UZ 100 series. They don't blow up? Is that a good reason to own one lol?

Make sure you do some thorough research on these LM2's and the newer version. Talk to diesel shops in your area about them. They see a side of these engines that may not be well represented in this thread.

I share that same sentiment lol Wife and I also like to try/build new stuff though and have owned in the neighborhood of 50 cars. People say the 2UZ will last 500K miles......thats great but I dont generally want to drive any one thing for that long so it really doesn't matter.

Ive been looking into the LM2 for several months now and a lot of the issues it has I believe can be rectified by some preventive maintenance depending on year of the engine prior to installation (timing chain, camshaft cover, camshaft position sensor) and the rest of the issues appear to be attributed to emissions and the truck electronics itself of the electronics OP is currently eliminating.

I do like your idea of reaching out to local diesel shops though as they will likely be able to provide quite a bit of info

 

[concretejungle]

So I’m using the factory tcase. With the LT1 swap I used Torfabs adapter and mounts.
So with this I used the same transfer case adapter since it worked with this 10 speed and just made my own mounts

Factory computer

Currently I’m just using a Edge monitor for gauges but I’ll be getting some Dakotas soon

Yes 14mpg with a 10 speed seems low
I’m hoping to get 30mpg they get high 20s in a full size Silverado with all emissions so I don’t think it’s unrealistic

3.0 take out you can usually get for around 5-6k

No DEF or Emissions stuff. I live in a non testing area

I was going to ask about that. so no DEF? Does it throw CEL's? I have that motor in my 26' GMC 1500 AT4x and love it.

 

[bski90]

Was there anything special needed to be done when swapping between diesel and gas? Just drain the fuel and good to go? Same pump, lines, etc?

 

[Drewthecarguy]

Was there anything special needed to be done when swapping between diesel and gas? Just drain the fuel and good to go? Same pump, lines, etc?

Same tank and same pump I used on the original LT1 swap I did. Fuel feed line is 1/2 inch instead of 3/8 plus i added a GM cartridge style inline fuel filter so lines are a little different

 

[Drewthecarguy]

I was going to ask about that. so no DEF? Does it throw CEL's? I have that motor in my 26' GMC 1500 AT4x and love it.

No CELs and no DEF or any emissions stuff what so ever

 

[mudgudgeon]

but I have decided this is the last time I’m swapping motors lol

At this point, no one believes you

 

[Drewthecarguy]

At this point, no one believes you

lol if you drove a LS or LT swapped 80 then drove mine you would see what I mean. I really need to make another YouTube video.

 

[TheBussman]

Not to go too far off into the weeds (ok that’s not my strong suite) but I don’t hear much about swapping in the 3UR-FE, the 5.7 from the 07 to 21 Tundra. Why?

There are no easy transmission/offset transfercase options that i know of, transfercase that matches is driver's drop instead of passenger drop. 2uz is easier and arguably more reliable, powerful enough for most people. It can be done for sure though Build - 1985 FJ60 - 5.7L I-FORCE 3URFE, AB60F 6 SPD & ELECTRIC TCASE - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/1985-fj60-5-7l-i-force-3urfe-ab60f-6-spd-electric-tcase.1330178/page-5#post-16170842

 

[TheBussman]

I share similar sentiment wrt the 2UZ 100 series. They don't blow up? Is that a good reason to own one lol?

Make sure you do some thorough research on these LM2's and the newer version. Talk to diesel shops in your area about them. They see a side of these engines that may not be well represented in this thread.

I know of several start burning oil real bad around 150k miles and get replaced. Not saying they are all going to be like that who knows how they were treated. likely that the emissions systems are shorting their life too.

 

[NeverFinis]

I mean, reliability is still a question on the LM2. It only had a 4 year production run before GM replaced it.

My favorite motor, the L96, had a 10 year run (2010 - 2020), and it can trace its roots all the way back to the first 6.0L LQ4 motor in 1999.

Think of the huge number of GM 3/4 and 1 ton trucks/vans on the road today built with the L96...

While I do think the LM2 swap is neat, my choice is the L96 all day long for the 80 series.

But, I am considering the LM2 for when I rebuild my 1985 4Runner...

 

[Ditcherman]

There are no easy transmission/offset transfercase options that i know of, transfercase that matches is driver's drop instead of passenger drop. 2uz is easier and arguably more reliable, powerful enough for most people. It can be done for sure though Build - 1985 FJ60 - 5.7L I-FORCE 3URFE, AB60F 6 SPD & ELECTRIC TCASE - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/1985-fj60-5-7l-i-force-3urfe-ab60f-6-spd-electric-tcase.1330178/page-5#post-16170842

Thanks for that link!
More inspiration to get my daily tundra with its rusted out frame broken in half and then stretch the 40 sitting out back.

 

[concretejungle]

I don’t think I would take out a good running 1FZ
But I have a dead one and this swap is very appealing to me.

I would in a heartbeat and that's coming from a guy who literally just replaced mine about 6,000 miles ago with a brand new one totaling almost $18,000! If I could do it again I would do this swap instead.

 

[concretejungle]

I mean, reliability is still a question on the LM2. It only had a 4 year production run before GM replaced it.

My favorite motor, the L96, had a 10 year run (2010 - 2020), and it can trace its roots all the way back to the first 6.0L LQ4 motor in 1999.

Think of the huge number of GM 3/4 and 1 ton trucks/vans on the road today built with the L96...

While I do think the LM2 swap is neat, my choice is the L96 all day long for the 80 series.

But, I am considering the LM2 for when I rebuild my 1985 4Runner...

LZO is the current one and I think it's mostly the same motor just updated emissions. I think they put some of the emissions sensors closer to the turbo to ensure a cleaner burn.... something like that? I know that's a real elementary assessment.

 

[Broski]

I would in a heartbeat and that's coming from a guy who literally just replaced mine about 6,000 miles ago with a brand new one totaling almost $18,000! If I could do it again I would do this swap instead.

Well do it then

 

[SNLC]

Ya nope.

Like I said before 1HDFTE all day long.

If any of you drove one our builds with an FTE running all the upgraded goodies you wouldn’t want any other diesel.

Cheers

 

[tmxmotorsports]

Ya nope.

Like I said before 1HDFTE all day long.

If any of you drove one our builds with an FTE running all the upgraded goodies you wouldn’t want any other diesel.

Cheers

I'd love to but im so far away.

 

[moremazda]

@Drewthecarguy this is a fascinating swap journey you have gone on. Did you by chance ever give consideration to the 4cyl LWN (the canyon/colorado 2.8l)?

 

[Dragos80]

It is Sunday already and you haven't posted any engine swap yet. I am getting worried. Are you OK?

 

[COS80]

I've called the authorities to perform a welfare check!