Attempting the next best engine swap for 80s IMO

[Drewthecarguy]

I thought it was pretty relevant, especially to anyone considering following your lead. There will undoubtedly be many who refuse to pay for a $10k timing chain fix and dump their 3.0's for cheap. Isn't that a good thing for you if you're selling swap parts?

The oil pump belt is like 10 bucks to buy new from GM and I could probably change it in my cruiser in maybe 4 hours tops. Honestly as I think about it. It would be easier to change the LM2 oil belt then it would be to change a LS or LT timing chain. And would cost less

 

[Marvelicious]

Right, but we're talking about the timing chain. The 2020 design is apparently prone to failures, according to guys who work on them. Since we don't have to pull the whole body off to get to the timing chain, and anyone doing a swap is going to have the engine out anyway, I'd say it's VERY useful info. If someone grabs a 2020 engine, there's no better time to switch to the updated chain than before it's installed!

 

[concretejungle]

They don't have chains they have a belt.

 

[PIP]

They don't have chains they have a belt.

They have an oil pump belt plus a timing chain.

 

[ScotyDosentKnow]

I thought it was pretty relevant, especially to anyone considering following your lead. There will undoubtedly be many who refuse to pay for a $10k timing chain fix and dump their 3.0's for cheap. Isn't that a good thing for you if you're selling swap parts?

Interesting video and glad you posted it. I think its just another thing that would be worthwhile to do before installing the engine. If I ended up getting a 2020 I'd probably slap a new chain and belt in it before installation.

 

[Marvelicious]

Interesting video and glad you posted it. I think its just another thing that would be worthwhile to do before installing the engine. If I ended up getting a 2020 I'd probably slap a new chain and belt in it before installation.

Exactly. There are a few other upgraded parts that are worth considering if one has the engine sitting outside an engine bay... That DemonWorks channel spends a lot of time outlining them. It's worth being aware that they also sell some parts, so it's only prudent to consider their biases, but that's always true.

At a minimum, it seems like a good choice to go ahead and replace the chain AND the belt (both of which, this engine definitely has ).

 

[Mark3406e]

Drew, how did the Colorado trip go? Any mileage or other feedback good or bad for those of us looking at this option?

 

[Drewthecarguy]

Drew, how did the Colorado trip go? Any mileage or other feedback good or bad for those of us looking at this option?

Ended up going to the upper peninsula of Michigan and silver lake sand dunes. There was to much rain in the forecast we didn’t want to risk driving all the way to Colorado and not enjoy it. But driving to Michigan and back was great. The LM2 hands down is perfect for the 80. Got between 25-28MPG and it ripped in the sand at silver lake

 

[Mark3406e]

Ended up going to the upper peninsula of Michigan and silver lake sand dunes. There was to much rain in the forecast we didn’t want to risk driving all the way to Colorado and not enjoy it. But driving to Michigan and back was great. The LM2 hands down is perfect for the 80. Got between 25-28MPG and it ripped in the sand at silver lake

Glad to hear ya had a good trip even though you had to switch it up. Man it sure seems about perfect. I was thinking of yours while filling up mine the other day. The power of the LS is awesome but 12-13 doesn't sound near as good as 25 plus. I would also like to try the 10 speed over the 4l75E I have.

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Drewthecarguy]

Glad to hear ya had a good trip even though you had to switch it up. Man it sure seems about perfect. I was thinking of yours while filling up mine the other day. The power of the LS is awesome but 12-13 doesn't sound near as good as 25 plus. I would also like to try the 10 speed over the 4l75E I have.

Thanks for the feedback.

You really need to drive mine and experience it. I welcome anyone to hit me up and we can meet up. Seems just me and torfab know what it’s like. I’m in southern Illinois but I like to travel so someone give me a reason to drive somewhere cool

 

[COS80]

You really need to drive mine and experience it. I welcome anyone to hit me up and we can meet up. Seems just me and torfab know what it’s like. I’m in southern Illinois but I like to travel so someone give me a reason to drive somewhere cool

There a four-day trail ride to the San Juans being organized later this month. That would make an epic journey for you, and a great meet-up point for test drives.

 

[Drewthecarguy]

And actually forgot to mention I added a Alu-cab RTT and a Alu-cab 270 awning on the Sherpa rack and it’s so nice to be able to add weight and I have enough torque you can’t even tell when you drive it

 

[Drewthecarguy]

There a four-day trail ride to the San Juans being organized later this month. That would make an epic journey for you, and a great meet-up point for test drives.

I’m not opposed to that. Just let me know dates and I’ll try and make it

 

[COS80]

I’m not opposed to that. Just let me know dates and I’ll try and make it

9/14-18. Check the linked post for the details.

 

[Mark3406e]

You really need to drive mine and experience it. I welcome anyone to hit me up and we can meet up. Seems just me and torfab know what it’s like. I’m in southern Illinois but I like to travel so someone give me a reason to drive somewhere cool

I would absolutely meet up somewhere to take it for a spin. I'm in AZ but travel as well. Do you have a good source for a donor? All the major like LKQ places get the trucks here before we can get them.

 

[Drewthecarguy]

I would absolutely meet up somewhere to take it for a spin. I'm in AZ but travel as well. Do you have a good source for a donor? All the major like LKQ places get the trucks here before we can get them.

There is actually one for a good price right now in Texas for a complete swap plus Mitch’s harness for 5k

 

[96bruizer]

This is such a great thread. Really got me thinking about this conversion.

 

[STXLC80]

I was going to do a LT swap, but after reading this post I’m going with an LM2. Already bought the engine and transmission.

 

[Drewthecarguy]

I was going to do a LT swap, but after reading this post I’m going with an LM2. Already bought the engine and transmission.

You won’t regret it. Way better than the LT1 I had in it before

 

[turbodizzle]

There is actually one for a good price right now in Texas for a complete swap plus Mitch’s harness for 5k

Got a link for this?