Attempting the next best engine swap for 80s IMO (7 Viewers)

[Drewthecarguy]

Alright so a little background
I’ve had all kinds of vehicles and have done all kinds of engine swaps, LS3 in a 3rd gen Tacoma. LMM duramax in a 80. Full Tesla swap in a 1st gen Tacoma. ect ect…

So I wanted in my opinion the best vehicle ever made which is a 1992 HDJ81 to be my forever vehicle because I’m never satisfied it seems.

So I had a HdJ81 imported that was completely rust free and pretty low mileage with 100k miles

I instantly put 33s and a Dobinson 2.5 lift on it and drove it 2200 mile round trip to Moab.

I learned a lot on that trip
1. 33s look small
2. General grabber x3s suck
3. The 1HDt is very underpowered in the mountains and smoked like a freight train at elevation

So to fix things to make it better overall

step one is 35s

Now to fix the power issues

So I did a LT1/10speed

Time to try it out
So I drove it another 2000 mile round trip to Colorado to do the red cone trail and some others

 

[Drewthecarguy]

Time to try it out
So I drove it another 2000 mile round trip to Colorado to do the red cone trail and some others

Here is a little video we did while we are out there



So the truck did great on the trip, had plenty of power in the mountains, shifts great.

But now the next problem that came up.
Truck doesn’t get the best fuel mileage. Some will say I’m an idiot. But I’m trying to build the “perfect” cross country off road, family car, and be able to tow a camper

So this brings us up to speed.

So I’m trying something I don’t think anyone has done yet

I pulled the LT1 out and picked up a LM2/10 speed

The LM2 is the 3.0 Duramax diesel from a 2020 Silverado 1500

So I am now in the process of swapping it in and figured I’d bring you guys along for the adventure.

The reason for this

I’m hoping for 30mpg
This should have around 500lbs of torque which should pull a camper and have plenty of power
Should be a pretty quite for long distance trips

 

[Drewthecarguy]

So I already have the engine in and engine mounts made. And the full exhaust made

So what I have left before it’s back on the road

Water to air intercooler water pump and heat exchanger

Brake booster vacuum pump or put a Ibooster in it I haven’t decided yet

I’m having a little computer problem that should be solved this week

Finish wiring up the Volvo power steering pump- plumbing is already done

That’s it really so not much

 

[tmxmotorsports]

Nice

 

[White Stripe]

Cool. Thats a different swap. What mileage did you get with the LT?

 

[clx16]

Very cool swap. Looking forward to seeing your progress. I'd say you are being petty with your needs, but seems like you do engine swaps like normal people change underwear, so much respect there! Also what wheels are those. Look clean and have good offset from what it looks like.

 

[aztoyman]

Very cool. If it meets your expectations, will you really keep it.

 

[Drewthecarguy]

Cool. Thats a different swap. What mileage did you get with the LT?

I was getting around 14mpg i probably could of worked on the tune to squeeze some more

 

[Drewthecarguy]

Very cool swap. Looking forward to seeing your progress. I'd say you are being petty with your needs, but seems like you do engine swaps like normal people change underwear, so much respect there! Also what wheels are those. Look clean and have good offset from what it looks like.

These are falcon TX1 wheels 17x8 -12 I highly recommend them they are good priced

 

[onemanarmy]

What t case are you using?
Factory computer that is modded or stand alone?
Gauges? Pics of dash?
Are your saying you only got 14mpgs with a modem 10 speed auto/gas engine?
30 mpg target? Ambitious.
How much was the 3.0 Duramax takeout?
Def and or regen?
Will this be emissions compliant?

 

[Drewthecarguy]

What t case are you using?
Factory computer that is modded or stand alone?
Gauges? Pics of dash?
Are your saying you only got 14mpgs with a modem 10 speed auto/gas engine?
30 mpg target? Ambitious.
How much was the 3.0 Duramax takeout?
Def and or regen?
Will this be emissions compliant?

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

 

[Kernal]

I want to know what you're using to get so much done so fast (are medicinal coca leaves involved)?
Good work

 

[thatcabledude]

Rad!

Building the ultimate travel vehicle… I’m surprised you’re keeping a RHD platform.

 

[Marvelicious]

I'm really interested in hearing how this one comes out. I'm not entirely sure you'll get 30, but I'm hoping for you. 700+ miles of range on a full tank would be pretty sweet.

 

[SoTexCruiserDoc]

A thread that started this afternoon. Cant tell if this is 10 years or 10 days of work. A bit mind boggling for a simpleton like me, but especially after:

“So the truck did great on the trip, had plenty of power in the mountains, shifts great.

But now the next problem that came up.
Truck doesn’t get the best fuel mileage”

So another fxxkin engine swap?

My question is, what is or was your day job?
Chingao

 

[1TonLC80]

Good stuff. Looking forward to the rest of the build.