HJ47 V8 swap parts suggestions - headers, radiator, engine harness

[82cruiser]

Hello all,

Just installed a '03 6.0L Vortec into the troopy. I am looking for recommendations on the following items. Any help is greatly appreciated:

Headers: Block huggers
Looking at Hedman, Hooker, and Sanderson. Would anyone recommend one over the other and if so, why?

Radiator: Aluminum or other?
I plan on running AC. The water inlet and outlet are both on the same side of the engine. Can you recommend a good solution that's not $700?

Engine harness:
Looking at Howell and Speartech.
Any opinions on these two?

Thanks very much.

 

[fogblanket]

Randy I did not look but did you post this in t he 40 section or the hardcore section. bunch of purest here
seriously though more engine stuf happens over there.

 

[82cruiser]

Not yet. Bunch of purists who have lots of knowledge. Plus, it feels like home here .

 

[DanS HJ-45]

Hello all,

Just installed a '03 6.0L Vortec into the troopy. I am looking for recommendations on the following items. Any help is greatly appreciated:

Headers: Block huggers
Looking at Hedman, Hooker, and Sanderson. Would anyone recommend one over the other and if so, why?

Radiator: Aluminum or other?
I plan on running AC. The water inlet and outlet are both on the same side of the engine. Can you recommend a good solution that's not $700?

Engine harness:
Looking at Howell and Speartech.
Any opinions on these two?

Thanks very much.

I hate to encourage more of this bastardization crud (yeah, that's the purist in me), but...

No idea about headers. All my engines have exhaust manifolds, turbos, and clatter a lot....

The Radiator doesn't have to be aluminum. You can get your radiator modified by any competent radiator shop. They can easily move outlets around, change from a 3 to a 4 core, etc... I might explore that option, or see if Radiator Barn can build you a custom steel radiator with the outlets located the way you need.

Also no idea bout an engine harness.... I'm not a "purist," but I am a Toyota diesel snob.

Dan

 

[Chamba]

Hello all,

Just installed a '03 6.0L Vortec into the troopy. I am looking for recommendations on the following items. Any help is greatly appreciated:

Headers: Block huggers
Looking at Hedman, Hooker, and Sanderson. Would anyone recommend one over the other and if so, why?

Radiator: Aluminum or other?
I plan on running AC. The water inlet and outlet are both on the same side of the engine. Can you recommend a good solution that's not $700?

Engine harness:
Looking at Howell and Speartech.
Any opinions on these two?

Thanks very much.

I ran the Corvette Rams Horns manifolds on my 2000 Vortec 350 in my HJ47 (and I LOVE it), but I am not sure if those will fit the 6.0 Vortec. if so, I like mine and they fit well. However, you will need to get the expensive high temp spark plug leads and the asbestos (or whatever the modern fabric is) spark plug covers. I went through a number of wires before I finally got that sorted.

I am running a 5 core radiator made by Tom Chauven in Forrest Grove, Oregon. I got the rad for an FJ55, which is 1.5" wider than the factory 81-84 40 series rad. I welded in 1.5" of metal to the oxbow which holds the rad, and it fits perfectly. I have run that rad with my Vortec in Phoenix at 120 degrees with the air con going and the engine never got over 210.

As for the harness: I took my factory harness out of my HJ47 and the harness out of the donor chevy (I got an engine out of a Tahoe which fell off of a car carrier with 5.8 miles on it, so the harness was in really good shape). I laid both out on the floor with their respective diagrammes taped to the floor next to them. I then began grafting the two together and shrink-wrapping all solder connections. This took a few days, but it was worth it in the end. I now have a harness which works perfectly, looks factory, and cost me about $200.

As for Dan: I love him and he is one of the best and most detail-oriented non-professional fabricators I know, but he's been drinking too much diesel. Go Vortec!

Josh

 

[82cruiser]

Thanks Josh and Dan...good info.

I will look into the rams horns for the 6.0. How much room is there between the r-horns and the frame & engine mounts? Nice work on the harness operation, you're brave.

I may start out with an FJ60 radiator to see if that will be enough to get me rolling. Also checking Radiator Barn and local shops.

It was a bummer when the head on the 2H popped as i love diesels. The V8 decision was driven by the intended use of the rig as a DD and family camping rig with trailer.

 

[Chamba]

Thanks Josh and Dan...good info.

I will look into the rams horns for the 6.0. How much room is there between the r-horns and the frame & engine mounts? Nice work on the harness operation, you're brave.

I may start out with an FJ60 radiator to see if that will be enough to get me rolling. Also checking Radiator Barn and local shops.

It was a bummer when the head on the 2H popped as i love diesels. The V8 decision was driven by the intended use of the rig as a DD and family camping rig with trailer.

There is plenty of room on mine - probably 1.5" or so. make sure you the Chevy ones if it turns out they will fit. I bought mine from Chevy and they fit wonderfully. I have spoken with a couple of people who bought the Chinese-made ones and said that they had to get them machined to keep them from leaking. This is not bit deal, except that you have to install them to find out that they are not flat...

You may find that the 60 series rad is a problem because it mounts to the body, where the 40 and 55 series mount to an oxbow which is mounted to the chassis. That's why the 55 rad is so good.

i'm looking forward to the photos!!

Josh

 

[82cruiser]

Ordered a set of Sanderson block huggers as they seem to make the tightest fitting set out there...2.75" from mounting point to outside edge of header.

Going to research the volume of a 60 radiator as compared to the GM rad that was spec'd with the engine and go from there.

Engine harness and computer reflash ordered from Howell. Progress!

Thanks for the input.

 

[82cruiser]

The Sanderson headers fit perfectly. Turkeys were mocking me as I sanded and painted.

 

[Chamba]

The Sanderson headers fit perfectly. Turkeys were mocking me as I sanded and painted.

I didn't realise that those new Vortecs had the spark plugs so far away from the header. You may not even need the high temp plug wires.

My headers get hot enough to make those turkeys stop mocking you

Josh