Let's talk about V8 swaps with a manual

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

Lots of useful info, guys! I've got enough to go on for when the dry weather shows up in a couple of months...Still leaning most strongly towards a TBI, but with the possibility of a vortec if the right donor(s) are around when I'm ready to buy an engine.

Also, if I can get into grad school at UW, here in Seattle, I can put whatever I want under the hood, so that makes things easier.
 
I'd skip the TBI and go with a Vortec or LS. You are not going to save any real money by going with the TBI. The Vortec/LS is hands down a far more efficient platform. There is also a better aftermarket in place for these motors as well.

gregnash said:
If you get the DBW then you have to completely modify the pedal bucket and pedal to get it to work.
Click to expand...

There you go again Greg, typing away on something you have read about and not actually done. I swear you must live full time at a Holiday Inn.

The pedal bucket does not get touched other than to take out a couple bolts and remove it. Depends on the pedal in the vehicle, most pedals are a couple cuts and one weld to modify. Biggest hassle is taking the terminal end off the plug to get it through the fire wall and putting it back together. OP Don't let DBW scare you off.
 
NCFJ said:
I'd skip the TBI and go with a Vortec or LS. You are not going to save any real money by going with the TBI. The Vortec/LS is hands down a far more efficient platform. There is also a better aftermarket in place for these motors as well.



There you go again Greg, typing away on something you have read about and not actually done. I swear you must live full time at a Holiday Inn.

The pedal bucket does not get touched other than to take out a couple bolts and remove it. Depends on the pedal in the vehicle, most pedals are a couple cuts and one weld to modify. Biggest hassle is taking the terminal end off the plug to get it through the fire wall and putting it back together. OP Don't let DBW scare you off.
Click to expand...

Not gonna argue with you Stan... but dont live at a Holiday Inn, just here is all! LOL :flipoff2:

And "completely modify" the bucket was a wrong choice of words, trying to type while doing other things (as women would call it, multi-tasking) just didnt turn out well with that.
However, the OP made it sound like this was being attempted with basic, standard tools. Removing the pin block to get through the firewall requires the pin removal tool (special tool) schematics of which pin goes where, and if I remember correctly there was some pins that needed to be swapped. While that kind of stuff may be cake walk for you or others that do this on a fairly regular basis, those of us with limited ability, time, etc. may not be able to or may not wish to purchase a tool for a one time use.

I do agree with you though completely that TBI should go to the wayside unless you get a free engine. And just to clarify you say Vortec/LS... do you mean first gen Vortec (e.g. 5.7L vortec) and LS as everything else?
 
Yup, $6.99 at most auto stores :) Pins go right back in the same place they came out of. All labeled already, all you need to do is write down what color to what slot and you are good. No schematic required and no changing wires. Mounting and wiring the pedal is a :banana: job.

555-10769.jpg
 
See that's why we call you a "professional" Stan! Much appreciated on the info. Isn't there on pedal (like a Monte Carlo pedal or something) that fits best with the least amount of modification???
 
I have a 1985 FJ-60 with a 350 Ram Jet and H55 trans. I love the setup. I had the work done by Wolf Creek Rod Works
Give Ross at call and he would be willing to talk to about this.

Home Page

My V8 conversion Wolf Creek Rod Works
 
I'm enjoying this thread. Future plans for my rig definitely include a Vortec or LS down the line. Been debating keeping the 5 speed or ditching for an automatic, 4L60e. Haven't been that impressed with my 5 speed because in the end it's a 4 speed with a gear bolted on it. I know some of you are thinking I'm crazy, but my 4 speed was like butter until it broke. Just my 2 cents. Keep the convo going :)
 
on a buget....I would look for a donor from a scrap/salvage yard. The TBI is a good dependable engine but a dog on power. Of course I'm biased but I would be running the GM automatic r....life would be so much simpler in lieu of unicorn-shopping. whatever the combination...ensure its been done in the state you plan to reside and you understand the emissions related crap/rules.
 
Elbert said:
on a buget....I would look for a donor from a scrap/salvage yard. The TBI is a good dependable engine but a dog on power. Of course I'm biased but I would be running the GM automatic r....life would be so much simpler in lieu of unicorn-shopping. whatever the combination...ensure its been done in the state you plan to reside and you understand the emissions related crap/rules.
Click to expand...

Yeah that is my fear when I go to do this swap that the NV4500 will be stupid expensive and hard to find and the H55 will have become NLA. I bought my 60 specifically because of two things; round lights and manual tranny. Wonder if I should just start saving up for the H55 now and get it in a year or so that way I dont have to worry. Swap for me is in 5yr plan at this point.
 
mep1811 said:
I have a 1985 FJ-60 with a 350 Ram Jet and H55 trans. I love the setup. I had the work done by Wolf Creek Rod Works
Give Ross at call and he would be willing to talk to about this.
Click to expand...

Sorry if I missed it but what adapter are you running? Marks Adapter? I have a 5.7 Vortec and 4l60E and am always tempted to go manual. That being said, I think the very best way to go is to retain as much original drive line as possible. so a motor/trans combo of factory design is a priority for me. Maybe someday a 2uz/H151...

But back on topic, the Vortec 5.7 is proving to be a great motor in the 60. 250ish hp/300ish tq combo makes towing/freeway cruising/snow womping a breeze. I towed a Willys CJ2A and a bunch of parts up through Colorado and Wyoming. Through the passes it was working really hard but did great. All that to say, there is no way that I would want less power. The motor is done by 4000 rpm as well, so dropping a gear doesn't always get you more oomph. TBI 350 just exacerbates these issues.

If you are going to go to the trouble of a swap, my recommendation is to go as modern as you can possibly swing and start with as complete a vehicle as you can. Even if that means putting the swap off a bit. The step in difficulty between swapping a vortec and an LS is minute if any, and worth the price of admission just from a tuneability standpoint thanks to the 0411 ECU. The LS is a dramatic step forward on all counts. Power, efficiency, tuneability etc. Also, the Vortec 5.7 was only offered for a comparatively small run - 2-3 years in trucks and maybe another couple in vans running updated electronics I think. There is so much more support for the LS motors.

GeologistFelix said:
L

Also, if I can get into grad school at UW, here in Seattle, I can put whatever I want under the hood, so that makes things easier.
Click to expand...

I'm starting Grad School at UW this fall, would be cool to catch up if you are still in the area.
 
X2 on as modern as you can go the tbi motors are starting to get hard to find some parts for
The difference in the fuel systems is basically the pump
And really a 4.8 moves buddy's crew cab 4x4 Chevy pretty good even with a camper on and gets better fuel mileage than a tbi motor in my Camarillo
 
The best thing that you can do right now is to get all your thoughts and plans down on paper. Write down any questions that you have. Think it through, over and over in your head. There are going to be some things that you just can't figure out until you are physically there though so be prepared for that as well. Figure out your budget, then multiply by 1.5-2 and you should be close.

Planning and hours upon hours of research will be a huge factor in how easy or hard the job becomes for you. Unless you pick some obscure motor/trans/T-case combo, odds are that it has been done and at least somewhat documented.

Read up on where the shifter for trans and T-case end up before you commit to drive line placement. Beating the hell out of the firewall with a hammer is not a reasonable solution in most cases :)
 
NCFJ said:
Read up on where the shifter for trans and T-case end up before you commit to drive line placement. Beating the hell out of the firewall with a hammer is not a reasonable solution in most cases :)
Click to expand...

Sure it is, you just need a bigger hammer!
 
klinetime574 said:
I'm enjoying this thread. Future plans for my rig definitely include a Vortec or LS down the line. Been debating keeping the 5 speed or ditching for an automatic, 4L60e. Haven't been that impressed with my 5 speed because in the end it's a 4 speed with a gear bolted on it. I know some of you are thinking I'm crazy, but my 4 speed was like butter until it broke. Just my 2 cents. Keep the convo going :)
Click to expand...
Agreed....the 5 speed is like a hard stick of butter yet it seems to be reliable.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom