V8 guys, anyone swapped in a 350 and not used the stock tranny?

[Arya Ebrahimi]

As we approach summer I'm reminded why I really dislike driving my cruiser in the summer. It's a total DOG. No giddyup, and if you turn on the AC you had better not try to accelerate 'cause all you'll do is waste gas, not move any faster.

Also, as my truck approaches 200k miles, I feel a HG R&R is in my near future, which is money I could put towards the swap.

Lastly, I've never been happy with the motor's power, even in cold weather. Just needs a little more "oomph".

With all that said, I've been considering a V8 swap. Not sure of the flavor yet, whether it be old school 350, LT1, LS1, LS2, LS6 or LS7(I can dream right? ), but I definately think a Chevy V8 would solve my problems(maybe even improve my fuel economy over the 9.5-10.5 I get in the summer?). I also remember reading that the A442F isn't the greatest tranny behind the V8's due to the shift points being off.

So, has anyone utilized a different tranny? If so, what tranny, and how did you mate it to the t-case? Anyone done a manual swap? Wonder how the H55f would hold up. Would the t-case bolt to an H55f?

Thanks guys,

Ary

 

[Cruiserhead05]

Ary,

FWIW, your tranny is the A442F, not the 440 from the 91-92 model 80's.

Like KIRK is doing, you could always get an extreme valve body A442F from Wholesale Automatics in OZ which would probably solve any problems you would encounter with the V8 power.

 

[Arya Ebrahimi]

Ary,

FWIW, your tranny is the A442F, not the 440 from the 91-92 model 80's.

Like KIRK is doing, you could always get an extreme valve body A442F from Wholesale Automatics in OZ which would probably solve any problems you would encounter with the V8 power.

Oops, thanks Brandon. I was debating whether to cite the tranny number in my original post or not, 'cause I wasn't 100% sure.

 

[Gumby]

I think JJJ used a GM tranny with his 350 swap. I forget Kris' (KrisFJ40?) 'Mud handle. She owns the truck now.

I like the Toyota trans, but I'd be sorely tempted to use a 4L60E with a Vortec.

 

[CruisinGA]

I like the Toyota trans, but I'd be sorely tempted to use a 4L60E with a Vortec.

You like those trannies Gumbo?

Had 3 suburbans with them. Each 'Burb needed at least 2 4l60's to make it past 150k. Another good friend blew one out at 70k miles. Always considered them junk.

IMO skip the H55F and go for a NV4500. I would consider a D300 instead of the stock case, I doubt adapters are available.

 

[Cruiserhead05]

Ary,

I dont know what some other trannies would cost but i do know that:

- fully rebuilt A442F from Wholesale Autos - $1500
- Extreme Valve Body kit- $500
- Shipping to USA- $500

 

[Tapage]

Thing about this ..

1. Cost of H55F ( simple swap with V8 Chevy AAdapters ) = ?

2. Chevy V8 and NV4500 ( maybe a 3500 could be ) and AA to toyota HF2AV t-case

3. I don't think in D300 coz the rear axle and drive shaft ..

 

[OGBeno]

Kirk's swap is a (IIRC) 1994 LT1 mated to a 442. I think he's onee of the first, if not the first, to do this swap in the States (though I might be mistaken on this).

People have done it easily to the earlier 80 series trannies.

IIRC, Gary Waggoner also did a Chevy swap into his 80 series awhile back.

As far as I know, the Oz folks do swaps much more than we do. Mark's in Oz might be the people to contact to get some ideas.

-o-

 

[kirk]

My trans is a 442

 

[OGBeno]

My trans is a 442

oops...corrected.

 

[Taz]

If you go with a GM tranny stay away from the 4L60 and go with the 4L80. I am thinking more along the lines of a Duramax/Allison swap

 

[Arya Ebrahimi]

If you go with a GM tranny stay away from the 4L60 and go with the 4L80. I am thinking more along the lines of a Duramax/Allison swap

Good call on the 4L80. As for the duramax/allison, I figure if they can't fit it under the hood of a suburban, it's gonna be pretty damn hard to fit under the hood of an 80.

 

[Taz]

The engine is not much if any bigger than a 350...the problem is that darn Allison. I bet a 3 inch body lift would clear it or just cut out the center floor hump and build a new one. (I always wanted to build a new concole)

 

[JasonH]

I think JJJ used a GM tranny with his 350 swap. I forget Kris' (KrisFJ40?) 'Mud handle. She owns the truck now.

Stock tranny in Jeff's/Kristi's 80.

 

[kirk]

Consider the length of a v8 + a 4l80+ adapter + the toyota T/c. Its really long. Also the t/c front output is super close to the gm trans housing and pan. Fabbing a new shift linkage, t/c linkage, crossmember are just a bunch more time consuming tasks. just the engien swap on its own is a ton of work.

the 442 is a better tranny than a 4l80 and 4l60 why change it?