Builds V8 Swap Project Begins! Again with LS2 (3 Viewers)

[warpdriv]

Horsepower TV had the LS3 EROD and it threw 495 on the dyno. It sure would be nice to have a engine like that but I think that would be a little beyond what was meant for the 80's tcase.

Kirk, did you fab that bracket to relocate your windshield wiper bottle?

 

[wayneosan]

http://www.gmperformanceparts.com/E-ROD-Brochure.pdf



That's pretty much what we're in for. God I can't wait.

5.3 should be plenty with a zo6 cam.

Wayne

 

[Nay]

That motor looks like it was meant to sit there. I never really considered even trying to put a V8 in the 80 but those of you that are doing it and documenting it are making it seem more realistic. GM has even come out with a LS3 EROD crate motor made to work with a 4l80 and a few others, its a little expensive but seems almost plug and play for those of us with a 95’-97’ and would like to pass emissions and want a base motor @430HP. They even provide an instruction manual and wiring diagram. The really good thing is everything is very similar to your setup other than the marks adaptor.
Nice work on pictures and documenting your progress. I now wish I could turn that key and hear the LS motor purring every time I jumped in the FJLS80.

Yea, I've been watching these V8 threads with interest. I am a ways off from even looking at a V8 swap, but as they hopefully become more proven from the electronics perspective I am increasingly interested.

Especially as our trucks seem to be succumbing to newer ethanol fuel mixtures (high pressure/fuel smell issue), the entire crate package with updated fuel system looks more and more like a strong long term investment for our platform for those of us who really are taking a 30 year view of our rigs.

 

[Nay]

It sure would be nice to have a engine like that but I think that would be a little beyond what was meant for the 80's tcase.

Given that the 80 has a heavy duty gear driven case, what do you think the issue would be, under normal driving/towing/wheeling conditions?

It does sound like a 5.3 is coming out as well...

 

[warpdriv]

Given that the 80 has a heavy duty gear driven case, what do you think the issue would be, under normal driving/towing/wheeling conditions?.

The engine it was designed for puts out 275ftlbs torque. The EROD engine puts out 425. No one can honestly say they would never punch it. All I'm saying is everything has designed tolerances and when swaping in more hp/tq, one needs to make sure the other parts don't end up scattered all over the place.

 

[Dusty]

The engine it was designed for puts out 275ftlbs torque. The EROD engine puts out 425. No one can honestly say they would never punch it. All I'm saying is everything has designed tolerances and when swaping in more hp/tq, one needs to make sure the other parts don't end up scattered all over the place.

power breaks stuff but that tcase will not break. not even kinda. those axles however...

 

[Nay]

The engine it was designed for puts out 275ftlbs torque. The EROD engine puts out 425. No one can honestly say they would never punch it. All I'm saying is everything has designed tolerances and when swaping in more hp/tq, one needs to make sure the other parts don't end up scattered all over the place.

Yea, I was wondering if you knew something specific. As Dusty points out, I'd worry more about the axles than the case - you're going to snap a rear axle or grenade a birf or blow a shaft u-joint before you blow the case unless you are really unlucky.

All of it was presumably designed to hold up to supercharger power and has done so reliably for years. That's why I wouldn't drop down to a 60 series case - I've seen one grenade on the trail behind a V8 swap.

I'd still do the 5.3 - I'm not an engine guy and have no real use for that kind of power, and the 5.3 specs are very nicely suited for a truck the size and weight of the 80, especially one kept relatively light like mine.

I figure at some point somebody takes the to-be 5.3 LS3 EROD and creates the extras for the 80. For something in the range of $10K you have a drop in solution with a 2 yr/50K mileage warranty, emissions compliant in all 50, pushing an 80 series Cruiser that is going to feel brand new, with mechanics everywhere knowledgeable on the platform.

Now how fawking cool would that be?

 

[kirk]

Horsepower TV had the LS3 EROD and it threw 495 on the dyno. It sure would be nice to have a engine like that but I think that would be a little beyond what was meant for the 80's tcase.

Kirk, did you fab that bracket to relocate your windshield wiper bottle?

MR SLEE has those brackets in stock ready to go! Sleeoffroad.com

 

[Cyril Jeff]

wow, great build, subscribed!

 

[kirk]

After some research tonight I believe the next try on the oil pan is a 05-08 ls2 corvette oil pan. It has the oil filter on the driver side away from the driveshaft and the overall depth is as shallow as it gets.

 

[kirk]

Here is my mockup for the engine mounts. They were close. Couple of tweaks to them and I should be able to have them in this week. The rubber is from the trailblazer ss and I kept the concept of how they fit up similar to how gm had them mounted to the ls2.

 

[MANUCHAO]

Nice build up.. any chance you could post pics of the motor mounts welded into place on the frame.....

Thanks in advance !!!

 

[kirk]

Nice build up.. any chance you could post pics of the motor mounts welded into place on the frame.....

Thanks in advance !!!

Sure will.

 

[pzary3233]

Looking good!

Those mounts are very similar to the Advance Adapter universal mounts. however I like your "boxed" approach a lot more.

I also like the use of OEM stuff. With my current swap (not an '80) I am utilizing as much of the OEM parts as possible to make a road side repair easier. That is something that few people who do these swaps think about.

 

[kirk]

Looking good!

Those mounts are very similar to the Advance Adapter universal mounts. however I like your "boxed" approach a lot more.

I also like the use of OEM stuff. With my current swap (not an '80) I am utilizing as much of the OEM parts as possible to make a road side repair easier. That is something that few people who do these swaps think about.

I always trust a OEM designed part over an aftermarket universal. The A/A mounts I have never liked that bushing they have used for years. It must work b/c they have sure sold lots of them to the jeep world.

 

[pzary3233]

agreed the mount is not what I want for this application... Leave that type of isolation to body mounts...

In the marine world that type of mount is used often for power plants.

 

[kirk]

Engine mounts are in. Finally tweaked in all the pieces. I will finish weld once I pull the motor.

I will have these for sale soon. I am going to make about 10 sets and put on the self. Price will be $150 per set powdercoated without bushings.

Kirk

 

[OGBeno]

Awesome work. Beautiful.

I'm going to take a set just to have, even though I have no intention of going domestic.

 

[silverhorse]

How did you level the motor?

 

[97LandCruser]

Along with silverhorse. what is the correct horizontal alignment of engine and tranny? angled forward/backward or flat part of tranny/engine oil pan level with frame?
thanks