Oh man, that is top shelf.
Builds V8 Swap Project Begins!
- Thread starter kirk
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That is top notch as always Kirk.
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Man this makes me want to put my 502 big block in mine. Very nice work!
- Thread starter
- #144
A big block would be difficult. The exhaust routing would be a bear. Barely fit the exhaust in as is. The steering shaft is just in the worst place possible and the frame is narrower than most GM trucks and cars. Also the firewall would need modified on the pass side. My head is very close right now.
It could be done though, and bet the austrailians already have. The weight on the axle would be a big negative for me though. Big blocks are super heavy.
44"s would be a must do with a big block.
Kirk
It could be done though, and bet the austrailians already have. The weight on the axle would be a big negative for me though. Big blocks are super heavy.
44"s would be a must do with a big block.
Kirk
I'm looking to do a V-8 swap on a '92 with the 3FE. I'm planning on going with a SBC/carbureted setup tho. Other than the adaptor, motor mounts, and fan shroud like you have, it should be all plumbing and exhaust, right?
Trying to line up $$ estimates, it would suck so bad to get halfway thru and run out of $$.
Could anyone give me sort of an itemized list of what I'll need? Looking to use a GM crate motor, I have some friends around here who can hook me up with one for fairly cheap.
Kirk: Think that sweet fan shroud and those motor mounts could be for sale sometime soon? Give me an estimate on those if you could.
Thanks!
-Jared
Trying to line up $$ estimates, it would suck so bad to get halfway thru and run out of $$.
Could anyone give me sort of an itemized list of what I'll need? Looking to use a GM crate motor, I have some friends around here who can hook me up with one for fairly cheap.
Kirk: Think that sweet fan shroud and those motor mounts could be for sale sometime soon? Give me an estimate on those if you could.
Thanks!
-Jared
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Supporting Vendor
Waggoner5 said:
I second that...
do you or anyone else know how to change the shift points, reprogram the computer?
what compications will there be with the computer shifting the trans and no OEM engine?
- Thread starter
- #147
Jared,
Other than what you noted the other big items would be EXHAUST, WIRING, AND PLUMBING. the budget can go mild to wild and for the most part the little extras will be more than you think.
I would advise to wait a bit until I am done so you can see all the rest of what I am going through right now. The easy part is getting the engine sitting in there. The big time consuming items are where i am right now. The difference as far as time, cost and reliability/outcome with a swap like this is how you finnish the little things.
As far as a Gm crate motor with a carb, hear me out. So you can get a crate engine cheap, the accessory planning and rigging will suck. I am convinced the best value in ANY swap is buying a complete EFI engine from a junkyard. Youll get everything in one trip, for one price. Buying a running donor is another good path. For the 80 series swap I think the Camaro Accesory locations are the best fit from a gm vehicle.
As far as cost well I would bet I will end up around $4000-4500 out of pocket when its all done. I could do it cheaper and cut corners, but thats not for me. I also as you can see am doing all the work myself and have a few helping hands around my place from time to time.
The engine mounts are for sale, I will need to come up with a price for them. The fan shroud would only work if you are using an LT1 HD cooling setup, b/c the fan is off center so far. I can make one centered, but it would not be cheap.
Other than what you noted the other big items would be EXHAUST, WIRING, AND PLUMBING. the budget can go mild to wild and for the most part the little extras will be more than you think.
I would advise to wait a bit until I am done so you can see all the rest of what I am going through right now. The easy part is getting the engine sitting in there. The big time consuming items are where i am right now. The difference as far as time, cost and reliability/outcome with a swap like this is how you finnish the little things.
As far as a Gm crate motor with a carb, hear me out. So you can get a crate engine cheap, the accessory planning and rigging will suck. I am convinced the best value in ANY swap is buying a complete EFI engine from a junkyard. Youll get everything in one trip, for one price. Buying a running donor is another good path. For the 80 series swap I think the Camaro Accesory locations are the best fit from a gm vehicle.
As far as cost well I would bet I will end up around $4000-4500 out of pocket when its all done. I could do it cheaper and cut corners, but thats not for me. I also as you can see am doing all the work myself and have a few helping hands around my place from time to time.
The engine mounts are for sale, I will need to come up with a price for them. The fan shroud would only work if you are using an LT1 HD cooling setup, b/c the fan is off center so far. I can make one centered, but it would not be cheap.
- Thread starter
- #148
fj40m4 said:
The TCU cannot be reprogammed. It can be told lies through altering the signals going to it. TPS, kickdown and speed sensor are the inputs that need to be massaged to get the transmission to function well with the V8. This is all a plan I have, and have no proof it works yet. I have a few circuits to build and test when the swap is done.
If I fail and cant get the shift points to change I am taking out the factory transmission control TCU and replacing with an aftermarket fully programmable unit that I have been told can operate the A442F for sure.
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Kirk, just joking about the big block. Its my drag race motor in my Vette. Would be nice to have more power though. Great job on your conversion!kirk said:
- Thread starter
- #150
FB Fabworks said:
Thanks on all the compliments,
A big block would be fun though, I have a 96 EFI 454 with a 4L80e setup that I am itching to use for a buggy project. Someday...
Kirk
Texican
s-Moderator
What are the emmisson laws and exhaust law in Ohio?...... cause that would not pass in Tx.......it has to go over the axle and then out from under the vehicle..........and no cats?
- Thread starter
- #153
Texican said:
FAWK THE LAW! I could care less about the law. I looks cool and is functional. We have no emissions testing in the county I live in. As far as getting a ticket for this, oh well.
Kirk
lt-1's water and front optisparks dont mix very well,I did not read all of this thread so i may have missed something, have you thought about a rear distributor conversion ?
We have worked with ALOT of LT-1 conversions in the past and there a wicked powerplant...
We have worked with ALOT of LT-1 conversions in the past and there a wicked powerplant...
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Just finished this thread for the upteenth time, thank you for sharing the experience. Can't wait for the final results.
Do you worry about the exhaust heat so close to the rear tire? I read that you're going to armor it, will that extend it out past the tire or is it just not a concern?
Do you worry about the exhaust heat so close to the rear tire? I read that you're going to armor it, will that extend it out past the tire or is it just not a concern?
- Thread starter
- #156
frankies off road said:
Two options here: Instead of running a vacuum line to the distributor I am running positive air pressure to it from a compressor. This will push away any woter going towrds the distributor.
If that fails, the opti spark goes in the trash and I will convert it to a Northstar ignition.
- Thread starter
- #157
Tuner said:
The exhuast cools and disperses quick. Also the tires act as fan blades to evacuate the exhaust.
Texican
s-Moderator
kirk said:
Excuse me for asking....
- Thread starter
- #159
Texican said:
Thats cool... My vulgar implication is aimed at the law not you texican. The law is a sensitive issue for me. Its my hobby and I dont need some cop with a burr up his rear whining about my pipes. My rig gets trailered b/c I push it hard and try to break when at play so I am seeing less road miles. If I were building this machine to travel america I would attempt to comply with the law.
Kirk
kirk said:
now that's an original thought.
