Vortec question - what parts do I need from donor vehicle?

[JohnCapoccia]

Hello everyone, I'm going to take the plunge and convert my '89 FJ62. I found a low mileage Gen III LR4 4.8 for a decent price. I need to know what items and accessories to take from the donor vehicle aside from the usual harness, ECM. I live in SoCal, so I need to pass California smog. I've looked through the various Vortec swap threads, but there's sooooo much to go through! Can anyone tell me off the top of their head what I need??

Thanks!

 

[MANUCHAO]

OME: Engine, engine mounts, tranny, harness, exhaust manifold, catalytic converters, gas pedal with harness, and module, ecu, all evaporation equipment. So basically the half cut of the donor rig..

 

[PortFJ62]

I would do a 5.3 or a 6.0.

 

[ander42b]

Johncapoccia,

We can't give you a list of parts that you need until you hit on some of the direction you are wanting to go with the V8 conversion.
1) what type of transmission are you going to use?
1)A manual ..........Chevy or Toyota. What type of clutch Chevy or Toyota?????
2) single or duel exhaust?
3) electric fans or mechanical?
4) Toyota radiator or after market ?
5) snorkel or no snorkel ----- cold air intake ????
6) transfer case ?? Toyota, GM or Atlas ??

Check out Advance adapters conversation table for the land cruise. Also call Summit Racing and talk with the technical support about developing a fuel delivery system. Slteath conversions for radiator hose adapters ans VSS unit. Jason

 

[Flipper1938]

I have heard, that to be smog legal, you need the automatic transmission if the donor vehicle was an automatic.

 

[JohnCapoccia]

OME: Engine, engine mounts, tranny, harness, exhaust manifold, catalytic converters, gas pedal with harness, and module, ecu, all evaporation equipment. So basically the half cut of the donor rig..

Thanks, The Gen III is a throttle by wire? Also, I remember reading somewhere on this forum that in California, you need the fuel tank float mechanism because that's considered part of the emission controls. I thought there was someone in CA that would modify it to work with the Cruiser tank.

 

[JohnCapoccia]

I would do a 5.3 or a 6.0.

I've read many comments saying the same thing. I keep going back to the fact that the 4.8 has plenty of HP and torque. I used to have a '95 silverado with a 5.0 and it had plenty of power compared to the FJ62. The Gen II 4.8 is rated at 285 HP and 295 lb-ft of torque. That's plenty for what I need.

 

[JohnCapoccia]

Johncapoccia,

We can't give you a list of parts that you need until you hit on some of the direction you are wanting to go with the V8 conversion.
1) what type of transmission are you going to use?
1)A manual ..........Chevy or Toyota. What type of clutch Chevy or Toyota?????
2) single or duel exhaust?
3) electric fans or mechanical?
4) Toyota radiator or after market ?
5) snorkel or no snorkel ----- cold air intake ????
6) transfer case ?? Toyota, GM or Atlas ??

Check out Advance adapters conversation table for the land cruise. Also call Summit Racing and talk with the technical support about developing a fuel delivery system. Slteath conversions for radiator hose adapters ans VSS unit. Jason

Thanks for the suppliers. I'm buying the 4L60E tranny that's mated to the motor. I haven't made any decisions on the exhaust. I'll just do what is necessary to get it to pass smog. I don't see why I wouldn't use the fan that's on the Vortec and build a shroud. No snorkel, I'll try to stay as stock as possible, and I'll buy an adapter to use the existing transfer case. Nothing fancy, my truck is fairly stock except for an OME suspension and a rear locker.

Can't I use the existing FJ62 fuel pump?

 

[MANUCHAO]

With a 4.8 & a 6.0 (maybe a 6.2) you can use the manual tranny with a 5.3 you gotta run an auto tranny (here in CA).
You only have to mimic what, or how the donor vehicle had the evap system.
So as long you don't have any pending codes when you go see the REF you'll be aight......

I would highly suggest you pay a visit to your local REF.
You will be surprised how much info they can provide, and help yah do it right the first time.
They can also clear up all the hearsay you read in forums like this....

 

[NCFJ]

I do not do CA legal swaps, I don't have to in this part of the world and my customers to this point don't care.

That being said, I have never bought a take out motor yet that did not come with the fuel tank module, I.E pump, fuel gauge sender and any emission equipment, get the body side of the pig tail too. It's all in a package. Not all Gen III are drive by wire, nothing wrong with it either, just get the pedal and it's unit, they are matched.

If it attaches anywhere on the motor, all wiring, vacuum tubes and whatever they attach to. Forget the motor mounts, they are a PIA to try to re use.

Go to where you will have it inspected and speak with the (referee) I think that is what you guys call them. Ask them what they are looking for, be specific, take notes. Get whatever paper work they have as guide lines and high-lite stuff in front of him/her. If they have an attitude, go some where else or talk to another person there.

Every last bit of this swap is documented and then some, even for CA. I would almost guarantee that there is a forum somewhere that outlines what is required and how to pass CA testing. Find it and learn it until you know it inside and out. Due Diligence!

 

[NCFJ]

Oh yeah, don't mess with a 4.8 you can get a 5.3 for $1500 . Not a place to be cheap. Give up Starbucks or something for a month

 

[ander42b]

Can't I use the existing FJ62 fuel pump?[/QUOTE]

I believe not. The vortec 5.3 requires a minimum of 54 psi. A lot of guys use the inline pumps.

I say don't do the 4.8 vortec engine. Put a 5.3 or 6.0 and it will be the same price for the parts and conversation. The 4.8 just does not have power that 5.3 or the 6.0 does. I have a 5.3 to a NV4500 to the Toyota transfer case with 3.73 gears in the diff. I would say about 10% of the time I wanted more power. Go with the bigger engine. If I had to do it over again I would go with a 6.0 or 6.2. Jason

 

[daytonadogie]

I'm running the stock FJ62 pump with a 5.3 Vortec with no problems so far. So have a few others on this forum. Drive by wire appeared in trucks in 2003. Go for it and good luck!

 

[pandasfj]

Definitely go bigger! I too would go with a 6.2 if I had to do it over again. If you plan on sound deadner and other add on equipment that puts more weight on the cruiser you'll see how much more hp you wish you had. Good luck..looking forward to seeing your build.

 

[dbleon]

Do what you heart tells you... Sounds like you are on the right track. Fuel delivery is paramount on these; not a place to scrimp. Search Orangefj45 for the trick fuel level sender mod. You must have this for evap to work properly. LONG story short, RUN AN IN-TANK FUEL PUMP SETUP!!!

 

[Elbert]

get as much from the donor vehicle that you can...to include the air filter housing, evap parts, ECM and associated parts mentioned above, all the accessories on teh engine (AC compressor, ps, alt)...don't let the slavage yard cut your hoses or harness, trans cooler if it has one, ps cooler if it has one....

 

[JohnCapoccia]

Thanks for all the great advice! I think I've got enough to work with now.

Regarding all the recommendations to go with the 5.3, I'm struggling to understand. I had a 1995 C1500 with a 5.0L that had 175 HP and 270 ft-lb of torque, and I can't remember ever thinking that I needed more. The Gen II 4.8 is 285 HP and 295 ft-lb, why would I want more?? Basically the stock cruiser has been fine off-road, and for the most part on the highway except when I'm going up a grade. I'm just not understanding how an 80% increase in HP and a 35% increase in torque is going to leave me disappointed? I'm retired, I don't tow a trailer, and I don't get any particular thrill by kicking down and passing people on a grade (I've got a BMW M6 for when I need that type of thrill). The difference in HP with the 5.3 is only 10 HP, and the torque is 10% higher over the 4.8. So why is this such a big deal for everyone? I keep thinking of the famous quote by Mae West "A lot is good, more is better and too much is just right". Is that the case with the 4.8 vs. the 5.3 vs. the 6.0, or is it more a matter of what you do with your truck and you need to plan accordingly?

The main reason I'm interested in this particular engine is that it only has about 85,000 miles on it. I understand that these engines are durable (my old C1500 has 265K on the original engine and tranny), but I value low mileage because it lowers the probability of future failure in all the components including the peripherals. I value that higher than the extra HP.

 

[ItsumoFJ62]

this is off topic but are you planing to tackle this on your own? I'm not to far from you and I'm considering this swap as well but going with a 5.3 If you don't mind I like to come by and check out your progress and give a helping hand if needed when you start. Be nice to meet a fellow cruiser and see what your parts list and price break down is... ect ect...

 

[Elbert]

5.3 makes more power and is at the same or competitive price. The 5.3 is the mainstream engine for the 1/2 ton GM pickup and probably makes up +85% of the population. Other than that I understand the configurations to be the same. If you have a good deal on a 4.8 then move on with that....as long as their are no issues with the ECM programming or aftermarket support that might in someway be unique to the 4.8. Stock easy power is always good, therefore most prefer the 5.3 over the 4.8.

 

[dbleon]

Hey john, ...Regarddind the difference in power.... yes the numbers are similar between 4.8 and 5.3. What I think you may find in reallity is that the difference in not the numbers so much as the CURVE on which that power (particularly torque) is made. You may find that the 4.8 want to "spin" to be in the sweet spot, whereas the larger displacement motor will make that torque lower in the revs.
That being said I would love to see you try the 4.8, It should move the cruiser around just fine. Maybe with optimal gearing it will be sweet! Good luck!