what engine / trans combo do you have? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

elorenzof · 06-30-2025, 06:02 PM

Getting ready to start a new build. Unsure of what engine and trans to go with. what are you running and are you happy with it? Im thinking an LQ4-LQ9 with 4l60E but im open for options. I have a 1974 GMC Jimmy that im getting ready to tear down and rebuild It does have the original sbc in it but i'd like something better for a daily driver type

Lorenzo

**aotte1** · 07-01-2025, 11:12 PM

86 K10 Silverado short bed fleet; GM Performance 350 HO333 HP With nice built 700R4 transmission, 4:10 gears and Eaton posi. 33x10.50x15 tires 8” steelies front, 12” back. Drives very nice, very slightest throttle and it chirps tires into second. Does have SS headers and 2.5” exhaust tucked up above frame rails. ( lot of fabrication left side getting around trans). Early 90s serpentine belt set up, nice cold AC. For me super nice SBC set up.

rodstored-72 · 07-02-2025, 03:21 PM

'86 C10 SWB with 2011 suburban 5.3 & 2013 4L60E mostly stock. happy with the setup & it is driven daily here on the "east" side. i have 3:73 yokon gears. build is on here.

Ziegelsteinfaust · 07-09-2025, 03:52 AM

I have a Gen2 LT1 with 10-1 compression, Corvette cam, and a 1904 Edelbrock Quadrajet. Backed by a non lock up Th700r4.

**Mike80D** · 07-13-2025, 04:04 PM

I replaced my blown up 305 with a L48 350 pulled from a low mile C3 Corvette that got the LS treatment.

cdub2010 · 07-22-2025, 08:32 PM

77 k25 swapped with a stock 5.3l with 4l80e 241c 4.11 gears. I love this for daily work truck use, no issues with hot summer or freezing winter temps or sitting 3+ months fires up and goes.

**1957 Chief** · 07-25-2025, 01:33 PM

1986 C10 with a 416LS/T56 w/3.50 gears in a 9 inch. Its raced a lot.
Also have a 1984 with an LT4/4L80 with a 3.73 gears in a 12 bolt. It's a daily.

Bubba

65chevysub · 07-25-2025, 07:48 PM

84 Sierra C2500 with a blown TBI 350, and TH400. Got screwed on this engine after the guy said it was a good one. Blew a head gasket and threw a rod within 5 minutes of each other less than 24 hours after he installed it. Unfortunately he won't fix the problem

rdc72 · 07-29-2025, 09:52 AM

My 83 has an LQ4/4L60E, headers, Truck Norris Cam, new springs, seals, rocker arms, with Holley terminator X Max controlling it. It is really good, the pull it has is amazing, not a race truck, but a fun get down the road truck. The 4l60e has great gearing for low end torque, and highway cruising if built by a quality trans dude, they hold up just fine, but I am not at the track laying rubber every weekend either.

**MJN** · 07-29-2025, 03:32 PM

My '74 K20 has the original 350/SM465/NP205, its simple and reliable. Its not a rocket ship but it does pickup truck things and will cruise in the left lane without an issue.

Pontiac1976 · 07-29-2025, 09:25 PM

Well your trans set up would be pretty nice. I have TH350 rebuilt now going to put a 700R4. Finnish the work on the truck.

06-30-2025, 06:02 PM	#1
elorenzof Registered User Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Anthem AZ Posts: 288	what engine / trans combo do you have? Getting ready to start a new build. Unsure of what engine and trans to go with. what are you running and are you happy with it? Im thinking an LQ4-LQ9 with 4l60E but im open for options. I have a 1974 GMC Jimmy that im getting ready to tear down and rebuild It does have the original sbc in it but i'd like something better for a daily driver type Lorenzo

07-01-2025, 11:12 PM	#2
aotte1 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: lousiville Ky Posts: 2,671	Re: what engine / trans combo do you have? 86 K10 Silverado short bed fleet; GM Performance 350 HO333 HP With nice built 700R4 transmission, 4:10 gears and Eaton posi. 33x10.50x15 tires 8” steelies front, 12” back. Drives very nice, very slightest throttle and it chirps tires into second. Does have SS headers and 2.5” exhaust tucked up above frame rails. ( lot of fabrication left side getting around trans). Early 90s serpentine belt set up, nice cold AC. For me super nice SBC set up. Last edited by aotte1; 07-01-2025 at 11:21 PM.

07-02-2025, 03:21 PM	#3
rodstored-72 chevy truck fan Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Gilbert, arizona 85298 Posts: 2,096	Re: what engine / trans combo do you have? '86 C10 SWB with 2011 suburban 5.3 & 2013 4L60E mostly stock. happy with the setup & it is driven daily here on the "east" side. i have 3:73 yokon gears. build is on here.

07-09-2025, 03:52 AM	#4
Ziegelsteinfaust Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Temple City Posts: 3,838	Re: what engine / trans combo do you have? I have a Gen2 LT1 with 10-1 compression, Corvette cam, and a 1904 Edelbrock Quadrajet. Backed by a non lock up Th700r4.

07-13-2025, 04:04 PM	#5
Mike80D Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: Crab Orchard KY Posts: 443	Re: what engine / trans combo do you have? I replaced my blown up 305 with a L48 350 pulled from a low mile C3 Corvette that got the LS treatment. __________________ 1978 Scottsdale Life’s a garden. Dig it.

07-22-2025, 08:32 PM	#6
cdub2010 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: detroit mi Posts: 212	Re: what engine / trans combo do you have? 77 k25 swapped with a stock 5.3l with 4l80e 241c 4.11 gears. I love this for daily work truck use, no issues with hot summer or freezing winter temps or sitting 3+ months fires up and goes.

07-25-2025, 01:33 PM	#7
1957 Chief Retired USAF Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Beebe, AR Posts: 470	Re: what engine / trans combo do you have? 1986 C10 with a 416LS/T56 w/3.50 gears in a 9 inch. Its raced a lot. Also have a 1984 with an LT4/4L80 with a 3.73 gears in a 12 bolt. It's a daily. Bubba

07-25-2025, 07:48 PM	#8
65chevysub Registered User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Cottonwood, Arizona Posts: 1,397	Re: what engine / trans combo do you have? 84 Sierra C2500 with a blown TBI 350, and TH400. Got screwed on this engine after the guy said it was a good one. Blew a head gasket and threw a rod within 5 minutes of each other less than 24 hours after he installed it. Unfortunately he won't fix the problem

07-29-2025, 09:52 AM	#9
rdc72 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Waynesville, MO Posts: 54	Re: what engine / trans combo do you have? My 83 has an LQ4/4L60E, headers, Truck Norris Cam, new springs, seals, rocker arms, with Holley terminator X Max controlling it. It is really good, the pull it has is amazing, not a race truck, but a fun get down the road truck. The 4l60e has great gearing for low end torque, and highway cruising if built by a quality trans dude, they hold up just fine, but I am not at the track laying rubber every weekend either.

07-29-2025, 03:32 PM	#10
MJN Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Maquoketa, Ia/ Orr, Mn Posts: 3,257	Re: what engine / trans combo do you have? My '74 K20 has the original 350/SM465/NP205, its simple and reliable. Its not a rocket ship but it does pickup truck things and will cruise in the left lane without an issue. __________________ '51 South Bend Model "9A" '56 Chevy 3600 NAPCO '74 Chevy Cheyenne Super K20-restored on 37's '72 GMC Sierra Custom K2500- in progress '08 GMC Envoy Denali '12 GMC Sierra 2500HD Denali '17 GMC Yukon XL VCCA member #58596 http://www.nohrco.com

07-29-2025, 09:25 PM	#11
Pontiac1976 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 803	Re: what engine / trans combo do you have? Well your trans set up would be pretty nice. I have TH350 rebuilt now going to put a 700R4. Finnish the work on the truck. __________________ 1977 REG cab Long Bed with a 1984 Front Clip, 82 305 .60 over 9.0.1 flat top pistons, 4bbl, TH350, w/84 SS-intake & cam , w/ 1977 big block rad, 1975 gear box, 1984 master w/ metric fittings top & SAE fitting @ portion block, 1975 3.42 gear open diff. Duel 77-87 Factory air cleaner, duel inlet from rad support . Down sized 9' to new 8' Steel flat bed Was a 77 454 w/308 gear. Taken out 550 lbs. up front with motor clip change.



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.