Engine and drivetrain options

[Fixwhataintbroke]

Which would you do and why? The idea of fuel injection and an overdrive transmission really appeals to me on my 79 C30 w/ 454 and Th400. From a price perspective, leaving it stock would be cheapest (free), followed by an ls swap, then ls swap with tranny, and then aftermarket would be most expensive in my books.

Leave it be. (easy and free)

Aftermarket efi and retain th400 (not much work to do, somewhat expensive)

Keep it carbed but install an overdrive tranny (not very expensive, more modifcation than above)

Aftermarket efi AND overdrive tranny (bit more work and starting to get quite spendy)

Ls based engine with overdrive tranny (most amount of work, can be done for same price or less than just aftermarket efi)

Ls based engine with th400. (good deal of work, can be done for less than aftermarket efi.

[77ChevySharkBite]

I'm going to answer this, I just want to know what your plans for the truck are, I just did a quick read of your build thread and when I ask plans what I am meaning what is your intended use for it?

[V30 mongo]

Rember this: The older it gets and the more it is in original condition, the more it's worth because they will be harder to find in original condition. The more you change things from original the more it looks like to others is "just one more hacked up old truck"

[Fixwhataintbroke]

Originally Posted by 77ChevySharkBite

I'm going to answer this, I just want to know what your plans for the truck are, I just did a quick read of your build thread and when I ask plans what I am meaning what is your intended use for it?

Basically just to keep it as a nice DD and stay very reliable while having some modern upgrades.

Originally Posted by V30 mongo

Rember this: The older it gets and the more it is in original condition, the more it's worth because they will be harder to find in original condition. The more you change things from original the more it looks like to others is "just one more hacked up old truck"

you make a very good point, and I will admit, minus my door being messed up from a hit an run, and a hacked up radio install, this truck is still pretty mint.

[77ChevySharkBite]

Well my suggestion then would be look for an late 80's early 90's TBI(throttle body injection) and 700r4 and go with that in my eyes that would be your best bet. You could probably search CL or even junkyards for the set up and can probably find a 700r4 fairly cheap and it would be a reliable 454 w/overdrive tranny.
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[king-918]

Sorry to break to you but these trucks will never reach the value of a real classic, and even if someone disagrees remember who says we will live long enough to see that day. Build it to your hearts content
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[07XCSBZ71]

What good is value, if it bores the piss out of you to drive it. I voted LS/OD.

[andrewmp6]

If it was me diesel swap 12 valve cummins 4l80e but out of whats listed lq4 the 6.0 from a truck and 4l80e so you have a heavy trans in case you never need to pull or haul stuff.

[Desert1957]

It all comes down to two things.....

What you want and what can you afford

There is usually a BIG difference between the two.

Desert

[donut]

Words of wisdom there...

[ironroad9c1]

LT1 is better than LS anyday..

[andrewmp6]

Ironroad yeah tell you have a water pump go bad and it takes out the optispark with it.

[ironroad9c1]

I have never had a opti failure due to moisture...ever,but I do only use 94 and up LT1's with the vented opti, Never use a non vented 93 and down opti , the engines are fine, but they need to be swapped over to a vented opti ASAP if you get one for a good deal. also Iron headed B and D body LT1's flow 20% more on the heads vs the camaro and vette aluminum headed engines.I have had cars with over 200k on the opti. biggest thing that ruins the opti is not changing the plug wires. ,plus you can get LT1 engines CHEAP.

[aotte1]

Just FYI- no expert- did have water pump failure on 96' Impala SS at about 30K miles, that took out distributer per Chriswell Chevy dealer. Purchased car new in June 05' from them when 96' ordering became available, kept until 2009 with about 100K miles, no problems once they fixed that along w/ several other issues at that time. It was my driver when new for promotion at work, my wife got new 97 Surburban for her driver in 1997. Turned out she did not like driving it, so we traded vehicles and it became her driver. Should have know that would happen. When I was in school and working, bicycled to work and classes, she drove my 1968 big block SS/RS Camaro that I bought new in high school. Told stories at dinner of all the guys she stop light raced that day. That car was replace by a 1973 Super Cheyenne.

On to the question, new owner of 1986, SWB truck, similar question I am reviewing for new truck to me. For now gathering a lot of info, especially here on this site. Range of possibilities is similar to what other have, original to latest GM SBC and everything in between.

Current thinking is to keep it more original ( that is just how I am) with some minor internal engine changes.

Les

[motornut]

I'd go aftermarket EFI and an OD tranny
I thought about switching my TBI 88 into my carbed 78 but figured ,
still old parts,and it was hacked up by PO

[tinydb84]

Originally Posted by V30 mongo

Rember this: The older it gets and the more it is in original condition, the more it's worth because they will be harder to find in original condition. The more you change things from original the more it looks like to others is "just one more hacked up old truck"

I don't think anyone is going to look for a 79 C30 pick up. Not as a classic or resto. I think that a modern upgrade like an LS/OD would be worth more if done correctly. Also you will likely come out ahead with the improvement in gas mileage.