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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Spokane, WA
Posts: 503
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Best and easiest late model engine for a swap?
Hey guys, I am looking for some ideas on late model engines that would swap into our trucks wilth only minor modifications. Also I would like to know what is required and needed to make it happen. I have a 71 C20 with a 350/350, and I plan on keeping the trans.
Thanks for the help ideas...pics would be greeat too! |
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#2 |
Suburban Hick
![]() Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Altoona, IA
Posts: 810
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Re: Best and easiest late model engine for a swap?
Asuuming by late model you mean fuel injection, i would suggest a 350 out of a 87-91 suburban oor blazer, and i think the truck engines were the same in those years. These engines are basically the same as your old one just with throttle body injection and alot of times you can pickup a whole suburban or blazer for around $500, pull the wiring you need and the engine and scrap or part out the rest and make some money back. I've seen it done, won"t really have to modify anything it will just be figuring out the wiring and i think they make aftermarket wiring looms now for lots of applications.
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Mathew 1947 Chevy 3600 1951 GMC 100 1969 Chevy C-10 396/500hp TH400 lowered 4" 1968 Imapla Custom 396/325hp TH400 "Grandmas Car" 1976 Crew Cab 4x4 diesel http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=488505 1978 Chevy K-10 454 1983 S10 4x4 "Bumblb" (Grandpa's truck) 1993 Chevy S10 V8 conversion 1990 Ford Probe Gt 1992 Dodge W-150 "Old Man's Truck" 1992 Pontiac Grand Prix SE 1992 Mercury Grand Marquis-Mercruiser 2000 Ford F150 (Currently my mother drives this) 1946 Farmall H with Stan Hoist loader 1965 John Deere 110 1961 Wheel Horse " Rat Tractor" |
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#3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Valley Center KS
Posts: 3,525
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Re: Best and easiest late model engine for a swap?
Best and easy are both pretty vague when talking about late model engine. But here are some of my opinions:
I think the GenIII engines are great. I've had many of them in stock cars (3 Firebirds with LS1s, Corvette with LS1, 05 Silverado with 5.3L and G8 with 6.0L L76) and now my 68 has a 5.3L in it. To get the engine in, it really doesn't require any permenant modifications. Just use some adapter plates for the motor mounts and possibly move your transmission mount (assuming you're using a OD tranny). The wiring can be complex, but there are companies that can sell you a simplified version that you literally just plug in.....just depends how much you want to spend. On the more classic SBC scene, I put a TPI 350 (L98) from a 88 Camaro in my 72 GMC pickup with a 700R4. I used a painless wiring kit for it, and it wasn't too difficult. I got 18mpg with this engine (I have gotten 22mpg in my 5600lb '05 with a 5.3L...so figure that one out) Overall though, the 5.3L wasn't much more work though. Another option would be a Vortec 350 from about 95-98 full size pickup/tahoe/etc. These are pretty good engines, but the wiring stuff is just as complex as the GenIII stuff and this (IMO) is an inferior engine. So I think you know where my vote is. |
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Portland
Posts: 382
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Re: Best and easiest late model engine for a swap?
Is there anything wrong with your current engine set up? You could, for the $$$$ go with RetroTek. They make Carburator looking TBI set ups. They make a 750CFM version for like $2000.00 It is a complete set up with CPU and harness. I am unsure if that is the most economically way, but it is an option.
Good Luck. |
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#5 |
Between Trucks...
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Los Angeles, CA.
Posts: 3,830
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Re: Best and easiest late model engine for a swap?
L-31 Vortec. 350 with Vortec heads and a roller cam, 1 piece rear main seal. Just need a new flexplate/flywheel and intake.
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Beat it to fit, Paint it to match... ![]() Last edited by Sinister; 12-08-2009 at 05:27 PM. |
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#6 |
Has more rust than truck...
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Ivanhoe, MN
Posts: 2,421
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Re: Best and easiest late model engine for a swap?
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#7 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Spokane, WA
Posts: 503
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Re: Best and easiest late model engine for a swap?
Quote:
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