6.0 or Bust!!!

[menace121978]

mine was $2,500 w/ 4l80e.... 100k on motor/ 60k on tranny. you low milage guys suck!

[buckshot305]

Got some great news to report... I sold my 2500HD tonight, and I got my asking price which leaves me with a pretty good chunk of change after its paid off. I may be starting on my swap sooner than I had expected!

Since everyone's chiming in on the going rate for 6.0s - are those prices for motor and trans or just the motor? 79GMC5.3 - where did you get your combo? I guess I am now in the hunt for a 6.0 and 4L80 (since no one talked me into a t56 yet). I was quoted $2700 for a low mile LQ4/4L80 combo at Hot Rod Revolution in Cumming. That sounds high to me, but it may be a good deal if I negotiate with him to include his mounts, modify my harness and tune my ecm as a package deal. Who should I go to first for a good deal?

Thanks,
Travis

[bigdnew]

Originally Posted by buckshot305

Got some great news to report... I sold my 2500HD tonight, and I got my asking price which leaves me with a pretty good chunk of change after its paid off. I may be starting on my swap sooner than I had expected!

Since everyone's chiming in on the going rate for 6.0s - are those prices for motor and trans or just the motor? 79GMC5.3 - where did you get your combo? I guess I am now in the hunt for a 6.0 and 4L80 (since no one talked me into a t56 yet). I was quoted $2700 for a low mile LQ4/4L80 combo at Hot Rod Revolution in Cumming. That sounds high to me, but it may be a good deal if I negotiate with him to include his mounts, modify my harness and tune my ecm as a package deal. Who should I go to first for a good deal?

Thanks,
Travis

I have $2000.00 invested in everything. LQ4/4L80E, harness, ecm, pedal, tac module for drive by wire- Everything. Let me clarify I purchased a 4L80 set up for a 4X4. I had to have it coverted to a 2 wheel.

Depends what exactley is low mile but it sounds like an ok deal.

[buckshot305]

Originally Posted by bigdnew

I have $2000.00 invested in everything. LQ4/4L80E, harness, ecm, pedal, tac module for drive by wire- Everything.

Where did you get everything? Thanks

[bigdnew]

I picked up mine in Dallas, TX. I will call him tomorrow for you and see if he has his sights on any more trucks with this setup. I found one the other day in Dallas and posted it on the parts forum but the dude sold it this morning.

[79gmc5.3]

Originally Posted by buckshot305

Got some great news to report... I sold my 2500HD tonight, and I got my asking price which leaves me with a pretty good chunk of change after its paid off. I may be starting on my swap sooner than I had expected!

Since everyone's chiming in on the going rate for 6.0s - are those prices for motor and trans or just the motor? 79GMC5.3 - where did you get your combo? I guess I am now in the hunt for a 6.0 and 4L80 (since no one talked me into a t56 yet). I was quoted $2700 for a low mile LQ4/4L80 combo at Hot Rod Revolution in Cumming. That sounds high to me, but it may be a good deal if I negotiate with him to include his mounts, modify my harness and tune my ecm as a package deal. Who should I go to first for a good deal?

Thanks,
Travis

Hey Travis. My motor, harness, and ECM was $1500.00 from ebay but the guy was in Stone Mt. I have the 4l60E / converter that was $350.00 and my reworked harness and flashed ECM was $360 from W4M Performance. I think if you could get everything for $2500-$2700 that would be a killer deal. Just my .02 worth. But look around on ebay, junk yards, and craigslist. As far as the t56 I am a 52 year old who likes my 5 speed mustang to play around in, but for my truck I want the comfort of the automatic Good luck with the engine. I will look at Crest Truck Parts in Cartersville and see what they have, bought a few parts from them, they seem to be very reasonable. I'll let you know. Just remember the hunt is most of the fun!!!!!!!!

[buckshot305]

Originally Posted by 79gmc5.3

Hey Travis. My motor, harness, and ECM was $1500.00 from ebay but the guy was in Stone Mt. I have the 4l60E / converter that was $350.00 and my reworked harness and flashed ECM was $360 from W4M Performance. I think if you could get everything for $2500-$2700 that would be a killer deal. Just my .02 worth. But look around on ebay, junk yards, and craigslist. As far as the t56 I am a 52 year old who likes my 5 speed mustang to play around in, but for my truck I want the comfort of the automatic Good luck with the engine. I will look at Crest Truck Parts in Cartersville and see what they have, bought a few parts from them, they seem to be very reasonable. I'll let you know. Just remember the hunt is most of the fun!!!!!!!!

Thanks, I'll probably stick with an auto to keep it simple. The guy in Cumming told me he could get a LQ9/4L65 out of a Esclade/Denali for $2600. I still don't know whether I'll go with a 80 or a 65. I would get more power to the ground with the latter, but I want to eventually build my 6.0 into a 408 Forged Stroker, maybe even Forced Induction - who knows? So I may be better off to start with the 80.

[menace121978]

I'd go with the 80 myself buddy. i really dont think the 80 will suck up any "noticeable" power. i hope...

[thump16]

There are some good ones out there. I posted one up last week in the projects forum.

[buckshot305]

Don't get too excited just yet, but there may be LY6/6L90 combo with 26K (I think) in my near future. The LY6 has L92 heads and VVT! I was told that it's good for 380HP stock, and 480HP with nothing but a Mast VVT Cam swap!!!!

What do y'all think? I'm concerned about trans tunnel clearance with the 90, and that the VVT technology hasn't been around in the GenIV's too long. Also, I have no idea what to do about a shifter for the 6spd. It's also a bit more $$$, but in my head it's still a good deal (3500 for complete engine/trans pullout)

[buckshot305]

I've been thinking hard on the 6L90 and the biggest concern I have is the shifter. I believe that they are designed to have a PRNDM Shifter with either a gated console shifter that allows you to manually shift or a Up/Down Button on a column shifter. Neither of these options would look aesthetically correct in a 87 C10. If I had 6 speeds I would want to be able to use them all! A B&M Shifter or something similar would be the ticket if one was available for the 6L80/90. Anyone have any ideas? Maybe a steering wheel mounted paddle shifter? Anyone know how many mechanical detents or positions the 6L's have? I would assume they only have PRND. Brainstorming out loud here, I would appreciate any ideas y'all may have.

Thanks,
Travis

[chevyman95]

Looking forward to watching this build. I am actually right up the road from you in Cumming, GA

[Cherub]

you can get rid of the vvt and just run the motor like a gen 3

[Cherub]

Originally Posted by menace121978

I'd go with the 80 myself buddy. i really dont think the 80 will suck up any "noticeable" power. i hope...

i agree with the stall and you wont know the difference

[buckshot305]

Originally Posted by Cherub

i agree with the stall and you wont know the difference

Yeah, the more I think about it I think I've made up my mind on the 80. How much are a set of used L92 heads going for? I think that in the intrest of saving money I'll stick with the original plan and do a lq4/80 combo. A cam, L92 heads, L76 intake and a 2800-3000 stall converter may be the ticket.

I'm also debating on whether to get the bed Line-x'd, windows re-tinted, and get a UWS Low Profile tool box this weekend or to hold out on that stuff until after I do the swap. One way or the other, some forward progress will be had this weekend! I'm probably gonna go pick up one of two 5 Lug 12 Bolts I've found on CL. One has 3.73s and Limited Slip for 400, the other is a complete axle in unknown condition for 50. I may go with the latter and try my hand at building one myself.

That leads me to my next question. What gears? I'm between 3.73s and 4.10s, leaning heavily towards 4.10s. My 83 has 4.10s with 35s but no OD. My 2500 I just sold had a 6.0/80 with 4.10's and 33s. I will only be making occasional road trips on the highway with this truck, and most of it's driving will be stop light to stop light. I guess I should keep my streak rolling with he 4.10s. All I really want out of this truck is straight line, seat of the pants acceleration. What do y'all think?

[buckshot305]

Not much progress to report this weekend. I pulled the tailgate handle, rods, and latches out because the latches weren't latching all the way and the TG kept falling open on it's own. I fount that the piece on the handle that rotates, pulling the rods and latches in was siezed up. I tried to work it free with PB Blaster, but ended up drilling out the rivet, drilling a 5/16" hole and using a 5/16 x 3/4 Bolt, cut washers, and ny-lock nut to reassemble it. I was able to reuse the nylon washer and spacer that were on it, and it turned out pretty good. I also spent 6 hours pulling an aftermarket remote start system out from behind the dash. It didn't work and it was jerry-rigged when it was installed. Luckily the truck still started when I got done, and everything is much cleaner. I also got a chance to inspect the factory wiring and everything looks fine. Other than the remote start, the wiring is all original, and unaltered.

[buckshot305]

I had Patrick G on LS1Tech spec a cam for my build. This is what he recommended for a bone stock LQ9/4L80/4.10s:

230/238 .600”/.604” 111LSA +4

He also recommended a Yank SS3600 Converter. I told him I wanted an aggressive sounding cam. This looks aggressive on paper!

Let me know what y'all think.

[buckshot305]

I'm getting very close to pulling the trigger on a LQ9/4L80. I keep going back and forth with RetroLSX. I told him I wanted a 80 and he said he found me a 65. I also have a line on a LQ4/80 with 72K for $2500 from Certified Auto. I'm waiting on more detail from them. As soon as I find "the one" I'll throw down, it's just a matter of finding the right deal at this point.

[buckshot305]

Well, I picked up a 5 Lug 12 Bolt this weekend! It was pretty rough, and I only paid $50 for it. It has a 2.76 gear and open carrier. The only thing I needed was the housing and 5x5 shafts. I'm gonna have a set of 4.10s and a Truetrac installed in the next week or so. I am also debating on whether to run discs (which was a nightmare on my 83) or stick with the drums. The biggest reason for running discs would be the cleaner look behind a set of 18 or 20" wheels. I ran a SSBC kit on my 83 and they have never worked right. I can put the truck on jackstands and let it idle in gear and stand on the brake pedal and the rear brakes will not kill the motor, even in 4th gear! I would think that you should be able to tap the pedal and instantly lock up the rear, thus killing the motor. But that's another thread alltogether. If I do run discs, I won't be running SSBC's again. So for those of you with rear discs: what kit should I look at?

Anyways, here are some pics of the housing while I was stripping it down with a wire brush on a angle grinder. (Note - when removing rust with a power tool you should wear at a minimum a dust mask. I am still coughing up rust colored stuff - At least I was smart enough to wear safety glasses and leather gloves!) I'm going to get as many coats of primer and flat black on it as I can squeeze out of 2 cans of each. I'll get those pics up when I'm done.

[buckshot305]

Also, I've got a LQ9/80 combo in the works. I should be swiping the magic card sometime this week!

My plan is to finish sourcing everything by the end of the month, and start on the swap in May, and should be able to knock it out by the end of May. We'll see.

[79gmc5.3]

Sounds good! Keep the pics coming. You won't be disappointed with that LQ9 even in stock form.

[buckshot305]

I finished prepping my housing last night, and then built some saw horses so I didn't ruin the "furniture" any worse. I laid 4 coats of primer, 4 coats of flat black, and 1 coat of polyurethane clear. It turned out great, I hope it stands up. I also took a closer look at my axle shafts and found that the bearing surfaces on both are badly pitted and there are fairly deep groves from the rollers. I think they're trash, but does anyone know if they could be turned on a lathe? Or would too much material have to be removed to salvage these?

[STOCKISH]

They dont look too bad in the pics. You could smooth them out a little with some emery cloth or use "axle saver" bearings that put the roller part of the bearings on a different place on the axle shaft. They work great.

[buckshot305]

Originally Posted by 1972SuperCheyenne

They dont look too bad in the pics. You could smooth them out a little with some emery cloth or use "axle saver" bearings that put the roller part of the bearings on a different place on the axle shaft. They work great.

Thanks! I didn't know if there was a way to salvage these or not. I'll have the shop check them out, but I may end up getting new axles. I couldn't get a good close up of the damage, but it is badly pitted and the grooves look too deep for emery cloth to polish out.

I also spent 20 minutes cleaning up the yoke that came on my new axle, just to find that one of the tabs that keeps the u-joint caps from walking out was broken off. I know from experience that those tabs are there for a reason! I also know that several layers of duct tape around the u-joint works just as well as those tabs! But this isn't that kind of project, so I will be getting a new yoke. It looks like I paid $50 for nothing but a housing.

[menace121978]

Originally Posted by buckshot305

I also know that several layers of duct tape around the u-joint works just as well as those tabs! But this isn't that kind of project