Vortec Swap worth it ?

[f.monroe]

I can buy a complete 5.7 Vortec and 4L80 with a complete wiring harness . I know the engine is a bolt in ,trans will require a little crossmember movement . Who has done it , Is it worth it ,and how much trouble to convert the engine/trans computer ? It would be a peppy and reliable swap for the 77 I just picked up .
Frank

[Albatrossian]

Get the harness/computer with it too and it really shouldn't be a difficult swap.. maybe you can even get the fusebox out of the donor truck to make it that much easier.

[draggin86]

the fuse box should be attached to the wiring harness

[Albatrossian]

Hey.. you never know with yards.. =)

[f.monroe]

Its not coming from a yard . I can actually bring the truck home and remove what I need here . I have a friend that rebuilds salvage vehicles . He bought this truck but will be parting it .
Frank

[79Silv4x4]

I say definitely worth it. That combo will make a dang nice driver--unless you decide to sell the '77 first (I really like it)

[f.monroe]

I am going to keep the 77 I just bought . I am going to offer the other trucks for sale, but at a price that will make me feel OK if they sell . The trucks will probably start to appear on Ebay soon . The Black one will be the last offered I think since I am in the process of gathering the Coddington Smoothies and intend to lower it a little . I guess I could use them on the blue 77 also.
Frank

[ton*loc]

well the vortec motor is only 260 hp



put a good cam and headers on your 250 and you will be there power wise and save the hassle of the swap

[ton*loc]

well the vortec motor is only 260 hp



put a good cam and headers on your 350 and you will be there power wise and save the hassle of the swap

[Hoods69BadBowTie]

I say go for it, it would make a pretty sweet driver and be very reliable.

[COMP]

Originally Posted by Hoods69BadBowTie

I say go for it, it would make a pretty sweet driver and be very reliable.

and good mpg

[andresco50]

the 5.7 is nice but I love the 5.3 it have 280 hp

[wicked_sky_gazer]

I would also say go for it i had a truck that had one and the best thing i ever did with it was put a Hypertech tuner on it.. i was able to tune a 99 tahoe with a vortec 5.7 to get about 24 mpg on the highway. and surprisingly maintained a little bit of its guts... my future plans also involve something similar to this for my 81

[djracer]

I'd say do it!

[jchav62]

Go for it! My brothers-in-law swear by those engines.. Carlos has one in his 79 and he drives that thing everywhere and he horse beats it too...no problems. Mario has one in a 64, no problems.. Fred has two old trucks with em, a 67 and a 74. Good mileage and dependable. It's worth it, especially if you have a whole donor truck to work with..

[f.monroe]

The reason I am considering it is because the bolt in aspect and the fuel injection . The 4L80 helps also . I could get a 5.3 but I am sure it is a more involved swap . Thanks for the responses ,
Frank

[N2TRUX]

Frank the LSX swap is much more affordable than it once was. When I did the one in my Blazer it was around 10k by the time you got through. These days it's less than half of that.

I LOVE the old Vortec 5.7 and had several of them with well over 200k miles with no problems. On the other hand if I planned to spend the bucks on a truck to keep, I would go with a 5.3 or better yet a 6.0 swap....

[f.monroe]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Frank the LSX swap is much more affordable than it once was. When I did the one in my Blazer it was around 10k by the time you got through. These days it's less than half of that.

I LOVE the old Vortec 5.7 and had several of them with well over 200k miles with no problems. On the other hand if I planned to spend the bucks on a truck to keep, I would go with a 5.3 or better yet a 6.0 swap....

Ken ,
The 6.0 swap would be a potent little engine . I may just use what I have in the garage right now , and save up for a 6L swap in the future . I am a novice at fuel injection but I am sure with help from this board , I could do it if I decide to . I talked to my friend today about it . The truck has almost 100k and I can get the engine and trans, computer and all wiring , complete serpentine setup , etc , for $1250 which seems like a good deal to me . I just wonder what else I need to make it run . Do you have to use any of the interior wiring or is it all under hood ?
Frank

[impalamark]

remember you have to provide an appropriate fuel system to fire the fuel injection electric pump return etc.
wiring needs the computer and harness that is usually in the car
MArk

[N2TRUX]

Frank from what I know on the Vortec conversions, pretty much everything is in the harness and computer that goes under the hood.

While 100k isn't that excessive on these motors, it is on the transmissions. I have run them to 130-160k but that's about it. Anything past 100k and you are running on borrowed time.

Keep in mind I do service my motors at 5k and transmissions at 35k. They might last a long time with out my religious maintenance program, but I doubt they will get the miles I do.

Knowing how you have truck A.D.D. here's what I suggest. Clean the truck up and install what you already have laying around. If you can keep it more than a few months, do a little research on the LSx conversions. Tell your buddy you want a clean low mileage 6.0 and let you know when he finds one.

In the meantime take a look at some of the LSx related forums. You will find that with a cam/head swap the 6.0 will put out 500hp on pump gas and be VERY reliable as well as get decent mileage.

It don't get any better than that...

[f.monroe]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

While 100k isn't that excessive on these motors, it is on the transmissions. I have run them to 130-160k but that's about it. Anything past 100k and you are running on borrowed time.

Keep in mind I do service my motors at 5k and transmissions at 35k. They might last a long time with out my religious maintenance program, but I doubt they will get the miles I do.

Hey Ken , I appreciate the advice about my A.D.D. It is definitely present . I will comment on the trans service . My boss doesnt change trans fluid at all . Wont let us . I have put 345,xxx miles on a 4l80E in a 3/4 ton with a loaded service bed without any problems or servivce . We run trucks to at least 250,000 before we sell them and have never replaced a trans . It works .
Frank

[Captkaos]

6.0L setup can be found out of 2500 trucks/vans etc, you can probably find one (knowing you) for close to $2000 with less miles.

I fell into my 6.0L for $800 ( 40K miles)
I fell into my 4L80E for $125 and had it rebuild for $700...
I dropped $450 on my wiring harness.

My brother recently aquired a 6.0L 10 months ago for $1000 and it had EVERYTHING on it from the fan to the flywheel.

[Reuben]

Frank,
As I have secretly admired your knack for acquiring the cleanest square bodies around, I have to say getting this Vortec would be a bad move in my opinion. I agree with Ken, matter of fact, I have already purchased a 5.3/4L60E for my 81 project. This is the present and future of "I want reliability, decent gas mileage, and great performance out of my square body."
From the looks of it, you do not "cheap out" on the trucks you buy, so why go that route here? In the end it's your decision and you have to choose what's best for you but I would get a LSX.

[djracer]

6.0 and 5.3's are great but the 4l80 is much stronger than a 4l65 the only issue with the vortec 350's is the crank rattle and an intake leak or 2. If he plans to tow with the truck the 350 is better!

[f.monroe]

Thanks for the suggestions guys . I guess for now I will use what I have and save a little money . Then ,when I get ready to go modern , I can sell the running gear in it to help fund the project .
Frank