1989 Chevy Scottsdale k1500 5.7

[Joegutman]

I just purchased my first truck which happens to be a 1989 chevy scottsdale with only 70K miles on her.

Im looking to upgrade the engine a little bit to make it a little more fuel efficiant. Is there any quick and cheap ways to do so?

[ChevLoRay]

Upgrades and speed both cost $$$. How good do you want it to look and/or how fast do you want it to go?

Oh, and our forum!

If you want to check out www.summitracing.com you can find a buncha stuff. Also, www.latemodelrestoration.com has more specific stuff for these trucks, plus other vehicles.

[Joegutman]

Believe it or not for a 20 year old truck this thing Hauls! The V8 feels as though its been an un tapped power. I pushed her off the line and she responded quite well. I also have a v8 mercedes 94 e420 and the chevy handle just as well off the line as my merc did so im used to power. For now im just looking to do simple upgrades. Im thinking that most if not all items in the engine are original. I'm not looking to "pimp" her out, Im using to pull a trailer with a mower so the whole "pimp" thing is kind of out of the question. Im looking to keep most everything original, with an exception of the radio. Im going to put in a cd player under the dash "Hidden". I was looking into changing out the air cleaner but all I could find was the tops for them, an edelbrook. Real nice but I can't seem to find the whole unit as one. Should I change that out for a better cold air intake? This is my first truck and an older truck at that some my knowledge doesn't carry that far, but heck im more than willing to learn!

[ChevLoRay]

K&N, as well as some other companies, make what is called an "FIPK" kit to replace the air intake system with a low-restriction system. The K&N, if you are not familiar with it, is guaranteed for a million miles. It has to be cleaned at 50K intervals, and re-oiled with their proprietary oil but it's no biggee. You truck has a throttle body fuel injection system and that is why all you see available is a top for the air cleaner ass'y. For more dress-up, you will have to replace the air intake system, as I mentioned.

For a radio system, I'd suggest checking out www.crutchfield.com and see what they list as available for your truck. My personal experience with them is nothing short of outstanding. They have installation kits and their technical advisors are tops! They will also assist you in the future if you have questions so they continue to be an asset after the sale.

As for a comparison of your trucks' handling to your Mercedes, Daimer-Benz probably wouldn't be too happy to hear it, but I'm glad you are. The only comparison that I would make between my truck and my wifes' Lexus is that both of them have 4 wheels and keep me dry. No way would I equate the handling of my truck to her car. She can tell the difference!

[Joegutman]

Thanks for the tips. And as for the car to truck feeling. I was strickly going off the power hahaha. any more tips will be hella good for me. Thanks!

[ChevLoRay]

Summit racing has the K&N product line, as well as comparable offerings.


As for the Merc, is the 420 a V-8? I know larger displacement MB's have 'em, but I'm fuzzy on those in that range. A friend of mine has a '74 280SE 2-dr hardtop that sure looks classy in its' light yellow with beige interior.

[Joegutman]

e420 94 V8 just about to hit 250K. Still has a lot to offer but the driver side spring perch is again pulling away from the body. Already welded on one before but the rust is just starting to take her down.

[Joegutman]

Just found the intake kit at auto zone for 310.00$ is that a good price or is there somewhere better?

[ChevLoRay]

Summit Racing has the K&N for 309.99, so your price is competetive. Here's the link.

http://www.summitracing.com/search/?...-3026%20&dds=1

[Joegutman]

Small Problem I have encountered. It may be small and not matter but I just want to check it out. When I am around town everything is all good, but when I jump on the highway and push it to 65 or above the "service Engine light" pops on. When I stop the car and turn it off and then turn it back on it is off again. I was thinking the antifreeze needed refilled, because it was a little low. I filled it last night but then today it did the same thing. The truck still drives and acts the same but I just want to make sure something serious is not happening and I don't know it yet. Also here is a stupid question but with the engine only having just about 70k miles what kind of oil should I put in and how many quarts? I just didn't know if i should do something different for an older engine

[ChevLoRay]

Only 70K miles? Mine is a '96 and has 145K, and that is the LOW mileage vehicle in our home fleet. I use Castrol 5w30 or 10w30, depending on whether is is cold weather or hot weather. The oils that are labeled for High Mileage vehicles don't really mean anything to me. When the vehicle was built, the manufacturer specifed the SAE standard that must be met to be usable in the engine. Whatever that standard is, like SF (or whatever the letters are), then as long as the oil meets that level of performance that SAE says it has to be, then it is good. A high mileage oil may have a little viscosity improver, like STP, in it to reduce oil consumption. If you want to add STP or whatever you like, then do it. But, if it isn't using any oil and you are doing regular interval oil changes, i.e., every 3,000 miles (not annual oil changes), then you should be good. Getting the engine up to temp and getting rid of the condensate is of great importance in keeping the engine free of sludge in the oil.

As for the check engine light, your truck is OBDI. Any code readers that might be connected are not what you find at Auto Zone. There's a way to access the codes and there are several posts on this forum that tell you how. Unless the CPU stores any codes, it's next to impossible to guess why the light came on and especially why it goes out when you shut off and restart the engine. Maybe Bill Gates installed a System Repair softwork patch on your CPU before you bought the truck.

[Joegutman]

I am thinking that the engine may be "new" for only having 70k on her and the previous owner was blind to that fact. Not sure how I could tell but thats what I may be looking at. It is going to hit 70k in about 500 miles so i am going to change it then and keep a nice little running log. Most likely put in the 10 weight since it is still a little warm up here. Would you know how many quarts to put in or would it be more or less standard meaning between 6 and 7. I know my merc takes just under 9.

As for the codes should I just start a general search of codes for my year?

[3quartertime]

5 quarts with a filter change should do it...

I'd suggest for more power you swap it out for one of thse hot rod crate engines. That wimpy 5.7 with regular heads will never make any power!!! When you get that old tired 5.7 out with all those miles on it let me know and I can come take it off your hands. Heck I'd even come help you take that low power turd out!!!

Seriously, my 90 had the same set up and it had plenty of power. My current 88 is pretty tired, but at 260+ miles I'm just glad it still runs!!!

Oh and you've officially committed the worse kind of offense around here.



Welcome to the board!!!

[67HEAVEN]

Originally Posted by Joegutman

Small Problem I have encountered. It may be small and not matter but I just want to check it out. When I am around town everything is all good, but when I jump on the highway and push it to 65 or above the "service Engine light" pops on. When I stop the car and turn it off and then turn it back on it is off again. I was thinking the antifreeze needed refilled, because it was a little low. I filled it last night but then today it did the same thing. The truck still drives and acts the same but I just want to make sure something serious is not happening and I don't know it yet. Also here is a stupid question but with the engine only having just about 70k miles what kind of oil should I put in and how many quarts? I just didn't know if i should do something different for an older engine

My '89 5.7 does exactly the same thing. Someone told me it may have something to do with the distributor?????????????

Next time it happens I'm going to stop by a local garage and have them pull the code.

[Joegutman]

I thought It might have something to do with the air flow like it wasn't getting enough air in the intake. As soon as it stops rainning here I am going to take the assembly apart and clean it. It was sitting for awhile may have something nesting in it. Ill let you know. Im also looking to get pictures posted in the next couple of days to please those that are in wanting.

[Joegutman]

Quick Question. My gear shifter indicator I.E. Park Drive Reverse, on the dash doesn't work. Everything else works fine, I have driven long enough to know which gear im in. Could it be as simple as something needs reconnected or is it the whole indicator thing needs replaced.

Also lately I have been feeling a lot of heat coming into the cabin when on the highway. No my heater is not on in case you were wondering . And of course I still have that service engine light that comes on when I get her up past 60 but goes away if I turn the truck off and turn it back on until the next time I get it up to 60+.

[tvblazer78]

Welocome, but

[Joegutman]

Looking to replace the hood with a custom hood with a scoop on her so i can change out the intake to a cold air. Any options out there for something practical or would it not be a good idea?

[ChevLoRay]

My opinion is that the hood as a unit would be a better product than a scoop mounted to your hood. There aren't a lot of people who have modified their hoods to incorporate a scoop and made it look anything but an add-on. I'm not saying it can't be done, but frequently those add-ons end up being good-looking in the eye of the owner/installer and globbed-on by the non-owner. I have a friend who is a metal wizard, who reclaimed his grandsons' '89 Firebird after it got physically run over across the hood, by another larger vehicle. I'm talking from the right front tire, across to the left windshield post....yep a major body job. Anyway, he picked up a damaged 4-inch cowl hood from an aftermarket parts house nearby and then proceeded to "repair" the hood and modify it with the cowl-induction part w/o the rest of the truck hood. He did a good job, to say the least. I have taken many pix of his other work, but this is one that I don't have.

Check out Stylin' Concepts, among many other vendors, for the different styles of hoods that are available.

[Joegutman]

Well i guess that made my mind up.

Additionally I need to know if my gear shifter indicator is a simple fix or I would have to buy a new unit or something. everything works fine I just can't see if im in drive or anything its stuck on Park. Not a real big issue, been driving long enough to know what gear im in.

[jb1016]

Originally Posted by Joegutman

Small Problem I have encountered. It may be small and not matter but I just want to check it out. When I am around town everything is all good, but when I jump on the highway and push it to 65 or above the "service Engine light" pops on. When I stop the car and turn it off and then turn it back on it is off again.

Originally Posted by 67HEAVEN

My '89 5.7 does exactly the same thing. Someone told me it may have something to do with the distributor?????????????

Next time it happens I'm going to stop by a local garage and have them pull the code.

Mine does the same thing too, but it doesn't store a code. I have no idea what it is either.

And I can't help with your gear indicator problem either. (Sorry, I'm useless) I do want to see some "pichers" though.