The best crate motor for the job - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Moody Blues · 01-08-2010, 08:12 AM

I am asking everyone's opinion on what the best crate motor for my truck would be. I have been bouncing between an EFI 572, or the 502 ram jet. My goal is to build the ultimate work truck. It will have to be a daily driver. I have 2 front dana 60 axles that after rebuilding will be going on the truck. The frame will be boxed by the time the motor is purchased. I plan on installing the biggest alternator I can find (amps not girth). I would like it to be fuel injected and gas powered. As soon as I find a 700r4 to rebuild to handle the power that is my tranny of choice, but open to suggestion. The truck will remain looking mostly stock. I will be getting a fisher V-plow to replace the old set up.

bigarmzz · 01-08-2010, 08:57 AM

if your just going to use it as a work truck, and plow with it, why not just buy a gm performance parts 454 w/4l80e trans? save your money, that efi 572 aint cheap

Moody Blues · 01-08-2010, 10:53 AM

I think in the summer time I would like to go to some of the truck pulls. That and I just wanna go big, you know.

ironroad9c1 · 01-08-2010, 11:26 AM

build your own, Its cheaper And it won't be made in Mexico.

smashingchuck · 01-08-2010, 11:27 AM

even still, have you seen the price tag on a 572? You could build a 454, and have enough money left over to buy a whole pulling truck.

Moody Blues · 01-08-2010, 11:47 AM

The 572 I am looking at costs 16,000. The 502 Ram Jet costs 11,000. I have a budget of 30,000 to work with. I know I could go out and a brand new truck but if everyone did that forums like this would loose there place. I am going to wait until next year to start most of the work. I will have more money saved up by then to do the other stuff. I will take a look at the 454 but I really want something with 450 to 500 hp.

gchemist · 01-08-2010, 11:53 AM

You can install a stock 145 amp alternator. I have one on my truck from a 08 truck.
Wow, daily driver with a BB. HMMMM, take a look at the RAM Jet 350. Power and FI dependability. You can build a 383 and add FI. Ram Jet FI works great with a 383. Really consider fuel costs of a daily driver. Don't discount diesel either!!

SCOTI · 01-08-2010, 12:04 PM

A 30K budget? Do a 540 w/a turbo if you must have a big block. Much more power than a 572.

Restrorob · 01-08-2010, 01:00 PM

With a 5 spd and about 475 ponies mine only gets 13 mpg mixed, Just not good enough for me to drive daily.....

Pyrotechnic · 01-08-2010, 01:05 PM

Honestly a Duramax/Allison would do the job much better and get you further down the road for your money. Turbo diesels maintain mileage while pulling, gas engines lose mileage exponentially as you add weight.

Not only that, you just aren't going to get that much life out of a gas engine running it hard all the time. Diesels are designed to be run hard all the time.

If you just have to have a gas engine, try a Vortec 8100. 496 cubic inches and with a cam swap and tune it'll put out massive torque numbers. You can get a low mileage motor for little money.

For this power level, you can forget about a 700R4. Even if you spent a ton of money on it, it just wont last at this power and weight level.

Moody Blues · 01-08-2010, 02:20 PM

I would go with a duramax allison combo but I have heard it is very complicated, and hard to find. The newer efi crate motors are an easy install. I am getting between 10 to 12 mpg right now and 6 to 8 with the plow on and ballast in the back. It will probable get worst when I install the dana 60's because they are 4:56 and the ones I have now are 4:10 I have also got to find a transfer case with a PTO provision. I think I need to slow down and tackle one project at a time. I just like to have a plan so I can make it easier in the future.

dishow · 01-08-2010, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Restrorob

With a 5 spd and about 475 ponies mine only gets 13 mpg mixed, Just not good enough for me to drive daily.....

my five speed with 190 horse stock 350 only gets 12mpg! and is my daily for the winter.ok i have made up my mind...............im gettin a 502 today!

bigarmzz · 01-08-2010, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moody Blues

The 572 I am looking at costs 16,000. The 502 Ram Jet costs 11,000. I have a budget of 30,000 to work with.

did i read that right? you got a $30k budget?

Moody Blues · 01-08-2010, 04:05 PM

Yes you read right but that was a lot of ramen noodle dinner, 12 hour work day, not going to the bar, snow plowing, penny pinching, and not spending foolishly. So I can spend foolishly on my truck. I am not a rich kid, I wasn't born with a silver spoon up my but, and there is no trust fund with my name on it.

68 TT · 01-08-2010, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moody Blues

The 572 I am looking at costs 16,000. The 502 Ram Jet costs 11,000. I have a budget of 30,000 to work with. I know I could go out and a brand new truck but if everyone did that forums like this would loose there place. I am going to wait until next year to start most of the work. I will have more money saved up by then to do the other stuff. I will take a look at the 454 but I really want something with 450 to 500 hp.

The street version of the 572 is 620 hp. For much less money you can get a Merlin 540 complete engine.

http://www.jegs.com/i/World-Products...oductId=758097

Spend the $5000 you save over the 572 crate motor and put it elsewhere in the truck.

swb85 · 01-08-2010, 04:31 PM

$30k? With a budget like that, if you wanna get stupid with the motor (I saw "ultimate truck" in there somewhere) then forget about crate motors.....step up to the plate and do a big boy dart block and build a 632".

Jim85IROC · 01-08-2010, 04:58 PM

With the budget you've got, why not build a pulling truck and buy some POS for a daily driver & plow truck? It seems foolish to piss that kind of money into a daily driver that's going to get wasted by all that road salt.

J_PEPIN87 · 01-08-2010, 06:56 PM

What about a 454 lsx?

BossHogg69 · 01-08-2010, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCOTI

A 30K budget? Do a 540 w/a turbo if you must have a big block. Much more power than a 572.

I was thinking that same exact thing when I read the OP. You could get two reasonably sized turbos that would spool quick and have a beasty motor from idle to redline. You could throw down 800 or 900 lb-ft all day long.

BusinessProfessor · 01-08-2010, 07:02 PM

WOWeee!!!!

...and I thought my GM 350 stock crate engine was the Cat's Meow!!!

68 TT · 01-08-2010, 07:22 PM

How about an LS7?

http://www.sdpc2000.com/details/gm-p...parts/17802397

Less money than the 572 and way cooler. Can you say titanium connecting rods?

Or an LS3 with a pair of turbos would cost even less and build more power.

http://www.sdpc2000.com/catalog/ls-g...-crate-engines

clinebarger · 01-08-2010, 07:54 PM

Cummins 6BT with a NV5600. Not complicated, there not computer controlled,
easier to work on than a duramax. For a plow truck with todays fuel prices diesel is the way to go.

Matt Man · 01-08-2010, 09:05 PM

are you kidding me 30 grand? i would no doubt in my mind throw a cummins 6bt and a nv4500 or 5600 in my truck and get 20mpg with 700hp...

clinebarger · 01-08-2010, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Man

are you kidding me 30 grand? i would no doubt in my mind throw a cummins 6bt and a nv4500 or 5600 in my truck and get 20mpg with 700hp...

700HP and 20MPG thats stretching it a bit.....

Matt Man · 01-09-2010, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clinebarger

700HP and 20MPG thats stretching it a bit.....

your right maybe not 20 but get better gas mileage than a big block.

01-08-2010, 08:12 AM	#1
Moody Blues Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Boothbay Harbor Posts: 50	The best crate motor for the job I am asking everyone's opinion on what the best crate motor for my truck would be. I have been bouncing between an EFI 572, or the 502 ram jet. My goal is to build the ultimate work truck. It will have to be a daily driver. I have 2 front dana 60 axles that after rebuilding will be going on the truck. The frame will be boxed by the time the motor is purchased. I plan on installing the biggest alternator I can find (amps not girth). I would like it to be fuel injected and gas powered. As soon as I find a 700r4 to rebuild to handle the power that is my tranny of choice, but open to suggestion. The truck will remain looking mostly stock. I will be getting a fisher V-plow to replace the old set up.

01-08-2010, 08:57 AM	#2
bigarmzz Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Elkins, West Virginia Posts: 2,542	Re: The best crate motor for the job if your just going to use it as a work truck, and plow with it, why not just buy a gm performance parts 454 w/4l80e trans? save your money, that efi 572 aint cheap __________________ 1987 350 TBI lowered 5/7

01-08-2010, 10:53 AM	#3
Moody Blues Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Boothbay Harbor Posts: 50	Re: The best crate motor for the job I think in the summer time I would like to go to some of the truck pulls. That and I just wanna go big, you know.

01-08-2010, 11:26 AM	#4
ironroad9c1 Master Hater Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Temple,Tx. Posts: 402	Re: The best crate motor for the job build your own, Its cheaper And it won't be made in Mexico. Last edited by ironroad9c1; 01-08-2010 at 11:27 AM.

01-08-2010, 11:27 AM	#5
smashingchuck It'd be alot cooler if you did Join Date: May 2003 Location: Three Rivers, MI Posts: 2,345	Re: The best crate motor for the job even still, have you seen the price tag on a 572? You could build a 454, and have enough money left over to buy a whole pulling truck. __________________ 78 Build Thread 4Runner Build

01-08-2010, 11:47 AM	#6
Moody Blues Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Boothbay Harbor Posts: 50	Re: The best crate motor for the job The 572 I am looking at costs 16,000. The 502 Ram Jet costs 11,000. I have a budget of 30,000 to work with. I know I could go out and a brand new truck but if everyone did that forums like this would loose there place. I am going to wait until next year to start most of the work. I will have more money saved up by then to do the other stuff. I will take a look at the 454 but I really want something with 450 to 500 hp.

01-08-2010, 11:53 AM	#7
gchemist BAD BOW-Silverado XST Join Date: May 2000 Location: Senior Member from Austin, TX Posts: 6,431	Re: The best crate motor for the job You can install a stock 145 amp alternator. I have one on my truck from a 08 truck. Wow, daily driver with a BB. HMMMM, take a look at the RAM Jet 350. Power and FI dependability. You can build a 383 and add FI. Ram Jet FI works great with a 383. Really consider fuel costs of a daily driver. Don't discount diesel either!! __________________ Gerardo a.k.a. Mad Chemist Silverado XST videos

01-08-2010, 12:04 PM	#8
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,064	Re: The best crate motor for the job A 30K budget? Do a 540 w/a turbo if you must have a big block. Much more power than a 572. __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

01-08-2010, 01:00 PM	#9
Restrorob The One And Only !!! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hole in the woods Florida Posts: 4,567	Re: The best crate motor for the job With a 5 spd and about 475 ponies mine only gets 13 mpg mixed, Just not good enough for me to drive daily..... __________________ 93 Jeep XJ 88 Buick La Sabra Toys; 88 TA-GTA in the works.... 97 GMC Ext. Cab 502 Crate 5 Spd......Sucks Gas But Haulz Azz ! The primary function of an Engineer is to make it difficult for the Fabricator and impossible for the Mechanic. *"Why go out preserved when you can go out beat up, worn out, sliding in sideways screaming, Holy Sh!t What A Ride" !!!*

01-08-2010, 01:05 PM	#10
Pyrotechnic Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 3,930	Re: The best crate motor for the job Honestly a Duramax/Allison would do the job much better and get you further down the road for your money. Turbo diesels maintain mileage while pulling, gas engines lose mileage exponentially as you add weight. Not only that, you just aren't going to get that much life out of a gas engine running it hard all the time. Diesels are designed to be run hard all the time. If you just have to have a gas engine, try a Vortec 8100. 496 cubic inches and with a cam swap and tune it'll put out massive torque numbers. You can get a low mileage motor for little money. For this power level, you can forget about a 700R4. Even if you spent a ton of money on it, it just wont last at this power and weight level. __________________ 1977 GMC Sierra Grande Last edited by Pyrotechnic; 01-08-2010 at 01:07 PM.

01-08-2010, 02:20 PM	#11
Moody Blues Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Boothbay Harbor Posts: 50	Re: The best crate motor for the job I would go with a duramax allison combo but I have heard it is very complicated, and hard to find. The newer efi crate motors are an easy install. I am getting between 10 to 12 mpg right now and 6 to 8 with the plow on and ballast in the back. It will probable get worst when I install the dana 60's because they are 4:56 and the ones I have now are 4:10 I have also got to find a transfer case with a PTO provision. I think I need to slow down and tackle one project at a time. I just like to have a plan so I can make it easier in the future.

01-08-2010, 04:05 PM	#14
Moody Blues Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Boothbay Harbor Posts: 50	Re: The best crate motor for the job Yes you read right but that was a lot of ramen noodle dinner, 12 hour work day, not going to the bar, snow plowing, penny pinching, and not spending foolishly. So I can spend foolishly on my truck. I am not a rich kid, I wasn't born with a silver spoon up my but, and there is no trust fund with my name on it. Last edited by Moody Blues; 01-08-2010 at 04:06 PM.

01-08-2010, 04:31 PM	#16
swb85 On a budget like Fred Sanford Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Topeka, KS Posts: 2,031	Re: The best crate motor for the job $30k? With a budget like that, if you wanna get stupid with the motor (I saw "ultimate truck" in there somewhere) then forget about crate motors.....step up to the plate and do a big boy dart block and build a 632". __________________ '85 Silverado swb: 383 stroker, 10.5:1, vortec heads, 232/238 roller cam, RPM air gap, performer 750 carb, stainless longtubes, 3" duals/super 44's, T56/4.11 383ci build / exterior refresh thread '98 Camaro z28: 370ci twin turbo 370ci build '01 Tahoe LT 4x4: 5.3, longtubes/ory, magnaflow duals, custom tune....wife's DD

01-08-2010, 04:58 PM	#17
Jim85IROC Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Readsboro, VT Posts: 502	Re: The best crate motor for the job With the budget you've got, why not build a pulling truck and buy some POS for a daily driver & plow truck? It seems foolish to piss that kind of money into a daily driver that's going to get wasted by all that road salt. __________________ 1987 GMC Sierra Classic 3500 454 TH400 My Sounddomain Page

01-08-2010, 06:56 PM	#18
J_PEPIN87 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: PASADENA,TX Posts: 206	Re: The best crate motor for the job What about a 454 lsx?



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01-08-2010, 07:02 PM	#20
BusinessProfessor Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Staten Island, NY Posts: 109	Re: The best crate motor for the job WOWeee!!!! ...and I thought my GM 350 stock crate engine was the Cat's Meow!!! __________________

01-08-2010, 07:22 PM	#21
68 TT Still plays with trucks Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 3,556	Re: The best crate motor for the job How about an LS7? http://www.sdpc2000.com/details/gm-p...parts/17802397 Less money than the 572 and way cooler. Can you say titanium connecting rods? Or an LS3 with a pair of turbos would cost even less and build more power. http://www.sdpc2000.com/catalog/ls-g...-crate-engines __________________ miSSed opportunity - ground up creation of an AWD 1994 454 SS that never was http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=795577 69 C10 shortbed stepside 400 small block - built like what a super sport truck could have been 69 K20 lwb TBI 350 4L60E NP208 14-bolt Dana-44 w/disc 68 Camaro SS / RS 500hp 439 inch roller cam big block 4L80E 79 Malibu TPI 350 4L60 w/ Z28 steering & sway bars

01-08-2010, 07:54 PM	#22
clinebarger Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 6,370	Re: The best crate motor for the job Cummins 6BT with a NV5600. Not complicated, there not computer controlled, easier to work on than a duramax. For a plow truck with todays fuel prices diesel is the way to go.

01-08-2010, 09:05 PM	#23
Matt Man Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Buhl, Idaho Posts: 1,438	Re: The best crate motor for the job are you kidding me 30 grand? i would no doubt in my mind throw a cummins 6bt and a nv4500 or 5600 in my truck and get 20mpg with 700hp... __________________ 86 c30 crew cab dually 454/400 4/6 drop SOLD 1-8-11 1981 chevy K10 short Bed Scottsdale SOLD 10-26-2020 67 GMC Stepside Straight six/3 on the tree "The Peach" 2020 Silverado Double Cab LT Z71 5.3 8 speed Daily Driver K10 build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=671934 The Peach build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=733903

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