6.0 swap??

[Jonny-K5]

i need more power! my stock 89' 350 just aint cuttin it. i go out to the desert several times a month with my bro inlaw, and my truck a dog up the big mountain passes pulling a trailer with dirtbikes. could barely keep up with him when he had a 4banger tacoma. now he's got a brand new v6 tacoma with 250ponies. ive been looking into different options, rebuilding my engine with the usual head/cam/intake combo for more torque, getting a GMcrate 383 and running my TBI on it, buying a TBI friendly 350 or 383 from an engine dealer, or the coolest of them all , the 6.0 swap.

i really ,really want to swap in a 6.0litre. having modern fuel injection would be awesome. here are my problems tho.

1. it would have to pass cali's strict smog laws. this truck will have to stay street legal, shes my DD.not surewhat the requirements are on a swap like this. anyone have solid info on this?

2. i'd like to retain my functioning AC. not sure if that mean adapting my compressor onto the new engine or what.

3. computer. you have to swap the doner's computer right? how big of a job is this?

4. tranny. do you have to run an 4l60 to interact with the computer? can i run my 700r4?

5. price. where is a good outlet for used 6.0's with all the electronics for the swap. what the total cost involved for the swap?

i got a bad feeling this swap could easily get above 10grand.

 

[Jonny-K5]

well, i found the article i was looking for. kinda burst my bubble. still interested in the idea tho, has anyone performed an emissions-legal swap here?

 

[MTBLAZER89]

PM RyanB he has done this swap a couple times now. a 6.0 in his first gen and a 8.1 in a later 80's dually

Here is one he is selling
http://www.norcalbigdawgs.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=8399

 

[dyeager535]

Curious as to what you found out.

If I'm not mistaken, state (federal too?) law for you says that you can swap any engine you want, as long as the displacement was available in your vehicle, right?

I recall that issue coming up with the TPI transplants in California rigs...since trucks had 305's and 350's, those swaps were legal, as long as all the Camaro emissions stuff went on the truck too.

I don't see how the 6L swap could be done legally, but there WAS a 400 offered, that's right around 6.6L...

 

[big83chevy4x4]

the JTR s10 350 swap manual, says how to get it legal in cali. they have built quite a few emission legal s10s with 350s in them that was never available from the factory. it say you need a motor that is newer than the vehicle its going into, and have all the emission stuff from the donor vehicle with the motor. other than that im no help.

4. tranny. do you have to run an 4l60 to interact with the computer? can i run my 700r4?

the 4L60 and a 700r4 are the same thing, you are thinking of the 4L60E, BIG difference. IIRC, RyanB did his swap with a sm465, so i would think that you wouldn't need the 4L60E.

 

[dyeager535]

Hmm, interesting. If that's the case, don't see why larger displacement in one of our trucks couldn't be fixed.

I suspect you could run a 700R4/4L60 instead of a 4L60E, just use the PROM (or whatever OBD2 uses) from a manual trans vehicle.

RyanB would be the pro at this here, see if he chimes in.

I'd *expect* less than optimal performance with an automatic transmission and an ECM thinking it's a manual, but OBD2 might be fine with that and adapt as necessary, whereas OBD1 can't deal with that as well.

 

[toocalm]

I was towing around some heavier equipment for a side biz I have and was not happy with the pulling power of my 87 K5...I found this website-http://www.tbichips.com/
I got a hi performance chip and rebuilt my 700R4 with a shift kit, and the truck has all the balls I need now. Hope it helps

 

[Jonny-K5]

Hmm, interesting. If that's the case, don't see why larger displacement in one of our trucks couldn't be fixed.

I suspect you could run a 700R4/4L60 instead of a 4L60E, just use the PROM (or whatever OBD2 uses) from a manual trans vehicle.

RyanB would be the pro at this here, see if he chimes in.

I'd *expect* less than optimal performance with an automatic transmission and an ECM thinking it's a manual, but OBD2 might be fine with that and adapt as necessary, whereas OBD1 can't deal with that as well.

well, i was thinking about the TV cable for the 700.

 

[sandawgk5]

From the DMV website:

Engine Replacement and Rebuilding Guidelines

Overview

Engine changes continue to present problems and challenges to car owners and technicians. Here are some tips to keep you and your customers on the straight and narrow.
Our recommendation is to rebuild and reinstall the original engine, transmission, and emission control configuration.
When rebuilding an engine, it must be rebuilt to the original equipment specifications. However, if you do decide to change the engine, these guidelines must be observed to ensure that the vehicle will be eligible for smog certification or registration.
Remember, these are guidelines for performing engine changes -- not certification procedures. All exhaust emission controlled vehicles with engine changes must be inspected by an official referee station and must have a Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) Vehicle Identification Label affixed to the doorpost.
Remember also, state and federal anti-tampering laws generally prohibit any modification to the vehicle's original emission control system configuration as certified by the manufacturer. And, Section 3362.1 of the California Code of Regulations prohibits any engine change that degrades the effectiveness of a vehicle's emission control system.​

California Certification

A federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certified (federal or 49-state) engine cannot be used in a vehicle that was originally certified for California.​

Certification Standards

Make sure the engine and emission control configuration on exhaust - controlled vehicles are certified to the year of the vehicle or newer, and to the same or a more stringent new vehicle certification standard.​

Classification

Don't mix engine and vehicle classifications which will degrade the emissions certification standards. For example, a heavy-duty engine cannot be installed in a light-duty exhaust-controlled chassis even if they have the same displacement. Non-emissions controlled power plants such as industrial or off-road-use-only engines may not be placed in any exhaust-controlled vehicle.​

Computer Controls

If a computer-controlled engine is installed in a non-computerized vehicle, the "CHECK ENGINE" light, the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) diagnostic link, and all sensors, switches, and wiring harnesses needed to make the system fully functional must also be installed.​

Emission Control Configuration

Mixing and matching emission control system components could cause problems and is generally not allowed. Engine and emission control systems must be in an engine-chassis configuration certified by the California Air Resources Board (ARB) or U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The engine must meet or exceed the requirements for the year and class of vehicle in which it is installed.​

Emission Warranty

Voiding the vehicle manufacturer's emission warranty is not allowed.​

Engine Modifications

No internal or external engine modifications (cams, pistons, intakes, etc.) may be performed unless the parts are ARB-exempted or EPA-certified for use in the installed engine. Use the database on this site to search for aftermarket parts covered by ARB Executive Orders.​

Original Equipment

The installed engine and host chassis must retain all of their original emission control equipment. Diesel-to-gasoline conversions must have all gasoline engine and chassis emission control systems installed (such as fillpipe restrictor, catalytic converter and evaporative emission system).​

Smog Inspection

These vehicles must pass a complete smog inspection (visual, functional, and tailpipe).​

Based on these requirements as long as you transfer all sensors including any and all air intake temp and 02 sensors the swap should be legal. The 6.0 is available in the SS as well as the Escalade. Therefore since both are light duty emmisions they can be used in light duty pickups and SUVs. Hell sometimes they classify K5s as Passenger Vehicles which would allow you to put the new LS6 in .

I will see if I can find the actual vehicle code and post it up. But the point is from all of the research I have done as long as the engine is the same year or newer and has the same emissions (i.e. light duty, heavy duty, etc.) It can be used in the vehicle in question.

Ira