72 K5 - IGOR's build thread - 6/12/2017- Update!

[ChefBear]

Awesome!

 

[Engineered Vintage]

Thanks for all the props guys! Boy & I made some more progress tonight, got the t-case mounted into frame. The boy was running the engine hoist - which made Dad a little bit nervous...

 

[y5mgisi]

dont mean to hijak, but are you the guy I sold some 39.5 swampers to awhile back? he lived/worked right in there too.

No sir that was not me. Biggest set of tires i have are 36's...

On with the build!

 

[Yukon Jack]

Looks like your boy was having a blast - good memories in the making.

 

[Silver84k5]

wow.. .hell of a job man, looks really good.

 

[Engineered Vintage]

So, now for a completely different direction.

A college buddy & my uncle are to blame for this!

My plan was to build a 383 stroker with TPI setup - similar to the 406 engine that Frank (BlazinOR - now BurbinOR) did YEARS ago when I first joined CK5.

I have been collecting parts for several years.

So - three months ago my uncle bought a 5.3 for his '85 CJ5. After watching the ease at which he installed said motor in his Jeep - I began doubting the 383 plan. Then one of my college buddies started teasing me about the "80s" technology of the TPI - (the horror!)

So - I started looking into 6.0s, etc...

Called PacificFab down in California - who recommended the 8.1 - as it will BOLT right in to any rig that ever had a BBC in it.

Researched some more, more - and decided 8.1 is the way to go.

So - doing a search of craigslist, turned up this block near Boise, Idaho. 96K miles, all accessories, wiring harness, etc, etc. Hemmed and hawed on it - then they guy called me a week later and offered free delivery at $300 below original price. $900 delivered!

So - now I have a BBC sitting in my garage!

I too have joined the darkside - Greg, where are my cookies!?!?

Pics:

And the best part:

Here is 992 cubic inches of motor in (1) truck! (excuse my dorky cousin)

On the drive home (had it delivered to my work) small cars were being pulled into the gravitational field created by that much displacement!

I'm stoked!

 

[colbystephens]

Nice.

 

[NorCal69]

Haha, you had me spitting a piece of my lunch out on the cookies comment.

This is going to be good!

 

[y5mgisi]

Id say that will satisfy much more then a tpi 383! Probably cheaper too! Or close to it at least.

 

[AJs72K5]

That's awesome IGOR.

Welcome to the darkside.

 

[Greg72]

Thanks AJ,

All I've got around here are dirty diapers..... but I'll throw them in a USPS One-Rate box for anyone who's interested.

Mostly yellows, a few greens.... no particular smell (yet)!!

 

[makovai]

You sure thats gonna be enough?
Over on Pirate theres a 541 cid twin turbo big block chevy for sale
Or better yet you could build a nitro motor out of a funny car.

j/k... that motor is killer. What are your plans for getting it tuned and programmed to match your rig?

 

[Engineered Vintage]

You sure thats gonna be enough?
Over on Pirate theres a 541 cid twin turbo big block chevy for sale
Or better yet you could build a nitro motor out of a funny car.

j/k... that motor is killer. What are your plans for getting it tuned and programmed to match your rig?

Jim - I think you should buy it! We can drop it in that other frame and go!

On the tuning/wiring - I've been talking to "Larry" - he put one in a very nice blue '78 K20 awhile back. He used a Howell Engineering harness. (although I was reading a post on another member who has had problems)

At my speed - I have 1-2 years to decide!

Got the engine unloaded and my boy helped me put in on the engine stand - he's getting to be a champion cherry picker operator!

 

[Engineered Vintage]

So - now that I've switched engines - the T350 is out the door . Came very close to getting a T400/205 combo - but knew that there had to be something better. Spent many a night surfing CK5 & Pirate looking at options and settled on the 4L80E. It came stock behind the 8.1s in the Suburban/Avalanche combos - and is the offspring of the T400 (as I understand) with the addition of overdrive. This "should" make wiring easy as I can use the same brain for the 8.1 to run the 4L80E - just need to get reflashed.

With the decision made, I scored my second favorite website looking for trannies. On Wed I found a running 4L80E & driver side drop NP241 out of a '94 Sub for $400!!!

Stoked to find that this 4L80E had two VSS on the transmission - which I believe means I won't need to run VSS in 205 and can keep mechanical speedometer!

Also got a NP205/T400 adapter off E-bay - will need to be modified ala this thread: http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=166233&highlight=4l80e

Lots more work to come - my garage is getting stuffed! Can't wait 'til the rain stops so I can shove the "kid crap" outside for spring/summer! Man I need a shop!

 

[y5mgisi]

I love parts! And thats a cool part!

 

[GRINCH]

Nice score. I paid that for just a core..

I opted to use the Optishift controller on my build.

 

[Engineered Vintage]

Thanks guys!

Small update:

Been busy over the last few weeks - went to the big Portland Swap Meet with Makovai, and been doing "kid" stuff.

Still making progress - mostly by spending $$ and collecting parts. Getting a big block has kicked this build into a higher gear than it has been in awhile - excited to get this huge motor between the frame rails!

(I know - it's hard to see over the 'net - but I am thinking about it a lot! )

Figured out that my 4x4 4L80E tranny does not have the rear VSS reluctor ring! So - now it's either tear it down to add it, or do VSS out the back of the 205 - decision point for later...

No ring in the hole:

I picked up one of the elusive "holy grail" Chevy parts: a NP205 / T400 adapter off Ebay - (First one I've ever owned anyway... I've always had either T350s, 700R4s, or SM465s)

Right now it's out for machining on the T400 side to mate up to the 4L80e tail. Hopefully done this week? (Fingers crossed!)

Also working on modifying my DIY4X crossmember to fit underneath the 8.1's deep oil pan. It hurt to cut apart a nice powdercoated part, but will get it re-done when ready.

Buddy and I have been working on this evenings after work (I need to get a welder!) It is taking us forever because we are both Engineers!

- it is very close to being done:

Thanks to Kert @ DIY4X for his awesome customer service!

Since I had one of the "first gen" First Gen crossmembers (without the plates allowing the tube to be removed) I took this opportunity to add the plates in the crossmember at this time as well...

BEFORE:

AFTER:

And figured out that I need a long 32 spline female input for my 205 to mate up with the short (3") 32 spline output shaft on the 4L80E.

CK5 to the rescue! got a long 32 spline female input shaft coming from stan 1688 (Shane)

 

[sponsoredbydad]

I have to agree I loved it when parts started taking over the xtra space. I did not realize those adapters were holy grail worthy, I have one just sitting here as a big paper weight. I'm glad you feel re-energized about your build.

 

[Engineered Vintage]

Well of course they are holy grail worthy!

They are probably third in line though?

Here's how it looks in my head anyway!

1) NP205 / 4L80E adapter
2) Dana 60
3) NP205 / T400 adapter
4) NV4500?

 

[Engineered Vintage]

So - more progress.

Machining the T400 adapter was a success:

Fitted up to the 4L80E:

Then finished up welding the crossmember:

Crossmember installed on engine on engine stand:

Got some weld nuts from buddy at WARN:

Ready to drop it in the frame!

Stoked for that - maybe tomorrow?