'96 Vortech swap into a '79...got the donor

[pauly383]

Here is another option (in theory) that may be worth a look for anybody who isn't deleting the VSS. In the mid 80's the Camaros (and prolly some other GM cars too) used a mechanical speedo cable up to the dash, and then converted it to electrical in the back of the speedo gage. You could get the back part of one of those gages and stick it up under the dash to convter mech speedo to VSS. I think those setups output something like 2000 pulses per mile. You could wire that into a DRAC with the DIP switch mod and some math to calibrate the signal. Of course ,then you need to run a '90+ or an aftermarket electric speedo. Sounds like way more work than deleting VSS and keeping the mechanical speedo though.

You also just described the original speedo in my 83 K5

 

[ChickenRammit]

well guys thought id update the thread. the swap is done i will be adding pics soon. for some starters the swap is really direct bolt in and easy. the computer from jimsperformance is easy as pie and jim is fast. the motor bolts right in no clearence problems. also if you are goin to d othis you have alot of options. for me i used as much factory equipment as possible for clean and cheap.

some areas that people might as.

intake- factory mounted and sucks air from pass fender well.

fuel- autozone E2000 pump mounted under bed to compensate for the inbed tank. works well just make sure you plum it in the right direction. this will provide enough pressure. aslo on a fuel note i found that the stock throttle cable and pedal only gave me 1/3 throttle at the floor. so tweaked old pedal to match donor trucks and used donor cable.

Cooling- old thermostat does not fit new motor. you need a pipe adapter to make it work or get new sender. also used the donor radiator. its thinner, aluminum and huge. the truck cools w/o fans at all. i also used fans out of a caravan. with swithed hi.lo fans.

anything else ask

thats pretty cool that you managed to use the stock airbox, that thing is huge. so, how was the difference in power, was it worth it?

 

[pennsylvaniaboy]

was it worth it...by far. jim had boosted the timing curve and though he doesnt know the exact number he said similar to a hypertech.so...base hp being about 250 and figuring about a 30 hp gain...thinking its about 280 ish in horse. and if i was lucky the old one might have been at 180.

also its quite a bit snappier, faster and more responsive through all rpms