The big block will tow better.
Martin
Martin
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.
Bought New Truck! Go IFS Lift or SAS, Tow Rig!
- Thread starter K5-CJ5
- Start date
Of course but a 383 is no slouch either.
It seems like either way I go ill be spending close to the same amount. If I buy the BB I was looking at for a grand and add headers etc it will put me equal to the 383. So if they are comparable in price, the BB makes more power the only difference is fuel? I would rather sacrifice fuel for pulling power in this truck, not a DD. I am having trouble finding the all the accessory brackets etc for a 454 however.
I found a 1990, will swap the intake, but am I correct that the 1990 is still a Gen IV BLock?
I found a 1990, will swap the intake, but am I correct that the 1990 is still a Gen IV BLock?
your inherently gonna have WAY more torque from a BB... can it be done with a 383, absolutely! doing it with my K5... 
would I do a towrig with it? nope, cummins or BB...
would I do a towrig with it? nope, cummins or BB...
understandable, just saying... light towing, sb is fine imo.. anything reasonably heavy, the inherent torque of the BB males it hugely advantageous over a SB..
minor hotrodding can put BB torque #'s thru the roof...
minor hotrodding can put BB torque #'s thru the roof...
How well does your 89 pull? My brother is selling an 88 3500 IFS truck, it is a good deal, was thinking the motor would do nicely in my CC, with a Carb or an atomic EFI.
any TBI mill of that era pulls like an anemic polio victim... the cams are horrible... torque is "ok", but the range is about 1500 to 2500 if your lucky....
definitely some to be had with some bumpstick/head/chip work from the early TBI mills...
definitely some to be had with some bumpstick/head/chip work from the early TBI mills...
tough to say.. potentially the 79 would be better off the bat cam-wise.. but not by a ton from that era, it was about as anemic as it gets, late 70's smog cr@p.. head-wise too.
kinda a tossup, the heads are better from the late model.. so a minor cam, stock heads and efi will probably do ya better than late 70's..
basically, a cam and aftermarket efi at the late model will do you better more than likely than trying to get performance from some 79 heads....
kinda a tossup, the heads are better from the late model.. so a minor cam, stock heads and efi will probably do ya better than late 70's..
basically, a cam and aftermarket efi at the late model will do you better more than likely than trying to get performance from some 79 heads....
Why not keep the TBI? It isn't great, but is superior to a carburetor.
Martin
Martin
yeah, it's not the inductions fault it's on a mill with a little girl cam... 
Because my truck has to pass California smog, if I keep the tbi I have to get the truck refereed. If I go carb it is good to go, if I go atomic efi it is not smog certified as a replacement, has an eo number now.
COCHEV
1/2 ton status
My vote is finding the newest big block rig you can afford. I've owned both a 97 vortec 454 rig and an 03 8.1. Both excellent tow rigs stock. Comfortable. No emissions issues. Less labor. Drive and be happy
Possibly found a 97 Ram 2500 with a 12V, A/T 120k miles. Nothing has been done to it, its totally stock. single owner. It needs a little work, paint peel, dent in bed etc, but not bad. I know the 12V are a good motor, what about the tranny and rest of the truck from 97?
So I went looking at trucks again trying to decide what to do, and drove a 2004 ram 3500 5.9HO cummins 4x4 long bed, Gotta say I was impressed with the wya it rode and the power it had. It has 143000 miles on it and seems to be in pretty good shape. Its and AT. Anything I should specifically look at on this year model truck? Im thinking I may just pull the trigger and get this newer truck.
Just the trans and make sure it's been serviced.
Ned Kelly
1/2 ton status
If you go back to CC mode, I'd suggest a 454 over a 383. My friend did a nice torque 383 build for his tow Suburban (tows a race car) and he regrets he didn't do a 454 instead.
Read up on the 04.5 Cummins trucks. I am not sure why, but I know Cummins guys have told me to stay away from them.
I am in this same quandry myself except my CC currently has a TBI 454, but still doesn't tow great. I was set on buying a newer truck with a 6.2 gas or even the Hemi because I can't justify the cost of a newer diesel, but I think I am just going to do the 12V swap with a 5 or 6 speed and throw some late model interior in my CC. Significantly cheaper and IMO just as reliable if not more than a mid 2000's era pickup with 150k+ miles
