Denver/boulder colorado engine swap shops? Advice requested

[1985 K10 Warhawk]

TLDR : Need shop advice in Denver Metro for an engine swap / trans rebuild.

Heya guys. I waited too long to do my swap project and a cross country move is now looming.

To preface, I don't want to sell my truck with it's rod knock. I love my truck and I would only get pennies in her current state.

So here I am.. sitting with 300 bucks in new parts, a 454 (166k miles) mated to a 2wd 4l80 and my truck a 1985 suburban w/ it's factory engine and moving in 3 weeks time.. We aren't in a rush to sell our current home, so I could give what ever shop the time they need to complete the work.

So, I could use some advice from all and opinions from anyone in the Denver metro area.

My thoughts:
1.) Pay to have my 700R4 built, swap in the L29 454, new fuel system, all the labor of making it work
2.) Order a crate engine..maybe a 383? and have a shop install (Have the trans rebuilt stronger at this time)
3.) Sell my truck probably for about $1,000 and the donor for another $1,000 and buy a new toy for around 10k (I paid nearly 2 grand for my bumper, and it hurts to think about selling this truck for so cheap)


So with all the being said,

I don't even know where to look for a shop that does this kind of work. Does anyone have any recommendations for shops in the area that do this? I can limp it over if it's close or have it towed.


Ideally if I get the truck up and running in some regard, I can tow my 392 challenger out to CA and not put the miles on her. If this is the case, I can probably pitch around a $10,000 fix and the wife OK it. We'd like to use the truck as our dog transport vehicle too.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Bent77]

Red lion auto in Longmont

 

[Capt Ron]

A lot of shops are hesitant to do this type of work because of all of the variables so you might want to keep it simple. Crate 383, having the tranny rebuilt by the same shop to avoid warranty finger pointing might be the way to go. Keep the L29 for future use OR sell it to me or Zoomad75.

 

[ktmoutfront]

I am an hour south. But that would be a long limp or a coslty tow.

 

[brans87]

Second the idea of ktmoutfront (wade) if you could limp or tow to him.
Probably save some $ to.

 

[ZooMad75]

Do you have that L29 for sale on Craigslist right now? I've been sniffing around for one and saw an ad where an L29 Suburban was bought for a swap and then the project changed directions.

 

[1985 K10 Warhawk]

PM'd KT.

and ZooMad, yes that is probably my Donor vehicle on CL (White w/ the lightning bolt 90s graphic on the side?) I paid $2,000 for the whole vehicle in running/working condition and was putting feelers out to see if there was any interest around what I paid. So far just scam replies or out of state requests.

It's only been on there a few days. I didn't want to advertise I was moving, making people think I am desperate and would accept low ball offers.. 'cause you know.. Craiglsist.

I would sell the engine 100% if I swapped in a crate engine as I don't know my space situation once we move out to CA. Looks like several houses have RV pads or backyard space in costa mesa (Where we have been looking)

 

[ZooMad75]

Yep that's the one. If you do indeed go with a crate and don't need the L29 shoot me a PM. Thanks!