Engine shopping and swapping

[1985 K10 Warhawk]

Hello all!

I have been searching several forums off an on for months now and have a lot of unanswered questions. There are so many build threads out there! Maybe I just suck with the search function

I decided it would be a good investment into a new engine for my beast. She is a 1985 k10 suburban. She is currently carbureted and at the cost of having EFI installed, I might as well just pick up a new/rebuilt engine. She keeps stalling out on hills (hills a stock 89 jeep Cherokee made it up no problem) She leaks from seemingly everywhere right now.

The plan was to do something bolt in. I have the assistance of a former ASC mechanic (He just wants me to have all the research done and parts ready to go.. ill still be paying for his help and he does not weld) I just wanted to know, at what year engine does the swap become too time/resource intensive and a bit overly complicated. E.G. The idea of a mechanical cummins swap is awesome, but not something I can achieve at this time.

Basically the work needs to be done in a day as I will be doing it all outside (truck wont fit in my garage and HOA may get pissy at me if it's torn apart in the driveway)

From my understanding, I should avoid vehicles 1995.5+ that have OBD ii installed. Is that a fair assumption or?

I was looking at craigslist for a corvette 1991-1994 that I could pillage. Am I making a huge mistake? Should I just be looking for a newer suburban or a crate? I miss the power my 04 Yukon xl denali had. The crate engines I've looked at all say for pre-1973 use and offroad only. This truck isn't my daily, but I need it to pass emissions/streetable to drive to the trails. Eventually (like 5 years out eventually) I will just turn her into my tow rig and will tow a beastly buggy for rockcrawling/trails..

Thoughts?

Or maybe direct me to a thread?

Or anyone in Colorado (Denver metro +- 100 miles) who'd like a few free beers, to shoot the perverbial ****, and maybe talk trucks with me? Quick ride along for suggestions? I'm in a bit over my head and not really sure where to start!

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

That generation Corvette will be TPI for 91 and LT1 for 92-96. Forget about both of those.

I would either keep your engine and fix the carburetor problem, or swap in a Gen III small block (5.3L or 6.0L). Easy, relatively cheap, great platform.

 

[paratrooper307]

It really depends on what you consider "bolt-in". That definition tends to vary a lot depending on who you talk to on this site, lol.

The easiest option is the GM two-piece seal crate motor. Bolts right in, no fabrication, no fuss, no muss. It's cheap and reliable. The disadvantage is that it's old-school technology, low compression. It's about as basic as an SBC gets. It is emissions legal as long as it's installed in an appropriate vehicle with factory emissions equipment. It carries a warranty, though I think that only applies if it is a direct replacement and installed by a certified mechanic.

The LS series of motors are more efficient and more powerful, and can be had cheap. You'll probably want one with the transmission attached. The disadvantage is since it's not an original engine, some fabrication will be required. You'll need conversion mounts and some other parts.

A newer SBC such as a 1996+ Vortec motor can be a good compromise. More power than the basic small block, and with the right manifold you can keep the carb or go FI. It will bolt right in.

Thinking about towing? You might want to look at a BBC. They'll bolt to your mounts and transmission just like a small block. You'll need new manifolds though.

Lot's of potential options, from mild to wild. If you stick to your timeline of a one day swap, it limits what you can do. Unless you have all the conversion/fabrication work done ahead of time and have a shop available to handle those inevitable adjustments that need to be made, you pretty much have to stick with a stock replacement or something close to it, since that alone will take the better part of a day, and that's assuming no problems and that everyone knows what they're doing. Think about what you want you ultimately want to do with the truck, so you don't end up spending extra money and doing work twice.

What kind of carb do you have on the truck? Some people make the mistake of putting on carbs that are great for muscle cars but poor for offroading. Generally the factory quadrajet is the best as far as carbs go for a stock truck.