GM Crate Motor Differences?

[Mkuhn138]

Maybe a lame idea, but what about dropping in an LS long block with a carb manifold, run a carb to TBI adapter, and keep your stock injection system until you have the ability to get all of the wiring and misc BS out of the way at a later date???

 

[82355]

I'd pay a dollar to se a Gen III sbc with TBI on it.

Martin

 

[Deuling]

That would be pretty tits lol

 

[Keitha]

For what it's worth, I recently went through a similar thought process. I really wanted to convert to an LS, but ended up rebuilding my 383cid. I will most likely do a LS conversion in a couple years, but at this time I just wanted to keep it simple and less expensive.
I have the same set-up as you with the 4L80e in my 1991 Suburban. I will learn as much as I can over the next year or so and keep on the lookout for a good motor.

Out of the crate motors you listed, either will work. You may have better re-sale with the 4 bolt down the road when you do your LS conversion.

 

[y5mgisi]

Dirty dingo makes a bracket to mount your stock ac compressor in tye stock location. The down time is virtually identical if you get all your shopping and research done ahead of time.the wiring issue will add one day to the project.

Dirty dingas bracket

 

[Smokinthehippies]

I went with the 4bolt motor on mine but i wish everyday that i had done a 454 swap. If you don't need alot of towing power i would go with the 96+ 5.7 vortec swap. The engine will bolt in like the stock one. you can reuse all your brackets, AC and power steering. And the wireing will be a little easier.

So far i have passed smog once but it was close.

thats my plan

jegs has the 96-00 vortec long block for like $1800
grab the gmpp intake for vortec to tbi $400
reuse all the stock brackets/accessories and what not. get the roller cam/ vortec headed engine just using your stock fueling. worse case you'd have to step up to a larger injector with a higher fuel pressure but nothing ridiculous. i talked with brian at tbichips about it before as well.

he also suggested going this route
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chevy-1987-...Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item460be42d98
although if the money was there i'd do a 6.0 every time.

 

[Blue85]

It would be a shame to do an LS and not use the superior engine controls, though. If you get the 8 ignition coil LS, is there still an opening for a distributor?

If you find a 6.0 that had a 4L80E behind it (pretty common), what has to change for that PCM to run your 4L80E?

 

[Smokinthehippies]

http://tbichips.com/bluewhale.htm
http://tbichips.com/budget.htm
http://tbichips.com/blackmagic.htm

few different vortec to tbi setups

 

[454Sub]

Hotrod did a 8 coil LS with a carb before. It can be done.

Worst to worst, with the fuel injector problem, you could always run cop car caprice injectors, or if you really need more fuel, 454 injectors. Available over the counter.

 

[dhcomp]

Dirty dingo makes a bracket to mount your stock ac compressor in tye stock location. The down time is virtually identical if you get all your shopping and research done ahead of time.the wiring issue will add one day to the project.

Dirty dingas bracket

oooooh. Thats a way better solution than the other one i saw.

And i agree, i may be able to get my head into the wiring, and make that a 1 day component of the job.

This may be pushing me to LS world. We should all put our heads together, and make a list of wiring mods to install one....all in one place.

I read through teh stock harness last night, and it doesnt' seem that complicated for someone decent with wiring.

Who said this site helps save you money?

 

[black dawg]

Thanks for the input.

I'm a big fan of my stock interior, so i'd run the gauges i've got. Really, my gauges wouldn't be more work than aftermarket gauges. Its just all wiring that isn't plug and play.

Definitely not going TBI 454. Drove a burb with one of those, was not impressed.

I went from tbi 350 to tbi 454. Mine is low compression with 781 heads and a vortec roller cam. The power over the 350 is huge. Power wise, feels about the same to slightly better than a stock vortec 454. Feels like it has slightly more midrange 3000-4500 and pulls hard to better than 5500 (never turned any harder).

Compared to a stock tbi 454, it feels softer from idle to 2500 or so. But even with this mild setup, it needs tuning. So far about 10-12 towing or not.

What kind of mpg (towing and not) do you get now?

 

[y5mgisi]

The proble. With documenting tye wiring is that everyone is going to do it different amd everyone has a different setup. Its going to be funny after you do it and cant wait to do your next one because of how simple it is looking back on it.

 

[dhcomp]

The proble. With documenting tye wiring is that everyone is going to do it different amd everyone has a different setup. Its going to be funny after you do it and cant wait to do your next one because of how simple it is looking back on it.

Haha, yah. Whats your name again, man?

Your thread and convos back and forth about computer programming has put a sour taste in my mouth, but know you had an oddball harness/setup.

If i do it, i'll go BDturnkey, so my harness issues will only be stock harness and gauges. My LS harness will be done for me.

 

[y5mgisi]

Its mitch. Yea mine was odd ball. If i knew then what i know now.... But dude, i just found this! Dactory looking compressor mount from holly for only $129!

http://holleyefi.carshopinc.com/product_info.php/products_id/137735/20-133

 

[dhcomp]

Its mitch. Yea mine was odd ball. If i knew then what i know now.... But dude, i just found this! Dactory looking compressor mount from holly for only $129!

http://holleyefi.carshopinc.com/product_info.php/products_id/137735/20-133

Wonder what the installation kit runs?

I also need to decided if i run my PS and alt, or hte new one.

And, the dingo one includes a tensioner, wonder what this one uses for tension.

 

[gray dog]

FWIW i just finished my engine swap,,90 k5 350,,,went with the L31 gm crate engine,,its the iron head vortec roller cam engine (stock replacement for 96-98 ) and used the gmpp intake for the stock TBI,,,still need to finish some fine tuning,,but i think its going to work out real good,,much better power,,just working on a idle issue,,had to buy a chip from HARRIS that got me in the ball park but would like to get closer to just right,,,time will tell,,i will keep yall posted

 

[82355]

I would prefer a TBI 454 to a 6.0. They shift to much.

Martin

 

[Smokinthehippies]

FWIW i just finished my engine swap,,90 k5 350,,,went with the L31 gm crate engine,,its the iron head vortec roller cam engine (stock replacement for 96-98 ) and used the gmpp intake for the stock TBI,,,still need to finish some fine tuning,,but i think its going to work out real good,,much better power,,just working on a idle issue,,had to buy a chip from HARRIS that got me in the ball park but would like to get closer to just right,,,time will tell,,i will keep yall posted

perfect thats exactly what i was talking about doing. keep us posted on the results

 

[dyeager535]

grab the gmpp intake for vortec to tbi $400

Although this thread looks like it's going LS, why pay $400 for an intake when you can get this for $139 http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-226018/media/images and this for $42? http://www.summitracing.com/parts/trd-2210

I assume none are CARB legal, but I don't know that for certain. EGR is a pain with the Vortec setup, just an FYI.

 

[Smokinthehippies]

As far as I know that's the only setup that will work with everything needed for smog in Cali.