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Input needed on motor for my 72 K5

slyguy_22

slyguy_22

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I have a couple of ideas but need to sort them out.
1. I have a 350 block that i could use just the way it is. or could bore it 30 over. Trans i was thinking 700r4.
2. I could go find a 454 and mate it with a th400 or a sm465.
3. Or I could find a 6.5td with and allison trans.

What do you guys think? im kinda thinkin that a duramax and allison would be a sweet cruiser:D might get a lil crazy with the wiring and such, would probly have to find a wrecked truck and get the whole thing. anyone put a duramax in a old truck/blazer? Give me some ideas.
BTW budget for this build is $8500.00think i wana keep motor/trans to max of $5500.00 that would give me bout 2500.00 to do the body work and lift and tires. I think i can keep it in that ball park.
 
slyguy_22 said:
I have a couple of ideas but need to sort them out.
1. I have a 350 block that i could use just the way it is. or could bore it 30 over. Trans i was thinking 700r4.
2. I could go find a 454 and mate it with a th400 or a sm465.
3. Or I could find a 6.5td with and allison trans.

What do you guys think? im kinda thinkin that a duramax and allison would be a sweet cruiser:D might get a lil crazy with the wiring and such, would probly have to find a wrecked truck and get the whole thing. anyone put a duramax in a old truck/blazer? Give me some ideas.
BTW budget for this build is $8500.00think i wana keep motor/trans to max of $5500.00 that would give me bout 2500.00 to do the body work and lift and tires. I think i can keep it in that ball park.
Click to expand...

If I were gonna go big-block, I'd do a Caddy motor. If you keep the 350 block, stroke it to a 383. I can't comment on the 6.5, as I don't know enough about them. But the Duramax... I've always wanted to see someone transplant one into a C/K or older. But do you think the frame could deal with the weight?
 
Haven't seen anyone do the duramax swap yet. Reason being $, which is why everyone usually just drops in a Cummins. And finding the motor/trans is going to take some time and patience to find at your max of 5500. Look for 1967K10 *i think that's his screen name*, he had a Duramax/tranny/t-case for sale recently at a really good price. Another thing you could do is find a wrecked 2500 and just swap over the body as long as the frame isn't cracked or broken. I'd rather do the 454/400. That'd give me more money for the body work/suspension/tires...don't forget axles. Not sure the 44/12 bolt would survive long behind a well built 350, and even less behind a BBC or Duramax. I love reading build threads with a budget 'cause the build usually exceeds the budget...it happens, no matter how much you plan.
 
Yeah i know budgets get blown out in no time flat. guess i should give you the low down on the build so you know where im going with this. I had a budget of $10000.00 for my k5 $1500.00 is the purchase price of the truck. (with th350 and np205 trans no motor & extra windshield frame) $5500.00 is for motor and trans. (if i use the 350 block i have would just be machine work) $2500.00 is for the rest of the odds and ends. body work and paint are paid for. just need to buy the paint. lift i can get 4" BDS pretty cheap as my buddies father has an acct. The tires i have are pro comp 35x12.5x15 that i have already which only have bout 1500 miles on them. so im sure i wont need the full 2500.00 for the odds and ends. Plus ill do all of my own work minus machine work. i have full shop and welder pipe bender air tools pretty much got it covered. Wish i had a twin post lift but thats ok i have plenty of jack stands. OK basically 72 K5 Street Cruiser, some playin, some towing. This is gona be the nice flamed out truck, the 89 is my beast.
 
I'd run the small block stroked to 383 with tranny of choice. I'm not a huge fan of the 700 for a trail truck, I stick with TH350's because thay can be found in any junkyard in the US
 
My vote is for the 454 mated to a 700r4.

The motor is a little more work and expense to but the fun factor will offset that.

The 700r4 will hold up just fine if properly built and the overdrive will make street driving so much more pleasant.


The Duramax/Allison would be way cool but you almost need an unlimited budget to get it done, the initial purchase is just the beginning on swaps like this.
 
I have ~$4K in a stroked 383 balanced and bluprinted and it is so sweet. Great low end torque, 350/203, D44/12Bolt 35's and no problem. While you have your engine out you will need to check for cracks on you cross member and replace engine mounts with urethane. Just make sure you do the trans mount urethane also. I guess where I'm going is you will want to replace items while your motor is out which will cost more $$. Bottom line is your K5 is going to be a perpetual bottomless pit, kinda a love hate relationship. However, when you get the motor replaced it will be a great feeling.
 
Bottom line is your K5 is going to be a perpetual bottomless pit, kinda a love hate relationship. However, when you get the motor replaced it will be a great feeling.[/quote]

Thanks for the insight. i know already how it goes with budgets and so forth. plan on spending the money and doing it right and true. i wana be able to take it to some shows, and also be able to play from time to time. At least its not the first blazer i built. The 89 i built i have bout 8K wrapped up in and till its complete probly will be another 2-3K. its 90% done, its inspected and such i just wana change a few things.
 
5.3 and 5 speed. Light and strong. If you look you can find the all aluminum block they used in the trucks. Nothing beats lighter components up front.
 
slyguy_22 said:
Bump no opinions?
Click to expand...


My opinion is that you should buy the complete 396 I'm selling in the FOR SALE area..... the price is fair, but I'm still willing to negotiate. :deal:

You'll have a good running motor and can save your money for the other stuff you'll need. It always seems to be the "nickel-and-dime" stuff that really adds up during a build. Somehow a project budget of $5000 seems to somehow turn into $7000 (for me anyways) and I always scratch my head wondering where all that extra cost came from????


:usaflag:
 
Greg72 said:
My opinion is that you should buy the complete 396 I'm selling in the FOR SALE area..... the price is fair, but I'm still willing to negotiate. :deal:

You'll have a good running motor and can save your money for the other stuff you'll need. It always seems to be the "nickel-and-dime" stuff that really adds up during a build. Somehow a project budget of $5000 seems to somehow turn into $7000 (for me anyways) and I always scratch my head wondering where all that extra cost came from????


:usaflag:
Click to expand...


Where's the link, foo :D :p: ?!!
 
I had put a 396 in mine but because i'm impatient and didn't feel like making it fit right I sold it infavor of a small block. I say go small block cuz it will bolt right in with NO issues and with the budget you stated you could build a really good running sbc with plenty left over for all that little stuff that's gonna sneak up on you. Oh and i'd definitely go with a 700r4, my buddy build one for his bbc powered ford and it's awesome.
 
Just get a goodwrench crate, for about $1500, rebuild your TH350 and go. With 4.10's and 33's-35's, you'll have a great cruiser. A 383 will make more power and torque, but the build is going to get expensive fast. No matter how you do it, it's going to nickle and dime you to death.

If you're comfortable building motors, tear down that 350 you've got, and do a cheapie rebuild with some vortec heads- assuming everythings in good shape.

SBC/TH350/NP205= :waytogo: and will be your best bang for the buck.
 
yeah if i rebuild the block i have it will be a 355 with votec heads and a victor jr intake. leaning more towards the 454/th400 combo though. i do have a th400 setting in my garage also. its out of a 2wheel drive though. i know you can use them on the 4x4 what do i need to do though? just change the output shaft?
 
The only Vic Jr manifold offered with the Vortec face is a 2BBL designed for circle track applications. Combined with the small 167CC intake runners on the Vortecs, you're not going to make any power until 4K+, where the vortecs are starting to run out of breath. A very poorly matched combination.

If you're planning on modifiying the Vortecs for more lift, stuffing one hell of a huge cam in there, and regearing to 5.13's, you may see some benefit.

A BBC is going to run hard, but cost damn near twice as much as a SBC. If you don't already have all of the BBC accessories, you're going to spend as much on them as the engine.
 
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