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k5 Improvements

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Mickconnors

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Hey y'all, I'd like to get my 85 K5 running better, Ive done an oil/oil filter change, air and fuel filter change, and put some good plugs in it. Up next is the plug wires and distributor cap and router. Any other ideas? Im still pretty new to making improvements to the truck, and was wondering if y'all had any advice for me. What can i do (for relatively cheap) to increase my hp and/or fuel efficiency, and just help my truck run better? And I'd like to do some easy off roading (i've already got a little lift and some '33s) Any ideas to make her trail worthy would be appreciated.
Also, my gas gauge stopped working, any idea how to fix it?
Thanks for any help. Drive safe.
-Mick
 
Last edited:
Mickconnors said:
Hey y'all, I'd like to get my 85 K5 running better, Ive done an oil/oil filter change, air and fuel filter change, and put some good plugs in it. Up next is the plug wires and distributor cap and router. Any other ideas? Im still pretty new to making improvements to the truck, and was wondering if y'all had any advice for me. What can i do (for relatively cheap) to increase my hp and/or fuel efficiency, and just help my truck run better? And I'd like to do some easy off roading (i've already got a little lift and some '33s) Any ideas to make her trail worthy would be appreciated.
Also, my gas gauge stopped working, any idea how to fix it?
Thanks for any help. Drive safe.
-Mick
Click to expand...

What engine do you have? Carb? There are many things to do to gain HP, but give us the details you have first. What transmission, transfer case do you have?
 
You have a 700r4 trans and most likely Np208 tcase. Get a vaccuum gauge and a timing light and make sure your vaccuum is good, and that the timing is where it should be. Both of those will make everything work together properly.
 
I got my vaccuum up from 14 hg to 18-19ish when i messed with my timing. Runs way smoother now and much more peppy when you get on it. Do you know what carb you have? Any stampings or numbers on it? Post a pic if not sure.
 
Owning a pollution-controlled vehicle in CA is going to take a lot of the fun out of engine mods..... at least for the ones that are "cheap and easy".

You might be better off just getting all the small stuff working properly on the truck (fuel gauge, etc) and add a few modern comforts to it. It's a tough balancing act building a truck for offroad that is still a solid, streetable truck.


-G
 
Greg72 said:
Owning a pollution-controlled vehicle in CA is going to take a lot of the fun out of engine mods..... at least for the ones that are "cheap and easy".

You might be better off just getting all the small stuff working properly on the truck (fuel gauge, etc) and add a few modern comforts to it. It's a tough balancing act building a truck for offroad that is still a solid, streetable truck.


-G
Click to expand...
I hate to say it, but Greg is right. Here in California you have one of the worst K5 years to do any engine mods on. You should have the computer controlled Quadrajet carb. Unfortunately you can't do anything to them or you won't pass smog.
Probably the best mods for increasing power is going to be a Edelbrock Performer intake, K&N filter, headers, free flowing exhaust, and a good ignition system. I'm not sure if you can do a Vortec head swap or not, but worth looking into. You also may be able to use a set of 1.6-1.7 rocker arms to get a little more out of your cam, although I never thought it made much of a difference.
 
thanks Chris, I'll definitely look into all that.
Seeing as you're from California, have you eer been to pismo beach?
 
I have a 1985 k5 blazer, and I've changed the egr valve, cat converter, tune up, etc, but the nox is high. A mechanic said that because I have headers, and the egr system is a negative back pressure system, it's breathing too good, that's why it won't pass... Has anyone with headers ran into this problem?
 
If you start any trail riding I would get a bumper and a winch. That way if the trail get tough in spots you can just winch your way past instead of hammering on the gas and possibly breaking something.
 
Get a mid 70s q-jet carb and run it. Hell, even a carb from a 3/4-1 ton '85 truck doesn't have the electronics, use one of those. Get a stand alone HEI distributor and ditch the wiring for the stock one. Run it like that. Every 2 years, throw the stock carb back on so it runs like crap but passes visual. Done

pismo :D

 
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