CK5
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And, the brackets on the front of the motor already are square body swap friendly (and you could keep/have A/C if you want/care)...the 8.1 is a little different in that regard.

I had a pretty free flowing exhaust and an Airaid intake setup on that truck. I think a simple tune would have gone a long ways for that stock motor. My brother is planning on getting a tune on that thing too.
Let us know the results if he does. I know they are pretty conservative
 
Do you keep the Vortec fuel injection setup or change that to something else? I love how tight the overall packaging is on the Vortec engines whenever I pop the hood on any we have at work.

Yeah, the injection system is just fine on those motors. A little goofy with the top "plenum" and the rail running down the middle of that, but overall the system itself works really good.

@Bent77, if you pick up one of those motors used, unless you know for sure, it might be worth replacing the injectors/fuel pressure regulator before swapping it in. The stock injectors in those years blew and are kinda annoying to change out (ask me how I know). Would be nice to do it before the swap, and maybe just upgrade the injectors at that same time if planning on performance upgrades later on. The only thing that sucks about the L29 is the injector selection is limited and pretty pricey...other than that I love the motor
 
Let us know the results if he does. I know they are pretty conservative

GM did to the L29 what they did to the 8.1 as far as tunes go...they limited them heavily for the general public (which pisses me off). There is more to give in both the stock motors with a simple good tune on them
 
Yeah, the injection system is just fine on those motors. A little goofy with the top "plenum" and the rail running down the middle of that, but overall the system itself works really good.

@Bent77, if you pick up one of those motors used, unless you know for sure, it might be worth replacing the injectors/fuel pressure regulator before swapping it in. The stock injectors in those years blew and are kinda annoying to change out (ask me how I know). Would be nice to do it before the swap, and maybe just upgrade the injectors at that same time if planning on performance upgrades later on. The only thing that sucks about the L29 is the injector selection is limited and pretty pricey...other than that I love the motor
Really in no hurry do to no cash. But we need a second bus to haul all these kids. Already told my wife I wanted to buy a donor motor wrapped in a Burb. She’s kinda warped and said she’d think about it.

That’s how I get in trouble. She’s an enabler
 
GM did to the L29 what they did to the 8.1 as far as tunes go...they limited them heavily for the general public (which pisses me off). There is more to give in both the stock motors with a simple good tune on them
The good aspect is that most of them haven’t had the piss run out of them because of that too. That’s a bonus
 
The L29's are very reliable motors. I have over 220k on my K3500 and the only issues have been the injectors and distributor. Make sure you get a distributor with a metal base and not the plastic one and I used Ferd SVO injectors because they where half the price.

Also picked up a very clean 99 Burb with a L29/4L80e/110k which will donate the drive train to a 91 Blazer project because it seemed like the most cost effective & easy swap as far as accessories and trans go and I just like BBC's.
 
Yeah dude! L29. Bitchin big block. Bolt in affair for sure. Really as far as the tune goes, getting rid of torque management and burst knock retard will make a radical change in attitude without diving deep into the fuel and spark tables. The combo with good exhaust should net a solid setup that has good fuel economy and power.
 
Yeah dude! L29. Bitchin big block. Bolt in affair for sure. Really as far as the tune goes, getting rid of torque management and burst knock retard will make a radical change in attitude without diving deep into the fuel and spark tables. The combo with good exhaust should net a solid setup that has good fuel economy and power.
That’s what I was thinking to. It’ll do everything I want, just more weight. I’ll just need some heavy springs once my fronts for full W

Just need some coins now, back to work!
 
My front springs will.

Going up hill I won’t
Larry's didn't go down when he went to a the 454. He did end up replacing the fronts on the K10 a couple of years after the 8.1 went in, but he went with similar skyjacker softride springs.

At most I see you putting in a zero rate up front to level.
 
Larry's didn't go down when he went to a the 454. He did end up replacing the fronts on the K10 a couple of years after the 8.1 went in, but he went with similar skyjacker softride springs.

At most I see you putting in a zero rate up front to level.
That actually hits the drag link on the springs

Just buy a JK already.
No
 
Yeah just factor it out on the next cycle. No biggie
This is all just bench racing so far, but I think you are right not to rush to change springs just because a 4 fiddy 4 might go in.

When and if you put one in, see how it feels. You'll know if it needs changed, but I don't see you doing it shortly after the swap.

Larry's skyjacker springs are softer than most other lift kit brand springs other than tuff country, but his didn't squat under the weight. He later added the winch, 2nd battery which added more to the mix. He only changed them out because he wanted to freshen stuff up since they had been in there since the mid 90's. Funny thing though. He swapped those springs onto the burb and they sat just as high.
 
This is all just bench racing so far, but I think you are right not to rush to change springs just because a 4 fiddy 4 might go in.

When and if you put one in, see how it feels. You'll know if it needs changed, but I don't see you doing it shortly after the swap.

Larry's skyjacker springs are softer than most other lift kit brand springs other than tuff country, but his didn't squat under the weight. He later added the winch, 2nd battery which added more to the mix. He only changed them out because he wanted to freshen stuff up since they had been in there since the mid 90's. Funny thing though. He swapped those springs onto the burb and they sat just as high.
These are 52s, which i pushed the axle to get fat tires to fit. But any new springs will sit higher than these saggy things
 
So are you saying that I should look for 52 packs laying around??
Since you are talking like you have a saggy nose??

Better than the rear.....
 

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