What motor/ tranny do you run and why?

[mwgasman]

'87 Blazer

454TBI/4L80E/NP241.

 

[dirtygoat]

I had a 250 straight 6 in a '70 nova back in the 80s when I was a teen...

It leaked and burned oil... I would run it dry until it started to knock... Top it off with oil and sure enough, a couple miles down the road it would smooth out and run great...

I'm not sure you can destroy a 250, I sure gave it hell as a dumb teen... The body was falling apart when it went to the crusher, but it still ran like a champ...

 

[chulisohombre]

My mom had a strait six nova in the 80s. Had a couple hundred thousand miles on that sucker and still didn't burn oil. Tan like a champ. Was supposed to be my first car but she needed money and sold it for 800 bucks. Wish I still had it. 20 years later I wonder how long it lasted after she sold it.

 

[black dawg]

right now, tbi454/th400, because had too many issues over the years with turboed 6.2-6.5 and needed a tow rig.

next? maybe 7.3/sm465 because I cant burn wmo in the 454.

 

[eagle mark]

Everyone is answering your question, but I think your looking for something to replace it? Plenty of LS engine and trannys out there right now for cheap!

 

[blazinzuk]

TBI 350 ( bone stock) turbo 350 (lighter doesn't take as much power as a 400).

I eventually will switch to a 6.0 or 5.3 with a 4l60. Better first gear and I can leave the motor basically stock and it will be a huge power increase for me

 

[76zimmer]

461BB, and T400, w/ doubler....I only need a fraction of the hp for low/low, but low/high or high/high its nice to have the tq and hp of the BB!

 

[magik235]

TBI 350 / TH350 / 208 - I like it

 

[rdn2blazer]

Going to be running a 96' 454 and a 4l80e with a new style ORD doubler. BUT! If my buddy can get a 5.9 12 valve cummings I may swap the 454 for it.

 

[Larry]

An inline 6 in a K5 would be pretty cool, and rare. I always thought it would be fun to build a 292 inline 6 with a Howell TBI kit backed by a NV4500 for a K5 for a short bed stepside. Straight 6’s have great torque and they are so rare these days. Sounds odd coming from a big block guy but for some odd reason I always like inline 6’s.

My two off-roadsters…

’78 K10 – 2002 8.1L backed by a NV4500

’89 V2500 Burb – 5.7L/SM465 soon to be NV4500 then shortly after it too will be getting an 8.1L

I love the 8.1L/NV4500 combination because on the right ECM tune the engine makes big HP for a stock engine along with low RPM diesel-like torque. No need to stuff the engine full of aftermarket goodies such as cams, etc. to squeeze an easy 425 HP and over 550 lb. ft. of torque out of them. They are also easer to swap in older trucks than a LS small block. The NV4500 is just an all-around great driver trans and solid performer off road. I still think it would be fun to build an EFI 292 6 popper for something though, not because it would be a major powerhouse but because it would be unique.

 

[plyr2k]

Going to be running a 96' 454 and a 4l80e with a new style ORD doubler. BUT! If my buddy can get a 5.9 12 valve cummings I may swap the 454 for it.

Cummins*

Sorry. I should put that in the "Grinds my gears" thread.

 

[82355]

You're not alone.

Martin

 

[danyosun]

Stock 5.3 and an NV4500. Decent mileage, GREAT when wheelin and extremely reliable.

 

[woodwright]

My 70 K10 has a 93 6.5TD and an NV3500 5 speed with a divorced 205. Im building it to be my daily driver, and it has enough power, and should get good mileage. My 83 Blazer has a 6.2 and 700r4 with 3.42's and 33's. Gets 20 MPG. My 64 Nova is getting a FI 250 I6 and T5. Maybe a turbo eventually. Should be a sweet economical cruiser. Some day I'd like to build something with a 12V Cummins.

 

[crawlink5]

Cummins 4BT, NV4500, NP205

 

[fabjunkie]

6BT/NV4500 cause it's zombie/EMP/apocalypse proof.

 

[mtnman210]

bored Cadillac 500 with a th400 and a nwf doubler. GREAT torque from the caddy just not much of an aftermarket as say a BBC. With that I think my next motor will be a 496fi bbc. No special reason other than I want to build something new.

 

[jt512]

454/400 205 in the K30, because that's what Chevrolet gave it

12 valve Cummins/nv4500 205 in the K5 because 12 valvers rule

 

[Heavyleft]

RV Morse TBI, 350, built 700r4. It my DD so the overdrive is nice. Local tranny guy built my transmission for abuse and its held up great for over a year now and I abuse it on the trail!

 

[gonefishin]

still working on the 383 but for now it a .060 327 is going back in after i had an unlucky incedent crossing a creek with my 355. thats backed with a nv4500 and now i am putting in a 241/205 doubler.. i like having plenty of gear choices and also love a high winding small block in the mud. nothing like holding 6500 rpm coming out of a hole.