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What should I upgrade my engine and tranny to?

L

LoggieStyle

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The transmission on my K5 just died and I figure now is a good time to upgrade the engine and transmission but I could use some help determining what I should put in.
I'd like to put in a fuel injection engine and an overdrive tranny. I drive it a lot so I need decent gas mileage (anything around 10+ is fine) but I'd like to have a lot of power also. I'm not skilled enough to do the work myself so I'll need to take it to a mechanic, keeping that in mind my budget is up to $5000. Obviously the less it costs the better but I'll spend that much if I have to.

So guys any suggestions?

Thanks,
Logan
 
Go with a vortec 350 and 4l65E.
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Well maybe that would be more than 5k.
Well try and get a 350TPI and matching 4l60 or 700R4.
That is only since you want to drive it a lot.
If you want to take it off road and wheel the snot out of it then get a 454 TBI and a TH400.
 
Thanks for the suggestion.

I found a couple ads for newer 5.3 vortecs with 4l60e or 4l80e transmissions around $3500 in the local classifieds. But aren't those transmissions much more difficult to swap because they are computer controlled? That's what I was told anyway.

Wheeling the snot out of it will come later after things stop breaking. Then I can go break them myself, so the TBI454 and TH400 might find it's way in there.

Logan
 
Yeah, you'll need a control unit thingie to run any of the -E trannies (E for electronic). JET has these, aftermarket, I do believe.
 
Well the reason I said they are over your budget because you said you will have someone install them for you.
I think you will pay half of your budget on labor.
Do some shopping in your area.
That is why I do my own labor. /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif
 
Not meaning to hijack the thread but I think this is relevant...What is the difference between a T400 tranny and a TH400? I know the T400 doesnt have overdrive, does the TH400? I know the T400 is one of the strongest trannies out ther, is the TH400 as strong? Thx
 
You can get simple R&R's in Phoenix AZ for $400. Most of the engine rebuild shops will do it for $400. Thats for an exact replacement of course.

I would do it myself though. Engine R&R is easy (just turning bolts,) its the getting it to run right thats the tricky part /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Build a 383 stroker with a TPI !!!! For a transmission, either a beefed up TH350, or a sm465. Think you'd be happy with that set up, I know I would.
 
I think I am going to try to do the tranny work myself, no time like the present to learn right? I got quoted $2500 to put in a 700r4 from the local shop, I don't know if that is good or bad but it's more than I want to pay, I know I can get the transmission half or less than half of that. Besides, the less I spend on the transmission the more I can spend on the engine.
 
$2500 is crazy. You can get a 700 rebuilt and the install for lees than a grand around here. I think most places will charge a couple hundred for the install. Doing an automatic tranny install is very easy.
 
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