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Which BBC to get for my '87 V30?

thatK30guy

thatK30guy

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I'm not quite ready to purchase a motor yet but I'd like to hear your thoughts and opinions on crate engines. I'm looking at them mainly for their warranty.

Vehicle is an '87 V30 dually regular cab. Has the normal hard parts in it such as the 400/205/60/70 with 4.10's. I plan to install the tallest p-metric tires BFGoodrich offers in their All-Terrain tread.

Plans for the truck are a driver, cruiser, mashing the skinny pedal to have fun, and towing/hauling more junk/trucks home with a trailer.

I want power. I'm looking at the 454HO and ZZ454. I realize both of these engines are high HP but I do want to play. I will be doing more driving than towing.

What do you guys think? I don't want to get crazy price-wise. The ZZ454 is around $6500, so I'd like to look a less than that. And where are the best sites to get the best prices on the crate engines?
 
theres a guy with a lower mileage 8.1L vortec complete runner with harness and ECM. for $2500....canadian. for that price you can swap the cam, and make some better HP and MPG and have major cool factor.
 
8.1 would be sick! But, like he mentioned, he wants a crate for the warranty.
 
76zimmer said:
you plan on fuel injection, or carb?


http://www.gmhorsepower.com/502-HO.php
Click to expand...
Gonna stick with the factory TBI the truck has.

And no on the 502. Don't wanna get that spendy.

What are everyones opinions on rebuilding the motor? Would I be better off getting a crate for the warranty instead of spending nearly the same about on a rebuild with no warranty?
 
Reading through that 8.1 swap, it looks like there is A LOT of little crap that needs dealt with in these trucks. The 502 HO seems like a good option to me, I had even considered that myself, but it would likely kill my built 700r4.
 
i think we need a poll option....:D
of course a 502 would be sweet but that is really spendy. what would you want to spend on it?
 
Oh well, the 502 HO is "only" $800 more than the 454 HO.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm.......
 
The question would be what the TBI is capable of. In addition to the $800 for the 502, there may be more $ in upgraded TBI parts.
 
What mods are needed to the stock FI in the '87 trucks? Its already wired and geared for a 454. What about a chip and programming it?
 
I'm not sure. For use on the 454 HO, I would at least plan on an adjustable pressure regulator and a custom chip from Brian at TBIchips.
 
that swap he did in the writeup of a 8.1 looks good.

but upon reading and thinking. i think 90% of the clearence problems can be solved with a simple 1" motor mount lift set like kirt from diy4x can make for us.

then use a spacer under the tcase mount and raise it up 1" .


also ditch the pass side lower mount a/c comp setup.


then you have a 8.1 and then use a cold air kit instead of the huge air box he did .
 
Wes, I was looking in a new Jegs last night and the HO502 was around $6300. I would try to go as big a you can for the money.

Also, talk to Howell EFI about the tbi mods. I spoke to them about doing OE tbi on my 454 which has a decent camshaft (.533 lift, 226 dur @ .050) and the guy so no big deal.
 
One big question I have about the 502: how well will it tow? I don't want to change the current 4.10 gearing and want to keep the TH400 also. But will the motor handle towing 6K lbs. trucks with ease?
 
thatK30guy said:
Gonna stick with the factory TBI the truck has.

And no on the 502. Don't wanna get that spendy.

What are everyones opinions on rebuilding the motor? Would I be better off getting a crate for the warranty instead of spending nearly the same about on a rebuild with no warranty?
Click to expand...

you mentioned the ZZ454....which is more than the 502HO....that 502 kicks ass. look at the torque curve :eek:

I could see the intake system being a problem on the 502 though.

I think you could rebuild for 1/2 of what your looking at a crate for.
Unless you start replacing heads/ or other major components.
 
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