Powertrain options

So this year is a wash, but starting in the spring of 2013 the plan to re power the Biscuit will take place. My only issue is that I have a few ideas of what I want to re power it with. However, I am setting a buget of $2000 to do it with.

I will call them off by what I feel is the least expensive to the most to do

1. Swap in an LT1
2. Single intercooled turbo on the L99
3. 7.4 454/4L80E combo
4. 6.5 Turbo Diesel/4L80E combo

The first three are certainly going to be under 2k. The 6.5 is hit or miss depending on whether or not I can find a donor truck cheap due to rot.

So what do you guys think?

IMPALADAKID wrote:

So this year is a wash, but starting in the spring of 2013 the plan to re power the Biscuit will take place. My only issue is that I have a few ideas of what I want to re power it with. However, I am setting a buget of $2000 to do it with.

I will call them off by what I feel is the least expensive to the most to do

1. Swap in an LT1
2. Single intercooled turbo on the L99
3. 7.4 454/4L80E combo
4. 6.5 Turbo Diesel/4L80E combo

The first three are certainly going to be under 2k. The 6.5 is hit or miss depending on whether or not I can find a donor truck cheap due to rot.

So what do you guys think?

6.5 would be AWESOME! But not cheap like you said, 454 would be pretty sweet too, but both require someone letting go of a rotted truck and they will probably be "that guy" and not let it go for the right price.

Personally I think the turbo L99 should be the way you go with this because, well, LT1 isn't always the answer for everything

Swap in a 3800 Supercharged
I want to put that in a TBI wagon one day. It has more HP than the 305 and L99, probably a lot less torque though. Now to find an F-body trans from a 3.8 powered car...

You missed the most obvious one.

5.3 truck manifolded single tahrboh.

Did you get another DD? As larry and J how much work goes into a turbo car.

If $2k is your limit, get a LT1, juice it up a little bit and drive it.

For that matter, i have a complete L99 white civi roller, good quarters, no interior (though i can find you plenty) for $500, and i'll throw in a posi 9c1 rear end.

Leave you car as is drive it and build this car that way your not down a vehicle. Its a win win.

You know what I just noticed, Glen? This is a very slutty forum.... lol

And, way cool offer!

If I was to do it all over I would have started with a car that did not have super low mileage and done a budget swap like this.

http://ls1tech.com/forums/conversions-hybrids/1075693-my-budget-ls-engine-swap-guide-1500-a.html

I used many ideas from this in my swap, but eventually ended up spending big bucks on conversion kit, wire harness, headers, etc. I think a 5.3 swap could be done for $2000 or less making your own mounts and using truck manifolds. Hell, when I do the WRX LS swap I plan to do it budget style like this guy.

After I did the plug and play harness (For about a grand) I did more research on LS wiring and it looks to be pretty damn basic, I will wire my own next time.

Doug

No Moa wrote:

Leave your car as is drive it and build this car that way your not down a vehicle. Its a win-win.

Good advice, especially since your daily drivers tend to have about a 120 day grace period on average before they are liquidiated to finance the next purchase.

At least you will have something to show for your efforts when the urge strikes to drive something else.

Also:

Pooge wrote:

If I was to do it all over I would have started with a car that did not have super low mileage and done a budget swap like this.

http://ls1tech.com/forums/conversions-hybrids/1075693-my-budget-ls-engine-swap-guide-1500-a.html

I used many ideas from this in my swap, but eventually ended up spending big bucks on conversion kit, wire harness, headers, etc. I think a 5.3 swap could be done for $2000 or less making your own mounts and using truck manifolds. Hell, when I do the WRX LS swap I plan to do it budget style like this guy.

After I did the plug and play harness (For about a grand) I did more research on LS wiring and it looks to be pretty damn basic, I will wire my own next time.

Doug

More good advice. If I didn't have a spare LT1 in the garage and the T56 already in the wagon, there is no way it would get replaced with anything less than a LS-something when the time comes.

Hollands isn't even removing the 5.3L's from the trucks in the general yard - If there was a sign to indicate when something has been around long enough to be taken for granted I'd say that was it.

If you really want to do something though, learn how properly section a truck pan sump on an exchange basis. Most all the factory pans are a compromise on fit and the aftermarket pans are still _way_ too expensive for most budgets. The truck pan fits most everything, but is simply too deep for adequate ground clearance.

Someone with a TIG welder, Sawzall, a dozen pans to start with, and a Paypal account could be laughing all the way to the bank.

- J

I always thought that it would be interesting to do the 8.1L vortec swap....I know a lot of guys are quick to bash that motor....but they also tend to be the same folks that regurgitate poor internet information...

It is essentially a factory stroked roller 496....

The motor uses traditional bbc mount pads, regular old chevy bell housing, lsx 24 tooth crank trigger with coil on plug, and BBC exhaust port spacing (in other words, you could use regular BBC tall deck headers...no fancy swap headers).

I suppose you could retain the factory fuel injection, or grab a regular MSD 24x box and run the DART carb intake...but since your talking more of a daily driver....keep the fi.

Just some more food for thought...

On a mild tune up with the classic intake/ exhaust combo...that motor would make some steam in your car and be a blast around town with the lgiht to light torque...

I say none of the above. I say you get a 283 or 327 and run it with a carb, and do mecanical alterations, Either one would be a SCREAMING motor, also fulfills the biscayne theme and you can get them cheap. And parts are available, I got a '67 327 making 425hp for $1200 on craigslist last year, was basically brand new and complete. I think I might have a few 283's out back for dirt cheap, complete engine's but needs rebuilding...... lmk I'll ask my old man what's out there, I know for a fact there's a 72 suburban 454 out there

JaySS wrote:

No Moa wrote:

Leave your car as is drive it and build this car that way your not down a vehicle. Its a win-win.

Good advice, especially since your daily drivers tend to have about a 120 day grace period on average before they are liquidiated to finance the next purchase.

- J

i LOL'd really hard!

No Moa wrote:

JaySS wrote:

No Moa wrote:

Leave your car as is drive it and build this car that way your not down a vehicle. Its a win-win.

Good advice, especially since your daily drivers tend to have about a 120 day grace period on average before they are liquidiated to finance the next purchase.

- J

i LOL'd really hard!

Haha me too.

I'm no expert nor am I in the position to do any sort of swap right now, but I wouldn't go diesel anything unless you were doing a Duramax, or a Cummins...even one of those Cummins 4BT's from a bread truck would be pretty interesting and would get fantastic gas mileage as well, there's one in a Crown Vic on Youtube.

For budget reasons though, definitely LT1 or 5.3 LS engine swap. Like has been said, there's some great advice that's been posted here, and I would make sure you have two cars on the road before you tear into anything!

I'm betting you cant do ANY of those & keep it under $2K
Oh sure...everyone can do some math & have it work.......
its having it work THEN doing the math that I'm talkin bout.

Worst thing that can happen is you prove me wrong

sdstick wrote:

I'm betting you cant do ANY of those & keep it under $2K
Oh sure...everyone can do some math & have it work.......
its having it work THEN doing the math that I'm talkin bout.

Worst thing that can happen is you prove me wrong

Billy that sounds like a challenge to me!

http://worcester.craigslist.org/pts/3169901939.html

Ironfistdog wrote:

http://worcester.craigslist.org/pts/3169901939.html

LOL, I wonder what it would take to stick that in MY car, s'already TBI! lol. Those chrome wheels ARE kinda heavy and could use some help rolling down the street...

A nice 65* Saturday off from work and a cherry picker.....
As long as you get the computer i don't see the problem, headers and a new fuel pump DONE lol,

JaySS wrote:

No Moa wrote:

Leave your car as is drive it and build this car that way your not down a vehicle. Its a win-win.

Good advice, especially since your daily drivers tend to have about a 120 day grace period on average before they are liquidiated to finance the next purchase.
- J

Who does that anyways. Besides Crovo has the same "For Sale" sign he got in high school.

sdstick wrote:

I'm betting you cant do ANY of those & keep it under $2K
Oh sure...everyone can do some math & have it work.......
its having it work THEN doing the math that I'm talkin bout.

Worst thing that can happen is you prove me wrong

i agree, i dont forsee this happening for 2K

personally I'd go for the big block, theres no replacement for displacement! Its only my opinion.

mikiehews wrote:

personally I'd go for the big block, theres no replacement for displacement! Its only my opinion.

In his Daily Driver? 8 MPG

No Moa wrote:

mikiehews wrote:

personally I'd go for the big block, theres no replacement for displacement! Its only my opinion.

In his Daily Driver? 8 MPG

start working from home

mikiehews wrote:

personally I'd go for the big block, theres no replacement for displacement! Its only my opinion.

Two words... Boat. Anchor. ;-)

toomanytoyz wrote:

mikiehews wrote:

personally I'd go for the big block, theres no replacement for displacement! Its only my opinion.

Two words... Boat. Anchor. ;-)

that is why I said "my opinin" because as my wife always says "your an idiot". I rarely use logic and fore thought.
A big block is more of a dream.

No Moa wrote:

sdstick wrote:

I'm betting you cant do ANY of those & keep it under $2K
Oh sure...everyone can do some math & have it work.......
its having it work THEN doing the math that I'm talkin bout.

Worst thing that can happen is you prove me wrong

i agree, i dont forsee this happening for 2K

The first one can be done for under $500 Gentlemen. Just an engine, and PCM or PCM tune. Even with all exterior gaskets and seals replaced, and painted.
Probably the direction I will go, or the 5.3/4L60E combo if I can find one out of a 03-06 G van. Not too many 2wd 5.3 powered trucks in this neck of the woods.

Still haven't answered the question everyone is thinking, your going to tie up your daily driver just to swap engines? I still say for 2k you can buy a nice lt1 car and mod the shit out of it and keep the l99 for everyday. My $.02.

No Moa wrote:

Still haven't answered the question everyone is thinking, your going to tie up your daily driver just to swap engines? I still say for 2k you can buy a nice lt1 car and mod the shit out of it and keep the l99 for everyday. My $.02.

Not sure. The LT1 swap can be done in about 8 hours.

Since others have voted for combos not on the list...

A twin turbo V6 or

A nitrous L99.

boojum wrote:

Since others have voted for combos not on the list...

A twin turbo V6 or

A nitrous L99.

The other 4.3? or a 3.8? How about building a Pontiac and having the Sprint OHC straight six?

1984twodoor wrote:

boojum wrote:

Since others have voted for combos not on the list...

A twin turbo V6 or

A nitrous L99.

The other 4.3? or a 3.8? ...

Yes

boojum wrote:

1984twodoor wrote:

boojum wrote:

Since others have voted for combos not on the list...

A twin turbo V6 or

A nitrous L99.

The other 4.3? or a 3.8? ...

Yes

Front and rear turbo V6 engines. I like it.

Matt Trakker wrote:

Ok that's wicked cool!

Is it bad that I think those Citation x-11's are AWESOME

toomanytoyz wrote:

mikiehews wrote:

personally I'd go for the big block, theres no replacement for displacement! Its only my opinion.

Two words... Boat. Anchor. ;-)

Not that it would be my first choice, but read the build and WATCH THE VIDEO!



http://bangshift.com/blog/car-feature-the-secret-weapon-a-1980-olds-wagon-with-496ci-of-vortec-big-block-and-a-doug-nash-5-speed.html

V8Killer wrote:

toomanytoyz wrote:

mikiehews wrote:

personally I'd go for the big block, theres no replacement for displacement! Its only my opinion.

Two words... Boat. Anchor. ;-)

Not that it would be my first choice, but read the build and WATCH THE VIDEO!



http://bangshift.com/blog/car-feature-the-secret-weapon-a-1980-olds-wagon-with-496ci-of-vortec-big-block-and-a-doug-nash-5-speed.html

Ahhahahahaha, best video of the week.

Bet it cost more than $2k though! (no I didn't read it)

THAT. Was awesome.

V8Killer wrote:

toomanytoyz wrote:

mikiehews wrote:

personally I'd go for the big block, theres no replacement for displacement! Its only my opinion.

Two words... Boat. Anchor. ;-)

Not that it would be my first choice, but read the build and WATCH THE VIDEO!



http://bangshift.com/blog/car-feature-the-secret-weapon-a-1980-olds-wagon-with-496ci-of-vortec-big-block-and-a-doug-nash-5-speed.html

I'll take it!
And for about what I want to spend too. 3k total in the car. Not bad. I would do a 5.3 or LS1.
I would love to do one from a new camaro. That way I would not have to change the RPO code.

Lsx Chevy v8 5.3 ls1 complete swap - $800 (Epping )
http://nh.craigslist.org/pts/3189445109.html