85 v8 swap

stevblev · 07-01-2009, 03:03 PM

ive been in the market for a fullsize silverado
i did have the opportunity to buy my moms 2000 blazer for 3500
but now its totaled
i was going to do a v8 swap but decided it would be too much money
today though i saw a very nice 85 s10 tahoe longbed without a engine or tranny
are v8 swaps any easier on these older s10s?
i can buy the s10 for 1k

MadMikeZ28 · 07-01-2009, 03:46 PM

I think the more important thing to say here you should be able to fine a S-truck for well under $1000 with a motor and tranny. That has got to be one perfect truck being sold for that much.

Secondly, easy depends on your skill level. Best thing for you to do is at least get a book on the swap. If you go through with the swap you will have the book in your hands to look at when you get stuck instead of posting here all the time waiting impatiently for an answer.
jagsthatrun.com

stevblev · 07-01-2009, 06:07 PM

i think it said it had like 60k miles when he took the motor out
theres no dents etc
and yea ive been looking at jagsthatrun since i thought about doing it to the 2000 blazer we used to have
are 80's models carbed?
thats the main thing im looking for so that i dont have to deal with all the electronics

MadMikeZ28 · 07-01-2009, 08:11 PM

Not all 80's S trucks were carbed. The 85 1.9 and 2.8 would have been and the 2.5 TBI. But the electronics would not make much difference if you're swapping in a V8. And there are carbed models with electronics as well.
60,000 miles does not mean much when there is no motor or trans. And giving the age I would be more likely to believe its at least 160,000. The 85's odometer wont show that.

stevblev · 07-01-2009, 09:00 PM

well i guess ill just have to buy the jagsthatrun booklet
or i could just buy a running s10 so i can drive it, get the v8 ready, and then have my dad help me drop it in
he said he used to put chevys in fords, pontiacs in chevys buiks in pontiacs etc lol
or just buy a cyclone

leprechaun1874 · 07-01-2009, 09:31 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by stevblev

ive been in the market for a fullsize silverado
i did have the opportunity to buy my moms 2000 blazer for 3500
but now its totaled
i was going to do a v8 swap but decided it would be too much money
today though i saw a very nice 85 s10 tahoe longbed without a engine or tranny
are v8 swaps any easier on these older s10s?
i can buy the s10 for 1k

I bought an running 85 4x4 for $400. I would not pay that much for that truck.

towb3 · 07-01-2009, 10:03 PM

I agree. I think they are NADA in perfect condition for around that price. I bought mine with a rebuilt engine and repainted for 1000. From my pops, but he still wouldn't have been paid much more. The swap isn't that bad. It can be done for cheap. I am in the middle of my build and my budget was thrown out the door. I just didn't see a reason to put 800 dollars into cheap/used crap putting the engine together so it started getting really expensive. If you are on a tight budget you might want to save a bit.

stevblev · 07-01-2009, 10:55 PM

well im on a budget of 4-5 grand
i could buy a v8 off craigslist
say i was to buy a fuel injected s10, what would i do with all the electronics
especially if its 4wd
just cut the wires or what

MadMikeZ28 · 07-01-2009, 11:33 PM

Fool injected or carbed don't matter. Basically the wires you need are on the left side of the firewall coming from that bulkhead connector that leads to the fuse block. It has the starter, gauges and all the other wires to make the truck run. All the other wires going through the right side of the firewall under the HVAC box will go to the computer and if you swap ina carbed V8 you obviously wont need the computers wires.

jtcfanof3 · 07-02-2009, 12:13 AM

Its Syclone and if your budget is $4K-$5K then your out of the market my freind because even one with alot of miles and not the best of shape brings $10K easy.

towb3 · 07-02-2009, 10:26 PM

I completely missed the syclone post and was lost for a minute. haha. X3 on finding one near your budget price, much less finding one for sale. ha. for a nice small block set up and truck, you might be able to squeak by with that budget though. Look for 2 wheel drive though. Imo

stevblev · 07-03-2009, 12:46 AM

lol i was kidding about the syclone
thanks for the info about the wires,
that helps out enormousily on how hard i thought this would be
i thought i would have to research and find out what each wire does
what to keep etc
so i will swap a carbed engine in it
and i dont plan on spending all of my budget
this is my first car after all
so basically i can just take the computer out on the right side and
throw it away right?
now for my next question
my main reason for doing carbed is money
i know fuel injected engines are more expensive and
have to have a new computer
how much do these cost?

MadMikeZ28 · 07-03-2009, 01:09 AM

Cost depends on what you get, where you go, how you get it... I got a 97 4.3 and made money doing it. So that puts my cost in the minus side.

stevblev · 07-03-2009, 01:27 AM

ha howd you manage that?
and i imagine i can fabricate most of the parts needed
im not exactly the type of guy thatll buy something when i can make it myself
my dads also good at it and he is a semi pro welder
and if worst comes to worst, his bestfriend owns a machine shop

stevblev · 07-03-2009, 01:53 AM

actually heres a newer one and a much better s10
http://louisville.craigslist.org/cto/1227770373.html
i realized that the chrome trim rings on the pass. side are missing
but i would take those off anyway

Skully · 07-03-2009, 02:20 AM

I would say that is a better deal at least u can drive this one,its newer,and looks to be in good shape with decent wheels.

MadMikeZ28 · 07-03-2009, 03:18 AM

There ya go. Only $500 more and you can drive it, has IROC wheels and its red!

stevblev · 07-03-2009, 07:06 PM

or i could get this and not worry about the swap at all
http://louisville.craigslist.org/cto/1251807769.html
so basically i could go to the junkyard, find a z28 camaro
get the engine and computer and drop it in and it will run?
i know that is in a very small nutshell but thats basically it

MadMikeZ28 · 07-03-2009, 09:00 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by stevblev

or i could get this and not worry about the swap at all
http://louisville.craigslist.org/cto/1251807769.html
so basically i could go to the junkyard, find a z28 camaro
get the engine and computer and drop it in and it will run?
i know that is in a very small nutshell but thats basically it

Drop it in what? A S10 that had a 2.8 or 4 banger? You will have to add a tranny to that basic list. But what ever engine you use if it is a computer controled one then yes get the harness all the way to the computer and the computer.

jtcfanof3 · 07-04-2009, 12:56 AM

Grab all the wiring you can,when I pulled the 305 I have outta the firebird I took everything,headlights too tail lights!

stevblev · 07-04-2009, 11:19 PM

well ive decided just to buy a fullsize truck
ive got till now to next september before i get my liscense
so hopefully ill find one
i get my permit in march
i got plenty of time

07-01-2009, 03:03 PM	#1
stevblev Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 10 Location: User is: OffLine	85 v8 swap ive been in the market for a fullsize silverado i did have the opportunity to buy my moms 2000 blazer for 3500 but now its totaled i was going to do a v8 swap but decided it would be too much money today though i saw a very nice 85 s10 tahoe longbed without a engine or tranny are v8 swaps any easier on these older s10s? i can buy the s10 for 1k
	[Reply w/Quote]

07-01-2009, 03:46 PM	#2
MadMikeZ28 Stealin JTC's sandwichs Age: 41 Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 4,416 Location: In jtc's basement eating the salami sandwich from his fridge User is: OffLine	Re: 85 v8 swap I think the more important thing to say here you should be able to fine a S-truck for well under $1000 with a motor and tranny. That has got to be one perfect truck being sold for that much. Secondly, easy depends on your skill level. Best thing for you to do is at least get a book on the swap. If you go through with the swap you will have the book in your hands to look at when you get stuck instead of posting here all the time waiting impatiently for an answer. jagsthatrun.com
	[Reply w/Quote]

07-01-2009, 06:07 PM	#3
stevblev Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 10 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: 85 v8 swap i think it said it had like 60k miles when he took the motor out theres no dents etc and yea ive been looking at jagsthatrun since i thought about doing it to the 2000 blazer we used to have are 80's models carbed? thats the main thing im looking for so that i dont have to deal with all the electronics
	[Reply w/Quote]

07-01-2009, 08:11 PM	#4
MadMikeZ28 Stealin JTC's sandwichs Age: 41 Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 4,416 Location: In jtc's basement eating the salami sandwich from his fridge User is: OffLine	Re: 85 v8 swap Not all 80's S trucks were carbed. The 85 1.9 and 2.8 would have been and the 2.5 TBI. But the electronics would not make much difference if you're swapping in a V8. And there are carbed models with electronics as well. 60,000 miles does not mean much when there is no motor or trans. And giving the age I would be more likely to believe its at least 160,000. The 85's odometer wont show that.
	[Reply w/Quote]

07-01-2009, 09:00 PM	#5
stevblev Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 10 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: 85 v8 swap well i guess ill just have to buy the jagsthatrun booklet or i could just buy a running s10 so i can drive it, get the v8 ready, and then have my dad help me drop it in he said he used to put chevys in fords, pontiacs in chevys buiks in pontiacs etc lol or just buy a cyclone
	[Reply w/Quote]

07-01-2009, 09:31 PM	#6
leprechaun1874 Boobies Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 1,129 Location: Charlotte User is: OffLine	Re: 85 v8 swap Quote: Originally Posted by stevblev ive been in the market for a fullsize silverado i did have the opportunity to buy my moms 2000 blazer for 3500 but now its totaled i was going to do a v8 swap but decided it would be too much money today though i saw a very nice 85 s10 tahoe longbed without a engine or tranny are v8 swaps any easier on these older s10s? i can buy the s10 for 1k I bought an running 85 4x4 for $400. I would not pay that much for that truck.
	[Reply w/Quote]

07-01-2009, 10:03 PM	#7
towb3 Ehhh! Age: 27 Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,394 Location: Belleville, IL/St.Louis User is: OffLine	Re: 85 v8 swap I agree. I think they are NADA in perfect condition for around that price. I bought mine with a rebuilt engine and repainted for 1000. From my pops, but he still wouldn't have been paid much more. The swap isn't that bad. It can be done for cheap. I am in the middle of my build and my budget was thrown out the door. I just didn't see a reason to put 800 dollars into cheap/used crap putting the engine together so it started getting really expensive. If you are on a tight budget you might want to save a bit.
	[Reply w/Quote]

07-01-2009, 10:55 PM	#8
stevblev Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 10 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: 85 v8 swap well im on a budget of 4-5 grand i could buy a v8 off craigslist say i was to buy a fuel injected s10, what would i do with all the electronics especially if its 4wd just cut the wires or what
	[Reply w/Quote]

07-01-2009, 11:33 PM	#9
MadMikeZ28 Stealin JTC's sandwichs Age: 41 Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 4,416 Location: In jtc's basement eating the salami sandwich from his fridge User is: OffLine	Re: 85 v8 swap Fool injected or carbed don't matter. Basically the wires you need are on the left side of the firewall coming from that bulkhead connector that leads to the fuse block. It has the starter, gauges and all the other wires to make the truck run. All the other wires going through the right side of the firewall under the HVAC box will go to the computer and if you swap ina carbed V8 you obviously wont need the computers wires.
	[Reply w/Quote]

07-02-2009, 12:13 AM	#10
jtcfanof3 Busy at school Age: 33 Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 5,047 Location: barack hussein obama mmm mmm mmm User is: OffLine	Re: 85 v8 swap Its Syclone and if your budget is $4K-$5K then your out of the market my freind because even one with alot of miles and not the best of shape brings $10K easy.
	[Reply w/Quote]

07-02-2009, 10:26 PM	#11
towb3 Ehhh! Age: 27 Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,394 Location: Belleville, IL/St.Louis User is: OffLine	Re: 85 v8 swap I completely missed the syclone post and was lost for a minute. haha. X3 on finding one near your budget price, much less finding one for sale. ha. for a nice small block set up and truck, you might be able to squeak by with that budget though. Look for 2 wheel drive though. Imo
	[Reply w/Quote]

07-03-2009, 12:46 AM	#12
stevblev Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 10 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: 85 v8 swap lol i was kidding about the syclone thanks for the info about the wires, that helps out enormousily on how hard i thought this would be i thought i would have to research and find out what each wire does what to keep etc so i will swap a carbed engine in it and i dont plan on spending all of my budget this is my first car after all so basically i can just take the computer out on the right side and throw it away right? now for my next question my main reason for doing carbed is money i know fuel injected engines are more expensive and have to have a new computer how much do these cost?
	[Reply w/Quote]

07-03-2009, 01:09 AM	#13
MadMikeZ28 Stealin JTC's sandwichs Age: 41 Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 4,416 Location: In jtc's basement eating the salami sandwich from his fridge User is: OffLine	Re: 85 v8 swap Cost depends on what you get, where you go, how you get it... I got a 97 4.3 and made money doing it. So that puts my cost in the minus side.
	[Reply w/Quote]

07-03-2009, 01:27 AM	#14
stevblev Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 10 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: 85 v8 swap ha howd you manage that? and i imagine i can fabricate most of the parts needed im not exactly the type of guy thatll buy something when i can make it myself my dads also good at it and he is a semi pro welder and if worst comes to worst, his bestfriend owns a machine shop
	[Reply w/Quote]

07-03-2009, 01:53 AM	#15
stevblev Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 10 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: 85 v8 swap actually heres a newer one and a much better s10 http://louisville.craigslist.org/cto/1227770373.html i realized that the chrome trim rings on the pass. side are missing but i would take those off anyway
	[Reply w/Quote]

07-03-2009, 02:20 AM	#16
Skully Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 166 Location: Laurens, SC User is: OffLine	Re: 85 v8 swap I would say that is a better deal at least u can drive this one,its newer,and looks to be in good shape with decent wheels.
	[Reply w/Quote]

07-03-2009, 03:18 AM	#17
MadMikeZ28 Stealin JTC's sandwichs Age: 41 Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 4,416 Location: In jtc's basement eating the salami sandwich from his fridge User is: OffLine	Re: 85 v8 swap There ya go. Only $500 more and you can drive it, has IROC wheels and its red!
	[Reply w/Quote]

07-03-2009, 07:06 PM	#18
stevblev Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 10 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: 85 v8 swap or i could get this and not worry about the swap at all http://louisville.craigslist.org/cto/1251807769.html so basically i could go to the junkyard, find a z28 camaro get the engine and computer and drop it in and it will run? i know that is in a very small nutshell but thats basically it
	[Reply w/Quote]

07-03-2009, 09:00 PM	#19
MadMikeZ28 Stealin JTC's sandwichs Age: 41 Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 4,416 Location: In jtc's basement eating the salami sandwich from his fridge User is: OffLine	Re: 85 v8 swap Quote: Originally Posted by stevblev or i could get this and not worry about the swap at all http://louisville.craigslist.org/cto/1251807769.html so basically i could go to the junkyard, find a z28 camaro get the engine and computer and drop it in and it will run? i know that is in a very small nutshell but thats basically it Drop it in what? A S10 that had a 2.8 or 4 banger? You will have to add a tranny to that basic list. But what ever engine you use if it is a computer controled one then yes get the harness all the way to the computer and the computer.
	[Reply w/Quote]

07-04-2009, 12:56 AM	#20
jtcfanof3 Busy at school Age: 33 Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 5,047 Location: barack hussein obama mmm mmm mmm User is: OffLine	Re: 85 v8 swap Grab all the wiring you can,when I pulled the 305 I have outta the firebird I took everything,headlights too tail lights!
	[Reply w/Quote]

07-04-2009, 11:19 PM	#21
stevblev Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 10 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: 85 v8 swap well ive decided just to buy a fullsize truck ive got till now to next september before i get my liscense so hopefully ill find one i get my permit in march i got plenty of time
	[Reply w/Quote]