v8 swap help

93_lexus_rims · 08-20-2008, 12:57 AM

ok well ive put aside the fact that the climate control needs to be totaly rewired because when i reinstalled the dash the wires got pinched and grounded out.....hence starting the wires on fire and melting them together....

ive moved on from that and i was wondering about v8 swaps. my friend has links and all the info that i need to do the swap properly. what engine should i go with? does a 350 with a throttle body work with the wiring of the 2.8 with a throttle body? or should i go with a carb setup? i was sort of thinking of going with a 6 speed camaro tranny with one of their 350 tpi setups but it may end up being to expensive.

im for sure going with a manual tranny setup, probably out of a 3rd gen f-body. but im not sure what engine to rebuilt and put some money into to make it a really good and reasonable engine for the build.

i do plan on putting trac bars and sway bars in the rear with a possible disc break conversion and im replacing the worn out stock struts for some adjustable coilover springs off of my dads cement truck (the ones off of the 3rd axel of the truck that are airbag powered to lower under extreme load) i figure they will be a little more stiff and have alot more holding capacity to them, plus i can tune my ride hight to what i want it. and in the front im going to put in better progressive rate coil springs and sway bars. maybe new bushings and refresh the rest of the stock parts in front to handle the added weight of the v8.

ive got about 2 months to figure out what engine im dropping in and find it before i finish the body work at school and need to rebuilt the engine for a project.

once i swap the v8 and 5 speed tranny in ill be selling the stock drivetrain if anyone is interested.....i dont see who would be...but just for kicks and giggles ill see if anyone is interested.... its a 2.8l v6 with the stock 5 speed tranny. ill probably be using the shifter and linkages depending on how the shifter and linkage sits in the truck off of the f-body tranny.

MadMikeZ28 · 08-20-2008, 01:43 AM

If you ask in the V8 section you may get more responses from the people that done it and frequent that section. But do post pics here when its done

DieselS10 · 08-20-2008, 01:44 AM

To figure out what engine you want, decide on what you want to do with it. If you are gonna drive it alot, I'd stay with a fuel injected 350, it will be more dependable and get better mileage, if it is a weekend cruiser or dedicated racer, carbed would be fine and you could use money that you would have spent on a fuely motor and harness and spend it on go fast parts.

Edit: and welcome to the forum.

***fetuss10*** · 08-20-2008, 07:20 PM

i can move this to v8 section if ud like?

mxjunkie · 08-20-2008, 07:29 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by DieselS10

To figure out what engine you want, decide on what you want to do with it. If you are gonna drive it alot, I'd stay with a fuel injected 350, it will be more dependable and get better mileage, if it is a weekend cruiser or dedicated racer, carbed would be fine and you could use money that you would have spent on a fuely motor and harness and spend it on go fast parts.

Edit: and welcome to the forum.

All kidding aside you can daily drive carb motors, mines been on the road for the last 10 years now.. The downfall is you do have to spend a little more time to let the beast warm up some.. Winter time is a beeeeaaach

DieselS10 · 08-20-2008, 11:15 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by mxjunkie

All kidding aside you can daily drive carb motors, mines been on the road for the last 10 years now.. The downfall is you do have to spend a little more time to let the beast warm up some.. Winter time is a beeeeaaach

I completely agree about daily driving a carbed truck, I put one in my truck in '93, swapped it out for an EFI 350 in '96 and I haven't looked back. Sure I miss opening the 4 barrel, it has never been as quick as it was with the carbed motor, but it got 7 mpg. When I switched to the EFI 350 it got 14 mpg average and 19 on the highway and that was with 35" tires.

93_lexus_rims · 08-21-2008, 01:10 AM

ya you can move the thread to the v8 section if its not to much to ask.

i wasnt sure where to post.

i was thinking of a really strong engine setup. something that i can drive as a daily driver but something that could easily put out 300-400 hp. im sorta wanting a truck that i can use for most of the year but be able to tow things that are to heavy or big for my car.

and i do have the habit of racing the wanna bes' in town.

Golana · 08-21-2008, 01:32 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by 93_lexus_rims

ya you can move the thread to the v8 section if its not to much to ask.

i wasnt sure where to post.

i was thinking of a really strong engine setup. something that i can drive as a daily driver but something that could easily put out 300-400 hp. im sorta wanting a truck that i can use for most of the year but be able to tow things that are to heavy or big for my car.

and i do have the habit of racing the wanna bes' in town.

LSx if you are looking for reliable power and daily driveability.

mxjunkie · 08-21-2008, 08:53 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by DieselS10

I completely agree about daily driving a carbed truck, I put one in my truck in '93, swapped it out for an EFI 350 in '96 and I haven't looked back. Sure I miss opening the 4 barrel, it has never been as quick as it was with the carbed motor, but it got 7 mpg. When I switched to the EFI 350 it got 14 mpg average and 19 on the highway and that was with 35" tires.

Oh man no doubt, I have the little 13.2 gas tank on mine and I'm at the gas station 3-4 times a week just driving to work.. 60-80 bucks a week, 120ish if I drive far.. This week I gotta hit up the coin star and get some gas money from my change lol..

93_lexus that may be one thing you will want to do is upgrade to the bigger gas tank if your going to do the V8 swap. I cannot wait till I can get my hands on one!

93_lexus_rims · 08-22-2008, 12:37 AM

ya i believe the gas tank currently in the truck is a 18 gallon tank maybe......if they came standard with that size tank idk.....or if someone before me put a larger one it......50 bucks fills it and it goes for about a week on that driving at least 60 miles a day. but i dont really mind giving up some of that fuel economy for a larger engine with some awesome power because i do have a decent car to drive also.

Golana · 08-22-2008, 12:40 AM

there's the 13 gal, and the 20 gal tanks on these trucks. ive got a 20gal in my 92, and a 13 in my 83, only difference is the 20 gal has a section that does under the cab, whereas the 13 is all under the box

93_lexus_rims · 08-22-2008, 12:47 AM

am i going to have to block the rear end to add traction and weight so im not stuck spinning all day or will a traction bar, sway bar, and beefy adjustable coil overs off a cement truck be good enough?

Golana · 08-22-2008, 12:55 AM

to get good traction and not just spin, i'd say:

fatty tires
DEF trac bars
lighter front end (as much weight moved to the back as possible)

sway bar will help alot with cornering, and coilovers should help out all around

93_lexus_rims · 08-22-2008, 01:15 AM

i do believe that the tiresi have on the truck now are at least 9 inches wide...possible 10 but i havent taken the time to measure. would that be good enough? the tires were 200 bucks a piece according to the guy i bought it from so i dont really want to get new tires until i have to.

Golana · 08-22-2008, 01:21 AM

9-10" wide should be fine unless you are looking like 600+ hp hahaa

im running some 9" wide tires all around right now, and i still spin like a mofo, but my tires are smaller OD, and according to my DRAC module, i have 5.42 gearing...

so for the coilovers, are you 4-linking the rear or soemthing? or running them in combination to the leaf springs?

93_lexus_rims · 08-23-2008, 12:29 AM

for the time being im just going to run them in conjunction with the stock leaf springs and add the traction bars and sway bars. eventually if i have more time ill put in a 4-link with airbags or maybe just some overload leaf springs added in. is there any aftermarket coil springs for the front of the truck that are a litle stronger or have a more progressive rate?

08-20-2008, 12:57 AM	#1
93_lexus_rims Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 7 Location: User is: OffLine	v8 swap help ok well ive put aside the fact that the climate control needs to be totaly rewired because when i reinstalled the dash the wires got pinched and grounded out.....hence starting the wires on fire and melting them together.... ive moved on from that and i was wondering about v8 swaps. my friend has links and all the info that i need to do the swap properly. what engine should i go with? does a 350 with a throttle body work with the wiring of the 2.8 with a throttle body? or should i go with a carb setup? i was sort of thinking of going with a 6 speed camaro tranny with one of their 350 tpi setups but it may end up being to expensive. im for sure going with a manual tranny setup, probably out of a 3rd gen f-body. but im not sure what engine to rebuilt and put some money into to make it a really good and reasonable engine for the build. i do plan on putting trac bars and sway bars in the rear with a possible disc break conversion and im replacing the worn out stock struts for some adjustable coilover springs off of my dads cement truck (the ones off of the 3rd axel of the truck that are airbag powered to lower under extreme load) i figure they will be a little more stiff and have alot more holding capacity to them, plus i can tune my ride hight to what i want it. and in the front im going to put in better progressive rate coil springs and sway bars. maybe new bushings and refresh the rest of the stock parts in front to handle the added weight of the v8. ive got about 2 months to figure out what engine im dropping in and find it before i finish the body work at school and need to rebuilt the engine for a project. once i swap the v8 and 5 speed tranny in ill be selling the stock drivetrain if anyone is interested.....i dont see who would be...but just for kicks and giggles ill see if anyone is interested.... its a 2.8l v6 with the stock 5 speed tranny. ill probably be using the shifter and linkages depending on how the shifter and linkage sits in the truck off of the f-body tranny.
	[Reply w/Quote]

08-20-2008, 01:43 AM	#2
MadMikeZ28 doing it for mom Age: 40 Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,089 Location: In your basement User is: OffLine	Re: v8 swap help If you ask in the V8 section you may get more responses from the people that done it and frequent that section. But do post pics here when its done
	[Reply w/Quote]

08-20-2008, 01:44 AM	#3
DieselS10 Slightly Over Built Age: 34 Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,200 Location: Chelsea, OK User is: OffLine	Re: v8 swap help To figure out what engine you want, decide on what you want to do with it. If you are gonna drive it alot, I'd stay with a fuel injected 350, it will be more dependable and get better mileage, if it is a weekend cruiser or dedicated racer, carbed would be fine and you could use money that you would have spent on a fuely motor and harness and spend it on go fast parts. Edit: and welcome to the forum.
	[Reply w/Quote]

08-20-2008, 07:29 PM	#5
mxjunkie 1st gen rockn Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 68 Location: Kennettsquare PA. User is: OffLine	Re: v8 swap help Quote: Originally Posted by DieselS10 To figure out what engine you want, decide on what you want to do with it. If you are gonna drive it alot, I'd stay with a fuel injected 350, it will be more dependable and get better mileage, if it is a weekend cruiser or dedicated racer, carbed would be fine and you could use money that you would have spent on a fuely motor and harness and spend it on go fast parts. Edit: and welcome to the forum. All kidding aside you can daily drive carb motors, mines been on the road for the last 10 years now.. The downfall is you do have to spend a little more time to let the beast warm up some.. Winter time is a beeeeaaach
	[Reply w/Quote]

08-20-2008, 11:15 PM	#6
DieselS10 Slightly Over Built Age: 34 Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,200 Location: Chelsea, OK User is: OffLine	Re: v8 swap help Quote: Originally Posted by mxjunkie All kidding aside you can daily drive carb motors, mines been on the road for the last 10 years now.. The downfall is you do have to spend a little more time to let the beast warm up some.. Winter time is a beeeeaaach I completely agree about daily driving a carbed truck, I put one in my truck in '93, swapped it out for an EFI 350 in '96 and I haven't looked back. Sure I miss opening the 4 barrel, it has never been as quick as it was with the carbed motor, but it got 7 mpg. When I switched to the EFI 350 it got 14 mpg average and 19 on the highway and that was with 35" tires.
	[Reply w/Quote]


S10Forum is the premier S-Series Site on the internet. Registered Users do not see the above ads. Please Register - It's Free!

08-21-2008, 01:10 AM	#7
93_lexus_rims Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 7 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: v8 swap help ya you can move the thread to the v8 section if its not to much to ask. i wasnt sure where to post. i was thinking of a really strong engine setup. something that i can drive as a daily driver but something that could easily put out 300-400 hp. im sorta wanting a truck that i can use for most of the year but be able to tow things that are to heavy or big for my car. and i do have the habit of racing the wanna bes' in town.
	[Reply w/Quote]

08-21-2008, 01:32 AM	#8
Golana Truck #121616 Age: 22 Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,939 Location: High River, Alberta User is: OffLine	Re: v8 swap help Quote: Originally Posted by 93_lexus_rims ya you can move the thread to the v8 section if its not to much to ask. i wasnt sure where to post. i was thinking of a really strong engine setup. something that i can drive as a daily driver but something that could easily put out 300-400 hp. im sorta wanting a truck that i can use for most of the year but be able to tow things that are to heavy or big for my car. and i do have the habit of racing the wanna bes' in town. LSx if you are looking for reliable power and daily driveability.
	[Reply w/Quote]

08-21-2008, 08:53 AM	#9
mxjunkie 1st gen rockn Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 68 Location: Kennettsquare PA. User is: OffLine	Re: v8 swap help Quote: Originally Posted by DieselS10 I completely agree about daily driving a carbed truck, I put one in my truck in '93, swapped it out for an EFI 350 in '96 and I haven't looked back. Sure I miss opening the 4 barrel, it has never been as quick as it was with the carbed motor, but it got 7 mpg. When I switched to the EFI 350 it got 14 mpg average and 19 on the highway and that was with 35" tires. Oh man no doubt, I have the little 13.2 gas tank on mine and I'm at the gas station 3-4 times a week just driving to work.. 60-80 bucks a week, 120ish if I drive far.. This week I gotta hit up the coin star and get some gas money from my change lol.. 93_lexus that may be one thing you will want to do is upgrade to the bigger gas tank if your going to do the V8 swap. I cannot wait till I can get my hands on one! Last edited by mxjunkie : 08-21-2008 at 08:58 AM.
	[Reply w/Quote]

08-22-2008, 12:37 AM	#10
93_lexus_rims Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 7 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: v8 swap help ya i believe the gas tank currently in the truck is a 18 gallon tank maybe......if they came standard with that size tank idk.....or if someone before me put a larger one it......50 bucks fills it and it goes for about a week on that driving at least 60 miles a day. but i dont really mind giving up some of that fuel economy for a larger engine with some awesome power because i do have a decent car to drive also.
	[Reply w/Quote]

08-22-2008, 12:40 AM	#11
Golana Truck #121616 Age: 22 Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,939 Location: High River, Alberta User is: OffLine	Re: v8 swap help there's the 13 gal, and the 20 gal tanks on these trucks. ive got a 20gal in my 92, and a 13 in my 83, only difference is the 20 gal has a section that does under the cab, whereas the 13 is all under the box
	[Reply w/Quote]

08-22-2008, 12:47 AM	#12
93_lexus_rims Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 7 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: v8 swap help am i going to have to block the rear end to add traction and weight so im not stuck spinning all day or will a traction bar, sway bar, and beefy adjustable coil overs off a cement truck be good enough?
	[Reply w/Quote]

08-22-2008, 12:55 AM	#13
Golana Truck #121616 Age: 22 Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,939 Location: High River, Alberta User is: OffLine	Re: v8 swap help to get good traction and not just spin, i'd say: fatty tires DEF trac bars lighter front end (as much weight moved to the back as possible) sway bar will help alot with cornering, and coilovers should help out all around
	[Reply w/Quote]

08-22-2008, 01:15 AM	#14
93_lexus_rims Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 7 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: v8 swap help i do believe that the tiresi have on the truck now are at least 9 inches wide...possible 10 but i havent taken the time to measure. would that be good enough? the tires were 200 bucks a piece according to the guy i bought it from so i dont really want to get new tires until i have to.
	[Reply w/Quote]

08-22-2008, 01:21 AM	#15
Golana Truck #121616 Age: 22 Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,939 Location: High River, Alberta User is: OffLine	Re: v8 swap help 9-10" wide should be fine unless you are looking like 600+ hp hahaa im running some 9" wide tires all around right now, and i still spin like a mofo, but my tires are smaller OD, and according to my DRAC module, i have 5.42 gearing... so for the coilovers, are you 4-linking the rear or soemthing? or running them in combination to the leaf springs?
	[Reply w/Quote]

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

08-23-2008, 12:29 AM	#16
93_lexus_rims Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 7 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: v8 swap help for the time being im just going to run them in conjunction with the stock leaf springs and add the traction bars and sway bars. eventually if i have more time ill put in a 4-link with airbags or maybe just some overload leaf springs added in. is there any aftermarket coil springs for the front of the truck that are a litle stronger or have a more progressive rate?
	[Reply w/Quote]