What do you think about this engine swap idea?

[lenny]

I am trying to look for alternatives for my Wagoneer, seeing as how I can't seem to sell it. What I am looking for is decent gas mileage, something above 15mpg, and a reliable drivetrain. The vehicle is going to be used as a second vehicle that needs to tow a small ultility trailer, nothing over 2000 pounds. And as a mild offroader, nothing more difficult than Prichett.

What I am thinking about is swapping in a 4.3 Vortec, 4L60E or 700r4 trans, and what ever t-case I can find that is driver drop and has a decent low range. I figure that with the 4.3 I can get around 200-210 hp which is at least 60 more than the 360 in the Waggy now. Doesn't need to be a powerhouse, just able to get around and get good MPG. What do ya think?

 

[mbryson]

Get a 5.7L TBI. You'll get the same mileage as you would with the 4.3L. It's ALL about the torque!!!!

 

[great scott]

Did a Chevy 383 for my dads full size waggy. He runs 35" at's, and 4.11's in the diffs with a built 727. He gets about 12mpg, and loves the power boost over the stock 360. By the way he only got about 9mpg with the 360.

 

[Hickey]

Get a 5.7L TBI. You'll get the same mileage as you would with the 4.3L. It's ALL about the torque!!!!

Worth repeating.

 

[way2nosty]

I don't think the 4.3 will be quite enough for the weight, even a vortec 4.3 doesn't really make enough torque to really do this well, a factory vortec 5.7 power train swap would be a much better Idea, and they fit pretty well, you will come into some clearance issues with the headers if you have a Driver side drop front axle.

 

[JoeT]

Dude your trying to move a friggin tank, not a Toyota! Chevy 5.7!!!
No I'm not bashing Toyotas!

 

[Milner]

Pokey....come over here....a little closer....SMACK
What are you thinking?
Damm kid.

Yep, what they all said.

 

[lenny]

Pokey....come over here....a little closer....SMACK
What are you thinking?
Damm kid.

Yep, what they all said.

:redneck:
I was thinking that it would be nice to have something a little odd, and maybe get some better mpg while I was at it. Also the buy in cost for the 4.3 is much cheaper than the 5.7 (at least from what I have seen)

screw it, I am just gonna buy a Sami and enjoy the better mpg :greg:

 

[Milner]

:redneck:
I was thinking that it would be nice to have something a little odd, and maybe get some better mpg while I was at it. Also the buy in cost for the 4.3 is much cheaper than the 5.7 (at least from what I have seen)

screw it, I am just gonna buy a Sami and enjoy the better mpg :greg:

 

[Hickey]

Also the buy in cost for the 4.3 is much cheaper than the 5.7 (at least from what I have seen)

From what I have seen, the buy in is about the same. You may find a deal here or there, but the average is the same or near to it. Now as far as long term... go price out a cam or a rebuild kit for a 4.3 versus a 5.7.

Plenty of people see 18 MPG all the time in newer Suburbans. My 1999 GMC Safari with a 4.3 got 16-19 MPG.

 

[mbryson]

From what I have seen, the buy in is about the same. You may find a deal here or there, but the average is the same or near to it. Now as far as long term... go price out a cam or a rebuild kit for a 4.3 versus a 5.7.

Plenty of people see 18 MPG all the time in newer Suburbans. My 1999 GMC Safari with a 4.3 got 16-19 MPG.

If I drove decent with my '89 Suburban (5.7L TBI, 700R4, 32" tires and 3.73s) I'd get 15-16 mpg. Not bad for a BARGE that weighs 6000 lbs with no gear or passengers in it. That motor/trans is now in my YJ......

 

[way2nosty]

I get 20-21 on the highway @ ~75-85 MPH with headers 3"flowmaster and a mild chip it's a 2003 5.3 wth a 4l60e 246-case. if you can go LS1 or 5.3 they're even better then the vortec 5.7s roller valve train aluminum heads Forged pistons (on some) 6 bold main caps

 

[lenny]

So I have been trying to decide if I in fact want to keep the Waggy and swap in a fuel injected 5.7 Chev motor. But I like to make sure that I have everything investigated and planned out before I start on a job.

What has been other's experience with getting a hold of one of these drivetrains? I need everything, motor, trans, computer, wiring, t-case, ect...
would my best bet to be and try and find a wrecked vehicle to purchase and pull the items out of? or go through a wrecking yard and get all the needed items? Another question, what sort of custom work am I going to have to do as far as welding or customer adapters. I realize that motor mounts and trans mounts will need to be fabbed up, or purchased (if anyone makes them). Is there any Chevy t-cases that are driver drop that will work behind a 700R4?

Am I wrong for thinking that a Ford 5.4 or 5.0 swap would work just as easily as a Chev 5.7?

Thanks for your patience!!

 

[Hickey]

I would look for a Suburban or a Blazer from 1988-present. The Chev drivetrain will be the cheapest to install and maintain.

 

[lenny]

I would look for a Suburban or a Blazer from 1988-present. The Chev drivetrain will be the cheapest to install and maintain.

What side is the front output shaft of the t-case on, on these rigs? Also, where are the best places to look to get an idea of pricing? I cant really find a complete drivetrain on ebay.

What have you guys paid for a similar set-up

 

[Milner]

Am I wrong for thinking that a Ford 5.4 or 5.0 swap would work just as easily as a Chev 5.7?

Thanks for your patience!!

5.4's all have a tall intake that would be difficult to fit under the hood. Same goes for truck 5.0's. Linclon and mustang 5.0's are short intakes, but harder to find.
Either way the wiring is more complicated and more expensive. Ford stuff is getting cheaper, but still never as cheap as the chev stuff. Chev stuff also gives you a lot more options.
You know I am a Ford guy, but for this swap I would stay chev.

Yep what Hickey said.
You can do chev motor/trans to a 203 range box/doubler and then hook it to a ford 205 (for the driver drop) :greg:

 

[Milner]

What side is the front output shaft of the t-case on, on these rigs? Also, where are the best places to look to get an idea of pricing? I cant really find a complete drivetrain on ebay.

What have you guys paid for a similar set-up

ifs chev's are drivers drop....

 

[lenny]

ifs chev's are drivers drop....

That is helpful, so I could find the drivetrain from a early 90's Blazer of Sub, and swap it all over to my waggy? Prolly $2000-$2500 for the whole set-up?

What about just swapping in the engine and using an adapter to match my 727? I am starting to get cold feet about spending that much money (2 grand) on a rig that I paid $400 for!!:greg:

I realize that I wouldn't get the better MPG without the overdrive, but I already have a good trans and t-case

 

[Tacoma]

Adapter? costs more than the GM tranny/t-case. Be reasonable man!

motor mounts are also not going to be an issue. You can use a piece of plate, one side bolts to the Chevy motor mount, the other to the Jeep frame horn. Used with much success in my good pal Tom's monster 427-powered M715, and I'll be using it on the 455. About as cheap and easy as you can get.

If you look around there are of course awesome deals on good-running later model TBI stuff... I think it's worth the cost, esp. if you didnt' pay jack for the truck itself. Would you pay $3k for a good running 4door rig that got semi-decent gas mileage and could fit on many trails? FSJ's are "midsize", great offroad. Big enough, but small enough to fit where Blazers and Burbs get squeezed. And less rear overhang than (in my opinion) the only competitor, the FJ55/60/62's.
plus, 700r4's rule in a truck like that. DO IT!!!

 

[lenny]

thanks guys, now I have some more thinking to do