Need some engine opinions

Post by **zach119** » Tue Jan 04, 2011 10:39 pm

97JEEPTJ wrote:beginning of the end....

You might be right, I'm going to look at a 2004 5.3 with 82k miles for $350 tomorrow :lol2:

Post by **BadnewsCJ** » Wed Jan 05, 2011 8:28 am

dodgeguy119 wrote:
97JEEPTJ wrote:beginning of the end....
You might be right, I'm going to look at a 2004 5.3 with 82k miles for $350 tomorrow

HAHA wow I defineatly didn't see this coming..... Yall boys are ridiculous. Although that seems like a pretty good deal if its got the harness and all with it

Post by **zach119** » Wed Jan 05, 2011 7:46 pm

Well the guy with the 5.3 had to go to work right about the time I got off today so I haven't had a chance to look at it yet. I found a 1997 blazer 4x4 that I can pick up for $250 which would be a steal for a running vehicle. The 97s have the newest fuel injection technology with the vortec heads and what not and are rated at about 190hp with a 4l60E behind them and the electronic shift NP233. The owner says the blazer runs and drives great but the only downfall in my eyes is that it has 180k miles.

What say ye? Go look at the Blazer/ buy it tomorrow or hold off for the 5.3? Both swaps will be about the same i imagine besides the fact that the 5.3 will have tons more aftermarket support as far as harnesses, etc go. I personally feel that the 5.3 will be a little bit easier to swap due to the fact that I will run a 700R4 and pretty much just get a stand alone harness from some website.

Post by **Arya Ebrahimi** » Wed Jan 05, 2011 8:03 pm

Do you have a budget? IMO the engine is the cheapest part of an engine swap.

Do some research on harnesses, fuel pumps, programming, etc. It adds up QUICK. I think having a donor vehicle on hand will be very convenient for random odds and ends that you would otherwise have to buy.

I swear I don't know how you kids do it these days. I thought I was pretty ballin in college when I got Lonfields

Post by **BadAssEddie** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 2:09 am

I agree with Ary. I think that you should get the blazer. You will be able to do 98% of the swap with what you have in the donor vehicle.

I do not know anything about the 5.3, but since it is a modern engine, I think that it will be more involved than the 4.3 with the entire vehicle to mess with.

I do not like the electronic 4x4 shift however. You might want to switch to a manual NP 241 like we were talking about earlier. I think you would be happier with this set up as you are able to upgrade to a SBC/BBC later on if you so desire.

I like the price tag on the donor. I thought I did well with a $550 donor vehicle for parts this summer.

John Stables, how do you like your 4.3? I know you have the s10 which could be comparable in power to weight ratio as Zach's half-a-jeep.

Zach, I think your best bet is to pull the trigger on the blazer and get your jeep going again. I think you will be amazed at the jump from 100hp to 190 hp will do. 180,000 miles is not that much. You have plenty of time to think up awesome powertrains while you have a wheelable Jeep.

As I said earlier, I would be happy to build you a stout 700 that you would be able to put 400hp through later on, so buy the blazer and use the garage wiht me this winter to do the swap.

Post by **willhf1011** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 8:10 am

I think you will find that the 5.3 may not be that much easier. As ary once pointed out to me, and has become common knowledge, the gen 3/4 chevys really should have oil accumulator systems since they have such an issue oiling on inclines/angles.

Also, with it being a truck motor, you will have to consider the fact that you're going to want to swap the oil pan and intake, which also means swapping the accessories or running the intake backwards. I don't think you would be happy with running the truck components, it will lead to a number of compromises on placement.

Just keep those costs in mind, because those parts will likely cost you more than the engine itself.

The 4L60E will be run by the ECM in the blazer and so it will be no more complicated than a 700r4 behind a 5.3. Should you choose to have the 4.3 ECM reflashed they will modify your trans controls to whatever you like. It also makes modifying and adjusting the trans far simpler when it is just programming to change as opposed to opening it up. With the 5.3, you will have to have the ECM reflashed regardless of transmission, so its a moot point.

Post by **UNIMOG-GUY** » Fri Jan 07, 2011 1:54 am

What about buying a CUCV??? Now hear me out...
The M1008 (the truck I have) is a 1986 K30 pickup with a J code 6.2L diesel, TH400 3 speed automatic, and a NP208 transfer case. The M1008 has a Dana 60 front axle open and Corporate 14 bolt rear axle with 4.56 gears, detroit locker. Or get the M1031 or the 1028 and get everything above and get in addition a limited slip and a NP 205 transfer case (factory).

This then allows you to run whatever tires you want. Seeing as how you have to keep up with the trend that Will started of 42's.

Post by **sfas10** » Mon Jan 10, 2011 4:45 pm

There was I guy I talked to a few weeks ago on clist that had a 6.0 out of an '07 silverado with the wiring harness for like $700ish. Pretty good deal for that power and fuel injection.

Post by **jstables** » Sat Jan 15, 2011 7:16 pm

BadAssEddie wrote:
John Stables, how do you like your 4.3? I know you have the s10 which could be comparable in power to weight ratio as Zach's half-a-jeep.

I like my 4.3 it felt a little gut less before I put 4.10 axles in, but it feels like it has tons of power before it goes into overdrive when accelerating. My 4.3 however is older being tbi and only has 160 hp I think.

I would think it is a great engine as a power to weight ratio swap. And has decent after market support but if weight is not your number one concern then I would definitely step up to a v-8 because for the money spent on the swap it only makes sense to have the extra power when you need it.

Post by **zach119** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 11:32 pm

I found a 1995 CPI 4.3 ( the 195hp version) with computer and all accessories, headers, universal motor mounts, and a brand new painless harness, bolted up to a th400 with a dana 300 adapter. Asking $1250, what do you guys think does it sound like a decent deal?

Post by **Arya Ebrahimi** » Thu Feb 17, 2011 8:23 am

Knock him down to $1000-1100 and fork over the cash

Sounds odd to run a TH400 behind a 4.3 though. Plus side is when you get tired of the 4.3 and upgrade to a LS motor, you won't need a new trans. Wait, I thought I was talking you out of an LS motor

Post by **BadAssEddie** » Fri Feb 18, 2011 12:16 pm

Id buy it.

The TH400 seems like it would be a pretty big power sink esp behind a v6.

Ill build you a 700