73-87chevytrucks.com
73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Engine/Drivetrain => Topic started by: RockPaws on March 29, 2009, 08:31:22 pm
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Hi All, My old Chevy Truck 1973 2x4 3/4 T 292 six engine 4 speed been in the family since new in late 72'. The 292 has been a great motor and still runs great (I rebuilt it about 25 years ago). Does not burn oil, but lacks the power it once had. Its been a great truck, now just my ranch/work truck for building our new home. I've also considered a 4 barrel carb and manifold upgrade for the 292? It already has a HEI upgrade.
I'm considering an V8 engine/trans swap. I'm looking for better power and fuel mileage.
Engines? Would like enough torque to support hauling when needed, but not on a regular basis.
Would like multiport if possible, but would consider the reliable throttle body.
Transmission? So far would like to swap in a NV4500 5 speed, but will consider a automatic.
Best donor Chevy truck? My best route to get all the wiring and computer.
Any recomendations would be helpfull; links?
Thanks,
Frank
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I'm a believer in the BBC now. I towed my race truck with a Ford truck powered by a smallblock, and it felt like crap. That poor truck couldn't pull up hills for crap. Then I bought my 454 powered dually and it's amazing. I don't really notice the weight back there. That poor Ford needed to be floored just to maintain 55mph sometimes. I also like the 4L80E trans, but I bet that 5spd would be nice as long as you didn't have to sit in traffic.
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4L80E trans
The 4l80e trans is nice, but, you must have a 91 or later computer to control it, along with the VSS
A nicely built sbc will work just fine unless you are pulling something over say 6k lbs frequently. With an inline 6 cylinder, you may have a higher rear ratio. you may wanna consider lowering that.
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Look up caddy 472's and 500's. When the time comes I'm dead set on a 500 in my '78 C20. Higher quality parts, close to sb chevy weight and more torque stock than any 454 came with. plus I see people claiming to get 20mpg with a 3 spd tranny in a 4700lb. car.
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;D
My dad always tuned his 1972 Buck Electra 225 with the 455 engine, I do believe it was with a 400 tranny, every weekend. He did get 20 mpg.
You can acquire a cheap engine from a U pull it, usually less expensive than trying ebay or craigslist. ... You might want to look for any wrecked local vehicles.
That straight 6 has the torque, not a lot of power, so any V8 350 or larger V8 will make you happy, even with that 4 speed tranny.... Small carb for fuel mileage.
The calculation for choosing a carb is listed on the Holley web site.
I don't advise revving a stock engine past the 5500 rpm, so I tend to calculate 5000 rpm being max for carb selection.
If you get a 350, go with the 400 cfm.
I have a 600 cfm for my 400 sbc and wish I had the 500 cfm . For a 454 chevy V* the 600 cfm is perfect for full response throughout the rpms.
More air, requires more fuel.
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What about diesel? A Cummins 6 cylinder would be sweet in that old Chevy?
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What about diesel? A Cummins 6 cylinder would be sweet in that old Chevy?
Thats what I want for my crewcab, just got to wait to find the right donor truck ( and the money)
Where did our resident Cummins guy go? Hadnt seen him in a while.
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Thanks for the replys!
One of my past Chevy trucks had a 454 BB Chevy, great engine. Wish I still had that truck! ( a 73' 1 ton 2x4) ;D Diesel would be great, it must be a Cummins. But a little pricy for this truck I feel.
Maybe the 454 w/ the MPI and a NV 4500 trans might be the best combo providing the fuel mileage is around 15 mpg. The made these in 1996. Or a 350 hoping to achieve around 19 mpg.
Not a lot to spend on this project so a donor truck would be best.
Frank
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if you are looking for mileage, i would suggest a tbi 350 from late 80s to early 90s, or a newer ls series engine. my 89 burb with the tbi 350 got 18 mpg city, and my c10 with a 5.3l carbed setup gets 15. an injected ls motor should get 20-25 mpg and and are getting pretty easy to find with low miles for cheap.
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425/472/500 caddy......th-400 with a gearvendors overdrive. Pull houses down, and still get decent milage.
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i would suggest a tbi 350 from late 80s to early 90s, or a newer ls series engine. my 89 burb with the tbi 350 got 18 mpg city, and my c10 with a 5.3l carbed setup gets 15.
Ray, you are correct there! My 91 sub 3/4 ton 4x4 tbi 5.7 (http://www.delbridge.net/suburban) gets 17 on the interstate with a light foot.
city driving though, well, that's a different story to get that detroit metal up to speed 5 or 6 times a mile. Lucky to get 11 then--with a light foot