86 Silverado and the LT1

[velojym]

I started to talk about it in my intro thread, but was (I think) reminded to bring it to the proper forum. 


I have a nice '86 C10, with a good running 350 and the TH350 tranny. The truck has no rust issues and just a few
minor dings... as well as a (hopefully) easily pulled dent in the left door.



The guy I bought the truck from has an LT1 in the shop, with 120k miles on it. It was supposed to be running fine when
pulled from the Camaro for an upgrade, and I thought it'd be a great rebuild project (just wantin' to build an engine... educational
mostly).
From what I understand so far, I'll need a computer, harness, and at least an inline fuel pump. I don't know whether I'll have to
change anything with the current fuel tanks. I'm also guessing that the engine mounts oughta be a simple problem, if at all.
I'd also like to, while working on the engine, find a decent 700R4 to bolt up to it so that when the time comes, the truck will have
as little downtime as possible.

End goal: a reliable truck that will tow up to its capacity without struggling (yeah, probably need to make some software adjustments),
with improved fuel economy over what I currently get. I'm real easy on the gas pedal, so I'm hoping to do well with the upgrade.
...and I'd like to be able to use it for mild off-road driving, as we have some perimeter roads at the airport that aren't maintained at all, but oughta be just fine for a 4x2 with decent clearance. I'll probably want to upgrade the rear end at some point, with a limited slip or selectable locker.


I tend to ramble, so sorry about that, but some good advice would be welcome. I used the search function, and found quite a few references to the engine, but nothing really in-depth. If there are some good threads covering this, I'd appreciate a link.

Thanks, folks.

[Captkaos]

I would run an 87 EFI sending unit and a Corvette/F-body pump instead of an inline.
The motor will drop in, but it has reverse cooling.  This may cause and issue with the radiator, but I honesly haven't checked.
As far as power, you shouldn't have to do much, stock it will outperform what you have hands down.

[velojym]

The LT1 is off the table now. When I went to pick it up, it wouldn't turn. Since the p.o. had told me it
was a running engine, he returned my cash and we parted amicably.
I figure, since the current 350 is pulling strong, I'll worry about the o.d. transmission before the mill,
and for that I may do a nice, leisurely 383 build.
Kinda nice, I'd imagine, not *having* to replace the drivetrain and to be able to take my time with it.
Then again... it may be harder to stay focused. 

[DnStClr]

383 would be cool. I haven't seen anybody complain about them.     

[velojym]

My goal with this truck, at the moment, is to make it a very driveable tow rig. Yeah, it's only a half ton, but
I'm not looking to get into hotshot freight or anything. If it'll tow a boat or another car without struggling (at all)
up a hill, I'd be pleased as punch.
Unladen, I'd love to have a little extra punch in the pants, as well as better fuel economy than it'll currently get.

The tranny is getting a bit glitchy, so I'm thinking I'll put it all together before swapping both out at the same time.
It seems the cheapest option, with rebuilt/warranted components, would be a crate 350 and a 4l60. I could decide,
for simplicity's sake, go with a TH400, but I do like the idea of having an overdrive and the 4L can be had for a reasonable
amount.
I'll need to either tighten up or replace the steering column. It's pretty wobbly.
Beyond that, a door dent and a slightly bent rear bumper (real heavy tow bumper) are the only other even vaguely pressing
issues.

Then again... I could always go with a diesel.

[Marc]

Could/would a TBI 350 be an option...not too complicated and I would think an improvement over a carbed stock 350.

[velojym]

Could/would a TBI 350 be an option...not too complicated and I would think an improvement over a carbed stock 350.

I was kinda thinking about going with a fairly simple injection setup. I'd like to build a turn-key engine/tranny combo
outside the truck, so that I can spend as little time as possible doing the swap. I guess, for budget's sake, I can
look for a junkyard TBI to freshen up.

I suppose I'll be wanting to find a Blazer or Suburban fuel tank anyway. This truck's gonna end up being a bigger project
than I'd expected (so, what else is new, right?), so I guess it's worth the trouble to do it right.
I'm also debating on whether to keep the bed (which is in really nice shape) or go ahead with a flatbed and stakesides.

Keep the bed, probably. At least for now.

[Jim Rockford]

Could/would a TBI 350 be an option...not too complicated and I would think an improvement over a carbed stock 350.

Not really , they where only rated at a miserable 190 Hp , and the factory swirl port heads and tiny cam are the worst part about em.  and for a 4l60E you are gonna need a way to control it, so basically just go 700r4, same trans,just not electric, other than the T/C lockup.

[Captkaos]

There is nothing wrong with a  TBI system, and it is far superior to a carb as far as driveability.  The motor rating was 210hp (at its peak) because of the way the engine was designed, not because it had a TBI on it.  The TBI system can easily support up to 350hp with some minor adjustments.

[Jim Rockford]

That is the point I was making, I  have nothing against the TBI system, but far as just swapping in a LO5 tbi as a complete engine is a waste, dished pistons, trucks got the flat tappet cam, sorry heads, you need to change some things before you just go dropping one in vs a reg carbed 350. I think the factory  over rated the 210hp a little bit.

[Captkaos]

So you are saying the 185hp version with its dished pistons, flat tappet cam and sorry heads with a  Carb would be a better choice?  Not to mention the 350 wasn't available on 1/2T 2WD trucks from 81-86...

I would much rather get any 87-up TBI setup from the junkyard which generally will have provisions for a roller cam (something carb'd motors didn't have) and the wiring for the TBI to get fuel injection before a carb'd motor.

[Jim Rockford]

So you are saying the 185hp version with its dished pistons, flat tappet cam and sorry heads with a  Carb would be a better choice?  Not to mention the 350 wasn't available on 1/2T 2WD trucks from 81-86...

I would much rather get any 87-up TBI setup from the junkyard which generally will have provisions for a roller cam (something carb'd motors didn't have) and the wiring for the TBI to get fuel injection before a carb'd motor.

If I was going through the trouble, I'd swap in a F.I.LT1  I my junk wasn't runing and i just happened to have a tbi engine and harness laying around, then I would install it, bu i wouldn't go out of my way to find and install one, I have owned numerous 89-90 caprice 9C1 police cars with the l98 roller cam, flat top piston and larger injector  LO5 tbi engines and they just never really impressed me, they ran good, but even with a 3.42 gear, they where slugs.

[velojym]

Well, folks. Engine still runs fine, and she shifts well in forward gears... when there's fluid in the tranny, though there
is a bit of lag before reverse engages.
As for keeping fluid in... there's a huge puddle under the truck right now. 

Guess that's gonna be my next project... once I get the whole income thing worked out.

[eisenhauer01]

i have an 86 k10 with a 305, y'all are talking about the 350tbi being a dog.. ha ha you all know what my engine is like.

anyways, I am looking to get a 350 TBI setup in the future only I am planning on making a 383 out of it and keep the TBI system on it.

The TBI 350 is a very dependable and strong motor, if you are just looking to pull a boat or car/dolly or something similar up a hill without a struggle a 350TBI/700R4 combo wouldn't break a sweat.

[velojym]

I had a TBI 350 in my 87 Blazer, and it pulled very well. I'd still have it, but what I really needed was a truck,
so now I have this one. I'm really glad some former owner did a 350 swap. It's got an Edelbrock carb and runs
strong. I haven't registered/insured it yet, and probably won't until I can afford to get that tranny issue fixed.

I do miss the 4x4 though. If/when I have a little disposable income and time, I may see about converting it.

My Dad's old 81 Blazer had a 305 in it, and while it wasn't going to win any races, it managed to get around well
enough.