New power for my 87

[1MCP7.3/87GMC]

Ok so I have an 87 gmc 4wd I'm looking into putting around 350+hp and over 370 ft ibs I want at least that and I would preferably like to keep fuel injected and vortec would be nice is there anyone who has seen a crate motor that fits my needs? Preferably I would like it to not cost much over 5,000. The reason why I would like it to be a crate is it will need to be a weekend swap. Also if someone knows a place around the central valley of CA or in the bay area that can build me one i have a motor with vortec heads but I want a company that will build and dyno test  to make sure it meets what I expect out of it. I would like power at low rpms 1800 and up.

[bake74]

     First welcome from Sac, CA.  Try tough dog engines, they have all sorts of crate engine combo's with a very reliable reputation.

[1MCP7.3/87GMC]

Thanks and hello from Ceres and thanks for the tip I looked em up online and I'm going to call Monday morning for prices but I would like more places for motors I want to make sure I get everything I want it's for my daily driver and my life long truck. I want to be happy with it for sure.

[Captkaos]

If you plan to run the TBI, you need to make sure they company building the motor knows this and you need to know ahead of time you will have to burn a chip for it. 

In my opinion, go with a LS motor...

[Got Smoke?]

If you plan to run the TBI, you need to make sure they company building the motor knows this and you need to know ahead of time you will have to burn a chip for it. 

In my opinion, go with a LS motor...

Can I ask what you to elaborate on this opinion LS vs. TBI please Capt ?

[1MCP7.3/87GMC]

The problem with going LS requires a lot more modifications to motor mounts also not sure if the LS will bolt up to my 700r. although I have thought about the ram jet 350 or smedding makes a 383 that comes with the fast fuel injection on it it's a shade over $6000 where as the ram jet is like 5900. I need this to be generally a swap out as I'll only have 2 weekends a month to work on it.

[roadrage41]

LS is good, Tbi is not. Unless you're going over 900 or so at the wheels on an LS, then you want both.

[Captkaos]

LS doesn't require modification to motor mounts, it requires a plate on top of it:


It will bolt direct to your 700R4 (the 4L60E is just an electronically shifted 700R4/4L60), although with $6000 to spend, why not get the matching pair for the LS...

I have a total of $1500 in this engine/trans setup and it is a low mileage (68K) 6.0L and rebuilt 4L80E,  Add the $250 for the fuel lines and fittings and the $500 harness and $50 for the engine brackets and I am at $2300.  That leaves me with $3700 to play with, and it will make at least 450hp/550lb/ft, run AC and get about 22mpg...


I have $1800 in this engine/trans setup and it has 28K miles and its a 2007 model 5.3L with matching 4L60E and all of the harness, just add the fuel lines and engine plates and I am $2100, and it is already at 320hp/340lb/ft stock...


There is no way I would ever go back to a pre-1999 Chevy Smallblock.

[screamin86]

I agree lsx is the only way to go! I was gona swap a 5.3/4l60e in my k10 but got rid of it before I convinced myself to do it.

[roadrage41]

For another bit of reference, I have under 5 grand into my truck, and I paid a grand for the truck. Granted I get things a bit cheaper, but I didn't save even a thousand on retail.  It needs some changes right now to the tune of about 1500, but none of it relates to the swap.

I spend a good chunk of my day convincing guys this is alot easier than it looks, and you can by all means do it yourself. In a weekend? I'd say no. Maybe if you've got the engine bay prepped and the Tbi crap removed already. But for your first go round, I'd say a week. Or 7 days.

Cap when you do another get ahold of me, we run a different motor plate I think you'll like.

[Captkaos]

What is it?  I dont plan to run that one, I have some 1" setback plates to replace them..
I also plan to make some that replaces the plate and the factory mount.

[roadrage41]

We run a set back in most things unless there's a buttload of room, ours run counter sunk Allen bolts and drop the ls slightly to keep factory angle on the motor, 99 percent of the plates out there don't account for the plates being 1/4 or 3/8 thick and moving the motor up a half inch or so.

[1MCP7.3/87GMC]

My thing is in CA LS motors are expensive and I want new with a warranty I can't afford to put it in and remove it to rebuild later. I defiantly want to run fuel injection and vortec heads. But It's still up for debate Im not sure what's to do yet

[1980c10]

My 350/w vortec heads dynos at 393 hp @ 5400 and 432 tq with a mild cam and flat tops. I do not have fuel injection but If i did it over it would mainly because I don't like how it runs before it warms up but I do get around 20 mpg. I imagine a decent after market fuel injection would be available.
Otherwise for 5k you could get the 6.0 and hire someone to put it in for and still be under budget.
Running the fuel lines/pump would probably be toughest part. I would also convert it to an electric fan as well.
I wouldn't sacrafice anything you're looking for due to a few more days effort.

[Captkaos]

I know of several people that have had engine shipped from TX that were under $3000 + shipping (shipping is generally $300), but with a budget of $6000, you should be able to do this and have some change left.

LS motors are know for going upwards to 400,000 miles, so I doubt that you would have to rebuild it right after putting it in..  If in doubt, pull it down inspect it, put new bearings and rings in it and let it ride..

Here is a whole 6.0L/6L90E with harness and everything for under $6000 with everything under $21,000...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2009-GMC-Sierra-2500-USED-LY6-6-0-Liftout-Engine-6L90-2WD-Auto-Trans-20k-/180748569147?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item2a15744a3b#ht_500wt_969

roadrage41, can you post a pic of the engine mount?  Who's is it?