Yeah I just skimmed through this thread... I read that after I posted. :spit:
Okay, all you guys wanting to build LS powered vehicles..........Check this out
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Yeah I just skimmed through this thread... I read that after I posted. :spit:
Just what would you have to do to a 4L80 to make it hold up to a higher-hp LS motor, anyway?
What exactly is involved in making 500-600rw?
What exactly is involved in making 500-600rw?
This is where they go on the west coast!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ramvssmZHiI&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ramvssmZHiI&feature=player_embedded
You can get away with just throwing new clutches in it for a while, but I think a reliable 700hp capable 80e goes for around 2k without a 'verter, but has a trans brake. :angel:
All you need is boost.
ok so where are these 5.3 for $200-$500 or 4.8? I have a 1972 monte that needs a powerplant. :thumb:
I want to see pictures of the Monte. :thumb: God, I love that year and wish I could find one again.
A 6.0 LS in that car would be a fun ride...and you'd have lots of room for twin turbos..
So, for the price of a STOCK used LB7 Duramax, Id have an entire drivetrain, cam, headwork, etc all done. For the price of a used Allison, plus the added cost to build the trans, Id have everything else paid for, including what I paid for the truck itself. WTF? Seriously?
Gawddangit, Im doing it again....building the wrong kind of vehicle and the wrong engine....and spending far too much unnecessary money doing it. Sonovabiotch.
x2! I am still below the price of a twin kit on my build. However, there is some money involved to do this correctly.
I bought an 05' 4.8\4L60E combo for $600. Machine work for 3.905 bore, deck plaining, crank polished and knife edge, main bore ect. $$$
Proper flowing heads with the right springs for the lift of the cam. $430
LS6 profile cam$280 requires new GM lifters $140 and diff push rods $100.
LS1 Pistons and the updated GM 05+ floating wrist pin rods $700+
Dont forget new bearings, 1.8 rockers (if you want to upgrade), bigger injectors depending on boost #s, if your putting this in an older vehicle get ready to spend around $800-$1000 for a stand alone harness and computer.
There is some money involved to do it right.
Justin come to PHX...
Google search LKQ engines in PHX, thats where I am going to buy a 5.3-6.2 for the Colorado swap.
You can make 550rwhp on a bone stock 4.8 with just a ZR1 cam ($97) and cheap ebay turbo.....why are you doing all that other crap?
$800-$1000 for a standalone harness!!?? HAHA!! Spend a couple afternoons with a soldering iron, some wire crimpers, and a schematic and you can make your own for free.
Tom I would seriously consider just doing a gasser LS in the red brick! You could be racing before winter this year.
Just find a 6.0 gasser/4L80 combo. Probably less than $1000 with harness/ECM for the combo. I can make a standalone harness for you. Then stuff a vette ZR1 cam in it, LS6 valve springs, and ghetto fab a cheap chinese ebay turbo setup on there. Dont even bother pulling the heads off of it. Tune it with EFILive and you've got yourself an easy low 10 second reliable setup.
Ben
I thought you already had a GTO 6.0 for your Colorado? Well... you posted that you did.
Oh trust me when i tell you that Ive seriously thought about it. Why the hell does a Duramax and Allison have to be so damn expensive to buy in the first place? What a load of BS. I get caught up in all of it, same as all the rest of us do. But geezus, we're being preyed upon by vendors, boneyards, and any other "commercial" interest with a hand in diesel powersports. IMHO, its all legal theft from our pockets.
Ive already bought about $500 of Dmax/diesel peripheral stuff from here and CompD, which sucks if in the end I decided to just say to hell with it and use an LS motor. I am almost done on the 14 bolt, too, so the rear axle wont an issue. Damn disc brakes for a 6-lug axle in the 2500 housing werent easy to figure out.
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Good luck finding the combo for that cheap with harness. I paid $300 for just a short block 6.0 with just crank and pistons.
If you get a 6.0 with 317 casting heads I would not even pull them off. Just a FYI. If you are going to do a boost set up in on the 80E transmissions I would stay right around stock RPM on the converter.
Them little LS engines LOVE boost! 6 bolt main on them, you just con not beat the power you can make for the buck on them.
Ive already found 6.0s and 5.3s with under 100,000 miles for under $600 on car-part, and 4L80s for under $500. But those are at yards, where usually they are VERY proud of their parts. 
Craigslist has engines and transmissions listed for far less than that, WITH harnesses and computers...but who knows on mileages or conditions. Still might be worth the risk for that cheap.
I love Duramaxes, and the challenge of building this truck as a diesel....but GeezusHCripes, I aint made of money.
From a practical point of view, it would be incredibly stupid to continue along this path. Guess I have to figure out just how dumb I really am.
Craigslist has engines and transmissions listed for far less than that, WITH harnesses and computers...but who knows on mileages or conditions. Still might be worth the risk for that cheap.
I love Duramaxes, and the challenge of building this truck as a diesel....but GeezusHCripes, I aint made of money.
From a practical point of view, it would be incredibly stupid to continue along this path. Guess I have to figure out just how dumb I really am.
Well I personally passed one (6.0/4L80/harness for $1k) up 4 months ago....and another a year ago.....a couple years ago I bought a 4.8 with fuel pump, tank, fuel lines, harness, ECM, intake, full exhaust with cats, fan, coolant hoses, etc for $400.
Im sorry that you overpaid....?
Ben
Ive already found 6.0s and 5.3s with under 100,000 miles for under $600 on car-part, and 4L80s for under $500. But those are at yards, where usually they are VERY proud of their parts.
Craigslist has engines and transmissions listed for far less than that, WITH harnesses and computers...but who knows on mileages or conditions. Still might be worth the risk for that cheap.
I love Duramaxes, and the challenge of building this truck as a diesel....but GeezusHCripes, I aint made of money.
From a practical point of view, it would be incredibly stupid to continue along this path. Guess I have to figure out just how dumb I really am.
I think it depends on what you really want out of the truck Tom. I don't think you could beat LS power for best bang for the buck in the speed/power department but a Dmax would definitely be a cool different powerplant. If you're planning on streeting it quite a bit, the mileage advantage should be hands down in favor of the Dmax too, if the truck weight is reasonable.
I'm kind of in the same boat. I've built my truck for the Dmax but I have a 4.8 and a 6.0 here that I wouldn't hesitate to put a cheap set of twins on to replace the Dmax if it proves unreliable. The weight savings alone of a LS/4L80 vs. a Dmax/Allison at the same power level will be worth quite a bit at the strip too.
Are the 1/2 ton front ends, transfer cases, and rear ends tough enough or do you have to build them?