rickjames Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 Ok I just signed up here and would like to know if anyone here has ever done a GM V8 small block transplant into a 88 or like year pathy. I just bought mine and have been gettin my a@@ kicked when wheelin with my buddies. So if anyone has done this what problems did you run into. What kind of fab work am I lookin at. And where there any aftermaket adapters that were used, if so where would it be found? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldSlowReliable Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 I think someone said a sbc 350 is an easy swap...but don't quote me on it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Precise1 Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 It has been done and adapters were made at some point, but I would not call it easy and good luck on finding one. While power is a complaint there are quite a few SAS'd (or not) rigs running 35"+ tires with the stock power plant. How are they kicking your a$$?? If you are racing, you picked the wrong truck... B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KovemaN Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 You're Rick James bitsch! Enjoy yourself. 4.3 Vortec is a pretty popular swap. Light weight, good power and aftermarket parts are plentiful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Channel595 Posted February 6, 2010 Share Posted February 6, 2010 I don't see why an sr20det won't work... I'm not sure but I think it might mate up with the stock tranny... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morningwould Posted February 6, 2010 Share Posted February 6, 2010 I don't see why an sr20det won't work... I'm not sure but I think it might mate up with the stock tranny... It might mate up with the stock tranny behind my Z24, but not with the VG30 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nismothunder Posted February 7, 2010 Share Posted February 7, 2010 A 4.3 is a 350 with 2 cylinders missing,so wouldnt it be just engine mount modes to a 4.3 swap,a th700 or the newer od will all live be hind a mildly built 350 or 305. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slade420 Posted February 7, 2010 Share Posted February 7, 2010 check out the Cummins 3.9 4tba turbo diesel inline 4 cylinder (a is for after-cooled). used in old bread trucks... fitting in under the hood might be challenging.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nismothunder Posted February 7, 2010 Share Posted February 7, 2010 Nissan made a old carbed disel for international for there scouts,didnt have much power but they got mid 20s in them with non over drive trannys and 4.10 gears... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nige Posted February 8, 2010 Share Posted February 8, 2010 i don't think you would want an SR20DET motor as they have less torque at lower RPM's than a VG30. The VG30 has a very level torque curve which is a plus for towing and wheeling. I've seen Australians swap the VG30 for a 3800 V6 from holden commodores. I think it's the same v6 you find in a lot of 90's Buicks. I see you have an 88 SE which should come with the VG30I. You can get a set of headers and do a full 2.25" exhaust with a high flow cat. You should feel the difference, but yeah Precise1 is right. These trucks are not know for their speed and power I would change my gears to 5.13's before I spent the time and money doing an engine swap. IMO the VG30 is the most reliable part of the truck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toby Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 i don't think you would want an SR20DET motor as they have less torque at lower RPM's than a VG30. The VG30 has a very level torque curve which is a plus for towing and wheeling. I've seen Australians swap the VG30 for a 3800 V6 from holden commodores. I think it's the same v6 you find in a lot of 90's Buicks. I see you have an 88 SE which should come with the VG30I. You can get a set of headers and do a full 2.25" exhaust with a high flow cat. You should feel the difference, but yeah Precise1 is right. These trucks are not know for their speed and power I would change my gears to 5.13's before I spent the time and money doing an engine swap. IMO the VG30 is the most reliable part of the truck the 3800 FWD motors wouldn't work without alot of work. Luckily GM made the near bulletproof 3800 Series II available in the Camaro/Firebird. And they are pretty cheap to get with base power at 200hp you can't really complain. Not to mention there is a decent aftermarket if you want to build the internals. Most 3800 FWD internals work. I've also seen the Cartuning Turbo kit adapted to the RWD 3800. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Channel595 Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 The vg 30 is pretty gutless to begin with but if you use a turbo engine and put a tiny turbo on it it would make more lower end torque and at top end the turbo would pretty much do nothing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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