Engine swap advice and recommendations

[ohmymy111]

I have a 1994 c3500 with a 7.4L I use to pull a dog trailer. I got it, as it is a crew cab long box, both of which I wanted to have. I don't need the power a 7.4L gives me as I will never do any heavy towing. MPG is way more important.

So in addition to maybe swapping out the 4:10 gears I am thinking about doing an engine swap as well. I would like to go with a 96 or newer to get away from the OBD1. Looking for Pros, cons and recommendations on doing this.

 

[Will L.]

Swapping engine, gearing, electrical system a lot of work & $. Then you have dropped resale value by a lot. I would say put on propane kit (check Leroy's diesel at bottom of main page) that will save $ in the fuel dept. Is that all why you want to loose big engine/ gearing?

Why bother obd2 instead of 1? Any special reason that could be worked with.


Other wise run it until you find a 96 or newer truck to buy & sell the current one. No down time, no lost $, no loss of blood through the knuckles from wrench turning. I am big on modify it till its what you want, but that's a bunch to change.

Not trying to say you couldn't, just my opinion.

 

[Tinbender59]

LT1 with TPI, here the article does not have the TPI on it but the motor does have it now http://www.gmtruckcentral.com/articles/lt1swap.html my truck 15 -16 max mpg


1999 K1500 with a 1992 TPI 350 upgrade http://forum.gmtruckcentral.com/showthread.php/1000-DEAD-VORTEC-REPLACEMENT-ON-THE-CHEAP nephew's truck 20MPG when driving light footed

these are my favorite ones

 

[Tinbender59]

or do a 5.3 they are cheap now days, and deliver good power with decient millage, get an adaptor and bolt it in there, wiring, ECU, fuel system, and exhaust to start with. do a camaro TPI - simple wiring mods, fuel pump swap, reprogram the chip, exhaust would bolt right up to the stock 1994 350 manifolds I believe, way way simple as conversions go.

 

[tanman_2006]

I have to agree with a propane kit, you wont gain MPG but here propane is under 2.00 and at 9.5mpg we have the same cost/mile as a 05 Nissan Altima 2.5S (that was the primary goal. $0.17/mile, figure it with $3.00 gas and you aren't as happy. Also, if you are going to go through the trouble to swap I would get an 03 or newer 6.0L parts truck, but guess what, there aren't many 6.0L's getting better than the 14mpg you reported earlier.

 

[ohmymy111]

Thanks for all the info. I am going top check into a propane conversion and the feasibility of it. I live in the middle of Nowhere North Dakota, so I will have to see how readily available propane for fueling

 

[turbovanman]

If you can find a donor, I'd do it, but I would go 93 that way, its mechanical and you can make your own fuel.

 

[GM Guy]

I agree with Will, sell it and buy what you need.