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I guess I'm just posting this to read others opinions out here. I scored a good deal on a complete Gen-III 6.0 several months ago and I'm getting ready to start pulling everything together to re-power my 72' C10 with it. The engine is complete with intake, starter, engine harness, all driven accessories, etc. The thing even still has the fan & belt on it....just no ECM.
Anyways, I originally thought I'd transplant it with the injection and all, but now that I'm doing more research I'm starting to have some second thoughts. With this truck I'm trying to keep it simple and as budget minded as possible. The truck is not a daily driver, nor will it ever be. It will be used as a weekender, and I intend to tow with it some...so I want it to make good power, but I'm not as much concerned with MPG or anything like that.
Here's some points I've been weighing....
Fuel system:
- For EFI I can use a Corvette filter/regulator with return, and I'd have to purchase a good EFI inline pump...then the fuel tank is a little bit of an issue, as I really wouldn't want to rig up a return system into the stock in-cab tank, so I'd also have to go ahead and swap out to a rear under bed tank...all in total facing a cost of about $700-$800 (Tank, Pump, Regulator/Filter assy, fittings, hoses, etc)...and also quite a bit of work having to remove the bed, plumb it all, etc.
- For Carb I will have to purchase the Edelbrock intake and MSD box combo which is $669 from Jegs, but I've got a buddy that says he can do a little better on it...more around $600 (I've seen used setups in the $400-$500 range). I've already got a couple good electric fuel pumps to choose from on my garage shelves, as well as a selection of suitable carbs, and a couple carb regulators too. Just a matter of mounting up the pump and wiring it...much shorter line length if I don't use what's already there too.
Ignition:
- For EFI I'll need to sort out the harness that I have or buy something aftermarket, and also need to purchase an ECM to use, plus likely some tuning SW like LS1 edit...or just payout to someone like Sam or the guys over at True Street for a tune. No matter how I look at it, this is going to be another $500-$700 said & done.
- For Carb, it's plug & play included with above...and comes with SW to load on my laptop for playing with the timing curve.
Transmission:
- For EFI I'd likely just go with a 4L60E to match up, but I'd have to rig something up to use the stock speedo, they make adapters to convert electric signal to mechanical (like the Cable-X from Abbott) but they are a little pricey...about $250-$300 I believe, and a good fresh trans with converter is going to run me about $1200-$1400.
- For carb...likely a 700R4, will already have provision for mechanical speedo but I'll have to buy the flexiplate adapter kit to hook it up to an LSX engine (~$100 from GM)...I should be able to get a good fresh trans for $800-$1000.
Anyways...getting to be a long post here. Just wondering what some of you guys who've had experience with these swaps might have to say. Another real positive....I've been reading a lot about how well they run with a carb...apparently with a cam swap and good exhaust it's pretty hard to not make at least 425-450hp.
Anyways, I originally thought I'd transplant it with the injection and all, but now that I'm doing more research I'm starting to have some second thoughts. With this truck I'm trying to keep it simple and as budget minded as possible. The truck is not a daily driver, nor will it ever be. It will be used as a weekender, and I intend to tow with it some...so I want it to make good power, but I'm not as much concerned with MPG or anything like that.
Here's some points I've been weighing....
Fuel system:
- For EFI I can use a Corvette filter/regulator with return, and I'd have to purchase a good EFI inline pump...then the fuel tank is a little bit of an issue, as I really wouldn't want to rig up a return system into the stock in-cab tank, so I'd also have to go ahead and swap out to a rear under bed tank...all in total facing a cost of about $700-$800 (Tank, Pump, Regulator/Filter assy, fittings, hoses, etc)...and also quite a bit of work having to remove the bed, plumb it all, etc.
- For Carb I will have to purchase the Edelbrock intake and MSD box combo which is $669 from Jegs, but I've got a buddy that says he can do a little better on it...more around $600 (I've seen used setups in the $400-$500 range). I've already got a couple good electric fuel pumps to choose from on my garage shelves, as well as a selection of suitable carbs, and a couple carb regulators too. Just a matter of mounting up the pump and wiring it...much shorter line length if I don't use what's already there too.
Ignition:
- For EFI I'll need to sort out the harness that I have or buy something aftermarket, and also need to purchase an ECM to use, plus likely some tuning SW like LS1 edit...or just payout to someone like Sam or the guys over at True Street for a tune. No matter how I look at it, this is going to be another $500-$700 said & done.
- For Carb, it's plug & play included with above...and comes with SW to load on my laptop for playing with the timing curve.
Transmission:
- For EFI I'd likely just go with a 4L60E to match up, but I'd have to rig something up to use the stock speedo, they make adapters to convert electric signal to mechanical (like the Cable-X from Abbott) but they are a little pricey...about $250-$300 I believe, and a good fresh trans with converter is going to run me about $1200-$1400.
- For carb...likely a 700R4, will already have provision for mechanical speedo but I'll have to buy the flexiplate adapter kit to hook it up to an LSX engine (~$100 from GM)...I should be able to get a good fresh trans for $800-$1000.
Anyways...getting to be a long post here. Just wondering what some of you guys who've had experience with these swaps might have to say. Another real positive....I've been reading a lot about how well they run with a carb...apparently with a cam swap and good exhaust it's pretty hard to not make at least 425-450hp.
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