1973 454 to 1998LQ4

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Craig Nedrow

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Location
Washington State
First Name
Craig
Truck Year
1973 (have two), 1985
Truck Model
K10, K20, C20
Engine Size
350, 454, 6.2 Detroit
Chime in. I have an 85 6.2 diesel, needs new injector pump, but truck is quite nice otherwise. Here is a pic. Want to fix the pump and run it this winter, why?
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Craig Nedrow

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1973 (have two), 1985
Truck Model
K10, K20, C20
Engine Size
350, 454, 6.2 Detroit
Here is the 73. The 454 is excellent solid motor, has about 375 hp. with the 350th that I built, still going strong. I am heading to Bonneville in a few days, but the truck's fuel mileage is less then desirable, 4:10's, 12.5X35 BF at/ta, shot, so replacing for 16, 285 more a street tread tire. Going down the road @70= 3050 rpm, which the motor seems happy with, but would be much better around 2200 rpm.
 

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Turbo4whl

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Downingtown, PA
First Name
Wayne
Truck Year
1974
Truck Model
Jimmy
Engine Size
350
Why you don't run the diesel this winter? A) You don't have the replacement rat engine yet? B) You don't have the funds for the rat engine C) You are just feeling lazy?
 

Craig Nedrow

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Truck Model
K10, K20, C20
Engine Size
350, 454, 6.2 Detroit
Turbo4whl, what are we gonna do with you! I bought a really nice 4l80e from a 2005 350 van, so it has all the upgrades. Swapping it into the 454 with the Trans-dapt 205 will cost $700.00, plus I have to machine the 205 for the larger bearing, no big deal, I can do that on the BP mill in the shop. I planned on using the Holly Terminator FI setup, as it would control the trans, (extra module). say $2000.00. Also bout drive lives will need modded, again I can do that myself, made lots of drivelines. But ok,ok, my good wife has a 2018 GMC Sierra 6.2, gets around 14-16 regular driving, but freeway, almost 20 mpg at 65mph
 

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Craig Nedrow

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Location
Washington State
First Name
Craig
Truck Year
1973 (have two), 1985
Truck Model
K10, K20, C20
Engine Size
350, 454, 6.2 Detroit
the kicker. I have had this 1998 LQ4/4l80e for three years, and been collecting parts, and it is complete with the 866 ecm, and complete wiring harness. I would remove the bed and front end, clean the frame and paint, (nice, surface rust only), use the 87? side tanks, with pumps in each tank, and would need a 62psi switch for the tanks, speedo upgrade, and etc. If you have done this, school me, (my wife loves me when I say that to her), don't know if that will work here. Here are the parts I have so far: Pic #3 trunion upgrade.
 

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Craig Nedrow

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Location
Washington State
First Name
Craig
Truck Year
1973 (have two), 1985
Truck Model
K10, K20, C20
Engine Size
350, 454, 6.2 Detroit
I also have iron heads, so will replace with some 317 aluminum heads that I sent off to K2 to have them ported flow 310 and 185CFM.
 

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Vbb199

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Vince
Truck Year
89, 79
Truck Model
89 Suburban R1500, 79 C10
Engine Size
350, 502
8.1L vortec, if you're gonna LS swap , at least make it a big motor hehe
 

Craig Nedrow

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Truck Year
1973 (have two), 1985
Truck Model
K10, K20, C20
Engine Size
350, 454, 6.2 Detroit
Here are the rods: The only other weak spot is the pistons, which will be replaced with something like these:
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2618, they require a bit more clearance, but I want to (maybe) turbo soo...have a BW 460 rebuilt turbo setting in the shop for this.
 

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Craig Nedrow

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Joined
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Posts
823
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Location
Washington State
First Name
Craig
Truck Year
1973 (have two), 1985
Truck Model
K10, K20, C20
Engine Size
350, 454, 6.2 Detroit
I'll make you proud Vbb199! All the drivetrain is excellent, tough, and will withstand the power output. If you live in WA, ORE, ID, and know of a good machine shop, shoot me a line, as I am very fussy when it comes to machine work, and need to finish the block. When I pull the motor apart, if the crank is bad, (I think not!) I will stroke it, hence the reason I am waiting for pistons. This will give me the things I want:,Cruse control, good cold weather starts, better fuel economy, more power, (always need more), and a computer controlled 4l80e that I will build myself (for the knowledge), and using a few strategic parts in the trans, I am shooting for 1000 RWH reliability. No I do not need 1000 hp! The steps as follows, Chassis paint, Hydra boost with back disks, maybe upgrade the front, (do not like the brakes). even though they are rebuilt last year), Finish motor and trans proper, install motor and etc., and lastly body work, I will do most of that myself. Having said that, I hope we have a long winter, as this is a lot of time and effort associated with this. As it stands, the new motor will have more power, and maybe more torque, better fuel economy, and cruse at 70mph at around 2287 rpm. I arrived at that by multiplying my 70mph rpm by .75, which is the od underdrive.
 

Craig Nedrow

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Location
Washington State
First Name
Craig
Truck Year
1973 (have two), 1985
Truck Model
K10, K20, C20
Engine Size
350, 454, 6.2 Detroit
I love this truck, and though the body is rusted some, still has good bones. What is he gonna do with fo fiddy fo? Glad you asked. It will probably go into the 54 3600 pickup I have been messin with for years. (Has independent front suspension from Jim Morrison Racing, D60 Tri four link I built, with Strange SS 35 spline axles, 1410 u joints, another built by me 4l80e, has a nice ring to it). It will be rude, fast, and my cruse truck, and will make chevy owners PROUD. should put me into the high 9'S, so roll cage fast. Want to take to B-Ville, shoot for 130, maybe 150 MPH class. I am 68, not as much time left as you youngsters, though I am not as old as Idahovette!) While I have had a 350, in the 54, here is the current and original motor. 2nd pic my 53, 3rd is the 54.
 

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Last edited:

Vbb199

B-rate Hillbilly Customs
Joined
Jan 12, 2018
Posts
8,871
Reaction score
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Location
Salisbury NC
First Name
Vince
Truck Year
89, 79
Truck Model
89 Suburban R1500, 79 C10
Engine Size
350, 502
I'll make you proud Vbb199! All the drivetrain is excellent, tough, and will withstand the power output. If you live in WA, ORE, ID, and know of a good machine shop, shoot me a line, as I am very fussy when it comes to machine work, and need to finish the block. When I pull the motor apart, if the crank is bad, (I think not!) I will stroke it, hence the reason I am waiting for pistons. This will give me the things I want:,Cruse control, good cold weather starts, better fuel economy, more power, (always need more), and a computer controlled 4l80e that I will build myself (for the knowledge), and using a few strategic parts in the trans, I am shooting for 1000 RWH reliability. No I do not need 1000 hp! The steps as follows, Chassis paint, Hydra boost with back disks, maybe upgrade the front, (do not like the brakes). even though they are rebuilt last year), Finish motor and trans proper, install motor and etc., and lastly body work, I will do most of that myself. Having said that, I hope we have a long winter, as this is a lot of time and effort associated with this. As it stands, the new motor will have more power, and maybe more torque, better fuel economy, and cruse at 70mph at around 2287 rpm. I arrived at that by multiplying my 70mph rpm by .75, which is the od underdrive.
I live in NC, the local gents who do crank grinding, block decking , etc are a bunch of crotchety old men, but they do good work. Have been doing it for easily 20 or 30 years, i wouldnt trust very many other people for that kinda work.
They'll do a standard clearance build, or they'll do it per journal, per bore, and per bearing, however you specify. I guess i should say blueprinted vs std overhaul.
 

TPISly-C10

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Location
Boucherville QC Canada
First Name
Sly
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
C-10 shortbox
Engine Size
LQ4 6.0L
the kicker. I have had this 1998 LQ4/4l80e for three years, and been collecting parts, and it is complete with the 866 ecm, and complete wiring harness. I would remove the bed and front end, clean the frame and paint, (nice, surface rust only), use the 87? side tanks, with pumps in each tank, and would need a 62psi switch for the tanks, speedo upgrade, and etc. If you have done this, school me, (my wife loves me when I say that to her), don't know if that will work here. Here are the parts I have so far: Pic #3 trunion upgrade.
LQ4 start in 1999 if i'm right ;)
 

Craig Nedrow

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Supporting Member
Joined
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Posts
823
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Location
Washington State
First Name
Craig
Truck Year
1973 (have two), 1985
Truck Model
K10, K20, C20
Engine Size
350, 454, 6.2 Detroit
correct
 

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