Engine swap plans HELP!!!

[v2500burb]

I recently purchased a 1990 v2500 suburban with a small block 350
It only has 50,000 miles
But it really struggles to get up and go
Not to mention with a th400 my first freeway experience was saddening.

We love the truck but really want it to be able to get up and go and pull the freeway at a decent clip.

I had thought about a 5.9 Cummins....

Anyone have suggestions???
Links to others that have done swaps.... Gas and or diesel...


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[bucket]

I'm a big block kinda guy, if MPG is not top priority, bolt one in and have fun. They make very broad power, and relatively speaking, are fairly efficient cranking on down the highway with no overdrive. And most of your small block parts can be used on the big block. If you want a little more than mild, you may want to replace the TBI with a carb, or aftermarket EFI. It's an economical swap these days, compared to the trendy diesels and LS motors that are also much more complicated when you factor in all the nickel and dime stuff.

You can also work with what you have already, since your motor should be a healthy starting point. 383 stroker with a set of Vortec heads or nice aluminum heads, mild cam and aftermarket EFI of some type would do nicely.

 

[Irishman999]

I went big block and wont go back.

 

[v2500burb]

Mileage can't get much worse 8-10
Diesel is an option but swap is $$$$
383 stroker....
Will that completely kill any kind of fuel economy???
Big block...hmmm




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[Driver4r]

What is your gearing???? Thats a big factor. Then an rv cam will help alot with grunt.

And as bucket said, vortec heads are an option, i myself am currently putting a set on a 355. If you go vortecs, look for 062/906's, those are the best flowing casting numbers out there, the rest all top out pretty low in the rpm band.

 

[v2500burb]

I'm not sure what the gearing is...



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[v2500burb]

With vortec heads you need the intake manifold?
Can the original TBI be used?
Any issues with the computer?
Any write ups?


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[bucket]

With vortec heads you need the intake manifold?
Can the original TBI be used?
Any issues with the computer?
Any write ups?


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Yes, yes, yes, and not as far as I know.

I think if you are looking at spending engine swap kind of money, you want a lot more power. Vortec heads will be an improvement, but what I'm getting from this is that you want more than just a simple head swap.

 

[Driver4r]

Vortecs usually add up to 50hp out of the box, depending on your application.

If you could find your gearing that could help ALOT. For istance, when i got my truck It had the original 4.11's in it, I had ZERO problems getting up and moving, I actually had a harder time keeping the tires planted. Now i have 3.08's in my axles to bring the cruise rpm down about 1k, and the 3.08's dont get up nearly as quick as the 4.11's did. Dont get me wrong, the 3.08's can still get me moving, but its not nearly as quick.

 

[bucket]

His truck will be either 3:73 or 4:10. A TBI 350 is winded enough at highways speeds, steeper gears isn't going to help him.

 

[v2500burb]

I have thought about re-gearing
I did put a little taller tire
But it's such a slouch now
(In my opinion)



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[Driver4r]

His truck will be either 3:73 or 4:10. A TBI 350 is winded enough at highways speeds, steeper gears isn't going to help him.

What i was saying was that If he had close to 3.08's, He'd be better with 3.73's or 4.11's.

And he could have 3.23's, our G30 did.

 

[v2500burb]

Sorry guys I'm very new to the square body scene
Where can I find the gear ratio without counting gears???


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[bucket]

What i was saying was that If he had close to 3.08's, He'd be better with 3.73's or 4.11's.

And he could have 3.23's, our G30 did.

V2500 Burbs came with 3.73 and 4.10 ratios. My point was, gearing won't give him what he wants, no matter what the ratio was. He wants better acceleration AND more speed, no gear swap is ever going to make both happen at the same time.

Sorry guys I'm very new to the square body scene
Where can I find the gear ratio without counting gears???


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On the sticker in the glovebox. All the option codes are listed there.

 

[v2500burb]

How do I know which code tells me what gear ratio I have


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