New donk. Crate small block or used LS1

[comcom]

Hi

I have recently bought a winch truck with a 305 with throtle body injection. Unfortunately the 305 is stuffed, on the plus sife it means it's time for an upgrade.

The two options I'm looking into are either a LS1 or crate small block.

Tough decision for me so I thought I would put it to ORE, some info on the truck will help.

82 hilux, 305 chev, throtle body injection, link G3 CPU, TH400 transmission, 70 series transfer case, safari diffs.

Probibly worth mentioning that the truck needs re wireing as it is.

From what I can tell the crate engine will be much simpler and cheaper but less power.

The LS1, I just want one.

Any help on where it buy either options would be appreciated to.

[tow99]

be carefull of crate engines.i have heard some have run like a sick dog because the bores have rusted up while they were sitting round waiting to sell. get one with a warrnty.LS motors are getting cheaper too. LS2's can crack blocks.might be worth while looking into the late model chev small block truck motors.pretty much a LS with a cast iron block.

[comcom]

Ah hadn't heard tha about the crate engine, big reason for getting one would of been not inheriting some else's issues ! Would deffinatly get one with a warranty after hearing that.
Cast iron LS would be sweet, they are rear stumped to from what I read, would jump at one if it came along at a reasonable price.
Cheers

[tow99]

theres been afew conversions done with them.i think they have a LQ engine code.theres afew importers that might be able to source one for you from the states.i think they are from an escalade.theres heaps of options with crate motors aslong as you have deep pockets

[Crash bandicoot]

with the crate motors in storage take the valley cover off and put a little braso cleaning polish down each of the intakes and get it turning over. will have the bores nice n honed in no time, trick from grandfathers stock car racing days.

[comcom]

theres been afew conversions done with them.i think they have a LQ engine code.theres afew importers that might be able to source one for you from the states.i think they are from an escalade.theres heaps of options with crate motors aslong as you have deep pockets

Haha yeah deep pockets but very very short little arms
Nah unfortunately there is a budget and stoving in the back of my van this morning didn't help, power poll one, me zero.

Quick google search didn't really show any NZ importers, will have a talk to some shop owners this week.

Should mention that I own half the truck so that makes it easier. Wouldn't want to spend more then about $8000. Less if possable.

[comcom]

with the crate motors in storage take the valley cover off and put a little braso cleaning polish down each of the intakes and get it turning over. will have the bores nice n honed in no time, trick from grandfathers stock car racing days.

Awesome tip thanks Crash bandicoot

[Sadam_Husain]

with the price of LS engines now theres really no reason not to shove one in these days, if you've got $3.5k in your pocket you should easily be able to pick one up on trademe , theres usually a few truck engines with cast iron blocks floating around as well but the're usually the 5.3l engines the 6.0l truck engines arent quite as common and seem to hold their value a bit more. Sig stuck a 6.0l truck LS engine with a cast iron block into my 70 series cruiser, we picked it up about 2 1/2 years ago for $3k complete with all accessories, 2x chopped up looms and a factory computer, Sig traced out all the bits of loom and pulled out all the bits that wernt needed and joined up all the bits that we did need. We got another factory computer from a joker on Ebay for 100 or 120 bucks US http://myworld.ebay.com/spareecm/?_trksid=p4340.l2559 and he reflashed it and took out all the security and auto trans settings and all the shit we didnt need, plugged it in and the truck pretty much fired straight up. You need to put a pretty strong clutch in if your manual or you'll be smoking up lots of flywheels . The LS engines sit back 50mm further than the old SBC's so you have to jiggle engine mounts around and do a bit more firewall panel beating, bellhousing pattern is the same but one bolt hole is missing but you dont have to worry about that

[sig]

was wondering when you would post in

[Sadam_Husain]

was wondering when you would post in

took me a while to type all that shit out

[comcom]

Yeah I read that build thread, very cool truck. I think we will go with a LS1 but want to explore the crate engine option. Finding one for a reasonable price might take patience though. Only cheapish ones on TM at the moment have high km's or damage, best price from a wrecker has been $4200 without a computer + freight from hamilton + rear sump. Good to know how much further back the motor sits, it should clear firewall just. Good to know about the guy selling ecu on eBay thanks.

Also thought you might chime in

Cheers

[tow99]

check with your local pro parts store sometimes they have/ know where there might be a efi 350.

[Heath]

silvester v8 performance in chch import engines. their website has some prices.

So how stuffed is the 305? Might be an interesting rebuild project for the right price...

[taz01]

shoulda bought my saffy tom.........

[Petemcc]

if you are going for a crate engine I recommend the 330hp vortec ones. I have one in my jet boat and it goes a lot better than the 250 or 290 base crates, seems a waste to spend all that money and stick in the lower HP ones. Vortec seems a good compromise between the base ones and the ones making over 400.

Though for the price I would look at a LS. With a good tune they should go better than the vortec I would have thought and when I got mine I paid 6200 for the vortec motor fully dressed with intake and carb etc. Should be able to get an LS cheaper than that.


Cheers,
Pete

[comcom]

I talked to a couple of people about crate motors today and for me they are too expensive.
I figure that the LS1 is a modern engine and having a few k's on the clock shouldn't really matter. Bang for buck the LS1 is looking good.

Not sure how bad the 305 is but it doesnt have much oil pressure.
Give me a txt on 027 2044 866 and we can talk after we have pulled it out. It will be cheap for sure.

Yeah you may be right Taz, this ones getting a bit pricey. It will be a weapon when it's finished though.

Thanks everyone

[Heath]

So do you think its just tired and in need of a tear down/rebuild (rings and brgs) or is it just an oil pump problem?

[comcom]

Ah I'm no expert but we know that it has been bore washed. Not sure of how much damage has been done but will have a closer look when we take it out.

[Heath]

bore washed? Sorry not an expert at all, but willing to learn.

[niblik]

bore washed? Sorry not an expert at all, but willing to learn.

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Borewashed#

[Crash bandicoot]

bore washed is when over fueled engine scars the cylinder bores from lack of lubrication caused by the excess fuel seeping past the rings and stripping the oil of the cylinders.

depending on how bad it can be a hone with new ring sets, or a rebore with oversized pistons.

[Heath]

bore washed? Sorry not an expert at all, but willing to learn.

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Borewashed#

Cheers Nibs, but I googled it myself after asking the question. Still interested though. Might be a cool project to keep me busy for the spring...

[sig]

this is what you want.http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =506827629

[sig]

its been relisted and is a bargain .If i had the money i would buy it just as a spare. http://www.trademe.co.nz/a.asp?id=509437135

[comcom]

I don't know, there is a few question marks over it. Engine for $4200 is complete and has half the km on it, four years younger to and it has a warranty.

[comcom]

Engine I as looking at has sold, too slow so still on the hunt.

[KloneKilla]

STA Parts do some crates.
http://www.staparts.co.nz/product_11_CRATE.php