Ox65

How reliable has have some of you’re swaps been?

I’ve been thinking of putting a 6.0/4l80 in an older sq. body Chevy crew cab to use a DD/tow rig. I think it should make for a fairly reliable truck if I don’t cut corners in wiring, driveline set up and worn out parts.

ls1nova71

iTrader: (4)

1971 Nova, 123,000+ on swap, in 8+years, 1933 Ford, 20,000+ in 2 years, 1984 Ford wagon, 7,000+ last year, NO swap problems!!!! If you take your time and do it right, you'll have no problems.

Stu Cool

iTrader: (13)

9,000 miles on mine in 2.5 years. No problems at all.

Pat

G-Body

iTrader: (4)

I refuse to answer this question as the el camino is my only car. 40k on swap.
Not superstitious at all....

Shawn MacAnanny

iTrader: (12)

I only have about 2,000 miles on my swap, no problems so far and mine was by no means a 'proffesional' swap. Everything is still wired to toggle switches on my dash, works great. Blew out a power valve twice in the carb and fouled the plugs once but i dont consider those swap problems.

How much will you be towing with this rig? Like what size trailer and weight?

bczee

iTrader: (12)

I have 2+ years and have driven it to Reno to meet up with StuCool, Curising all around the SF Bay area and hitting may car show and drive-in every week.. It is not a daily driver, but is is driven weekly if I have the time.

Just jump in and turn the key.. Gone !.... 23+mpg with 4.11 rear gears on the highways..

the rest of the Truck will need to be rebuilt before the engine gives you any problems LOL...

forcd ind

iTrader: (7)

i put about 3k on my chevelle last year, a couple 300 mile trips, a few passes down the track, not even a drop of oil on the ground-its a procharged 6.0, carb, was a turbo 400, today its running with a 4l80e, waiting for the snow to melt and see if it shifts ok
last summer we put a 6.0/4l80e in a buddys rollback, he uses it everyday, pretty suprised at the torq for towing

SVT Rob

I put 5000 miles in 6 months on my LS1 third gen swap. It was very reliable until someone rearranged the front sheetmetal for me. Now I'm going to swap it into my Capri

Ox65

Not to much, Mainly cars on a open trailer to the track. At most my 4400 pound Imp. But,that will be far and few in between. I mainly want a crew cab for the extra room. Plus I just like that body stlye. I thought about a Dmax/Allison...But for the money it might be overkill.

Shawn MacAnanny

iTrader: (12)

Yeah and it could cost you about $7000 in parts to get that Duramax haha. I have one, it has the wonderful headgasket problem so i was thinking about swapping a 6.0L in it but have decided to just rent a agarage and do it myself.


a 6.0L will be just fine for towing and open trailer.

digitalsolo

iTrader: (24)

A swap car is as reliable as you build it. Do everything correctly, and it will run just like a stock car.

Doing it right doesn't mean expensive either. You can be reasonable with money on it by putting in the extra time yourself. Just make sure to spend time/money on the important things (cooling system, electrical, fuel) and you'll have nothing to worry about.

I have 6500 miles on my swap, and the only problems have been headlights (not swap related) and a radiator hose that popped after kissing the serpentine belt (my fault, whoops). Great engines, these LSx motors.

NemeSS

iTrader: (127)

first swap i built is still running, and as a dd
has over 30k miles in a 95 camaro, formerly v6
i completed swap in 06' its just a bolt on iron 5.7 with 241 heads
with 4l60e and 3k stall

John B

iTrader: (10)

Daily driver since 2001....only down time has been for upgrades!

GA95DCMSS

iTrader: (13)

Daily driven since for 7 months and almost 10K. Only downtime was replace power steering pump.

eagleuh1

I have over 12,000 miles on my 96 S10 Blazer swap. Several trips from Arkansas to New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Vicksburg Ms. Last towing a 5,000 lb travel trailer both ways. 2005 5.3 with <100 miles, 4l60e< 1000 miles to start with. Installed tranny cooler after radiator cooler to help with towing. Only problems were radiator hose coming off slippery SS tube in NO., and rubber tranny cooler line slipping off original tranny line, also New Orleans, different trips. Made for a messy front end and wind shield. Don't skimp on connectors for wiring and fluids and you should be good and reliable. Good luck.

944nate

I have a 6.0 in my DD/tow but it came in it,if u decide to do it check out
http://www.ls1truck.com/forums/

firechicken76

iTrader: (14)

daily driver on an 84 trans am with an ls1, no problems!

Rodder

iTrader: (2)

1800 miles on my swap

Failures so far:
- New AGR steering box failed @ 250mi - bad part
- Real spring shackles loose @ 1100mi - installer error, not torqued
- Top-to-side-post battery adapter stripped out @ 1150mi - installer error, stripped out
- plastic throttle pedal bracket (reproduction) broke @ 1600mi - crappy chinese part
- Lokar gas pedal set screw fell out and splines stripped @ 1700mi - bad design, use locktite on set screw!!!