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Square Body Crew Cab Dually 454/NV4500....considering a LS Turbo Swap
Hey guys, I have a mild 454 mated to a NV4500 in my 1988 R30 dually crew cab. It has an Edelbrock Performer TBI intake, Airaid TB Spacer, Thorley ceramic coated Tri-Y Headers, dual 2.5" into 3.0" exhaust, and SuperChips chip (unknown specs).
I get 14 mpg now highway, 10 city, 8 towing, but I am considering swapping in a spare/fresh 5.3 (that I already own btw) into it and retaining the NV4500 along with an eBay GT45 turbo too.
I tow about 6 times a year, my 30' travel trailer weighs 7500 lbs. I have done no less than 20 LS swaps, almost all of them with a turbo.
Thanks!!
Last edited by Ford_Assassin; 10-25-2019 at 01:39 AM.
I ran a 454/sm465 combo in this before swapping over to a 6.0L/4l80e...
Best decision I ever made...better mileage, at least as much power, I may have sacrificed some torque, but the mileage and driveability far outweigh that.
I ran a 454/sm465 combo in this before swapping over to a 6.0L/4l80e...
Best decision I ever made...better mileage, at least as much power, I may have sacrificed some torque, but the mileage and driveability far outweigh that.
Nice ride dude. I think I will do something similar.
Last edited by Ford_Assassin; 10-25-2019 at 01:55 AM.
3.73's. Rear is c notched, boxed frame, bagged with compressor, rear sway bar, and rear disc on the stock Dana 70HD. Unknown posi/locker, but it lays down 4 deep/solid stripes if needed. The NV4500 is nice to have too.
All 454s are NOT the same. Some/most are pretty weak from the factory. The Vortec 454 is one of the most powerful ones that was ever made. The downside is they only made the Vortec 454 from 96-2000 it features a factory hydraulic roller setup. The TPI 454 is one of the weakest and it featured a flat tappet setup.
All 454s are NOT the same. Some/most are pretty weak from the factory. The Vortec 454 is one of the most powerful ones that was ever made. The downside is they only made the Vortec 454 from 96-2000 it features a factory hydraulic roller setup. The TPI 454 is one of the weakest and it featured a flat tappet setup.
Well, I had the last year of the 7.4L carbureted models...so it was a real pooch. As limited as the TBI's were, they really shined compared to this...
That being said, still the best option for me was an LS swap...
Sound like you had a flat tappet 454 model motor which were pooches. My 97 3/4 454 Vortec is one of the top dogs due to the factory hydraulic roller valvetrain. The owner before me bought the truck brand new with 4.10 gears in a 14 bolt rearend and a 4L80E transmission. Im the 2nd owner of the truck. It was a farm truck that used to tow John Deere tractors on a gooseneck trailer. The gooseneck setup is still in the bed of my truck. Ive towed my Camaro on a 20ft trailer a couple of times. I have a hard time telling the car is back there under acceleration but i admit it could use a brake upgrade in my opinion.
Moving forward with this with 6.0 LQ4. Engine received LS9 head gaskets, new LS7 lifters and trays, Summit mild tow/truck cam, BTR single valve springs, stock truck decapped and flow matched injectors, and GT45 turbo. Only looking to make 6-7 psi, but should yield better mpg and retain towing ability.
I ran a 454/sm465 combo in this before swapping over to a 6.0L/4l80e...
Best decision I ever made...better mileage, at least as much power, I may have sacrificed some torque, but the mileage and driveability far outweigh that.
Nice! Curious, what exhaust manifolds are you using? Thanks!
Stock driver side manifold, crossover to a cast log manifold off eBay/Amazon (no longer available it seems). Looks like a KB Racing style, no where near the quality. Spent 4 hours with carbine tools cleaning up all the casting flash and spark plug wire boot clearancing.
06-06-2019, 11:20 AM
Square Body Crew Cab Dually 454/NV4500....considering a LS Turbo Swap 
