Square Body Crew Cab Dually 454/NV4500....considering a LS Turbo Swap
#1
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!!
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.
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Ford_Assassin (08-04-2019)
#3
TECH Veteran
I like a 454 Vortec over the 6.0 LS motor for towing. My 97 model truck with a 454 Vortec pulls like a animal... plus big block parts are cheap.
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Ford_Assassin (08-04-2019)
#4
TECH Senior Member
I have to agree with Tusky. A big block, WITH EFI AND coil on plug ignition would kick butt on towing.
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Ford_Assassin (08-04-2019)
#5
TECH Senior Member
Being you're in California you need to keep it smog legal. Don't you need cats on it?
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Ford_Assassin (08-04-2019)
#7
TECH Senior Member
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Ford_Assassin (03-09-2020)
#9
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (7)
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.
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Ford_Assassin (08-06-2019)
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Ford_Assassin (08-06-2019)
#13
TECH Veteran
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.
#14
Restricted User
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.
#15
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (7)
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...
#16
TECH Veteran
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Ford_Assassin (08-07-2019)
#17
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.
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G Atsma (03-09-2020)
#20
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.