Ok ok, I have searched. Questions regarding swap into a 94 std cab...JUST THE ENGINE

[redneckwonder]

Ok, my dad is a great dad, who always sacrifices for the family. Well the other day, he made the comment how "one day" he would like to soup up his lil 94 sonoma work truck. He said he is tired of people lookin down on him because of his truck. So, being mechanically inclined, knowing my dad does NOT want a different truck, nor does he want a v8, dependable, drive anywhere truck...I figured a syclone motor would be awesome!

All I want to do is put a stock engine in there. I dont need upgraded cams/turbos/heads, etc. Its an AT already, two wheel drive. Since it is a 94, its currently a TBI Z Code motor. My only concerns as to the swap, are getting the wiring from the body, to work with the engine harness and computer. I am talking as far as gauges, instrument panel go. This CANT be that difficult. The motor will bolt right up, the trans will bolt right up, it will all fit under a stock hood, etc. I am just wanting to cover all my bases on the wiring harness. Since its OBD1 right now, I just dont know how much different things could be, so if anyone would enlighten me as to the details regarding this, I would be very appreciative!

 

[QUICK STORM]

Re: Ok ok, I have searched. Questions regarding swap into a 94 std cab...JUST THE ENGINE

Re: Ok ok, I have searched. Questions regarding swap into a 94 std cab...JUST THE ENGINE

you'll probably just need the syty specifics i.e. motor,manifolds,turbo,downpipe and a few little extras like the wiring harness, ECM. good luck.

 

[redneckwonder]

Re: Ok ok, I have searched. Questions regarding swap into a 94 std cab...JUST THE ENGINE

Re: Ok ok, I have searched. Questions regarding swap into a 94 std cab...JUST THE ENGINE

sooo, am I looking at a bolt in,plug in swap??

 

[BigBadSmoosh]

Re: Ok ok, I have searched. Questions regarding swap into a 94 std cab...JUST THE ENGINE

Re: Ok ok, I have searched. Questions regarding swap into a 94 std cab...JUST THE ENGINE

wiring will be different.. getting dash to work will be fun.

 

['JustDreamin']

Re: Ok ok, I have searched. Questions regarding swap into a 94 std cab...JUST THE ENGINE

Re: Ok ok, I have searched. Questions regarding swap into a 94 std cab...JUST THE ENGINE

And if you surf this board long enough, you'll realize that the Sy / Ty engine isn't the most reliable. Mostly because its so easy to turn up the power, and most guys do. Which results in an engine with fewer rods than cylinders.

A v8 conversion can be powerful & reliable. And also likely to cost you less than a Sy / Ty swap (in my opinion at least).

'JustDreamin'

 

[redneckwonder]

Re: Ok ok, I have searched. Questions regarding swap into a 94 std cab...JUST THE ENGINE

Re: Ok ok, I have searched. Questions regarding swap into a 94 std cab...JUST THE ENGINE

Oh believe you me, I agree a v8 would be easy to do also, I am just tryin to think of how to do somethin for the ole man without going against his wishes. But also a turbo motor can be reliable. trust me, if you knew my dad, he could have a car with 500 hp, but he would almost NEVER get on it. If he had his truck with a syclone motor, it MIGHT see any form of boost MAYBE once a week. Like I say, he just a simple hard workin man, he just wants something there IN CASE he feels he needs it. Also with a turbo he wont burn as much gas when he doesnt need all that rompin power...

Now back to the swap, the dash that is in there is the real simple one with fuel gauge(shouldnt change anything), the voltmeter(some wiring changes maybe?) and the temp guage(same as voltage), and the speedo(operates off the trans, so no big deal), and I will hook him up a seperate boost guage and a small tach...

So it sounds like the general consensus is that the swap will come down to wiring? I can slowly start gathering parts, and like I said stock is good for him. He wants reliability over gobs of hp!

 

[93ty475]

Re: Ok ok, I have searched. Questions regarding swap into a 94 std cab...JUST THE ENG

here's a start......contact the thread author....

http://www.syty.net/forums/showthread.php?t=14072&highlight

 

[dgoodhue]

Re: Ok ok, I have searched. Questions regarding swap into a 94 std cab...JUST THE ENGINE

Re: Ok ok, I have searched. Questions regarding swap into a 94 std cab...JUST THE ENGINE

Especially since you want to leave it as "stock SyTy Motor", How about supercharging the motor you have?

 

[redneckwonder]

Re: Ok ok, I have searched. Questions regarding swap into a 94 std cab...JUST THE ENGINE

Re: Ok ok, I have searched. Questions regarding swap into a 94 std cab...JUST THE ENGINE

Hmm, I checked that link out, but its really not anywhere the same swap as I am doing. First, dad has a two wheel drive truck, they are trying to swap AWD...secondly, dads truck is stock OBD1, a 95 i think may possibly be OBD2...thirdly, the stock motor right now has around 95,000 miles on it, so its getting up there. Fourthly, a supercharger is only good for max power/boost at max rpm...a turbo will kick in ONLY when needed, therefore he gets full boost at low rpm, LOTS better gas milage, and a sneaky quiet setup. Besides, you can only shove about 5 pounds down a TBI before its gonna start choking for fuel...

oh oh and besides a supercharger for one cost at least 1500...i bet I could get my engine guy to build me a shortblock, freshen up the L35's off of dads old 4.3 and get it the top end off the ty for that area.

 

[93ty475]

Re: Ok ok, I have searched. Questions regarding swap into a 94 std cab...JUST THE ENG

cool....let us know how it goes....

 

[dgoodhue]

Re: Ok ok, I have searched. Questions regarding swap into a 94 std cab...JUST THE ENGINE

Re: Ok ok, I have searched. Questions regarding swap into a 94 std cab...JUST THE ENGINE

the stock motor right now has around 95,000 miles on it, so its getting up there.

oh oh and besides a supercharger for one cost at least 1500...i bet I could get my engine guy to build me a shortblock, freshen up the L35's off of dads old 4.3 and get it the top end off the ty for that area.

A Ty top end and rebuild is going to cost you more than $1500. Your going to want to rebuild the motor at the very least with forged piston and L35 rods (if your motor doesn't have the beefier rods)

I just want to let you know what your getting into price wise. A complete intake, injectors, fuel rail, ECM and wiring harness will run ~$1000. Manifolds $300, Intercooler $200, plus you need a turbo and full exhaust which easily using used parts will be $500, but could be more like $1000 if you want rebuilt turbo and ATR exhaust. So the part will run 2000-2500 plus a rebuild or you buy complete SyTy motor for that price (and worry about the syty stock rods and pistons)

In addition to that you will shortly destroy the transmission and eventually the rear end. A stock SyTy motor makes over 420ft-lbs of torque will eat those stock pieces. The only reason the rear end holds up in Syty is becuase 35% of the torque goes to the front differential.

 

[dgoodhue]

Re: Ok ok, I have searched. Questions regarding swap into a 94 std cab...JUST THE ENGINE

Re: Ok ok, I have searched. Questions regarding swap into a 94 std cab...JUST THE ENGINE

BTW You can see why in the above senario that why it often ends up being cost effective to buy a SyTy instead of building one especially when considering resale value and time spent installing the parts.

I am not trying to talk you out of it, but a SC just bolts on (no rewiring, don't have to deal with pulling a motor and the exhuast). It doesn't quite have the HP and definately doesn't have the torque (which will just go up in smoke with a wheel spin happy 2wd).

 

[redneckwonder]

Re: Ok ok, I have searched. Questions regarding swap into a 94 std cab...JUST THE ENGINE

Re: Ok ok, I have searched. Questions regarding swap into a 94 std cab...JUST THE ENGINE

A Ty top end and rebuild is going to cost you more than $1500. Your going to want to rebuild the motor at the very least with forged piston and L35 rods (if your motor doesn't have the beefier rods)

I just want to let you know what your getting into price wise. A complete intake, injectors, fuel rail, ECM and wiring harness will run ~$1000. Manifolds $300, Intercooler $200, plus you need a turbo and full exhaust which easily using used parts will be $500, but could be more like $1000 if you want rebuilt turbo and ATR exhaust. So the part will run 2000-2500 plus a rebuild or you buy complete SyTy motor for that price (and worry about the syty stock rods and pistons)

In addition to that you will shortly destroy the transmission and eventually the rear end. A stock SyTy motor makes over 420ft-lbs of torque will eat those stock pieces. The only reason the rear end holds up in Syty is becuase 35% of the torque goes to the front differential.

very very good info, thats the kind of stuff Im lookin for...

well on one hand, I called my engine guy back home today, he said he would take dads stock L35 and redo it, so theres the L35 rods, and heads redone right there, plus new forged pistons and all machine work, assembled for $1000...what can I say, we are good friends...

now as far as the parts cost go, yes, you I can only agree with you, as I have some knowledge of these parts but not near as much as the rest of you all on here.
as far as part selection, STOCK in good shape or new will be fine...like I say, he wont even want loud exhaust... stock size pipe and a nice muffler would tickle him pink.
i could have swore I saw stock good condition turbos goin for mere few hundreds of bucks??? And i just saw a set of manifolds go not too long ago for 200. That pisses me off, cuz I let go of a typhoon fuel rail and injectors a while back this summer for 80 BUCKS!!! what the heck?!? haha... life goes on...and why on this part of the topic, anyone out there have nice condition stock top end setup regarding turbo, manifolds, wiring, ecm, downpipe, are concerned???

as far as trans and rearend goes. yes you are right, thats alot more torque! but again, I guarentee that I could make a stock 700r4 live behind it, why? becuase a) dads runnin tiger paws and b) theres no brake torquing, boost launching, or anything of the sort...I gaurentee it...If you are not applying the strain of that torque, then the trans knows no difference. I plan on puttin a limited slip in that 8.5 inch stock rear with a new set of gears for wear reasons...BUT STILL, BRING ON THE THOUGHTS,,, I GLADLY APPRECIATE ALL THIS INFORMATION!!

 

[redneckwonder]

Re: Ok ok, I have searched. Questions regarding swap into a 94 std cab...JUST THE ENGINE

Re: Ok ok, I have searched. Questions regarding swap into a 94 std cab...JUST THE ENGINE

BTW You can see why in the above senario that why it often ends up being cost effective to buy a SyTy instead of building one especially when considering resale value and time spent installing the parts.

I am not trying to talk you out of it, but a SC just bolts on (no rewiring, don't have to deal with pulling a motor and the exhuast). It doesn't quite have the HP and definately doesn't have the torque (which will just go up in smoke with a wheel spin happy 2wd).

very much agreed, I mean if the cost becomes the same then yes, ill step back and weigh my options, maybe buy a wreck and part it out??? but like i say, dad hauls lawnmowers with this truck, hauls firewood, takes my junk to college in it, haha, i mean hes not a weekend warrior, so the abuse factor goes way down...plus he doesnt plan on selling it, and it would be a breeze to swap a stocker back in there down the road, if I take the time now to do everything professional(no hacking, all plug and play style), and lastly that fuel mileage with a turbo vs. supercharger...doh! the decisions the decisions

 

[dgoodhue]

Re: Ok ok, I have searched. Questions regarding swap into a 94 std cab...JUST THE ENGINE

Re: Ok ok, I have searched. Questions regarding swap into a 94 std cab...JUST THE ENGINE

i could have swore I saw stock good condition turbos goin for mere few hundreds of bucks???

And i just saw a set of manifolds go not too long ago for 200.

Your right on the turbo, but you also need the Coolant Drain & Feed, Oil Drain, Feed, & oil pan connections for the oil return . Stock Down Pipe are pretty cheap $75, but that stuff adds up.
Manifolds used to be cheaper before crack passenger side manifold started happening more frequently and the demand went up. I sold a set of manifolds 3 years ago for $175 and felt lucky because I saw a set on ebay go for $45.

as far as trans and rearend goes. yes you are right, thats alot more torque! but again, I guarentee that I could make a stock 700r4 live behind it, why? becuase a) dads runnin tiger paws and b) theres no brake torquing, boost launching, or anything of the sort...I gaurentee it...If you are not applying the strain of that torque, then the trans knows no difference. I plan on puttin a limited slip in that 8.5 inch stock rear with a new set of gears for wear reasons

Turbo also make lots of toque at part throttle when start building boost. Last night (it was cold about 40 degrees) might tires broke free on the 1-2 shift with about 2-3 throttle and 9 psi. My Truck isn't that fast (stock turbo & 12.9's) and I am AWD. So build some boost and you will be stressing the unbuilt stock tranny. Again especially if you keeping it stock if you rebuild a Corvette spec tranny it will hold up if done right and its not terribly expensive like a 10 sec tranny, but its another cost. (SyTy's commonly have tranny issues anyways because of torque and boosted launches)

Don't get me wrong SyTy are super fun when they work right, but they just aren't cheap...

 

[mattw]

Re: Ok ok, I have searched. Questions regarding swap into a 94 std cab...JUST THE ENGINE

Re: Ok ok, I have searched. Questions regarding swap into a 94 std cab...JUST THE ENGINE

Is your dad gonna mind having to run high test all the time?

-Matt

 

[redneckwonder]

Re: Ok ok, I have searched. Questions regarding swap into a 94 std cab...JUST THE ENGINE

Re: Ok ok, I have searched. Questions regarding swap into a 94 std cab...JUST THE ENGINE

i was thinkin about that in econ today, i dont think he will want to...so i guess thats another question to throw out there, how can I make it run 89 or lower? Alky injection? Lower the compression all the way to 8:1? Not sure...well IM not sure...maybe some of you could enlighten me...I always thought that if it was gonna cause a problem the computer stepped in a pulled advance?

 

[sleepy]

Re: Ok ok, I have searched. Questions regarding swap into a 94 std cab...JUST THE ENGINE

Re: Ok ok, I have searched. Questions regarding swap into a 94 std cab...JUST THE ENGINE

I think Alky would help, and the rear end should hold together well enough too - I have a 7 5/8 with a zexel torsen center section running a 12.00 with MT et street radials. The trans will need help for the occasional boost. The harness and computer will bolt in nicely, and the difference in gauges can be worked with. I would tend to think that if he is not a horsepower junkie like the rest of us, a good rebuild of the 4.3 with a cam, some head work, and maybe a little more compression should give him a kick in the pants at a cost that would be easier to deal with. What do the rest of you guys think?