Looking for the definitive Vortec swap thread

[aliastel]

They slapped a vortec sticker on a lot of engines. It's not really descriptive. I'd stick with the fireball v8


These threads pop up every few months because someone is looking for a cheaper alternative to the rv8. If that's the case, give up now. You can have one hell of a 4.6 or even a 5.0 with all the nickel and dime stuff your overlooking

Exactly. There is so much talk but no action on these swaps because when someone actually looks into it further they realize that it won't be such a bargain after all and a lot of work. So much easier just to throw a good used 4.6 Rover in and enjoy the vehicle the way it should have come from the factory. I did this a couple of months ago with a nice GEMS 4.6 converted to 14CUX and running a Crower 229 cam. 2000.00 total and loving the smooth and effortless power! Also pulling down 18 mpg on the highway which is all I could ask for in such a beast.

David

 

[Vic00Dis]

I doubt the first owner of mine had a lot of costly Problems . Well He or She took care of her and had her serviced at the Dealer the first 78,000 miles . only service the records show only Regular Maintenance . 3000 mile Oil changes religiously. and other required service. Wish I had more Info. But when I saved her from destruction She had !80,000 miles when I popped the hood the firewall was clean as a pin. wet spots at the valve covers in a few places on both sides I don't abuse my cars until they are set up properly. Then my Mustangs got rung out every week end. Sure drive shafts twist in half sometimes or you blow the rear end . But You know things like that are going to happen due to being treated not like they were designed for... So My Land Rover will be treated with care until I know she is fit for other things not blowing parts all over a mud and dirt trail somewhere.. My son is a different person. He bought a Bronco with 80,000 Miles and first day took it to the woods with new 35" Tire.. Blew the trans wide open and called it a piece of Junk.. all I said was maybe if the big tires were going on you should have changed Diff Gears to 456,s trans would have liked that better.. since I am my own Mechanic I will get 300,000 miles out of this Rover.. by Not abusing Her.. So don't call them junk unless you have not been dogging them since you got them.. Lol Sorry got a little ticked here.... I have a 4.0 roller cam Ford engine if I wanted a half breed....

 

[Hans747]

UPDATE:

Well, after using the leads that were shared here, I have to say that I'm calling it off.

I appreciate the advice you guys have given me. What I've learned is that the GM Vortec swap is totally doable. The big thing is that I would have to source a pre-1996 D1 to be my base in order to get around the OBDII requirements in my state (and avoid having to get an electrical engineering degree to make it all weork). And it looks like the GM 4.3 is definitely the easiest way to go. But I was sitting at a stop light the other day, staring at a shitty old S-10 pickup next to me. I just couldn't get excited about taking its motor out and putting that into anything. Helllll no. I'd rather gut the driveline out of a Tacoma and have something worth talking about.

In conclusion, good luck with your rigs. I'm going finish all the updates on my e39 wagon for now, and then I will start nosing around for another old Wagoneer. But maybe I'll take a look at the tired FJ55 that's on craigslist first....

The quest continues.

 

[KyleT]

Or get the 6l80e adapter from the guy on d90 and run a takeout setup from a gm truck. Oem Obd2 ECM as it controls the trans and all is good.

 

[Tugela]

Glad you came to a definitive conclusion. Nothing gnaws like uncertainty. There is a guy on the Vehicles For Sale section selling a D1 with a Range Rover 4.6 motor in it. For a little more than what you were projecting to spend on your conversion you can get an entire truck that is ready to go. Good luck with the wagon.