Inliners International Forums General Discussion Engines swap to l6?

Hi guys, I'm new to inline engines and the website-
I'm looking for something different to put in my 90 C1500 5 spd. Right now it has a mild (+/-300hp) .030 over 350 tbi, but I'm bored with the typical NA V-8- everyone has one, especially in Flint, MI!

-I am really hung up on the inline 6 idea, and I can't keep my mind away from a turbo setup, but from everything I already know and have read, that will be pricey and difficult.

- I want a torquey engine (it's a truck, and it does still get used as a truck), and I'd still like to push about 300 hp. I like the look, torque, and weight of a chevy 6. I combed over my local junkyard and found a 82 C10 with a 6 and a stick. VIN decoding says it's a 250. I know this will work with my 1990 Borg Warner trans, but what can I reasonably expect for streetable power numbers on a NA 250 with modification.

-Also, is turbo as difficult as it sounds- I was looking at using my tbi setup converted for use with Megasquirt.

- Third, is $200 for a boneyard 250 too much- I plan on a full rebuild obviously, but I have no way of knowing if the block is good.

- Last- I've heard the integral head on this 82 is junk- is that true, and if so I assume the block will accept an older, reworked head.

I know I asked a lot, and I certainly appreciate any replies.

I think you'd better start looking for an older truck pre72. The Feds pretty much say don't modify any of the newer automobiles. Check your local emission laws too.

Larry

Well the truck would already be illegal as it has some smog provisions removed and others replaced w/ aftermarket items, but in MI we don't have emissions testing....yet anyway. Regardless, If I don't do an L6 swap it's going to be a carbureted small block, as tbi can't really handle anything over 300 hp. And I can't switch trucks- it's just personal preference, but I'm 27 and grew up with the 88-98's and for some reason have quite a healthy obsession.

You would be giving up about 100 cubic inches if you switched to the 6. Unless you went to a turbo your performance is going to suffer, especially in a truck that's heavy anyway.

Assuming you built the 250 you would have to make about 1.2 hp/ci to equal the 300 hp you have now. While that's pretty easy to do, you would have to sacrifice low end TQ and spin the engine higher to make that much hp from that size engine.

My vote would be to build a torquey 383 V8, and use your present TBI. It would handle the extra
~30 ci just by raising your fuel pressure and be a lot more fun to drive.

Ron

Welcome to Inliners.
If you're after torque look into a 292. As earlier stated you'd be better off finding an older truck (pre '75) to play with. If your smog laws are anything like California's you'll just be beating your head against the wall trying to get it to pass with a newer truck.

Yeah, I'd actually prefer a 292, I've got a lot more boneyards and ebay listings to look through before I make a move. And basically here in Michigan we have zero enforced smog laws. I got pulled over about 7 years ago in an 89 chevy truck with shorty headers, no catalytic, and true 2 1/2" duals that dumped out at the back of the cab- they were only concerned about decibel level- they could care less about smog laws. So basically if I can make it run and drive and achieve my power goals, I can drive it in Michigan.

I'm also considering a low mileage Vortec 4200 swap with the harness and computer....got to do some more research though.

Rob

This may not be the answer that you are looking for ,,,,. but if it were my truck (and it was kinda legal), I would put in a 302 GMC, bored out to 320 cubic inches, and maybe stroked. Like the engine in Tom Langdon's '39 Chevy. This would put lots of low-RPM torque.

Don't keep saying that Michigan no enforcement stuff or you'll end up with more than you can handle! I remember when Californians drove what they wanted and bought all the guns they wanted the day they wanted them! Don't ever brag about a freedom you want to keep!

Sorry, I wouldn't call it bragging- it's a simple fact; that's the state of affairs here, and let's not be idealistic; it's not as if I'm alone in the modification of an EPA regulated vehicle. I make my best effort in general, my daily drivers are highly efficient, unmolested VW turbo 4 cylinders- this truck is a toy that doesn't get driven every day.

Yes , I understand. In the not so distant past Nevada Had maybe 10 Highway Patrol cars on the road at any one time,half of them in or near Vegas. If you met one east of Fallon You were pretty much safe all the way to Austin or beyond. Not only are there many more now but they,like our politicians, are California rejects. They couldn't cut it there so they came to straighten out the bumpkins. They'll get to you soon enough. What's the point of having power if you can't abuse it?

It was my understanding that the Michigan emissions test (enforcement) program was repealed after a clas action suit by the citiczenry was able to prove that the regulating body had been fooling with the air quality test results to justify the continuation of the program and their jobs. There might have been something about government generated business for the test centers too.

I suppose 'fooling with' is a poor choice, the way I heard it was they checked the air quality 365/year and only put the worst ones on the list.

They were also able to prove in court that the air quality improvement was due to the combination of the newer vehicles being built to run cleaner and the newer fuels being formulated to burn cleaner, not because the testing program said it was cleaner.

Or so I was told by a buddie that is from Michigan and still has friends and family there.

But he lives here so I have no idea how many people this folklore has been filtered through before it got to me.