6.0 L76 / 4l70e swap

[jstev4610]

Starting up a new topic, I just picked up a 2008 6.0 L76 and 4l70e transmission into my 91 grand wagoneer. I've looked through several others conversions on here, and am looking forward to completing this.

[Stuka]

Sounds like a good swap. Any photos of your waggy?

[jamesdart]

What is that, the trailblazer ss drivetrain?

[jstev4610]

Sounds like a good swap. Any photos of your waggy?

Here's my prior build thread.

http://fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=612

The stock engine and transmission just aren't what I want for something I will be road tripping with. I should have done a swap in the first place, but was hopeful a rebuild would be sufficient.

[jstev4610]

What is that, the trailblazer ss drivetrain?

It came out of a Silverado 1500 LTZ.

[jstev4610]

Looking at awd transfer cases that mount up to the 4l70e. Anyone used a nvg 149? I think I'm trying to mate to a 27 spline output shaft.

[chevelleguy]

That would probably be a good question for the Chevy SS truck guys.

[Stuka]

Looking at awd transfer cases that mount up to the 4l70e. Anyone used a nvg 149? I think I'm trying to mate to a 27 spline output shaft.

The 149 has no low range. It is a single speed t-case with no lockup.

If you ever plan to do anything other than street driving, I would suggest an NP242. There are GM versions that came in Escalades.

[jstev4610]

Looking at awd transfer cases that mount up to the 4l70e. Anyone used a nvg 149? I think I'm trying to mate to a 27 spline output shaft.

The 149 has no low range. It is a single speed t-case with no lockup.

If you ever plan to do anything other than street driving, I would suggest an NP242. There are GM versions that came in Escalades.

Got it. This is a driver, and I like awd for daily application especially here in MT. It works great in snow, wet and on fire roads. If I ever wheel again (used to in Clayton when I lived in Dallas), then I'll build something else more specific to that.

And an edit, the engine/tranny transplant is from a 2500hd, not 1500 ltz.

[jstev4610]

...

[Jeeptchr]

Where did you source the motor/trans?

[jstev4610]

Off ebay, similar to what probuild did. A couple vendors specialize with these pulls and wanted to use one to make sure it was pulled and shipped properly.

I went with one from American Pickup Salvage in Arkansas.

[ShawnQ]

Subscribing!

Still debating between an LS and a HEMI. LS is the obvious easier route...but the MOPAR in me wants to put a HEMI in my GWag.

My father has a friend who works for a wrecking yard and he's keeping an eye open for good donors...just a waiting game. In the meantime I'm reading as much as I can and trying to decide what will work and what wont.

In regards to your swap, I'm anxious to see how the transfer case mounts up and works out. I found a complete '01 2500 6.0 from engine to transfer case, even driveshafts and axles if I wanted them, for around $3000. However, I didn't think the transfer case would do me any good. I don't know which one it was, but it was electric shift. I would prefer a floor shifted model that I can shift on the fly.

Looking forward to your updates!

[jstev4610]

I wanted to put a hemi 5.7l in there, but could not find good enough info about wiring up the engine and transmission. The chevy is tried and true.

BJ's radiator is out of stock for 4+ months. Updated list:

6.0 l76 engine - ebay
4l70e 4x4 transmission - ebay
new process 149 awd transfer case (new rebuild) - ebay
Digital Dakota dash cluster - BJs
Kryoflow radiator - Novak
Engine fan/shroud for kryoflow - Novak
GM engine mounts - Novak
Engine cover for GM3+ engines - Novak

I bought the engine cover due to reading about clearance issues with the factory cover on there, and my air intake is already hitting the dynamat hoodliner I installed. I'll be looking into sourcing a new fuel tank and pump next.

[Jeeptchr]

Thanks for the yard info! That's not that far from me.

[jstev4610]

So just received the engine and transmission. Top notch crating.

For some reason this made me giggle just a bit. That quickly stopped once we realized the crate hung halfway off the deck and I had to hold the other side up as it lowered or it would tip.



Uncrated.

[ShawnQ]

Awesome!

What kind of miles are on that engine? Any reason you went with the L76 over the others? Mind letting me know what it cost (You can PM if you'd like).
One last thing, I'm going to contact that wrecking yard - do you have a name of the person who helped you that I can refer to?

[jstev4610]

This one has 60k on it, I got it for $5,500 shipped. I might have paid more than some but I wanted to make sure it came from someone reputable and it was well sorted. Came with the pedal and maf sensor. Can't remember the name of the guy I talked to, I called and chatted with them twice before buying it. A relative has this same engine in a 2008 2500hd, 2wd, and it's a great with a lot of stock HP and torque, as much as my audi, and the black bear tune will bump it +40. They had older ones, with less miles, but also less HP. There was actually a 4.8 when I was looking that was a takeout at 1,200 miles, maybe less. They also had a 5.3 with 14k miles. It was hard to not choose the 1.2k mile takeout, but it wasn't the power I was going for. The only thing that concerns me with super low mileage takeouts is that they were flood damaged vehicles in a dealership and I would never know. Especially in the south.

I think these are the people protouring used for his vortec.

http://stores.ebay.com/StJamesAuto-Truc ... 7675.l2563

[ShawnQ]

This one has 60k on it, I got it for $5,500 shipped. I might have paid more than some but I wanted to make sure it came from someone reputable and it was well sorted. Came with the pedal and maf sensor. Can't remember the name of the guy I talked to, I called and chatted with them twice before buying it. A relative has this same engine in a 2008 2500hd, 2wd, and it's a great with a lot of stock HP and torque, as much as my audi, and the black bear tune will bump it +40. They had older ones, with less miles, but also less HP. There was actually a 4.8 when I was looking that was a takeout at 1,200 miles, maybe less. They also had a 5.3 with 14k miles. It was hard to not choose the 1.2k mile takeout, but it wasn't the power I was going for. The only thing that concerns me with super low mileage takeouts is that they were flood damaged vehicles in a dealership and I would never know. Especially in the south.

I think these are the people protouring used for his vortec.

http://stores.ebay.com/StJamesAuto-Truc ... 7675.l2563

Thanks for the info!

I want the lower miles for dependability/longevity, but really don't need the horsepower. Although I wouldn't complain about it, that's for sure!
I'm looking forward to your build.

Keep us posted.
Shawn

[243]

St James is one of three sellers I have marked on Fleabay, I may try to pick mine up on the return leg of a KC trip.