86 Suburban, warwgn's build.

[bfdiesel]

I looked into them once I didn't like the oil change interval (the rig i was looking at it for traveled a lot of miles and I would have been changing it at rest stops) or price. Now for my burb a nv4500 looks more appealing to me, but I am not running an auto so...

If I was: an allison 6 speed would be appealing too, but much more $$$$, weight and more fab to fit so might as well find a donor and do a whole dmax swap . A 700R4 can be built to handle a lot these days as well, has a locking torque converter and no electronics needed, I know some hate this transmission with a passion I really have no experience other than removing a burned up 27 spline and putting a manual in its place.

If you are looking for it to help out with MPG you might as well not bother and use the 3300 for fuel.

 

[warwgn]

Not mpg's just want lower rpm's the couple extra mpg would just be a bonus not the main goal. As for going nv4500 its just not for me simce I have a bum leg so gotta stay auto.

And the oil interval is 5000 miles so not to bad, I chane the engine more often than that so just do them at the same time. However on price we agree, sure wish it was cheaper.

 

[bfdiesel]

It is probably a good option then if you don't want a 700r4 or 4L80.

The gearvendors are supposed to be really stout, the only real horror stories I have heard had to do with not changing the oil and burning it up (From what I found the high $$$ synthetic oil gets the tar used out of it and has to be changed on time or sooner), also 4 banger diesels seem to kill them with harmonics (not a problem for you). . Also from what I can remember if it fails you are supposed to still have forward gears, kinda nice to be able to get home.

A lock up torque converter of an overdrive transmissions would lower the rpm's a bit too.

 

[warwgn]

All very good points, thanks.

I dont think a 700R4 would hold up, or for the price to make it strong enough I am in the same ballpark or more since I have to change input shaft on tcase or find a new one. 4L80E is just as high with the addition of needing a controler, either of those options are high dollar and if they have an issue it cost just as much to rebuild them.

No matter which way I go I am looking at about 3-4K to get where I want to be just need to save up a bit and drop some coin.

 

[warwgn]

Saw a photo op yesterday so took advantage.

 

[cop car]

i dont have any gear vendors experience, but id do a 4L80 in your truck. get it built right and youll never have to worry about it.

 

[warwgn]

I had one and it blew up on me, was gonna cost about 2500 to get rebuilt so had to let it go and rob the th400 out of my blazer. I sold all the controller and stuff so to go back to a 4L80 would cost a bundle. Right now a gear vendors would be cheaper.

I looked into a built TH400 from Hughes Performance and it would be 1400 so in the future costs will be lower.

 

[valyidol]

Saw a photo op yesterday so took advantage.

Suburban is more cool!

 

[warwgn]

Here we go......

Here is where the leak was coming from, pass side collector.

But gonna do them all anyway..

And the POR-20

 

[BBslider001]

Wow! Huge improvement!

 

[warwgn]

Yep, this stuff js supposed to be good up to 1400* so hope it stays looking like this.

 

[warwgn]

Barely got the headers bolted up then had to call it quits. Will connect the pipes tomorrow if the weather holds, any way here are the new gaskets and the results.

Appears to be running just a touch lean even though thr AF gage reads 13 most of the time.

More pics when its all done.

 

[Keitha]

Are you carbed currently? I am a big fan of the 4L80e. One option would be a total TBI swap. Find a 16147060 PCM and full wire harness etc and trany from a doner truck and it should be a fairly easy conversion for you with a lot of advantages beyond the strength of the transmision.

 

[warwgn]

Yes I am running a 800cfm qjet. I do plan on swapping to MPFI in the future but plain TBI is not worth it to me right now. As for the 4l80 option I have written that off and decided to go with the gear vendors. Lots of thought in it and for me and what I want to do it seems my best option and cheapest in the long run.

But for now I just need to get the A/C working and the roof fack built so I can finish the interior.

 

[chilliwak]

The truck is looking good:Wow1: Warwgn. Nice work on those headers...