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AutoPros V8 Build - Photo Thread
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Will be following.
Keep us updated!
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THIS LOOKS LIKE A PROMISING THREAD! I type in all caps because thats how excited I am.
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Thanks for the support. Its actually going together really well compared to the troubles and lack of information we had found online during our research. So far, we really have just had minor trimming here and there, welding here and there, and lots of creative thinking in the bathroom! (best place to think)
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OMG, this is amazing and great news!!! If (maybe when) the day ever comes that our OEM V-6's decide to die (and oftentimes they do), this gives the rest of us VX'ers great hope that there is still another option out there besides just the standard OEM V-6 replacement/rebuild. Plus, the side badging can be simply "flip-flopped" to read 5.3L on the side of the fender (brilliant)!!!
Please take very copious notes and detailed records/pictures during your V-8 build, so it can become "routine" in the future for any follow-on VX's that want to follow in its foot-steps. Perhaps VX'ers can ship their dying VX to your shop in Aberdeen, MD and leave it in your loving hands for the complete V-8 conversion and then have it return shipped back to their home state. Your shop would quickly become known as THE only place to have a professional V-8 upgrade conversion done on a VX (much like Hennesy Motors in Texas is famous for engine performance upgrades).
It seems poetic that you guys hail from Aberdeen, MD which is also where the U.S. Army Aberdeen Proving Grounds is located. You guys are "proving" that the VX can have a V-8 and have the expertise and knowledge to make it a worthwhile venture without the normal snafu's. Thank you for all you do and giving us VX'ers a professional V-8 option upgrade!!!
:thumbup:
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The main thing that caught my eye was...
..."keep a/c" :)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
Triathlete
The main thing that caught my eye was...
..."keep a/c" :)
huh.... i dont have that problem in the summer here Billy... its more like your spring or fall :p
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:thumbup:......Kudos guys !!
Keep notes, make templates, do a video/still record...
...and produce a KIT!
Jo
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
Triathlete
The main thing that caught my eye was...
..."keep a/c" :)
+1, seems like it's been nixed on every existing V8 swap.
Thanks for starting the thread Autopros, i'll be following.
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We have a customer that had one of these when they first came out and fell in love with it. He had a chance to buy another one and ship it overseas to where he now resides, but wanted something more reliable. After some research and different options, and coming across an ad from GM Performance in our bathroom reading material... it all just kind of came together. It has actually been a really fun project. It has a bit of Silverado, a bit of Dakota, a bit of CJ, a bit of H3 and of coarse a little bit of Vehicross! And for anyone looking to do this swap, once we are done with the build and working out the bugs, we will be more than happy to answer all the questions and point you in the right direction!
In the meantime.... more pictures coming soon!
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GREAT NEW'S...I'm on 175k and still running good, but I know that day is coming. :clap::thumbup::clap:
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Thanks AutoPros,can't wait to see your progress and pictures!!!
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Hi,
I've been in obsessive-research mode for about 2 months now on this topic. I just have 2 questions (for now) :)
-Would it be easier to go pure 2WD and go straight back to the rear diff?
-Why did you choose 5.3 instead of of any of the other LS 3rd/4th Generation engines (5.7 or 6.0 Liter), especially if you have already chosen the 4L60E?
Thank you!
---JIM---
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Looking good! What are y'all doing about all that rust?
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Hey Guys where did you pop out of, Your right up the road from me I would love to be able to swing by and have a look and talk details with you about this for a possible future project for mine. Inbox me your number or email. Great to see that such a project is close by.
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At the end of 1st post it has their web page.
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Ah good catch I musta skimmed over it
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Unfortunetly, the tech working on this project is off for vacation this week. We will have more photos and updates next week!
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[QUOTE=AutoPros;257660]Have a '99 that one of our customers wanted to remove the poor running 3.5L for a more popular motor to source parts for. Bring on the GM Performance 5.3L E-ROD! GM 4L60-E Transmission! GM Performance Supermatic Controller! Advance Adapters to Jeep Dana 300 Transfer Case! Retain A/C, Power Steering, 4WD, pretty much everything other than TOD. Still in fab process, but will update with photos as the progress continues.
Whats going on guys, I live out in Oregon and I just bought my first vx. I bought the car already planning on doing a v8 swap because I had a trooper a few years ago and know how weak these engines are. So I'm trying to basically figure out the best way to go. I see you guys went for the gm 5.3 but I was thinking more along the ford 5.0 and not sure what trans would a t5 fit? The dana case will be a definite. Also I would ideally love to keep TOD, I heard you can keep it if you use a smaller displacement v8, like a northstar or the oldsmobile 4.0. So what do you think is the best route the star or the 5.0? Thanks a lot.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
imfraeglasgow
Whats going on guys, I live out in Oregon and I just bought my first vx. I bought the car already planning on doing a v8 swap because I had a trooper a few years ago and know how weak these engines are. So I'm trying to basically figure out the best way to go. I see you guys went for the gm 5.3 but I was thinking more along the ford 5.0 and not sure what trans would a t5 fit? The dana case will be a definite. Also I would ideally love to keep TOD, I heard you can keep it if you use a smaller displacement v8, like a northstar or the oldsmobile 4.0. So what do you think is the best route the star or the 5.0? Thanks a lot.
Welcome aboard. Please edit your post so that you're not quoting the pics they already posted :D
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
VCrossfan
GREAT NEW'S...I'm on 175k and still running good, but I know that day is coming. :clap::thumbup::clap:
+1
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
eternal21
Welcome aboard. Please edit your post so that you're not quoting the pics they already posted :D
I'll second that. Welcome to the dude from Glasgow but PLEASE go back and delete the pics! I like seeing them but once is enough. Have some mercy on those of us who check in via mobile device!
:yesy:
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Updated 6/20/2012
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7110/7...a534714f_c.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8151/7...1040cb84_c.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8014/7...08b3cf62_c.jpg
All the wiring, ECM, TCM, etc is being ran and plugged in. Flex-A-Lite radiator, Derale slim dual-stage fan and hoses from an H3 hummer are being installed for the cooling system. More photos to come as we switch out the mock a/c compressor, alternator and power steering pump for the new ones. Transfer case and adapters come in the beginning of next week.
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This HAS to be THE best new thread goin' on this forum! I've done a dozen engine swaps in my time, and it's clear to me that you guys are high-line pros! VERY tidy work, Boys! I've only got 87K miles on my VX, but I can already tell you that YOU guys WILL be seeing my VX for this engine swap! Hell, I might not even WAIT for mine to die...
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I'm not trying to rain on your parade (all sounds very exciting) but....without full-time TOD is it really a VX, or a D-Max?
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
blacksambo
I'm not trying to rain on your parade (all sounds very exciting) but....without full-time TOD is it really a VX, or a D-Max?
Naw, they're prolly gonna delete the body roll snubbers, or whatever you call bump stops, & just put in a functional trans case as well...whaddya gonna do with those a** ho**s that wanna be something besides stock...:_confused
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
AutoPros
Updated 6/20/2012
All the wiring, ECM, TCM, etc is being ran and plugged in. Flex-A-Lite radiator, Derale slim dual-stage fan and hoses from an H3 hummer are being installed for the cooling system. More photos to come as we switch out the mock a/c compressor, alternator and power steering pump for the new ones. Transfer case and adapters come in the beginning of next week.
great work guys. keep it up and going.
My question is:
1. is it cost effective to do this swap ? cons vs pros ?
...my VX is dead. engine is well, but tranny is a toast. would love to do this swap and keep VX running.
otherwise it has sung its last song.
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Sounds like you're ready for an AR-5 swap idgaf27... :)
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http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7114/7...b61ca047_c.jpg
Small update... A/C compressor mocked up, and still can use factory belt.
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For the life of me I can't understand why someone would go to all this expense and not treat the undercarriage rust while the VX is already torn down.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
vt_maverick
For the life of me I can't understand why someone would go to all this expense and not treat the undercarriage rust while the VX is already torn down.
agreed - this looks very expensive - the type of thing someone would do if they were COMPLETELY restoring a vehicle - nonetheless i cannot wait to see it done
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AutoPros,
Could you please share pics of the engine and transmission mounts?
I've seen different ways to mount them in VXs... curious how you did it.
Thanks!
:)
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Maybe, I hope !..
Quote:
Originally Posted by
vt_maverick
For the life of me I can't understand why someone would go to all this expense and not treat the undercarriage rust while the VX is already torn down.
...this is the mock up/fit and fiddle stage.
And once all is sorted the rust etc will be taken care of.
What I really like...is the alternator up in the nose bleed section!!
Jo
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Yeah, what the flipping heck was Isuzu thinking. "Lets make the coolest, most bad butt truck eva, but lets make the alternator swim". Arrrrrr freaked Isuzu, other then the bad oil chugger, that one is even more of a nut buster.
Great build BTW, :D
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anything new on this thread?
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Finishing up the cooling system now, and putting in the transfer case and adapter as we speak. Just been real busy in the shop which slows down progress on project vehicles. Photos coming soon.
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