Hi all, This is a bit off topic regarding AD trucks, but you guys are the best at this kind of stuff so here goes... Some time ago, I wrecked my 1993 suburban. The kids were devastated that their favorite car was wrecked. So...since my oldest turns 16 this month I decided to fix it. What better vehicle to put a kid into than a 'Burban? Big, safe, etc. I bought a parts truck with a blown tranny and a good nose for sheet metal transplant. A 1996 Suburban with a 350 Vortec in it. After some work (previous owner's son began parting it out and messed with fuel pump wiring), we got the engine running and, oh my, does it run incredibly well. I plan on pulling it and using it in a resto-mod project down the road, hopefully an early '50's station wagon to make a surf mobile. What do I need to pull out of the donor vehicle to make sure the computer controlled vortec will run as it should in the new project? I would prefer to use the existing harness from the donor vehicle since I priced a Painless Wiring harness for this engine and it goes for over $1000.00. Any help from resto-mod guys on this forum would be greatly appreciated. By the way, Ken, do you still have the Chevy wagon in the woods? Andy
Be shure to get the computer for the engine and trans., depending on which trans is in it. Pull the harness, get all the sensors...O2, etc. Pull the fuel pump and fuel lines, maybe even the fuel tank. Use as much as possible from the origional to save $, or if you decide to save aggravation later and buy a harness for it, you will have any possible parts you may need.
Andy, are you talking about that pristeen, extremely rare, one of a kind, all original 1958 Chevrolet Brookwood 4 door station wagon, complete with custom patina finish? As a matter of fact I do! You interested
My truck has always been a garage queen! Here's its first garage Here's its new garage As far as towing, call me on my cell phone when you get a flat on yours and I'll tow you home
I wrote the movie "Used Cars" Classic movie! No, I'm not a used car salesman, I've just read too many pitches on E-Bay! People passing off junk like my '58 with super adjuctives! Just like Nate said in a previous post, translated in English, "Let the buyer beware"
Andy, the very first bit of advice is: do not get rid of the parts vehicle till you have driven the new ride for at least a month. I know it may be unsightly but one nearly always needs "one more part" and it's a butt kick to have to go buy something your just sent to the junkyard. I don't know about something in the early 90's but later cars have the speedometer, instruments, anti-theft, fuel pump specific signal, etc., tied into the computer. Fortunately there are numerous after market wiring places that will "reflash" your computer to delete the non-essential items and save you from having to use every final piece of the donor. Lastly don't "trim" the wires to fit, each has a very specific ohm (resistance) reading for the computer and this must be retained. Use the section of exhaust with the oxygen sensor if it will fit and if not weld the new fitting at the same distance from the manifold as it was in the old truck. In short, take measurements, make notes, and snap pics of everything before and as you remove it, it will prevent headaches. These are great engines that run like a sewing machine, start and idle perfectly hot or cold at sea level or on Pikes Peak. Carburetors are a Fred Flintstone item so naturally I'm using four of them (Webers) on my 34 Chevy coupe but what can you expect from an old fart.
I can just see it! And the pictures of this are where??? When I get my truck rolling, the next step will be to pull the 350/auto from my van and house it in my garage for ...whatever... I don't think mine will be controlled by a 'puter either.
Ken, First of all, your truck looks waaaay too lonely in that barren space you have her parked in. Secondly, yes, I might be interested in the Brookwood. Don't see too many of those around. I'll send you a pm later Evan, thanks for the input. I new that you would know what would be involved in such a project. Now I need the names of harness suppliers, which trans to hook up to this engine, etc. Lots of research to do. Andy
Andy, I have had Scott at "The Detail Zone" reflash computers (ECU's) for me in the past but there are now numerous Mom and Pop shops that give super prices. Locate a street rod shop in your area and they will know where this is available. The last several we have done have used the GM Performance Parts "Ramjet 350" and Gm really went to school on the electronic controls on these engines. It takes no more than a half dozen wire connections( 4 I think) plus a return fuel line to the tank. Another harness controls the electronic transmission that is just as simple. The bad part is it's pricey. Remember, that engine ran good in the 96 so if you salvage all the senders, sensors, etc., it will run identical in the old truck. Just have the unnecessary and unwanted stuff taken off the control unit.
Modern Madness Yargh...... You can have my 235 when you can pry my cold , dead fingers off it..... OTOH , we *do* have some really sweet running late model Chevy & GMC trucks in the shop , just don't force me to own one and everything wil be fine
Modern Madness indeed Ya know.... If the darn thing didn't run so freaking good I wouldn't even think about doing it. Just can't see the point in sending a perfectly running Chevy engine to the scrap heap in China. Besides, what fun it's going to be to try and figure out how to do all this. Looking for a '53 Chevy 4-door wagon or a '55 brand "F" 4-door wagon to put it in. Got the engine cradle in this week. $39.00 from Eastwood. Let the butchering begin (insert dastardly evil laugh here). Andy
Good Used Engine I cannot fault you for wanting to save it , I'd just plop it into a newer rig is all .
