Found my replacement engine!

BenK wrote:
Similar situation with my Suburban


Looked at that GM 502 crate engine and decided to rebuild the 7.4L

Passing CA smog a must and no one have an acceptable answer on the 502

So my 7.4L is looking to have a 280 cam, roller rockers, 9.x compression, worked head, marched injectors, etc to be a bit under 500 ft/lbs around 2-2.5 KRPMs, etc

Built 4L80E rated 1KHP

Gearvenders with the splitter option, 0.5 OD, which will turn the 4 speed into an 8 speed

5.38 diffs, but having a tough time finding it for the front

That will give a lower 1st and higher OD

Don't know if the Xfrcase will need beefing up

1996 K3500 Sub and fits/suits me

Either LT255/85R16 or LT285/75R16 on current 10" wide alloys. Not going to lift...maybe a torsion bar crank

Still deciding...

Are you building this for towing? If so aren't you getting a bit high on the cam for down low grunt? You do realize that towing in OD isn't recommended even by Gear Vendor. Something you might think about is using factory style rockers. Why? Because if you are running some long distances how available do you think a replacement roller rocker is going to be in Timbuktu. That was advice I received from a very well know engine builder when I built a 454 stroker for an 85 GMC CC dually I was towing with then. It was 489", 4 spd, Gear Vendor, 4.56 geared had plenty of power but could really suck the gas. Never got above 11 mpg empty and made it into the 5's loaded in the mountains in the west. That cinched it for me buying my first diesel