New TV purchased; seeking engine advice
Starting this to clear some internet clutter from many hours of research; I need to have a more clear focus for my budget, which will be about $4k all in for the motor. I really wanted a 6.6, but the ...
Forum Discussion
Sorry I'm late to the fray. :B
Nor let me first commend you for taking this on. Not many of you left in this world. Most don't have the aptitude. Some don't have the money, and a lot don't have the time.
Let me give you my thoughts:
3 engines to choose from. (or so :W)
Small block
Big block
Diesel
Lets go over all three
Small block first gen, the good:
Cheap to build
Plentiful
Makes decent power
Easy swap for you (In and out, you're done)
Ok mileage
Dependable
Easy for you to work on
The bad:
Does not make a ton of power or torque
Big block, the good:
Fairly plentiful
Can make big power and torque
Easy swap for you
Dependable
Easy for you to work on
The bad:
With big power it will drink big gas
Pretty expensive to build
Diesel, the good:
Killer fuel mileage
Fairly cheap to build and fix
Fairly plentiful
Can make ok power
Makes the same power in the mountains
Fairly dependable (depending)
Easy to work on for you
The bad:
Easy to break (6.5 depending)
Not so dependable (6.5 depending)
So, there are your choices. It's up to you and your pocket book to pick one.
What would I do? Depending on how much money I have I would go to choice 4. Build a 454 with a single turbo. It will tow really good and have great power even at 7 to 10 LBS of boost. It would fit just fine in your chassis. But it will really drink fuel!
You could also go with choice 5. What I'm going to do in about 7 to 10 years. Put a 4BT Cummins in my 34 pickup or even a 6BT in it. But then again you would have to wear your kidney belt and ear plugs! :B
Good luck and have fun!
Nor let me first commend you for taking this on. Not many of you left in this world. Most don't have the aptitude. Some don't have the money, and a lot don't have the time.
Let me give you my thoughts:
3 engines to choose from. (or so :W)
Small block
Big block
Diesel
Lets go over all three
Small block first gen, the good:
Cheap to build
Plentiful
Makes decent power
Easy swap for you (In and out, you're done)
Ok mileage
Dependable
Easy for you to work on
The bad:
Does not make a ton of power or torque
Big block, the good:
Fairly plentiful
Can make big power and torque
Easy swap for you
Dependable
Easy for you to work on
The bad:
With big power it will drink big gas
Pretty expensive to build
Diesel, the good:
Killer fuel mileage
Fairly cheap to build and fix
Fairly plentiful
Can make ok power
Makes the same power in the mountains
Fairly dependable (depending)
Easy to work on for you
The bad:
Easy to break (6.5 depending)
Not so dependable (6.5 depending)
So, there are your choices. It's up to you and your pocket book to pick one.
What would I do? Depending on how much money I have I would go to choice 4. Build a 454 with a single turbo. It will tow really good and have great power even at 7 to 10 LBS of boost. It would fit just fine in your chassis. But it will really drink fuel!
You could also go with choice 5. What I'm going to do in about 7 to 10 years. Put a 4BT Cummins in my 34 pickup or even a 6BT in it. But then again you would have to wear your kidney belt and ear plugs! :B
Good luck and have fun!
