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 engine alone is out of my range, and that's not counting potential future repair costs.
Just picked up a 99 Suburban C2500 about a week ago for dirt cheap (under $2k) with less than 200,000. Body is decent (needs paint) but is rust free and straight. Is has the L31 350, 4L80, 9.5 LS 14 Bolt with 4.10 gears and HD tow package. I could have gotten a V10 02 Excursion for about 1/3 more, but the guy sold it 2 days after I drove it, then I saw the Burb.
Year round road trip is still in the works, and we plan on paying cash for a TT that needs a bit of work. This will be temporary, eventually upgrading when the kids leave the nest. Considering the capacity of my rig, we'll be looking at under 30' and 7k gross, and there are tons of options in that range. Once the trans is rebuilt, and a few wear and tear items are addressed, this combo should pull fine for a few more years.
However, we want to upgrade to something with more heft, such as a Flagstaff V-Lite 30WRLIKS, just under 9k gross, and will need to upgrade the power plant to something with more beans if it's going to survive being worked FT. The base vehicle is there, and have no plans on replacing it.
So far I have quite a few options, and each would fit my needs: 6.0, 6.5, 454, HT383E, 8.1 or rebuild mine as a 355. I can find any of these second hand for relatively cheap money (maybe not the 8.1; I haven't searched yet). However, my biggest concerns are longevity, ease of repair and long term costs. Unloaded fuel economy falls in there somewhere, but not as important. We will be on a fixed income. I can wrench, and swap info is all over the net. If any more info helps, we plan on pulling just enough to get somewhere and stay for a spell.
Each engine has been out long enough that tons of info is available for any repairs or upgrades. Out of all of my options, and for my budget, help me narrow my options.
And before anyone asks the inevitable non-topic questions:
Yes, we will be buying a good quality WD hitch
Yes, we will be adding bags or Timbrens if needed
Yes, we may add a rear sway bar if needed
Yes, brakes will be upgraded
Yes, trans will be rebuilt or replaced with heavier duty version
Yes, yes, yes...
Just picked up a 99 Suburban C2500 about a week ago for dirt cheap (under $2k) with less than 200,000. Body is decent (needs paint) but is rust free and straight. Is has the L31 350, 4L80, 9.5 LS 14 Bolt with 4.10 gears and HD tow package. I could have gotten a V10 02 Excursion for about 1/3 more, but the guy sold it 2 days after I drove it, then I saw the Burb.
Year round road trip is still in the works, and we plan on paying cash for a TT that needs a bit of work. This will be temporary, eventually upgrading when the kids leave the nest. Considering the capacity of my rig, we'll be looking at under 30' and 7k gross, and there are tons of options in that range. Once the trans is rebuilt, and a few wear and tear items are addressed, this combo should pull fine for a few more years.
However, we want to upgrade to something with more heft, such as a Flagstaff V-Lite 30WRLIKS, just under 9k gross, and will need to upgrade the power plant to something with more beans if it's going to survive being worked FT. The base vehicle is there, and have no plans on replacing it.
So far I have quite a few options, and each would fit my needs: 6.0, 6.5, 454, HT383E, 8.1 or rebuild mine as a 355. I can find any of these second hand for relatively cheap money (maybe not the 8.1; I haven't searched yet). However, my biggest concerns are longevity, ease of repair and long term costs. Unloaded fuel economy falls in there somewhere, but not as important. We will be on a fixed income. I can wrench, and swap info is all over the net. If any more info helps, we plan on pulling just enough to get somewhere and stay for a spell.
Each engine has been out long enough that tons of info is available for any repairs or upgrades. Out of all of my options, and for my budget, help me narrow my options.
And before anyone asks the inevitable non-topic questions:
Yes, we will be buying a good quality WD hitch
Yes, we will be adding bags or Timbrens if needed
Yes, we may add a rear sway bar if needed
Yes, brakes will be upgraded
Yes, trans will be rebuilt or replaced with heavier duty version
Yes, yes, yes...
