'93 GMC Suburban K2500

[Msilbernagel]

Just returned from Great Falls MT this past weekend. Had a 'heart transplant' performed. . laid to rest the old (247k miles) 454/4L80E and shoehorned in the powerplant from a 2004. 5 Ram w/NV5600 6-speed that had met an early (<1k miles) death.



For a rig with a 4. 10 rear-end, it get's much nicer mileage than the 454! The trip home was in the 18-19 mpg range - most of the freeways out that way are posted at 75 which happens around 2350-2400 rpm. Bit fast, but most of my local driving is 55'ish, and there it's turning closer to 1750.



The repower was done by Ken at Auto World of Montana. They did a very clean job mechanically, wire routing, component choices (etc). It was especially nice to have everything working - cruise control, ABS, A/C. .



Exhaust is 4" Banks - as are the pyro and boost gauges. He also put in a fuel pressure gauge to fill out the three spot A-Pillar unit they installed. Replaced the console (incompatible stock tach) and installed a diesel compatible tach on the dash next to the A-pillar. It's very clean and functional.



Sure runs nice... Oo.



Put a couple of pics below. The rest are in my gallery.



Mark



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[Grizzly]

That great. How much did it set you back?

 

[Grey Wolf]

Mark,



Welcome to the TDR Nice looking rig, enjoy it and keep us informed as time goes on...



GW

 

[autoworld]

Thanks for the cudos Mark. The anti-theft gave us fits but we bought computer equipment and got around it other than that it went smooth... we are as happy

with the result as you are!

 

[CHolman]

Smoke any Excursions yet? (LOL) Nice rig!!!!

 

[Msilbernagel]

That great. How much did it set you back?

Grizzly,



Ken found the crunched PU at a yard in Canada, and was able to get the engine and transmission still all together (therefore, with clutch, etc) wiring harness, ECM, and all that little stuff that adds up so fast... for $7,500. With less than 1,000 miles on it - and all the things we didn't have to buy, I think that was a great price.



Labor was $5k.



The balance was for all the other stuff, which included Banks exhaust, intercooler and radiator from Dodge, batteries, misc wiring, clamps, clutch/brake assy (was an auto), triple pillar gauges and tach, boot, TPS assy, a few battered sensors, altering driveshaft length, mods to the torsion bar mounts to accomodate the larger/longer transmission, new fuel lines & return, lift pump, and a 3" body lift to make room in the tight spots. So - all this misc stuff added up to about $2,500 - and brough the total to $15k.



Beyond that, we discussed swapping in a stronger transfer case - the 454/4L80e had a NV241 likes the Dodges but it wasn't the HD version, so we were concerned about it being a weak spot (esp with almost 250k miles on it). I spent an extra $700 to get a Borg-Warner unit rebuilt; it came from a 1-Ton GM rig and was 'bolt in'.



This was their first 3rd gen, so labor might have gone up a touch - you'd have to ask and I suspect it depends upon the rig it's going in to (available space . vs. mods, etc).



My kids had spilt some latex on the carpet, so for a couple of hundred more (they had the carpet up anyway, for access) we replaced that too.



It's like a new truck in appearance, in and out, and runs like it was factory.



Now, I just need a few more excuses to go drive! :-laf



Mark

 

[Msilbernagel]

Smoke any Excursions yet? (LOL) Nice rig!!!!

Not yet...



With the lift they don't seem so big any more...



! Mark

 

[Pmaloney]

Excellent looking rig!! Can you post some post some pics of the radiator/intercooler and where it was trimmed to fit? You said that the factory Dodge rad/intercooler was used? I would like to see how that all fits. Thanks, and once again nice truck

 

[Chris and Sam]

that is awsome!!!!!!!!

 

[hammersley]

You may want to put in

3. 73 gears unless you absolutely need the 4. 10's - which is highly unlikely... . This sure looks like a great rig - good luck - what suspension mods did you do for the estra weight - and How does she handle compared to the 454????

 

[Grizzly]

Grizzly,



Ken found the crunched PU at a yard in Canada, and was able to get the engine and transmission still all together (therefore, with clutch, etc) wiring harness, ECM, and all that little stuff that adds up so fast... for $7,500. With less than 1,000 miles on it - and all the things we didn't have to buy, I think that was a great price.



Labor was $5k.



The balance was for all the other stuff, which included Banks exhaust, intercooler and radiator from Dodge, batteries, misc wiring, clamps, clutch/brake assy (was an auto), triple pillar gauges and tach, boot, TPS assy, a few battered sensors, altering driveshaft length, mods to the torsion bar mounts to accomodate the larger/longer transmission, new fuel lines & return, lift pump, and a 3" body lift to make room in the tight spots. So - all this misc stuff added up to about $2,500 - and brough the total to $15k.



Mark, I'm very impressed. 15K is not a bad price to spend on a rig like that. You done well.

 

[autoworld]

Patrick, we didn't trim the radiator or innercooler, we had to trim the stock fan part #, it was wayyyy to big. They fit in there, it's just a matter of taking the front end apart while doing the install (and some finesse), we had to lift it to accomondate the bigger oil pan and the motor is a little wider.

 

[Pmaloney]

I would like to see some photos of how they fit in there. I wound up running a custom 31x19 radiator and a ford intercooler, that wasnt enough so I mounted another radiator under the bed. I also did a body lift and raised the motor mounts 1 3/4" to clear the front diff from the oil pan.

I would really like to see how the stock dodge intercooler and radiator fit as I believe that this would solve me having to run an external radiator. I just remember how tight it looked when I had the front end tore apart.

 

[Msilbernagel]

I'll try and get some pictures this weekend. . I think the only thing Ken had to trim was for the A/C tubing, as routing to the A/C condenser was pretty tight once the radiator and intercooler were put in.



The trimming was to the reflector on the passenger side signal/running light and perhaps a little on the inside passenger headlight (? Ken)



Mark

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I would like to see some photos of how they fit in there. I wound up running a custom 31x19 radiator and a ford intercooler, that wasnt enough so I mounted another radiator under the bed. I also did a body lift and raised the motor mounts 1 3/4" to clear the front diff from the oil pan.

I would really like to see how the stock dodge intercooler and radiator fit as I believe that this would solve me having to run an external radiator. I just remember how tight it looked when I had the front end tore apart.

 

[Msilbernagel]

Since it started with the 454/4l80E - I think the 6bt only added a few hundred extra pounds - I can't tell the difference. It's a 3/4 ton rig anyway, and handles great.



There are some neighborhoods around here with those speed bumps, and it traverses them fine without bottoming out - one place I'd expect to see a problem if there was any.



And, thanks everyone for the compliments.



Mark

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3. 73 gears unless you absolutely need the 4. 10's - which is highly unlikely... . This sure looks like a great rig - good luck - what suspension mods did you do for the estra weight - and How does she handle compared to the 454????

 

[ScottDavis]

I dropped off my '95 Suburban and '05 CTD with Ken on Friday. The tired 6. 5 managed to make it, but I had my doubts on some of the uphills. Four weeks from now it should be ready.



You got lucky when Ken found a whole wrecked truck. I just had the motor and all the other things are adding up to be a bit more than you spent.



Do you have some more pics yet?

 

[Msilbernagel]

Do you have some more pics yet?

Yes, a few. They are in my gallery now.



I added eight, mostly showing the radiator mounts - although, it's hard to see much with the grill and fan shroud. You can see that the Dodge radiator mounts line up nicely with the brace that runs across the front (& has the hood latch). They just ran a bolt through it to secure - the pictures show the top mounting points / rubber cushions pretty well.



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Other shots show (looking down) the turbo and how the pipe leaving it is wrapped and routed - along with the pyro.



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Another is the air filter - and a companion shot showing how it faces the pipe where the air intake exits into the engine compartment, above the passenger wheel well.



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Mark

 

[autoworld]

HEY! Scott opted for the Banks Big Hoss Bundle too... ... lol - that kinda drove the cost up a few bucks huh! Its being torn apart right now (the old engine coming out) parts are all accounted for and ordered... we are on the way, ken spent all day sunday steam cleaning - i figured out chassis wiring that we need today - this is expected to go smoothly - but Scott, we may have to put a little body lift on... . lol, we will know once we can hang the motor in the compartment, you will be driving in the clouds...

dawna

 

[ScottDavis]

Mark-



Thanks for posting the additional pics. The truck looks great. Can't wait to get mine back. Too bad I'll probably be in Nigeria when it is complete, and my brother will get to drive it back to Houston.



The Banks Bundle did add some cost, but considering the parts I needed that are included in the bundle, it was a veritable bargain. The additional cost was only about 1/3 the full cost of the bundle.



I don't know if I want any more lift then the truck already has. My girlfriend already has trouble getting in the truck in a skirt.

 

[Msilbernagel]

Too bad I'll probably be in Nigeria when it is complete, and my brother will get to drive it back to Houston.

Nigeria -- bit off the beaten path for me. . what brings you there?

The Banks Bundle did add some cost, but considering the parts I needed that are included in the bundle, it was a veritable bargain.

So - you're going for the power upgrades. . you're really going to miss that ride home!! :{

I don't know if I want any more lift then the truck already has. My girlfriend already has trouble getting in the truck in a skirt.

What would be the problem?! :-laf



By the way, Ken mentioned you had a nice manual with wiring diagrams (etc). Where did you pick it up?



Thanks,



Mark