1987 R20 Suburban LQ4 4L80E swap

[Nodnarb76]

I have posted several threads all over this forum asking questions regarding my swap and want to say thanks again for the answers.
Truck is an all stock 1987 3/4 ton 2wd Suburban that originally came with a TBI 454 th400 combo. The engine looks like it was replaced at one time as I have seen an ATK badge stamped to the bottom of the motor. The 454 is tired and worn out and needs to go. This is my daily driver and I drive about 75 miles a day round trip to work so I need this to be reliable.
My parts:
2004 LQ4 with about 105,000 miles complete with all accessories
Standalone harness and ECU
Gas pedal and TAC unit
Rebuilt 4L80E transmission
Slip yoke for 4L80E
All of this was ordered from LSX4U and should be here on Thursday.

I won't bore everyone with all the little odds and ends but my parts list includes:
Entropy LSX swap radiator with fans and dual fan control kit
Dakota digital instrument cluster
Dirty dingo slider mounts, new stock clamshells
Hooker LS swap exhaust manifolds
Walbro 255 Lph fuel pump
Corvette regulator/filter
Russell steel braided fuel lines/fittings for fuel lines and trans cooler lines
Specter air intake
Dirty dingo high mount A/C compressor bracket
Sadden 508 A/C Compressor
Dirty dingo power steering hose adapter
Dirty dingo billet ECU mount
Lokar shift linkage
Lokar transmission fluid dipstick

I plan on starting this next week and am allowing two months to get this done.
I figure one month to get everything installed and another month to sort out any problems that are sure to arise.
Will keep everyone posted on progress and will post once I get started.

[Nodnarb76]

This is what all of this will be going into.
Sorry, site will only allow me to post one pic per post.

[slotard]

Sounds like it'll be a very nice swap. Will you be keeping the engine stock?

[Nodnarb76]

Yes keeping it stock for now, I'm borrowing my dad's truck while mine will be down and don't want to spend time, or money on performance yet, as I would like to either build another LQ4 over time, or turbocharge my existing setup.
My current build has taken me a while to research and figure out all the details, when I start upgrading power I want it to be thought out and well planned.

Thanks for the kind words

[MTCK]

Good looking rig. Sounds like a realistic timeframe.

[Nodnarb76]

Motor/Trans is in!
Decided to go ahead and order a new water pump, O2 sensors, ignition coils, and thermostat. Going to push the build back a week waiting for more parts before I start.

[77K10Silverado]

Yes!

[rktolds]

Love your suburban. I am toying with the idea of a 3/4 ton family hauler. Love the LS idea too. Dependable in a classic package.

[Nodnarb76]

Originally Posted by rktolds

Love your suburban. I am toying with the idea of a 3/4 ton family hauler. Love the LS idea too. Dependable in a classic package.

Thank you, that is what I'm going for exactly.
I say go for the Burb. I use mine as a family hauler every day, and drive 80 miles round trip a day for work. The way it stands out in a parking lot among all the small round cars of today is great too.

[aggie91]

Love the color combo. I am looking at an 84 C10 SWB that is the same colors.

You will really like the LS swap. I have done 2 and both have been great drivers.

[Nodnarb76]

Thanks,
Been very busy at work lately, all of the lifts have cars on them right now,it may be this Saturday before I can start on it. While I'm waiting for a lift to be free, ordered a new alternator, and starter. Hope to start soon!

[Nodnarb76]

Found a little time to work on the Burb today, got the gas tank out.
Not an exciting step, but it's a start!

[Nodnarb76]

Got my Walbro fuel pump installed.

[68Timber]

Originally Posted by Nodnarb76

The way it stands out in a parking lot among all the small round cars of today is great too.

Because life is too short to drive jelly beans. That's what I tell my sons anyway. Nice upgrade on a really clean truck, I'll be watching for sure.

[77c10]

Where are you gonna mount the ECU?

[Nodnarb76]

Originally Posted by 77c10

Where are you gonna mount the ECU?

Thinking about mounting it to the driver's fender.


Got a full day to work on it today, think I have everything off the motor and transmission, tomorrow should pull the motor and transmission.

[Nodnarb76]

Snapped a pic before I went home for the night.

[Nodnarb76]

Got the motor and transmission out today.

[Nodnarb76]

Empty engine bay.

[Nodnarb76]

Transmission out
By the way, nobody got murdered in the top right corner of the pic.

[DirtyLarry]

Very nice old burb project! Looks like you’re off to a good start too. Curious as to why you’re choosing to go with an aftermarket radiator instead of using the original radiator that was already in this Suburban (especially, if it was the big 4 core radiator that are typically found in BBC Suburban’s)? The big old copper radiators cool much better than the aluminum radiators anyway. Also curious about the reasoning for the Dakota Digital cluster? They look absolutely cool as heck but I can’t justify the price they’re asking for them. The cluster really doesn’t need to be changed to an expensive aftermarket cluster when doing this kind of swap although a lot of people think it does. I still use the original clusters 3 square bodies that have received late model engines.

Looks like a nice dealership to work in! Looking forward to more

[MTCK]

Good progress! I think you'll beat you're estimate. Should be done by Wednesday

[Nodnarb76]

Originally Posted by DirtyLarry

Very nice old burb project! Looks like you’re off to a good start too. Curious as to why you’re choosing to go with an aftermarket radiator instead of using the original radiator that was already in this Suburban (especially, if it was the big 4 core radiator that are typically found in BBC Suburban’s)? The big old copper radiators cool much better than the aluminum radiators anyway. Also curious about the reasoning for the Dakota Digital cluster? They look absolutely cool as heck but I can’t justify the price they’re asking for them. The cluster really doesn’t need to be changed to an expensive aftermarket cluster when doing this kind of swap although a lot of people think it does. I still use the original clusters 3 square bodies that have received late model engines.

Looks like a nice dealership to work in! Looking forward to more

Thanks, for the kind words! Going with the Enytropy Radiator for the cooling fans, steam hose fitting and cool factor. Plus my old radiator was getting kind of crusty inside. Going with the Dakota Digital Gauges for the convenient hookup, added tach, and cool factor as well.
I'm a service advisor for a Hyundai dealership and have keys to the shop so I can come and go as I please which helps a lot which is the good news, bad news is I work 12 hour days 4 days a week, and my job is 40 miles away, plus my kids get out of school at 2:30 and I need to be home for them on my off days, so I don't have a lot of free time to work on it. But in the little blocks of time I have found I do feel I've gotten a lot done! Plus I have a great tech who has offered to help with the heavy lifting and any trouble shooting if problems arise.

[68basket]

love this build. Following along

[Nodnarb76]

Got a lot more done today.
Got the TBI harness out.