4200 Atlas inline 6

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

I was perusing pick a part yesterday to get a front seat for my Durango, and scope out the LS engines.

Well I saw a bunch of Atlas 4200's, and remembered I was quite interested in them.

To me they seem easier to turbocharge, and hit my 450/475hp goal easily. Like 500-525 easily with low boost numbers. Only downsides are I need to modify the oil pan for rear sump, and get a trans adapter for my 4L80. I am not into 4L65's when I have trans tunnel room.

Anyone who has done the swap have any thoughts on it?

My thoughts are roughly with my limited skills a V8 turbo would be harder to package. The Atlas in theory could do better on mpg when not flooring it. So with the Russian/Ukrainian conflict who knows where gas is going to go. I am thinking beyond my normal build technics of big cam, and more rpm.

As I deserve a nice truck to still roost on the haters. AKA mid 30's women in Audi's. Who always tell me I am going to regret stuff when I am older, or give me dirty looks.

[LS short box]

My .02 there is so much "low cost" turbo LS stuff available I would not do the 6 cylinder. Never done a 4200 swap but I would bet its more money to turbo it compared a LS motor mostly because the 4200 suppliers are limited.
My 68 C10 LS6 swap would knock down over 20 mpg at 60 mph.
Any way you go good luck.

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

Currently I am on a fire watch so I have been researching the 4200 for parts I need, and they are not available on a time frame I can live with. So I am scrapping the concept. Namely rear sump oil pan, and trans adapter component's are not on the shelf. They are custom ordered.

As interesting as it could be. Right now there is no way I can pull it off in any sort of functional time frame. When I do the swap I have a couple of weeks, and not months. Maybe later when I buy a TIG machine I can revisit it, but probably not.

So I will do a 4.8 up for durability on the initial install, and then look at a turbo swap when money is available. Maybe do a STS style set up to keep under hood crowding in check. Unless the better kits don't crowd out stuff too much. Which I will further research later.

[LS short box]

Some LS turbo folks would say the 4.8/5.3 iron block is better for a turbo because the cylinder walls are thicker.

['68OrangeSunshine]

You might make this enquiry at Inliners International. They have a lot more info on the Vortech 4200 GM L6.
www.inliners.org

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

Originally Posted by LS short box

Some LS turbo folks would say the 4.8/5.3 iron block is better for a turbo because the cylinder walls are thicker.

Plus for high hp NA. Block rigidity keeps the head gasket in position, and the crank or rods from binding up. Or a myriad of other problems that can lead to failure.

My hp goals are so low 450-500hp. Block rigidity is not a major concern. I am wanting a truck that is easy to push hard. So I don't run out of skill or suspension.

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine

You might make this enquiry at Inliners International. They have a lot more info on the Vortech 4200 GM L6.
www.inliners.org

I was looking up there site, but part availability I need is just not there. So while I like being different when possible. This time it is just not going happen on this project.

[Tom]

They used it for one vehicle line, for a short amount of time, then ditched it. That should tell you everything you need to know.

['68OrangeSunshine]

I would have liked to see a Vortec 4800 [292].