LS1 + 4L80E into an '02 Dak R/T

[R/T Rick]

Posted this over on dak-dur.com too:

Hey, I'm looking to about drop a LS1, ECU, & wiring out of a '00 trans am and a 4L80E out of a full-size chevy into my R/T.

Does anyone here have any experience with swapping small block chevies into gen III dakotas? Anything I need to look out for?

Thanks in advance. :burnout:

[bad360rt]

SDCE in Rhode Island did a GM trans in an R/T, but with a 360 block. I think you'll be the first person to drop an LS1 into a Dakota. What are you doing for gauges? Is the LS1 stock?

[rattler360]

yeah, first step go buy a 1999 -2002 camaro or firebird.

[Devilbrad]

And, like I replied over there.

Honestly, its the only way to really get some power out of an R/T. So much potential with the LSx's with all the handheld tuners available for them. Though he doesnt need all the stock harness crap, just a FAST system. Can you say 9 second, street driven turbo Dak?? Try that with a Mag motor and a KRC (LOL) SCT tune.

[R/T Rick]

SDCE in Rhode Island did a GM trans in an R/T, but with a 360 block. I think you'll be the first person to drop an LS1 into a Dakota. What are you doing for gauges? Is the LS1 stock?

Autometer for gauges. the LS1 is currently stock, but I think I'm going to stroke it. definately going to get a nice set of AFRs and a cam.

[bad360rt]

Autometer for gauges. the LS1 is currently stock, but I think I'm going to stroke it. definately going to get a nice set of AFRs and a cam.

Cool. There's some nasty LSx setups out there, I've seen dynos on LS1TECH of strokers putting down 500+ at the wheels n/a.

[R/T Rick]

They're no joke. I guess the Hemi wouldn't be a joke either if they didn't fail at casting the cylinder bores, the piston rings, and giving it a shitty computer that can't be tuned.

[bad360rt]

They're no joke. I guess the Hemi wouldn't be a joke either if they didn't fail at casting the cylinder bores, the piston rings, and giving it a shitty computer that can't be tuned.

They can at least be tuned now, so they're starting to come around. Guy on Moparts ran 12.1@114 in an SRT-8 Charger with an intake, exhaust, tune and DR's, not too shabby for 4000lb family car :)

But then again, a friend of mine in Jersey ran 10.9 in a cam and bolton trans-am (or cam only as they like to say), so I think the edge still goes to the LSx crowd.

[rattler360]

i agree that the ls1 makes great power, but i totally disagree that you cant make power with a dakota rt or a hemi, i think the problem is that alot of people go about doing mods on thier rt the wrong way, meaning they toss a mismatched bunch of parts, and expect it to run fast.

[slvr03dakrt]

but everyone and their brother and uncle and sister has an f-body or ls1 or ls2 powered vehicle. I'd rather have a nice built 408. I have come to realization that my truck will never be fast as a car but will give some of them a pretty good run. I was looking in the jegs book and they are now offering 408 short blocks for under 2400 bucks. Granted no forged parts but not bad for a budget built.

[rattler360]

its all a matter of the right combo, and tuning. i think people are to quick to dismiss what you can do with a 360 or 408, i bought my RT because it was something different, that i could make fast, and not go to a show and see hundreds of like the camaro or firebird. i think the ls1 is a great engine, i own a 1969 firebird 400, BUT IVE SUPRISED ALOT OF LS1 CARS ON THE TRACK AND THE STREET, THEY HAVE THEIR WEEK POINTS TO LIKE ALL MOTORS DO. WITH THE AFTERMARKET FINALLY DOING STUFF FOR OUR MOTORS AND THE HEMI, SUCH AS THE SCT FLASH, I THINK ITS FOOLISH TO DISMISS OUR MOTORS.

[bad360rt]

I'm with you Jeff, too many people out there with mismatched combos and no tuning. Hopefully now that we have the SCT as an option, more folks can get their setups tuned properly and run what they should be running. Folks can also start stepping up to some serious cams.

[grapejuice1998]

yeah, first step go buy a 1999 -2002 camaro or firebird.

And the 2nd step is go buy an S 10 with a trashed motor. :jester:

[R/T Rick]

its all a matter of the right combo, and tuning. i think people are to quick to dismiss what you can do with a 360 or 408, i bought my RT because it was something different, that i could make fast, and not go to a show and see hundreds of like the camaro or firebird. i think the ls1 is a great engine, i own a 1969 firebird 400, BUT IVE SUPRISED ALOT OF LS1 CARS ON THE TRACK AND THE STREET, THEY HAVE THEIR WEEK POINTS TO LIKE ALL MOTORS DO. WITH THE AFTERMARKET FINALLY DOING STUFF FOR OUR MOTORS AND THE HEMI, SUCH AS THE SCT FLASH, I THINK ITS FOOLISH TO DISMISS OUR MOTORS.

A dressed 360 is almost 200 lbs heavier then a dressed LS1; taking that much weight of the front end is worth close to 3 tenths in the quarter. 4L80Es are also lighter then 46RE, 47RE, and 48REs. I'm looking for around 700-750 hp at the crank and no magnum is going to cut it for very long. Aluminum LS1s don't start sweating until about 1000hp.

S10s are too small and gay, they cost alot since minitruckers have artifically inflated the market here, and I already have an '02 R/T.

[R/T Rick]

Also, LS1 Edit >>>>>>>>> SCT

Way more control and easier tuning.

[rattler360]

i see alot of guys on here with either the wrong head and cam combo, or the wrong stall, i was always told you should pick the cam and parts for the motor you have now, not the motor your building in the future. i mean i plan on building a forged internal 408 with a turbo soon but with my current motor i went with a 220/232 578/570 lift 112lsa cam, with a extrudehoned m1 intake, 52 mm throttle body, wilson manifolds nitirous setup, full return system, pph headers, crane hi-6r ignition with lx-92 coil, mopar perf pcm which im getting a sct flash for, a dynamic tct 3200rpm converter, ported edelbrock heads with 1.7 roller rockers, trans go shift kit, tru trac differental, 31 spline moser axles, caltracs, full hotchkis with double adjustable qa-1s, i have a custom built c&r radiatior with 16 inch spal fan, im a regular cab 1999 solar yellow rt. it took me forever to decide on a cam, but i did my research on it, and talked to a few different guys, then i went with scott brown, and i think its a pretty good combo for the track and street. i also have a mbrp stainless 2.5 inch viper gts style exhaust with roll pan, removed spare tire, kenny brown xbrace.

[rattler360]

just giving my view on it, in the end its your truck do what you want

[rattler360]

ive worked on both motors, like i said ive got nothing against the ls1 or its many variations, its agreat motor, im just saying that the aftermarket is finally giving us options, its silly to close the door so soon.

[grapejuice1998]

, 31 spline moser axles, .

Moser axles for a 9.25?! Where'd you get em and how much?

[dakfink]

Posted this over on dak-dur.com too:

Hey, I'm looking to about drop a LS1, ECU, & wiring out of a '00 trans am and a 4L80E out of a full-size chevy into my R/T.

Does anyone here have any experience with swapping small block chevies into gen III dakotas? Anything I need to look out for?

Thanks in advance. :burnout:

You can put a Ford in a Chevy or a Chevy in a Ford and get away with a few raised brows or few snide comments but when you go desicrating a Mopar you'll get a hit put out on you!!!! LOL!!!

Don't be fooled by the easy power in the LSx cars. Low 11's-Hi10's is easy but any more than that your gonna Pay to Play.

Unfortunately when you start to get into the 750+hp range it all starts to even out as far as cost. All the big hitters in the LSx game use the same PCM I do BS-3 or a FAST. Yes LS-edit and HP Tuner are good but they just don't keep up when you get over into the 1000+hp range.

Plus your looking at putting it in a truck!!!!! got 1 word here TRACTION!!!!

That is the big advantage of the Camaroes and Trans-Ams over our TRUCKS!!

I have seen Daks making 100-200 more HP get busted by LS cars because of NO-TRACTION.

Any good LS tuner or owner will tell you not to worry with the engine in a Camaro/Trans-Am until you get a good suspension under it.

One guy I used to run with had Headers, a Yank Convertor and BMR FULL Suspension and was running mid-hi 11's.

Personally if it were me!!! I'd get a 70's Nova or a 66 Chevelle or a Nova II or someother classic Chevy/Pontiac/GMC etc and put it in that. The 1928-34 coupes and convertibles have always been my favorites.

If you really want to make some LS Power, get the LSX Block and the ARAO 32-valve heads for it!!!!!

[rattler360]

i had to take mine out and measure them, i believe yukon make off the shelf one for the 9.25, ill have to dig up the paper work for the cost

[rattler360]

traction is a big factor in both our trucks and the camaro/firebird. watch out if they have a bmr or madman suspension. lsx block built in a light weight nova with maybe a turbo watch out.

[grapejuice1998]

i had to take mine out and measure them, i believe yukon make off the shelf one for the 9.25, ill have to dig up the paper work for the cost

Please do if you wouldn't mind. There are quite a few R/T'ers that would love to have a set of stout axles in their 9.25's.

[bad360rt]

Please do if you wouldn't mind. There are quite a few R/T'ers that would love to have a set of stout axles in their 9.25's.

Yup :)

[mtlcafan79]

I'd bet the axles in my TKO truck are twisted. I broke everything else but them in the driveline.

[rattler360]

ill get u the info

[rattler360]

i just ordered them, going to install them and a tru trac, and mikronite the gears

[bad360rt]

i just ordered them, going to install them and a tru trac, and mikronite the gears

I thought you already had the axles, you just ordered them? Are you buying them direct from Moser? How much?

[rattler360]

im getting the exact price quote monday, but yukon and dutchman make off the shelf axles. i have the rear out of the truck now

[rattler360]

i post as soon as i hear

[Lowdown]

I have a 2002 Camaro with a head and cam combo,headers, LS7 clutch set up, i use it for weekend driving, it's very fast. But the bottom line is it still takes alot of money to get there. Granted not as much as it cost to get my Dakota R/T as quick as it want it, but I didn't buy the Dakota because it was easy to mod, but because it was fun to drive. I can trash it at the drag strip then go by the Home Depot and pick up lumber,fertilizer, mulch, and still get things do around the house.

Dakota is a truck and not as light as a car but like the guy said earlier with the right combo these trucks can be come very fast in there own right.:woot:

[Rtspeeddemon]

Like what was mentioned earlier in this thread, the thrill of a TRUCK beating a CAR at the track is priceless. No one gives a mid 12 or mid 11 and barely a mid 10 second car a look second look a the track. Start running a TRUCK into mid 12's, mid 11's etc and you have a flock of people commenting and spreading the word that the vehicle is damn fast! Just different strokes for different folks. I'll stick with the truck and damn happy were it sits right now.

[NightmareR/T]

Like what was mentioned earlier in this thread, the thrill of a TRUCK beating a CAR at the track is priceless. No one gives a mid 12 or mid 11 and barely a mid 10 second car a look second look a the track. Start running a TRUCK into mid 12's, mid 11's etc and you have a flock of people commenting and spreading the word that the vehicle is damn fast! Just different strokes for different folks. I'll stick with the truck and damn happy were it sits right now.

I completely agree with you. I go to the track and see all these Fox-Body Mustangs, the F-Body's and it is just the same old thing. I like my truck because it is something different and it looks good at the same time. Some of my friends are like, if you put that amount of money into a Mustang you would be running high 10's or low 11's, but i like a challenge the truck gives me. Once i start running in the 12's people are like, OMG!!! That truck is fast, what all have you done to that.

I do agree with the previous comments about "You can put a Chevy in a Ford or a Ford in a Chevy", you just do not do that with Mopar. The aftermarket is catching up with us, and as soon as i have the money and buy one of those Pro-Racer Package from SCT or use the Accel DFI, then i could fine tune my truck and run against those Fox and F-Bodied cars and give them an extremely good run.

But the funniest thing is once you won the race, you ask the guy (or person) you are racing, "How do you feel losing to a truck? In a matter of fact, losing to a Dodge Truck?" I just love to see the reaction that i get when i ask that question to them-> it is just PRICELESS!!!

[Pete102580]

id much much rather have a 13 second truck than an 11 second car.

a couple years ago i heard an interesting tidbit...

if you run 15 flat, you are quicker than 80% of the vehicles on the road. go ahead.. it seem true, i mean... just commuting to work i can probably count on one hand the number of cars i see that would do better than a 15 on the track

[dakfink]

[QUOTE=Pete102580;14547]id much much rather have a 13 second truck than an 11 second car.

I guess you've never ran in the 11's or 10' or even better 9's then. No substitue for speed, don't care what your doing it in.

Personally when I get the DakFink all together, I am seriously considering building a F0X Mustang with an LSx motor in it. That would open up alot of venues for racing for $$$$$. FFW (only requires a ford body or ford power plant), LS Challenge (only requires an LS based power plant) and many others.

[krusty_R/T]

I guess you've never ran in the 11's or 10' or even better 9's then. No substitue for speed, don't care what your doing it in.

Personally when I get the DakFink all together, I am seriously considering building a F0X Mustang with an LSx motor in it. That would open up alot of venues for racing for $$$$$. FFW (only requires a ford body or ford power plant), LS Challenge (only requires an LS based power plant) and many others.
Na, put a 2JZ in the Fox. Supra power in something that hooks :biggthumpup:
http://yougotsmoked.com/ondyno1.jpg
http://yougotsmoked.com/stangtb.jpg
http://yougotsmoked.com/ygs1.jpg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAxbklQ5ea4

Local KC car that is just starting tuning. Over 650 hp on 24 psi. He's going for 35+ psi and nitrous. WEEEEEEEE

[bad360rt]

Na, put a 2JZ in the Fox. Supra power in something that hooks :biggthumpup:

Local KC car that is just starting tuning. Over 650 hp on 24 psi. He's going for 35+ psi and nitrous. WEEEEEEEE

Meh. 24psi on a V8 and he could be making at least another 200hp, with a much nicer torque curve :biggthumpup:

[krusty_R/T]

Meh. 24psi on a V8 and he could be making at least another 200hp, with a much nicer torque curve :biggthumpup:

Ya, cuz 2JZ's have no torque :jerkit:

LOL

[slammedR/T]

Dude, I can hear that poor moostang crying from all the way hear in Florida.

Anyway this lsWHAT in a Dak R/T makes the baby Jesus cry Ricky will burn in hell for suck sacrilege.


DEPUTY

[bad360rt]

Ya, cuz 2JZ's have no torque :jerkit:

LOL

2JZ's are sweet engines, and definitely badass for a 6cyl, but they're not gonna make the torque that a V8 will. Especially when you start talking area under the curve and usable power on the street. Most Supra dyno's look like a damn ski jump LOL

[dakfink]

most Supras run 135+mph 1/4 mile passes at mid to low 12's.

130's should be low 11's easy.

That's what you get when you have NO TORQUE off the line

[User]

most Supras run 135+mph 1/4 mile passes at mid to low 12's.

130's should be low 11's easy.

That's what you get when you have NO TORQUE off the line

err nevermind thought you said somthing else.