The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network - View Single Post

amberkalvin · 08-19-2021, 05:27 PM

Okay, so I should go ahead and update this post. It's been 3 months, I did in fact need a transmission. It went to the transmission shop and I purchased and had them install a remanned 6L80 with a 3 year warranty.

First transmission failed on the dyno before getting delivered, the second one seemed good. After getting the transmission installed they had no reverse gear. (at this point I'm super glad I took it to a trans shop and did not do it myself, I'd be so mad if I had to do the transmission twice!) So, take 2 they had to get another one and get it installed and this time it worked.

Long story short I finally got the transmission in and drove it around a very short while when I was working on getting exhaust put on it. There was a few issues I wasn't happy with.

Apparently the motor mounts were bad, they seemed good but the 454 was just so heavy that it didn't let it shift or move ever. Add to that, the L83 is now so light that it sits about an inch high in the front and that's even with SBC springs instead of the big block springs so it looks like I'll be cutting the springs soon.

Other than that, I got the exhaust made up (did it myself), and took me a while but I got the AC hoses all made up (bought the tool to do those myself too). So to recap we have all gauges working (except the speedo) and ac, everything else working correctly, no more sloppy engine mounts and I start finally driving it quite a bit.

Fast forward to a couple hotter weeks this year in NC and I notice it's not playing nice. The engine stays exactly 206* no matter what, the fans work great, however the hot engine bay temps were cutting power quite significantly by retarding timing ALOT.

So I do what any good person would and I went ahead and bought HPTUNERS and I gotta tell you, I love it! Digging into the tune I could tell it was way conservative on timing and running way too rich so I made a few adjustments and I'm finally to the point where I feel great about driving it all the time.

I'll work on getting some updated photos and stuff soon.

08-19-2021, 05:27 PM	#24
amberkalvin Registered User Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: fayetteville, nc Posts: 136	Re: 1989 Suburban 2500 Full L83 6L80 build Okay, so I should go ahead and update this post. It's been 3 months, I did in fact need a transmission. It went to the transmission shop and I purchased and had them install a remanned 6L80 with a 3 year warranty. First transmission failed on the dyno before getting delivered, the second one seemed good. After getting the transmission installed they had no reverse gear. (at this point I'm super glad I took it to a trans shop and did not do it myself, I'd be so mad if I had to do the transmission twice!) So, take 2 they had to get another one and get it installed and this time it worked. Long story short I finally got the transmission in and drove it around a very short while when I was working on getting exhaust put on it. There was a few issues I wasn't happy with. Apparently the motor mounts were bad, they seemed good but the 454 was just so heavy that it didn't let it shift or move ever. Add to that, the L83 is now so light that it sits about an inch high in the front and that's even with SBC springs instead of the big block springs so it looks like I'll be cutting the springs soon. Other than that, I got the exhaust made up (did it myself), and took me a while but I got the AC hoses all made up (bought the tool to do those myself too). So to recap we have all gauges working (except the speedo) and ac, everything else working correctly, no more sloppy engine mounts and I start finally driving it quite a bit. Fast forward to a couple hotter weeks this year in NC and I notice it's not playing nice. The engine stays exactly 206* no matter what, the fans work great, however the hot engine bay temps were cutting power quite significantly by retarding timing ALOT. So I do what any good person would and I went ahead and bought HPTUNERS and I gotta tell you, I love it! Digging into the tune I could tell it was way conservative on timing and running way too rich so I made a few adjustments and I'm finally to the point where I feel great about driving it all the time. I'll work on getting some updated photos and stuff soon. __________________ 1984 SWB C10 (http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=687521) 1976 K5 super rusty fitech truck(http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=740582) The one I'm keeping forever (Fingers crossed!) 1989 Suburban 2500 L83 6L80 (https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=818822)