Time to make a mess! 1970 C30 & 1999 Suburban Combo!

[motornutz]

Brainstorming out here in Michigan. I have a 70 C30 that Ive had for years. She is a 350 SM465 Dually with the Eaton 4.56. I am ready to toss in a timing chain and cam to get her back on the road. As luck (or lack of) would have it my wife creamed a deer in the 99 burb. Just last year I put in a new Vortec crate motor, exhaust and all the dressings. The front clip is destroyed, popped the tranny cooler and rad. The motor and trans is still good. I have a couple options here and I need help sorting the wheat from the chaff. I though about pulling the body and putting my C30 cab, front clip and flat bed on the burb chassis. Theoretically I could have a 4wd vehicle with good brakes and decent ride that I could actually afford to drive as the dually got about 7 mpg. I know the mounts are all wrong and figuring out what wiring to keep would be a tough one. My other option is to yank the vortec out and put it in my dually and enjoy it for what it is. My issue with is is I need a trans as my 4spd wont mount and have to go down to a 700r4 or something like that. If I swap just the engine what I need to keep the fuel inj? Or just get the right manifold and carb it. I have more time than money and space isn't a real issue either. Just want to keep the budget in check. Any opinions, advice or unforeseen issues? Thanks

[57taskforce]

Why won't your 465 mount the vortec? The bell housing pattern for the chevy small block has never changed. The vortecs could be had from the factory with an nv4500. The parts are there to make it work. I'd keep the c30 on the original frame if it was me. As for the fuel injection, most everything you need to make it work is in the suburban. The engine harness and computer are the big things you'll need. There's lots of write ups and info on the web for making l31 vortec harness standalone. Ls1tech.com is a good fuel injection swap reference site. Lt1swap.com is also an excellent resource.

[72 tigger]

I like the old body on a modern chassis idea. I did something similar with a 02 Dodge with a Cummins back in 03- it's worked out well. I primarily used the Dodge wiring harness

[ElKotze]

The LS is a great motor mechanically, I just don't like the computer stuff, but I'm old-school. So I would carb it, fuel system would be simpler, too, and keep the original chassis.

[motornutz]

The bellhousing is fine its just the flywheel is my hang up. The burb has the flexplate and my flywheel from the old 350 wont bolt to the vortec. I know theres a flywheel aftermarket that can bolt to the vortec but then I need a new clutch, pressure plate, probably pilot bearing too. Its just going to eat up some budget that's all. I love the manual trans, but I guess that's what id sacrifice.

[ElKotze]

What if you'd sell that automatic trans and use the money towards making the manual work? An OD trans should sell quick. To be honest, I would love to see that SM 465 behind an LS !!

[57taskforce]

Originally Posted by ElKotze

What if you'd sell that automatic trans and use the money towards making the manual work? An OD trans should sell quick. To be honest, I would love to see that SM 465 behind an LS !!

He doesn't have an ls he has a vortec 350.

[ElKotze]

You're right, sorry for the mix-up. I'm getting old, i guess.....