LUVTruck.com

My truck is a daily driver and my only mode of transportation, with that in mind will a v6 or a v8 or possably another 4 banger be the motor to go with. All i'm looking for is a little more power..probably in the neighborhood of 125-150 hp sholud be good for my truck in everyday driving. think so? Also how does the stock rear-end hold up? It a 2wd model.

Rough question!! First off, do you realize that 150hp is about triple of what the stock luv motor puts out?? I remember back when I was doing research on mine, the 110cc motor is around 45hp!! As for it being a daily driver, I would just build up the stock motor. I think you can do a lot to them, if you can still find parts!! The guy that bought my stock motor was buying to build up for some kind of racing. I don't know what shape your truck is in but when mine was being used daily, it was always having something breaking about monthly, not just the drivetrain. So if you are used to that do what ever you really want to do as you are used to it. But with motor swaps you are apt to have a lot more problems. If you do go with a V6 or V8 (go with the V8 as I am sorry I didn't) you should change the rear end. Mine is stock with the V6 and it is wrapping out pretty good goin down the highway with the 4:10 gears. If I go over 70-75, it sounds like my truck wants to blow up!

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RIP R.J.B.

My truck was boght to be fixed up. It a 1975 2wd. I just gone done with the paint job about 5 months ago. Its so beatiful ...anyways My trucks wiring is in awful shape..but still works. When I pull the motor out. In comes a painless wiring kit to go with the new motor. I going to have that overdrive ,probably a borgwaner 5 speed,cause of my 4.55 or 4.56 gears.
My truck is going to get the complete overhaul deal to some consent. I mainly just want to keep the stock rear end. I dont think I could afford a custom build rear-end.

the 1.8L before 76 was rated at 75hp AND after its like 85 i think?
I really just want to double my power...but not sacifice durablity.

What kind of V6? did you go with was it mated to 5speed?...what do you mean by warping?

Mine is a Buick 231 V-6 with a turbo350 auto tranny (part of the problem). I guess I should have left the W off, I guess it would be rapping as in turning pretty high rpms. See my webpage for pics.

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Click on C.M. logo to go to my webpage


RIP R.J.B.

posted my repl in wrong tpic look under lowered luv

In reply to one who posted on the wrong topic ,

Is the s-10 rear end the same lenght as the LUV ? Is it a bolt in or Almost bolt in? Have you done it?

From what i've read on this site, all u have to do to bolt in an s10 rearend is change your driveshaft. The s10 rear is pretty close in size, but you'll have a better choice of ratio's and wheels.

Not to veer off topic, hehe! But for those interested in a motor swap for a daily driver, choose what you are most familiar with or prefer, but just for the record I drove my 75 daily for over five years with a V8. With a stock S-10 rear I could drive it just about anywhere, I cruised it on the freeway at 75 with no problem (3.42 gears/27" tire), even had it up way over 100 once just for fun, probably about 140. So just to clear the air a V8 is really no less drivable than a V6 if the motor is mild to stock. A couple things to consider are smog rules in your area, if you plan to have the truck "smog legal" then you need to select an engine that came in light GM trucks stock for that year. A V6 might be easier to keep cool as well. And yes the S-10 rear is a bolt in, the driveshaft is different, but depending on what motor/trans you run you might be able to find a stock driveshaft that bolts right in. I actually used a stock 79 camaro driveshaft in my 75 with a V8, and short tail turbo 350, and it all bolted right up perfect, I have photos to prove it. You can read our V8 swap article for more details.

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LUV Truck Desserter!
76 Daily driver (SOLD)
73 LUV (rusting away at the moment)
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63 Nova
74 Camaro

I know that Clifford performance used to offer a header and a aftermarket carb. for the luv 1.8's. They said it was about a 12-20 hp increase, Not bad for something with 80hp stock. good luck. Bryan

The s-10 rear is 1/2 inch longer and a drive shaft is the only change needed. if you uses a v8 or 4.3 you will need to change th shaft any way.

The s-10 does fit Here in SOCAL there is a rearend guy that has a whole bunch of them.With different gear ratios and several of them posi's.They are brand new never used.If you want more info just let me know.
Later,Michael

add a turbo you can still maintain driveability.when you want power floor it. we just added one to my brothers stock vw rail. we picked up a good turbo from a u pull it wrecking yard for 80. bones. total cost to set up everything came to about 275.00 not bad