LUVTruck.com

OK guys, I'm new to the Chevy LUV thing, so please don't beat me up too bad over this question... Is the '87 Isuzu P'up essentially a '87 LUV wearing an Isuzu emblem? I have a chance to pick up a extended cab Isuzu, and was wondering if the V-6/V-8 conversion stuff for the LUV would work. Any help would be greatly appreciated...

Thanks,
Dave

by 1987 the Isuzu had a LOT changed but body/frame/suspension wise it is about the same thing.


Josh

I havent a clue how identicle they are, BUT, when the body style went from the early lines of the chevy luv to sometime after about 1980, i think after that they lost what set them apart from other small trucks. they started to look like little s10's. all the lines disappeared one year. 1987 may share an isuzu chassy, but i would doubt it shares the true characteristics of the 'vintage'(if you will) luv.

Keep in mind you can drop a v8 into anything. hang tight and someone will give you a detailed answer.

Would you have to deal with emissions? That could be a problem for you if you plan to drive on the street. If you want to put enough effort in to it you can fit a V motor into your truck. Just make sure you do your homework. You could retrofit an entire motor/computer from a junked vehicle. You'll have to see whats required for Virginia. If the laws are relaxed, then jump all over it! If the laws are tight, think it through completely on what you need to get it right

_________________
Previous setup: 4.1 Buick V-6/TH 350
Current setup: 400 Small Block Chevy V-8/TH 350
9" ford rear end/short bed/blue
What do Water, Electricity and Humans have in common... They all travel the path of least resistance.

good point Blue, one of the really good points of doing a V8 swap (or any engine swap, for that matter) on a LUV is the fact that most of them are old enough to fall under what many states call the "grandfather clause". what this means, in case you dont know, is that vehicles that year (usually 1975 or older) are emissions exempt. but an '87 must pass ANY AND ALL emissions even with the V8 in it. so you might also take this into consideration before doing this swap...

Josh

Thanks, guys,
Emissions will not be too much of a problem in my part of Virginia. I only have to pass a visual inspection of the emission control system, but the exhaust system must retain the stock configuration up to the cat converter(not stock size, though ). I've done several swaps in the past, including a V-8 Vega and a TBI 350 into an '87 S-10 Blazer. I'm currently working on a TBI 4.3/T-5 swap into a '79 Monza wagon. I have a line on a 4bbl 4.3 out of a '86 C-10 that would be a great engine for this Isuzu. The 2.3 in this Isuzu was just re-built over the winter and probably has about 1500 miles on it at most. If I get this truck, the 2.3 and the 5 speed will be for sale as soon as I get the 4.3 ready to go in. The tranny I use will really depend on the gearing in the rear axle. I agree with 77ssLUV about the body lines of this truck vs. the older LUVS. The older LUVS look much better than this style, but I want an extended cab truck so the wife and kids can ride along if needed.

Thanks again,
Dave

good for you man. Hey, a thing around here that may not be all that morally correct- but is still done- is people that dont want to deal with emmisions get a PO box out of the city limits. the first small town past the county line. maybe 10 minutes away. it costs like 60 a year. they have all their mail forewarded from there to their house. then you put the po box on all the vehicle registrations you dont want to run through emissions.

OF COURSE- i dont suggest or condone this behavior, but the way emmisions are around here, you cant blame people. they are a scam.

g

I dont remember if anyone has done an 87 isuzu swap. But after seeing your resume, i'd think you could go into uncharted territory and not get hurt. I think the first thing you should try is to find a Luv truck that has the motor gone and compare it with the 87 Isuzu. This way you can see if there's any obvious differences. All SB Chevy motors will need firewall and trans tunnel mods with the luv so assume you will need them too. You may want to measure the distance from the trans mount to the stock engine mounts. The later year Luv trucks utilize an engine mount that bolts to the original frame mount. If the distance is basicly the same, i think the rest of the mod will be the usual "Information page" stuff. Good luck...

_________________
Previous setup: 4.1 Buick V-6/TH 350
Current setup: 400 Small Block Chevy V-8/TH 350
9" ford rear end/short bed/blue
What do Water, Electricity and Humans have in common... They all travel the path of least resistance.

my 1980 LUV is sans eng/tranny right now.....i have a digi cam and would be more than willing to take any pics or measurements you may need.

_________________
I like my steak like I like my women, young, tender and bloody.

All I need is my weed, women, and wine. -Edge City Outlaws

Thanks, blue,
I've not made a final decision to buy the truck yet, but I did go take a look at it the other evening. The tranny tunnel actually looks bigger than the one in the Blazer I just finished. Might be just a figment, though... If I get this truck, the swap will more than likely be a 4.3 to make it easier to retain the A/C and P/S. I'm looking to build a good street driver with enough guts to get out of it's own way.
The choice is between this '87 Isuzu Space cab and an '87 S-10 Extended cab.
Dad's S-10 Blazer is an '87, and he also has a '87 S-10 standard cab pickup....Too many '87's.

Thanks,
Dave