LUVTruck.com

Ok guys, I just bought a 1980 LUv 4x4 for $200. Its pretty straight, and it runs good, but smokes. My friend just got a 75 Luv 2wda few days earlier. From what I've read a luv should have a 1.8? Well the motor in my friends 75 looks WAY smaller than the motor in my 80. Is it a different engine ? I'd kinda like to stick with the 4 cyl. I was wondering if anyone has ever made a Turbo luv w/ the original 4 banger? Thats what I would like to do to get some extra power. Along w/ a header, carb, and a cam, if I can find one? I would appreciate any info you guys have about the motors and such. Thanks!

The 75 motor is known around here as the early motor and from 76 on up is known as the later motor. They are both correct for each application. As for a turbo setup, the only thing i remember reading around the BB is an Isuzu Impulse swap. There are some performance parts are still available like carbs and headers for the later motors.

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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.

Thanks for explaining the motor deal. I just picked up a rebuilt head today for it, I plan on giving it a port job. At least match porting it to the gaskets. Is this one of those motors that runs worse from porting? I wouldn't think so. As for the addition of a turbo, I know I will have to make my own manifold, and whatever I do will require a lot of work. I want to get a cam somewhere, but I was unable to find any, I was thinking of having Web Cams Inc. do a custom regrind. Is there anywhere else that you guys know of that can do a regrind for a decent price? Also, does anyone have any idea where I can get a header for the 4 cyl, until I get around to making my own manifold for the turbo later on?

Header....

http://forums.luvtruck.com/viewtopic.php?t=2281

you can put a V6 or V8 in your truck with less hassle and headaches than building on what is there now. I ran a buick V6 for yeeeeeeears with no problems or reliability issues at all.
just something to think about.

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03Cobra

That thought had occured to me, but then I thought.. Its been done... Several times at that! I would like to have a 4 cyl luv that will rip it up, and still get good gas mileage. With my other car being a 71 chevelle that only gets 8 or less mpg , and a 67 chevelle in the works, I would like something w/ a little more. So I'm happy with my with my current ammount of v8 vehicles that tear up their fair share of asphalt, I would like to see something other than a v8/6 luv sitting in my front yard. The v8/6 swap would cost so much more in the end, as the sole purpose of the purchase of this truck is the 4x4. I REALLY dont want to have to get custom drivelines made . So how about that turbo setup? Anyone else ever do it to the original 1.8? Any idea where to get a good cam? Thanks! for all the replies!

What about a diesel it will give you about 40 mpg no problem and purr along at 75 all day every day thats some thing else you could think about

i am also starting a performance build up of the 1.8. i am going to the machine shop tomorrow to have it bored i am getting bigger valves not to big just a little bigger i am getting a weber carb and getting a 2.25in exhuast to bolt up to my header. i heard somewhere there is a performance cam for the luvs but i have only heard that once so i don't know. n e questions pm me. matt

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1980 4x4 header stock motor lifted 4 1/2 in. in the rear and 3 1/2 in the front

Oregon Cam Grinding in Vancouver, WA has cams available. They do want a core. I've got a core for $10 + shipping if someone wants it.

I think I've got a pretty good setup goin' in pretty quick. I've got a 1.9 from a Trooper, a 5-spd from a trooper, an Offenhauser intake and a Pacesetter header and it breaths through a Weber DGEV 32/36. It's got 2" exhaust from the header back. I may swap the main pulley on the front so it will not spin the alternator quite so fast.. The pulley is bigger on the 1.9 than the 1.8.

-DK

If you are going to run enough boost to "tear it up," you will definitely want to run an EFI setup. Also, it may be hard to find forged internals for the 1.8. But, if you do it, I recommend running a 14B turbo. The 14B is a stock turbo off a 90-94 dsm (mitsubishi eclipse,eagle talon, plymouth laser) I had an AWD eclipse that ran a 12.6 1/4 mile @ 22 psi on race gas. The motor was almost stock, they come with forged internals from the factory. It is one of the best turbos around. I have seen some with 200K+ miles on them.

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No LUV anymore, but still in the GM truck family. Running a lifted 2002 Silverado Z-71!