LUVTruck.com

i recently bought an 86 gmc S15 (chevy S10) from a buddy. it has the little 2.8L TBI V6 and a 5 speed. i was wondering if anyone had made the swap into a luv who might know a thing of two about the swap
i have had a 1980 luv mikado sitting outside of my house for almost a year now with a bad engine and no means to fix it and i figured a 2.8L with a small turbo and 4.3L fuel injectors and fuel pump would give a light truck like a luv plenty of juice to get goin coupled with a 5 speed.
i have a milling machine, several welders, a lathe and a drill press so i can pretty much fab up whatever mounts and adapters for the swap and the turbo setup that i would need and save myself god only knows how much on rediculously marked up conversion parts.
anyone have any input or experience with such a swap or a concern about any part of the truck after that swap is complete let me know so i dont dig myself into an even deeper hole and get stuck without a truck again

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Luvless
1980 Mikado-Sold.

1993 Lexus SC400 my Daily
2004 Yamaha WR250F my new love in life
2016 Toyota Camry my girls ride

(and also being in Washington which is adopting alot of California's insane laws on emissions and everything else starting with 1986 vehicles i would much rather cruise under that radar with a 1980 LUV than in an 86 S10. i love the body styling of the LUV but the incredible lack of power from a 1.8L makes it considerably less fun to drive. so i figure there is plenty of space in the engine bay for a 2.8L V6 and a custom turbo setup.)

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Luvless
1980 Mikado-Sold.

1993 Lexus SC400 my Daily
2004 Yamaha WR250F my new love in life
2016 Toyota Camry my girls ride

Due to the fact the LUV is quite a bit lighter than an S-10 i think it would be a fair swap and i have thought of doing a 2.8 with the auto trans in a 4X4 swap. With the 5sp it would do good on mileage and with a turbo it would be pretty stout little performer

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1978 pro street step/side 455Buick, 4sp,4.11s, 31/18.5s

with the exception that turbo pistons will kill you.

there are no forged replacements for the V6. the rods and oiling system will need a revamp as well or you will burn the journals.

there will need to be some work done to the short end to get it turbo ready. but I have lots of HO 2.8-3.4 V6 parts and left overs from the last turbo 3.1 build so I hope you can use them and get the stuff out of my shop.

But its an awesome idea! and I really hope you can get it all together, Id the small size of the engine should make it a really easy package!

A.j.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykgDNjeTa0g

true. i might skip on the turbo for now and save that upgrade for a time when i have a bit more money to throw at my truck.
and the size of the engine put a bit role in choosing it for my swap since its shorter with only 3 cylinders in length i figured it would be easier to position the transmission in a good spot under the cab so i don't have to do any cutting to my cab and should leave me plenty of room to drop in a bit bigger radiator to make up for the extra liter of engine displacement.
ya know it would be nice to find the parts to get my stock 1.8L running but i don't have much money and i am finding the 2.8L engines for some insanely low prices lately not sure if anyone happens to have... a valve cover, distributor, plug wires, radiator hoses, yeah never mind i would pretty much need a hole new parts motor to get mine running with the stocker.

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Luvless
1980 Mikado-Sold.

1993 Lexus SC400 my Daily
2004 Yamaha WR250F my new love in life
2016 Toyota Camry my girls ride