If I get a cruiser again (really want to build another one), I am not going to go hog wild with it.

My question is, I want to run on the street, as well as the trail. What motor should I run in this rig?

Here are my options:

350
4.3
5.0

That's it. I also want ot run a auto tranny behind it, with a Dana 300. What do you guys suggest?

DIma

I think you would be happy with all of those motors..

The 302/c6/D300 is a nice setup.
But a 350/TH350/D300 is probably shorter.

Same with a 4.3

Whatever you do I would not go TBI if you can avoid it.

350 TPI or propane would be sweet as hell.

502 ram jet/powerglide/atlas 2



Should work great against the ricers on the street :D

Whatever you do I would not go TBI if you can avoid it.

???? Why? I absolutly love my tbi 350. Sure vortec or TPI is better but more $$ & work also. Last time I went trhu my tbi it cost $12 for a tbi kit & took about 30 min. to totally rebuild. simple as it gets. mine also has 170k miles & runs like a champ.

My vote is for TBI, Vortec, TPI 350 700r4 & dana 300. Hard combo to beat on the street & offroad. a th350/400 would not be bad at all either i rarely use my OD but the lower gears are nice, espcially when compression braking offroad

???? Why? I absolutly love my tbi 350. Sure vortec or TPI is better but more $$ & work also. Last time I went trhu my tbi it cost $12 for a tbi kit & took about 30 min. to totally rebuild. simple as it gets. mine also has 170k miles & runs like a champ.

My vote is for TBI, Vortec, TPI 350 700r4 & dana 300. Hard combo to beat on the street & offroad. a th350/400 would not be bad at all either i rarely use my OD but the lower gears are nice, espcially when compression braking offroad
Exactly,
They are perfectly good, servicable units but TPI/Vortec is better.


How goes it?

I was thinking 4.3 litre. Not much more power really needed for off road purposes, and those motors are GREAT from what I know. We ahve one in my old mans truck, and DAMN that thing has BALLS!!!!

Dima

4.3 TBI or TPI, 700R4, D300

that would be a suhweet combo...got a buddy putting a 4.3, 700R, Atlas setup into a tube chassis/FJ40 firewall/hood/bib setup right now, very different design, but nice. 4-link all around, FoxAirs. Like his front susp linking so much I may have found my next winter project <wink> I'll be by his shop tonight, will see if he's "allowing" pics yet....or if I just have to bitchslap him into it...lol

Everyone knows that I am not biased... :shaking: 4.3L Vortec baby

since we're pie in the sky here why not 6.0 vortec :flipoff2: Go crawl back under that 600lb hunk of toyota cast iron so the real boys can discuss the merits of american fuel injected engines :rolleyes:

we just finished moving houses but are unpacking. I really need to fix some leaks in my t-case. how about you guys? one of these days I'll give ya a call :beer:

since we're pie in the sky here why not 6.0 vortec :flipoff2: Go crawl back under that 600lb hunk of toyota cast iron so the real boys can discuss the merits of american fuel injected engines :rolleyes:

we just finished moving houses but are unpacking. I really need to fix some leaks in my t-case. how about you guys? one of these days I'll give ya a call :beer:
:D

Glad you finally found a place.

4.3 tpi is a sweet motor..


Although.. Isn't there a 8 liter Vortec??

:D

TPI 350/203GRB/LC case......low gears and an auto? I run it, works great.

Exactly,
They are perfectly good, servicable units but TPI/Vortec is better. How goes it?
Just remember you are accepting advice from someone that runs a tractor motor on propane with a turbo charger, that fawks his truck up in the street in front of his house so bad he can't attend an event he planned on all year...nothing wrong with a TBI at all, much easier to diagnose and repair without a scanner.
Butch

Just remember you are accepting advice from someone that runs a tractor motor on propane with a turbo charger, that fawks his truck up in the street in front of his house so bad he can't attend an event he planned on all year...nothing wrong with a TBI at all, much easier to diagnose and repair without a scanner.
Butch
:flipoff2:

If you want a V6 for longer drivelines, then I'd go with 4.3 Vortec. If going with a V8, I'd go TBI/Vortec/LT1 depending on what motor you can get your hands for a good price. I think you'll be happy as long as it is fuel injected.

I'm running a stock 350 TBI and it is just fine.

If I had to do it again, I'd put in a 350 Vortec motor. Don't want/need to get too complex of a motor out on the trail.

Just remember you are accepting advice from someone that runs a tractor motor on propane with a turbo charger, that fawks his truck up in the street in front of his house so bad he can't attend an event he planned on all year...nothing wrong with a TBI at all, much easier to diagnose and repair without a scanner.
Butch












...OH..SHNAP!

I think I have decided on the 4.3 with a TH350 behind that. Now do I run dual toy pickup cases, or a Dana 300?

Dima

D300 for front dig, no question, and a 4:1 kit.

Duals rock for selectivity, but if Marlin doesn't have the front dig out yet, I'd lean D300.

d 300 for sure with the beef outputs as well.

id go 4.3 for fuel conservations with the 700r4 for over drive.

jiMMy

D300 will be an easier fit..

Your driveshafts will thank you ..

dima, just come over and look at all of our cruisers closely. I'm sure you'll find something you like.

-andrei

here is my vote... Ram Jet 350

Now has the "snorkel" option installed.

http://www.sallee-chevrolet.com/ChevyBigBlockV8s/images/572B620.jpg

My advice is drop a ZZ4(355hp/402lb.ft.)/700R4 combo and idle over obstacles.BTW I got 14.2 mpg towing the 1500lb. tent trailer to Cruise Moab this year again!
HTH
Jerry

D300 for front dig, no question, and a 4:1 kit.

Duals rock for selectivity, but if Marlin doesn't have the front dig out yet, I'd lean D300.


Why not both? Use an OTT adapter and go with a toy lowrange box in front of a D300.