Thread: Swapping V8 into 2.8 4wd S10

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Got the S10 all torn down to pretty much just fenders and cab. Took the 2.8 out and it looks almost like you could drop a V8 in it would just sit farther back because of the frame mount setup. I didn't know if anyone had any info on this. I figure if it could be done I could get a V8 transmission from a 4wd pickup and bolt it up to the NP207c transfer case without having to change much. It would also give more clearance for headers. The cab is jacked up and sitting on some 4x4 pieces of wood right now so I think I would have to put about a 4" body lift on the truck if this all would be possible. Ill post pictures tomorrow if the weather is good. I definitely want to keep the 4wd.

Kits are readily available and you can also do it yourself with some smart parts changing. It's sounds like you might have a handle on it already. I'll warn you now about the oil pan and pick up tube. Totally different monster with the existing front axle. Take a good look at the 2.8 set up and look at the possible V-8 setup. It becomes a bit more clearer on which way you need to proceed. With the lift peices in plaace, depending on what you already have you might pull it off with out a lot of headaches.

http://www.jagsthatrun.com/

they have all the info you need along w/the kits to do it with...joe

Check out the S10V8 websites.Every truck is different depending on which mounts and headers you use. Being a 4wd also makes it a different application in some areas.Also,full length headers in some cases will hit the inside front section of the floor on both sides.Lip at firewall where it attaches to the floor has a lip that needs either cut and re-welded or beat back with a sledge.Driveshaft has to be cut in some applications,and etc.,etc.,etc.,,,,,This site is great but the S10V8 sites will answer all your specific questions.

http://www.v8s10.org/forum/

Well the whole issue is dollars. I don't have a lot of dollars and the conversion kits that come with the oil pans normally are about $700. I'd really like to try to put some know how into the project instead of just buying bolt on parts. Time and used parts aren't an issue because I have or can get both.

Dollars are always an issue, however seeing as the S-10's never came with a V-8, your choice of parts is limited to either buying aftermarket components or doing a lot of fabricating. $700.00 is not a lot to spend on the conversion, I believe it includes the headers and mounts, too? Friend of mine did one, seems he spent $800 and change for everything including the radiator.... Another source for the parts might be eBay, lots of guys get started on projects like this and give up on them and unload the pieces cheap!!!!

Well here are some pictures for those who have never seen an S10 disassembled.

Yeah,if this comes thru,,,is what I look at every day,85 S10.Short on cash here also but as Johnny Cash sang,"One piece at a time,,,,,".

If You Use A Sbc I Have A New Set Of Hooker Headers For The Change.they Are Designed In 2 Pcs. To Fit Around The Frame.i Listed Them Once On Chr With Little Response.they Are Hooker #2839-1 Aluminum Ceramic Coated. Half Price To Any One Plus Shpng.

Good Luck With The Project

With the body lifted about 4" I think that the block would just sit farther back and you wouldn't need any special headers you could run pretty much any headers because the frame widens as you get farther back.

Not real sure right now haven't looked at the S10 in a couple of days. Guess I have a bad valve guide on the Caballero so I got to pull the head and deal with that first. Burning a lot of oil on one bank and #5 plug had a lot of buildup on it. Shouldn't be the seals I don't think the guy just had the heads redone before I bought the car about 10,000 miles ago.