1996 Chevy 4BT Swap
#1
1996 Chevy 4BT Swap
I have a 1996 Chevy K1500 I'm going to do a 4BT swap in. I plan on switching out the 4L60E for a 4L80E. I already have a 6inch suspension lift so I should have room to fit it under the hood. I picked up the 4BT a couple months ago and decided to tear into it and see what it looked like. I found the camshaft was damaged, the #1 piston scuffed the cylinder wall, and the #3 piston second ring was broken. The engine has numbers stamped on the caps so it's been torn into before. I am sending the 4BT and a 12V to the machine shop next Wednesday. Here is what the lobes on the camshaft look like.
It's a good thing I decided the check the engine out before putting it in my truck.
It's a good thing I decided the check the engine out before putting it in my truck.
#3
What trans adapter did your 4BT come with?
I was very unimpressed with a TH400 behind my 6.2L chev. (In a Suburban w/4.10 ratio) It was a slug, and didn't seem to put any power to the ground. The 4L80E is simply the electronic overdrive version of the same trans.
A few years later I ended up powerstrokes... and F350 (5spd) and E350 (auto) which re-confirmed my distaste for automatics with diesels.
IMO, a 5spd would be ideal, or in the very least the more efficient 4L60E/TH700 class trans. The TH700 has the benefit of not needing any electronics to operate.
I was very unimpressed with a TH400 behind my 6.2L chev. (In a Suburban w/4.10 ratio) It was a slug, and didn't seem to put any power to the ground. The 4L80E is simply the electronic overdrive version of the same trans.
A few years later I ended up powerstrokes... and F350 (5spd) and E350 (auto) which re-confirmed my distaste for automatics with diesels.
IMO, a 5spd would be ideal, or in the very least the more efficient 4L60E/TH700 class trans. The TH700 has the benefit of not needing any electronics to operate.
#4
#5
The 4BT has somewhere in the range of 90-130hp and the TH400/4L80E series trans will eat up a big chunk of that. The 6.2L in my Suburban was a different animal after a SM465 swap and 3.21 gears. It suddenly had power and economy.
#6
My 4BT was out of a bread van so it's rated at 105 HP. I plan on turning it up, I'm not sure how much yet. This builds focus is on mileage so I don't want to go too crazy on the power. My 4BT was mated to a Chevy 4 speed manual, and I got the adapters with it. I would prefer a manual, but this truck is already an auto with a push button transfercase shifter so my floor in the middle has nothing sticking up, and I want to keep it that way.
#7
Might be a good idea to read up on 4BT conversions over over at:
Cummins 4BT & Diesel Conversions Forums
This guy used a TH700... but would have gone 6BT if he did it again.
93' Suburban Cummins 4BT swap - Diesel Place : Chevrolet and GMC Diesel Truck Forums
Mention here of the Dodge 47RH having better gear ratios than the TH700.
Real world mileage 4BT 1/2ton - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum
Cummins 4BT & Diesel Conversions Forums
This guy used a TH700... but would have gone 6BT if he did it again.
93' Suburban Cummins 4BT swap - Diesel Place : Chevrolet and GMC Diesel Truck Forums
Mention here of the Dodge 47RH having better gear ratios than the TH700.
Real world mileage 4BT 1/2ton - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum
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