Crate motor... worth it? anybody tried it?

[Shunto]

All,
Buddy and me were throwing this back and fourth today at lunch... We were both whining to each other about all the fine specimen of 13' Tahoe's that are out there.. with higher than we prefer mileage-we both like this style.

We came up with all kinds of typical solutions- buy newer- keep looking... blah blah..
Then we came up with the Crate motor solution.. while expensive... you get exactly what you want.

You get a fresh looking truck with a shiny new motor and all the trimmings.

Throwing it out there is all..

 

[metelhead]

All,
Buddy and me were throwing this back and fourth today at lunch... We were both whining to each other about all the fine specimen of 13' Tahoe's that are out there.. with higher than we prefer mileage-we both like this style.

We came up with all kinds of typical solutions- buy newer- keep looking... blah blah..
Then we came up with the Crate motor solution.. while expensive... you get exactly what you want.

You get a fresh looking truck with a shiny new motor and all the trimmings.

Throwing it out there is all..

IDK but mileage would scare me much having put as many miles on these tahoes as I have.....I would be more concerned about how/who put the miles on...if records are avail, etc.. I think I'd just buy what you like and drive the wheels off it....and then go get a nice crate LS motor and throw a supercharger on it and have fun (after all were just talking here, right

 

[Parthery]

Crate motor is fine, but if you put one of them in front of a high mileage transmission that hasn't been rebuilt, you will likely have problems......

 

[Jason_S]

Crate motor is fine, but if you put one of them in front of a high mileage transmission that hasn't been rebuilt, you will likely have problems......

Don't forget the higher mileage rear differential and if 4wd front diff and transfer case.

 

[jarydM]

All,
Buddy and me were throwing this back and fourth today at lunch... We were both whining to each other about all the fine specimen of 13' Tahoe's that are out there.. with higher than we prefer mileage-we both like this style.

We came up with all kinds of typical solutions- buy newer- keep looking... blah blah..
Then we came up with the Crate motor solution.. while expensive... you get exactly what you want.

You get a fresh looking truck with a shiny new motor and all the trimmings.

Throwing it out there is all..

I wanna put one of these under mine when she gives out. I really like the look of the NBS and NNBS better

 

[Shunto]

Crate motor is fine, but if you put one of them in front of a high mileage transmission that hasn't been rebuilt, you will likely have problems......

To tell you all the truth.... We never thought of that and naturally since there are all of those "worked" motors out there... it would kill the stock transmission

Some good crate motor places out there too.. with all kinds of cool stuff

 

[Kenny D]

Have a buddy contact Chip Foose and put your hoe on Overhaulin. They will put you a crate everything in, and you get some cool custom wheels too.

 

[AppocAlexx]

I would rather pay a local builder to do the work. That way if anything ever happened with the engine you would have him there to troubleshoot or replace easier than trying to get all the logistics of shipping for the engine. Or even just build your self, save you thousands.

 

[Shunto]

I guess Logistically it would make sense to have the work done locally... if there are any issues i dont have to ship the motor anywhere... something else I didn't think of.
Thanks .

 

[DStarr02]

There's a company in Florida called Duraburb that drops is a duaramax diesel engine, Allison Trans and will put in the 11 1/2" rear keeping all the modules talking, can get you more horsepower, torque, towing capacity, and best of all, 25+ mpg. Told wife once mine kicks it mechanically, that's my plan. At 197,000 now.

 

[67RS427]

I bought my 07 Yukon Denali @150k and have NO concerns about any of the above mentioned issues with transmission or engine... I looked at a ton of these trucks and some were 4 owner vehicles and looked like they have been through hell. I was patient and waited till I found a ONE owner truck from a guy 1/2 mile from my house for $3k less than all the others. Best of all, this guy was 65+ yrs old and was a retired GM engineer. Took spectacular care of the truck... Obviously with 150k miles on the odometer I had some concerns and immediately threw $800 in motor, suspension and gasket parts including alternator, water pump and some other crap it needed and most it didn't. These trucks are rock solid. I really wouldn't be too worried about the transmissions. Find a truck with good upkeep and service records. Worst case scenario, you pull the transmission and take it to get rebuilt. Mine is gonna cost me $600 or so and it doesn't even need it... The 6L80E is a VERY tough transmission. I'm also adding an LSA blower without touching ANY of the original motor except replacing original alternator and water pump. Don't over think it. These trucks are cheap and parts are EVERYWHERE for CHEAP! You can build yourself a damn nice truck for under $20k and that includes a full Spohn tubular rear suspension, front suspension/lowering kit, brakes, wheels & tires, LSA blower and trans rebuild (I know) lol ;-)

Have fune, buy one... Do it!

Edit: DuraMax sounds freaking awesome... I was gonna build a duramax Humvee before I bought the Denali ;-)

 

[dmhscorpio]

I put a GM crate HT383E in my 1999 Tahoe 2 door. Am very happy with the result. The GM warranty is somewhat comforting ....

 

[RDKill321]

I know when my 5.3 ***** the bed I'm trailering the z71 down to duraburb.

 

[DWebPro]

One thing I've noticed, you all don't live in California... In Cali we can only put in a motor that came from the factory in the vehicle. For example, we can put a L92 in no problem but LS3, LS9 or even LSA would be running a risk of getting your car taken.

 

[TigerEyz3]

I put a GM crate HT383E in my 1999 Tahoe 2 door. Am very happy with the result. The GM warranty is somewhat comforting ....

I did the same thing... have about 60k on the new motor.

Seems the Duraburb option is not available for 1500 series trucks, if emissions compliance is needed/wanted.

 

[kbuskill]

ng I've noticed, you all don't live in California... In Cali we can only put in a motor that came from the factory in the vehicle. For example, we can put a L92 in no problem but LS3, LS9 or even LSA would be running a risk of getting your car taken.

Just one more good reason to move out of that communist Hell hole.... lol

 

[jarydM]

One thing I've noticed, you all don't live in California... In Cali we can only put in a motor that came from the factory in the vehicle. For example, we can put a L92 in no problem but LS3, LS9 or even LSA would be running a risk of getting your car taken.

how do they govern this for resto-mods, when they put a new engine in a classic?

 

[DWebPro]

Just one more good reason to move out of that communist Hell hole.... lol

Ha! I love being able to watch the Sun rise in the morning on the beach and snowboard in the afternoon while taking my medicine at night. I hate not having suppressors, other firearms and not modifying my vehicles how I want.

how do they govern this for resto-mods, when they put a new engine in a classic?

I think classic is the key word. Anything over 20 years don't apply if I'm not mistaken.

 

[kbuskill]

how do they govern this for resto-mods, when they put a new engine in a classic?

I believe it is done by year. Prior to 1966-68 emmisions testing was never done so it shouldn't require any pollution control devices. Basically if your car came with cats or other emmision control devices then they are required to be kept intact. At least that is how it works in most states but who knows about Cali.

 

[kbuskill]

Ha! I love being able to watch the Sun rise in the morning on the beach and snowboard in the afternoon while taking my medicine at night. I hate not having suppressors, other firearms and not modifying my vehicles how I want.



I think classic is the key word. Anything over 20 years don't apply if I'm not mistaken.

Don't get me wrong.... it'sa beautiful place and the weather is great, I just couldn't live there.... too many stupid rules for me... lol