Today has been a great day to switch between abysmal (but well maintained) original craptastic cars and V8 swapped sleepers...time for another beast. The Chevrolet LUV8 is the pickup that Gotham deserves, but not the one it needs right now... and so we'll abuse it.. because it can take it... because it's not a hero... it's a silent guardian, a watchful protector... a Light Utility Vehicle. Find this V8-swapped 1980 Chevy LUV
offered for $3,990 buy-it-now on ebay with one day to go, located in Columbia, SC.
The Chevrolet LUV gets the Dark Knight treatment because it isn't a classic 50s pickup that gets a garage spot or a new F-150 Raptor that gets covered in carnuba wax weekly. The LUV is the beater and it can take it. It is also the bastard stepchild of a GM/Isuzu relationship - a rebadged Izuzu Faster, built in Japan.
The original Izuzu 4-banger good for about 75 horsepower has been tossed in favor of a small block Chevy V8. SBC swaps are very common, to the point of being cliche, but putting one in a LUV actually makes sense. The LUV may have only been a GM product in name, so why not drop some GM power to back up the badge?
The seller states the pickup weighs about 2200 lbs and power from the V8 is probably in the 300 hp range, so power-to-weight ratio is better than many new sports cars. Unfortunately hooking that power up from the rear wheels to the ground is going to be problematic. Better stock up on sandbags.
See another lovely example of SBC power? tips@dailyturismo.com
Sure looks like it's already setup for putting that power down. Looks like skinny drag wheels up front and some nice beef out back.
ReplyDeleteI did one with help from chassis eng kit came with chrome full length headers. Had to beat the firewall in and make sure you have a short shaft. Turbo350.
ReplyDeleteI built this truck.
ReplyDeleteColumbia SC.
Did you have to make your enigine mounts
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