what motor should i use
 

I have a 2000 454 vortec that I was planning on putting in my truck with a 24x timing system out of an LS from EFI connection. motor will end up being a 496 with EFI. Just recently I bought a 2000 1500 with a 5.3 LS and 4L60e with 200k on it. I now plan on using the rolling chassis for my 61 c10. I am torn on what motor to put in it. Any help would be great. Truck is not a DD. Mostly to shows, but would like to drive 100 miles or so to a car show. I also plan on putting a 80e in place of the 60e.

Re: what motor should i use
 

I've come up against this dilemma a couple times now. For me, I say go with the 5.3. Great mileage, great performance when tuned correctly and the 200K is really nothing for them. In a 3500lb truck you will pull low 20's/mpg all day long with the right gearing and will pull strong. As far as the 4L60e, it's plenty strong if you upgrade to "The Beast" Sunshell and a good corvette servo with that light of a truck. The 4L80e's are obviously stronger, but kind of overkill behind a 5.3 and this light of a truck and rob power/add weight. Good luck with your decision.

Re: what motor should i use
 

The "Vortec" 454's are still older architecture with some modern upgrades. IMO its not worth spending the $$ for an EFI system to control them unless your doing it for a purpose-built reason (i.e. a tow pig, vintage dually, welding rig etc). Even built up, they don't make crazy power like you think of with custom-block big blocks (Dart and World blocks for example).

IMO, the 5.3 is such a great all around motor with potential for power and usability, I have yet to see someone regret the choice.

Re: what motor should i use
 

I already have EFI for the 454 I thought the heads are the weak point on the motor. The peanut style heads are small chamber heads that are good for towing. If I changed the heads wouldn't it be like any other 454. I can change timing to mirror those of the LS motor to put COP like the LS motor. The topkicks had them and they were the same motor. So not that much $ there. I just have both the motors and with one already being 100 cubes bigger I thought it would be cheaper in the long run HP/$ wise.

Re: what motor should i use
 

I'd go with the 5.3..in the end you can build hp way cheaper than with the 454..you'd be hard pressed to find better engine tech than the LS

Re: what motor should i use
 

Hop over to the full size Chevy forum. They have hundreds of pages in one forum on the 96-00 vortec 454. I've got one in my 98 k2500. There was a guy early in that thread that got something like 600 hp out his l29. It cost money but it is possible to build power with them.
Lots of reading here: http://www.fullsizechevy.com/forum/f...Vortec-owners=

Re: what motor should i use
 

The beauty of the 4.8, 5.3 and 6.0 is you can cam and valve spring them for under $500 to gain 60-80hp easily. If you want BIG hp, turboing them is fairly affordable and you still get low 20's on the highway all day long. Big blocks you are just not gonna get any mileage out of. Again, a lot of it depends on what you are gonna use the truck for and what you are looking for..... That's the bottom line.

Re: what motor should i use
 

I can tell you that the LS platform will not disappoint you. I would go with the 5.3 in this case.

Re: what motor should i use
 

Aaron when you say "tuned correctly" what do you mean? Reason I ask is I'm in the process of putting a 4.8 vortec into an 85 c10 and I got a full pull with a good price but it also has 200k miles and I know it will eventually need a rebuild. Im just curious if theres something i can do to extend the life of the motor before i have to tear into it.

Re: what motor should i use
 

Meaning that the ECM programming is properly setup. Stock LS motors see gains 5-15% over stock with pretty much just a tune, and they also gain MPG if the fueling (PE, VE etc) is well done. Stock setups leave power and MPG on the table for mass repeatability and factory safety.