Motor swap

[beowulf197]

What's the best fitting engine for a 1971 Chevy c10, I want some more power behind it but don't want to spend a small fortune in doing so just need some advice
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[Sklptrljay]

Well, without knowing what you have now I'm just making assumptions. The possibilities are endless, it just depends on how much you want to spend. But, just some general guidelines would be:

1) Stock crate 350 would be just fine.

2) You can spend a little extra on heads, headers, carb, intake etc... and make some good power in the 350.

3) After that, you're looking at a stroker 383.

4) The next step would be a big block.

[beowulf197]

Right now I have a 305, would it be cheaper just to buy the block and all accessories separate and put it together myself or just buy the complete motor as is?
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[Fitz]

Originally Posted by beowulf197

What's the best fitting engine for a 1971 Chevy c10, I want some more power behind it but don't want to spend a small fortune in doing so just need some advice
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What's the best fitting engine? Foolish child. The biggest engine you can afford, of course!

[DarkFlounder]

Originally Posted by Fitz

What's the best fitting engine? Foolish child. The biggest engine you can afford, of course!

Show off.

[Hartje]

No replacement for displacement, cubic inches or cubic dollars... yada yada....
as mentioned 383 stroker best bang for the buck without doubt.

[jessemthompson]

An LS fits nicely

[boynton]

Originally Posted by beowulf197

Right now I have a 305, would it be cheaper just to buy the block and all accessories separate and put it together myself or just buy the complete motor as is?
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Anything but a 305 would work...If I am not mistaken all of your original accessories should fit on a 350/383 if you want to save some money there (shiny aluminum pulleys look much cooler and cut down on your rotating mass but aren't necessary) you should really look at what it is going to cost sitting in the truck running when making your budget. try to find someone you can sit down (that has engine building experience) price out all of your parts will really help you stay in budget. It is really easy to let an engine build become twice what you originally wanted it to be.

another good thing to consider is what you are going to be doing with the truck-daily driver-show truck-weekend cruiser-drag truck. there is a great engine for each of these applications, but many do not economically cross over.

Best of luck.

Originally Posted by Fitz

What's the best fitting engine? Foolish child. The biggest engine you can afford, of course!

Hilarious and a great choice.

Originally Posted by jessemthompson

An LS fits nicely

I am in this boat. I love LS motors. Lots of power, reliable and decent gas mileage.

[Fitz]

Originally Posted by DarkFlounder

Show off.

Guilty as charged, your honor! I am a show off, but you can bet your sweet bippy any truck with that monster big block under the hood is gonna be a whole lot more fun than one with a 305!

[beowulf197]

Originally Posted by Fitz

Guilty as charged, your honor! I am a show off, but you can bet your sweet bippy any truck with that monster big block under the hood is gonna be a whole lot more fun than one with a 305!

Well I plan to put an LS motor in it just picking between 5.3 and 6.0 at the moment my buddy kinda talked me into it lol. The stock motor was a 305 not what I planned on swapping in it. But I understand where you are coming from just don't have the capital just yet to afford a big block
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[Fitz]

Originally Posted by beowulf197

Well I plan to put an LS motor in it just picking between 5.3 and 6.0 at the moment my buddy kinda talked me into it lol.
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The best choice is the one that fits your budget. An LS is a great choice that you won't regret. Good power, great economy and everyone has parts!

[truckster]

Originally Posted by beowulf197

Well I plan to put an LS motor in it just picking between 5.3 and 6.0 at the moment my buddy kinda talked me into it lol. The stock motor was a 305 not what I planned on swapping in it. But I understand where you are coming from just don't have the capital just yet to afford a big block
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If you're after a big block and you have a choice between the 5.3 and 6.0, go with the 6.0. You probably won't want a big block after that.

As far as external physical size, a 5.3 or 6.0 are going to be the same. It's the internal displacement that's different.