Why do I want an LS motor?

[TheBlueBomber]

So I originally wanted to make the '79 a modified stock truck. Biggest things were a carbed 350/sm465/np205/203 on 4"s and 35"s so I could take it wheeling...

And then I put a big dent in the side of the truck and I decided I dont want to beat on this one. SO,...

My friends have been saying 5.3 this 5.3 that, and at first I was like no but now I'm really starting to think about it.

IF I do decide to go with the 5.3, Do I want to go carbureted or fuel injected? Keep the th350 and np203 tcase? also I want to keep everything on the interior stock looking so you cant tell its been swapped.


I would like to hear all opinions and advice on this. Lets say I'm on a budget of roughly 2k... I can get the stock motor/harness/computer for around 5-800 bucks. I'm not cutting corners either.


If my budget is too low for your opinion say it anyway. I can always wait a little longer and factor that difference in.

Thanks.

[bnoon]

Cheapest way is to keep your trans and transfer case, find a 5.3 with all sensors that doesn't need a rebuild, and do all the work yourself. You'll need a tune to tell the computer to ignore that it can't see the transmission sensors... for hard parts you'll need motor mount adapter plates and possibly a flexplate... Some incidentals along the way for sure, but I could get it done for less than 2 grand for a bare bones job. But to me, bare bones job is cutting corners. I wouldn't go through all of that for a stock 5.3... I'd be all cam/headers/heads/intake manifold/throttle body/etc.

[68post]

Spend your cash on a great set of heads for the engine you have, that is where all the power is and one of the main benefits of an LS - along with their thin metric rings, a roller cam, and high ratio rocker arms. You can install these into a conventional sbc gen 1 block too.
Then you can blow past the 5.3 and 5.7 LS swap engines that cost a lot more.

The 6.0 was to replace the old 454, but they still had to release the 8.1 for torque needs.
Don't get me wrong they're great engines , I have a little 4.8 in my 1 ton box van, but it has 4.10 gears and wouldn't be able to tow anything - unless I emptied what we always carry.

Trucks love torque and that's what I'd have in mind vs. HP.

[nekkidhillbilly]

Originally Posted by 68post

Spend your cash on a great set of heads for the engine you have, that is where all the power is and one of the main benefits of an LS - along with their thin metric rings, a roller cam, and high ratio rocker arms. You can install these into a conventional sbc gen 1 block too.
Then you can blow past the 5.3 and 5.7 LS swap engines that cost a lot more.

The 6.0 was to replace the old 454, but they still had to release the 8.1 for torque needs.
Don't get me wrong they're great engines , I have a little 4.8 in my 1 ton box van, but it has 4.10 gears and wouldn't be able to tow anything - unless I emptied what we always carry.

Trucks love torque and that's what I'd have in mind vs. HP.

you do know the last 8.1 was built in 2005 and the 6.0 only made 15 ft lbs less tq than the last mpfi 454. i had a 4wd 4.8 truck with 373 rear. i pulled cars with it at 65 mph on the interstate all the time.

[king-918]

Go with the LS, more efficient, more potential and longevity. LS cost a little more to build but knowing what I know now! Best bet is to convert to cable driven And do a complete swap

[TheBlueBomber]

On ebay for a 5.3l 4l60e computer/box and harness it's $1200 shipped. With a 6 month warranty and guaranteed to run. I'm going to give it a few nights before I make a decision.

I originally bought the truck because it was all mechanical and simple to work on compared to newer vehicles. And now I'm considering throwing a computer controlled motor in it... it's amazing what happens in 7 months lol

[karl]

Give me a 70 LS-6 any day.

[geezer#99]

Originally Posted by karl

Give me a 70 LS-6 any day.

I had one. Awesome motor in it's day but the newer ls motors would chew it up and spit it out!
If you're considering an ls swap just listen to this 700 horse one on roadkill.

700 Horsepower & 2,400 Miles! Crusher Camaro...

[andrewmp6]

Look at it like this better gas mileage easier to start and smoother idle.And the ls family can make some big power pretty easy now if you got the cash.

[bigd65]

I have the 5.3 in my 99 Z71, I really like the way it runs.... It has plenty of power and I'm not racing it. It does not hesitate to pass someone... I really like the way it runs... And it has 250k and runs like it's brand new.... Has only had SYNTHETIC OIL in it....these motors are built to last.... When it comes time for my 87, I'm thinking about looking for a 5.3

[bohmankid]

If you go LS, keep the fuel injection. The fuel injection is what makes it all worth it, in my opinion. I did my 5.3 swap for $2k and have seen people do it for a lot cheaper than that. Just do your research. I used my stock th400 and transfer case as well, works good. Also, my interior is completely stock, even the gage cluster. I was getting 7 mpg with my old 3/4 ton, TBI motor, 4.10 gears, and 33 inch tires. Now with the 5.3 I got that up to 14-15 mpg. If I put an overdrive trans in it I would expect it to be even better. So everything you want is possible.
Personally, I think LS swaps will date your car because there is much bigger and better technology coming out all the time. But they are SUCH great motors for a great price with tons of aftermarket support for easy modding.
I'm in the middle of another LS swap right now. You're welcome to check out my build threads linked in my sig, but there are a ton of threads on here with a lot more info.

[TheBlueBomber]

Originally Posted by bohmankid

I'm in the middle of another LS swap right now. You're welcome to check out my build threads linked in my sig, but there are a ton of threads on here with a lot more info.

I checked yours out before I made this post and I'm glad you commented. I've read all these replies a dozen times today and I think I'm going to make the jump. The only thing holding me back is I like the look of old skool motors better than today's motors. At the same time I like the performance newer motors have.

I feel like I'm going to the dark side.

[TheBlueBomber]

I'm sure there's a LOT of hot rodders out there that won't like the swap (not that I care). I just don't want to be looked down upon when I roll up to a show and pop my hood lol. I was introduced into hot rodding by a very "numbers matching, original everything, period correct" individual at an early age and it kind of took root.

[bohmankid]

Originally Posted by TheBlueBomber

I checked yours out before I made this post and I'm glad you commented. I've read all these replies a dozen times today and I think I'm going to make the jump. The only thing holding me back is I like the look of old skool motors better than today's motors. At the same time I like the performance newer motors have.

I feel like I'm going to the dark side.

There are lots of ways to doll up these LS motors and I think they can look great.


Join us.. Join the dark side

[TheBlueBomber]

Originally Posted by bohmankid

Join us.. Join the dark side

Lol. Eventually I would put the OD transmission in. What I'll end up doing is driving it for a little with the TH350 and then once I have the $$$ finish swapping the OD trans in.

That'll be after regearing though.

[slammed90]

Originally Posted by bohmankid

If you go LS, keep the fuel injection. The fuel injection is what makes it all worth it, in my opinion. I did my 5.3 swap for $2k and have seen people do it for a lot cheaper than that. Just do your research. I used my stock th400 and transfer case as well, works good. Also, my interior is completely stock, even the gage cluster. I was getting 7 mpg with my old 3/4 ton, TBI motor, 4.10 gears, and 33 inch tires. Now with the 5.3 I got that up to 14-15 mpg. If I put an overdrive trans in it I would expect it to be even better. So everything you want is possible.
Personally, I think LS swaps will date your car because there is much bigger and better technology coming out all the time. But they are SUCH great motors for a great price with tons of aftermarket support for easy modding.
I'm in the middle of another LS swap right now. You're welcome to check out my build threads linked in my sig, but there are a ton of threads on here with a lot more info.

wat headers u youse bro n motor mounts

[bohmankid]

Originally Posted by TheBlueBomber

I'm 1000% going with a 5.3. But with a twist, and it starts with a "T", and ends with a "turbo"

Can anybody guess what that is?

Turbos aren't exactly a budget build, but still cool. I have two words for you: Turbo lag .. Make sure you don't go too big on the turbos.

I'm still contemplating turbo or supercharger for mine. At my elevation in these Rocky Mountains, there's nothin else like boost.

Originally Posted by slammed90

wat headers u youse bro n motor mounts

Dirty Dingo motor mounts and 5th gen Camaro long tubes (eBay headers)

[TheBlueBomber]

Originally Posted by bohmankid

Turbos aren't exactly a budget build, but still cool. I have two words for you: Turbo lag .. Make sure you don't go too big on the turbos.

Yeah... I gave up on the budget part.

[rs72z]

Like everyone else has said......go with the o.d. now. You will not be happy with the th350 or a sm465.
My 5.3 & 4l60e gets 18mpg in my 78 crew cab dually with 4.10 gears.

[bohmankid]

And one more thing to mention, LS swaps are easy. A lot of people go carbed because they don't think they understand the computer and fuel injection. But I'm just a kid in my early twenty's who has never taken an automotive class in my life. So if I was able to do it with good results, anybody can.

[Zoomad75]

If you go 5.3 or any Gen III small block, go with the injection. The cost to run the MSD box for the ignition system and the intake, you could have bought a custom harness and controller for the injection. Then you are still dealing with carb issues for tuning and driveability. Add to that the fact that you would still have to put an electric fuel pump on it since the Gen III's never had a mechanical fuel pump on them.

The Gen III's will give more power and better fuel economy over a first gen small block, stock vs stock. Once you start hopping them up, the gap widens.

I'm in the midst of collecting parts for my 5.3 swap. Savvy shopping has netted some bargains. I've got a list of stuff still yet to get, but I'll spend money on new stuff that I need and save on some of the other parts by getting used from a boneyard (brackets, fan/clutch and stuff). Half the fun is the search. Once I've got the parts list together, it's going to DirtyLarry's for the procedure. Doc Larry is going to lend is shop space and expertise to do a clean job.

[chevymadness]

I'm totally new to this and tired of my 350 v8 gas guzzler piece of crap.How much hp and rwp this engine put out.Im not planning on 4x4 but I do plan on towing quit a bit around 1500 pounds 2000 pounds maybe small boat etc.

[nekkidhillbilly]

Originally Posted by chevymadness

I'm totally new to this and tired of my 350 v8 gas guzzler piece of crap.How much hp and rwp this engine put out.Im not planning on 4x4 but I do plan on towing quit a bit around 1500 pounds 2000 pounds maybe small boat etc.

4.8 is around 270-285 depending on years. 5.3 is around 285-330. 5.7 350. 6.0 345-400. 6.2 is 415ish. 7.0 500 good luck affording the last one though.

[chevymadness]

Originally Posted by nekkidhillbilly

4.8 is around 270-285 depending on years. 5.3 is around 285-330. 5.7 350. 6.0 345-400. 6.2 is 415ish. 7.0 500 good luck affording the last one though.

Interesting how much gas mileage would something like the 6.0 put out and 5.7.I wonder how much those cost and would people recommend these ls for towing.

[bowtieguy79]

Originally Posted by chevymadness

Interesting how much gas mileage would something like the 6.0 put out and 5.7.I wonder how much those cost and would people recommend these ls for towing.

I did an LS swap on my 94 K1500. I use it as my work truck. Tows great, improved MPG. And will walk any newer truck from a light