LS Swap Advise

[jared.landis]

I have been playing with the idea of a LS swap. If you could sit a "newbie" down and tell him the pros and cons and what to look out for in doing something like this what would you say?

I have been spending a little bit of time researching the different LS motors and I am by no means an expert, but other than internal differences, which are huge differences Im not trying to down play them, does it come down to how much hp you are wanting in your project?

Which way would be better to go: salvaged or crate motor?

Again my knowledge is limited in this subject that is why I am asking to try to learn more.

Thanks

[Clyde65]

It really depends on what YOU want for your truck. You can go either way, high HP, killer street/strip machine or reliable, economical daily driver.

you can go 4.8/5.3/6.0/6.2 etc.

a 4.8 will be a decent daily driver good MPG around 300-320hp

a 5.3 will be the same as above but you can add a cam and get around 400hp easily.

a 6.0 will not get you the MPG, but with a cam and dyno tune will get you around 500 HP

[BR3W CITY]

The swap is no harder than almost any other swap, and because of the availability and interchange of parts, it may actually end up easier than other swap options. The potential for performance and still retaining some economy (efi along with an od trans) is great. Plus its newer tech, and you get all the trappings that it brings.

[67C10BUB]

I am happy with my swap. If I were to do it again, I would go with a salvage, but I would have gone through the whole motor/trans prior to install. I had a few surprises that would have been way easier to deal with when it was out of the truck.

[1966Stepside]

I'm in the middle of working my own LS swap. I'd say clyde65 has it about right.

As for crate motor or junkyard, that depends on the amount of money you're willing to put into it. I don't know exactly how much the crate motors cost, but I know it's a lot more than a pullout. I also know they don't come with the PCM and wiring harness a lot of the time, so that's another expense. But, you DO get a brand new engine. I do know that I got a complete pullout 5.3 with the 4l60e tranny attached AND all the wiring/PCM/pedal I'll need for the swap for less than just the crate motor.

What I would warn the next person doing a swap is to watch for costs you might not have with a carb'd engine. Like the electrical fuel pump and filters needed (and possibly new fuel lines). And the cost of getting your PCM tuned to turn off any sensors etc you don't use.

LS engines are the way to go if you want to have a daily driver. If you want to build a classic hot rod with all the old school cred, go for a original V8.

[BR3W CITY]

old school cred is great and all, and I think in certain vehicles old school is the ONLY way to go...but I'm a huge advocate for the "update and dominate" idea. You can make mad power out of the ls series engines. If done right (keeping an eye of the budget and choosing parts wisely) you can do an ls motor for a reasonable budget, and get nice power doing so.

[jared.landis]

I sorry if i am beating a dead horse, but i have some more questions.

i know that there are plenty of variables in doing a swap like this. in fact you would prob be hard pressed to find 2 LS engines the same unless 2 guys just left them stock.

i have a 97 swb that has 150+ on the ticker. it has a knock that i thought was just an exhaust leak when i bought it about 7 years ago. being a poor college student i learned to live with it. after i wrecked it last year and dad tells me its a lifter and thats major surgery. anyway it is no longer a DD but enjoyed whenever i have time. the plan is to do a swap at 200k. i would like to go with a LS2, 6.0 motor. i would like to get a salvage motor so that i can get all that i would need for the swap ie. motor, trans, wiring, computer, pedal. how much of a ball park budget would you say i would need for something like this? i know that it will depend on the yard and all that. just looking for a ball park so that i know what i might be getting into. i nkow it may sound crazy but i will prob just go thru it all and check it and just throw it in. im not looking for any crazy numbers. i would like to be around the 400 hp range tho, and based on my research that isnt too far out of reach for an LS2.

any knowlegde you guys might have is welcome. like i said i am just trying to spunge all this up.

[Clyde65]

$5K+ for a LQ9, remember the 6.0 are really high, $2500.00 for a high mileage one, without all the accessories.

$3500.00 for 5.3, you can get for $1500 and under, $1500 for a <10k mile motor. cam it and you can be around 400hp. these are more plentiful. this set up would also be more fuel efficient too boot.

[1966Stepside]

The price jump from a 5.3 to a 6.0 is pretty large from what I've been seeing. With a good cam and some pretty simple bolt ons, you can get to 400 at the flywheel pretty easy, and you're probably still under the price of the 6.0 swap.

[jared.landis]

Clyde65 and 1966Stepside, which gen of 5.3 are you refering to?

to quote wikipedia both gen of the 5.3 are classified as vortec motors, how are these related to the LS family.

sorry for the confusion. just trying to learn.

[1966Stepside]

Check out this thread that's linked the LS FAQ thread for all that info.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billav...SPrimer/Part1/

[Clyde65]

That is good information right there. They are family members of the LS1.

[jared.landis]

the information and resoures you guys have is absolutly amazing. i am mainly on the 88-98 side, of course, and the collective knowledge is out of this world. thanks for the link and i am hopeing this will clear the muddy water.

[jared.landis]

Originally Posted by 1966Stepside

The price jump from a 5.3 to a 6.0 is pretty large from what I've been seeing. With a good cam and some pretty simple bolt ons, you can get to 400 at the flywheel pretty easy, and you're probably still under the price of the 6.0 swap.

is this true with all 6.0's or just the aluminum block 6.0? based of the link you shared the gen III LQ4 and the gen IV LY6 would be cheaper in my mind due to the overwhelming number of trucks they were in and being iron? am i worng to think that? could the 400 hp range be in reach with an iron block?

[Clyde65]

LQ4 is a little cheaper than an LQ9, but they are both way higher than a 5.3.

[Nova_Cobra64]

My couple bits of advice. First if you have the time and resources, watch insurance sales. A guy could easily buy the engine they want in a wreck, pull what they need and part the rest out and possibly make enough to turn it into one heck of a bargain.

And second, if budget is a concern, try not to get too carried away........because I think most of us do.

[Clyde65]

And second, if budget is a concern, try not to get too carried away........because I think most of us do.[/QUOTE]

Can we get an AMEN!?

[67C10BUB]

AMEN!!!
Posted via Mobile Device

[1966Stepside]

Originally Posted by Clyde65

And second, if budget is a concern, try not to get too carried away........because I think most of us do.
Can we get an AMEN!?

Tell me about it.... I gotta stop spending money on this thing
Posted via Mobile Device

[52 Rat]

I went with a 6.0 and T56 six speed.

[Clyde65]

well I figure it's either I spend the $ on the truck or i'm an alcoholic, so its the truck

[shrunken66stroker]

Originally Posted by Clyde65

well I figure it's either I spend the $ on the truck or i'm an alcoholic, so its the truck

When I add up the receipts it drives me to drink.

[Nova_Cobra64]

Well now you guys have me thinking........I work away from home and my job is 24 hours on call. So essentially the only time I can drink or work on my truck is when I'm on days off. Hopefully when the 2 meet it doesn't become an issue as far as quality of work goes.........