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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Riverside, Ca
Posts: 7
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right truck, wrong motor..."ls" 5.3 vs 350 TPI
Been looking for a swb c10 with a 5.3l to make my daily...the finished ones ive seen have been for 23k+ which is fine just havent found one i like enough to pull the trigger on...i was originally going to build it, which i might but i already have a project chevelle so id like something at least drivable with a 5.3 already in it....anyway...i found the right truck, color combo, wheels, interior, even has working AC...but it has 350TPI, i dont know much about the tpi...i know its similar to the vortec as far as the block...really wanted a 5.3l to get into the high 300hp/low 400hp mark...is that hp range realistic for a streetable, daily drive in a tpi? What do i have to change? I know its kind of all over but Thanks!
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Modesto, CA
Posts: 2,188
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Re: right truck, wrong motor..."ls" 5.3 vs 350 TPI
Are you looking to hit a horsepower number, or the added benefits of an ls motor? If it were me I'd hold out for a truck with a transplanted ls. That's the only way to take advantage of the MPG's and cost of the swap in general.
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Riverside, Ca
Posts: 7
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Re: right truck, wrong motor..."ls" 5.3 vs 350 TPI
Benefits of an ls motor....itll be a daily so mpg is important too...not looking for 30mpg obviously but id like to be 20s highway
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Posts: 2,148
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Re: right truck, wrong motor..."ls" 5.3 vs 350 TPI
TPI can go into the low 300HP with some mods. Vortec heads and special intake get 350.
https://sdparts.com/details/scoggin-...-center/sd3816 The TPI runners won't support high rpm and high flow. About 5000-5500rpm is a high limit for a 350 with stock runners. Even less for a 383. I have 2 running and like them very much. TPI is a great torque engine in stock form. To get 400+HP you have to do heads, ported intake, aftermarket larger runners, aftermarket or ported plenum, bigger throttle body, bigger injectors, etc. Depends on what you want. If you can live with 300-350 reliable HP, then TPI is great. If you really need over 400HP, then wait for an LS.
__________________
'83 K20-TPI '73 C10 '79 C10-ex-diesel(SOLD) '07 Tahoe(Son driving) '14 Suburban-DD '71 C10-current project |
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Southern Ohio
Posts: 292
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Re: right truck, wrong motor..."ls" 5.3 vs 350 TPI
Chuck the Tpi and go LS. If you have not bought an engine yet, spend the "big bucks" (~1000) for an L33 5.3L. They're a baby Ls6 and make great power with just a cam change. It'll run circles and then some around the ol' TPI.
Granted this example is in a Vette, but you get the idea of the potential here over a run of the mill sbc. http://ls1tech.com/forums/dynamomete...o-results.html |
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: NOR-CAL
Posts: 1,134
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Re: right truck, wrong motor..."ls" 5.3 vs 350 TPI
If the truck was exactly what you wanted and the price was good I'd have a hard time passing it up. One thing to consider is even if you still want LS in the future you can get something out of the tpi unit as they still have value. They just aren't as sexy as an LS
You guys from the Midwest just kill me with what you claim to be picking these engines up for. Out here you can't touch any LS for under $1500 and that has 150k on it. |
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Southern Ohio
Posts: 292
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Re: right truck, wrong motor..."ls" 5.3 vs 350 TPI
1500? I paid $800 for a van 4.8/4l80e complete dropout a few months back..and some told me that was steep. California....I knew you all had high cost of living but dang!
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#8 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Posts: 2,148
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Re: right truck, wrong motor..."ls" 5.3 vs 350 TPI
Quote:
As far as sexy as an LS. IMHO no other Chevy engine has the visual appeal of a TPI except maybe an original FI unit from the 60s. The long runners make it really pop. Now if you mean that bang for the buck LS is the way to go, then I couldn't agree more. But for a guy that has a nice 350 bottom end without a lumpy cam, TPI is a real winner. It adds low end torque and combines it with better fuel management that gives you mileage, startability, and drivability that you just can't get with a carburetor. If you can't tell, I love TPI. It's just that LS is even better.
__________________
'83 K20-TPI '73 C10 '79 C10-ex-diesel(SOLD) '07 Tahoe(Son driving) '14 Suburban-DD '71 C10-current project |
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#9 | |
Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires
![]() Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Greenville, SC
Posts: 23,090
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Re: right truck, wrong motor..."ls" 5.3 vs 350 TPI
Quote:
Expect something like 13-14mpg "city" and 17-18 highway... with maybe 20 if you tune it right with the right gearing. Add another 100HP and drop those numbers a mpg or two. Also, you'll eventually burn up a 4L60 with 400HP. You'll want to build it up or swap it for a 4L80.
__________________
Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride ![]() American Born, Country by the Grace of God ![]() 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications! |
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#10 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: NOR-CAL
Posts: 1,134
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Re: right truck, wrong motor..."ls" 5.3 vs 350 TPI
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#11 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Dodge city Ks
Posts: 620
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Re: right truck, wrong motor..."ls" 5.3 vs 350 TPI
I sold my tpi a week ago for 750 and bought a ls motor and tranny for 1200! The complete pullout only had 51k on it. im in the final stages of getting it run ready now. by the truck and buy a pullout off ebay to put in it. its really no that hard once you get into it.
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#12 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Modesto, CA
Posts: 2,188
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Re: right truck, wrong motor..."ls" 5.3 vs 350 TPI
Quote:
ie: This is why I stated if you HAVE to have an LS.... wait for an LS equipped truck to pop up for sale that meets your needs. In the long run you save money AND benefit from the cost of the motor. If you purchase a motor separate you have to wait through quite a few thousand miles of fueling the tank before you start to see a return on your investment. |
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#13 |
Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires
![]() Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Greenville, SC
Posts: 23,090
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Re: right truck, wrong motor..."ls" 5.3 vs 350 TPI
That's not necessarily true... LS trucks are demanding a premium now, meaning a higher purchase price than the same exact truck without one, so the cost could be a wash to convert one without (that doesn't mean a great deal on an LS truck couldn't pop up!)
True, the OD savings do take a long time to recover, but that's not the only reason people do the swap. They're literally zero maintenance (no points or dizzy to adjust, no carb to adjust, etc), no zinc for the oil, with Mobil 1 you can safely run 5,000 miles, the reduced rpm is great if you're trying to talk to someone going 70mph, they start up on the first hit without pumping the pedal, and they'll run for 200K+ without a rebuild. That all said... I have a carbed 350 in my truck and no plans for an LS, but I do own a modern LS truck.
__________________
Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride ![]() American Born, Country by the Grace of God ![]() 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications! |
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#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Posts: 2,148
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Re: right truck, wrong motor..."ls" 5.3 vs 350 TPI
Real world example. My '83 K20 I have had since it had 42K miles. It always got 14 city and 17 highway. It had a 350 and 700R4 transmission with 3.42 gears. I pulled the stock engine at 150k with a bad cam lobe and put in a complete stone stock aluminum head roller cam '90 Corvette TPI. I now get around 17 city and 20+ highway. The power is also noticeable. Where I was always on the gas pulling a trailer with the carb, with fuel injection it just pulls on. Without 4wd and 3/4 ton you might do better.
__________________
'83 K20-TPI '73 C10 '79 C10-ex-diesel(SOLD) '07 Tahoe(Son driving) '14 Suburban-DD '71 C10-current project |
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#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Yakima Valley, Washington
Posts: 576
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Re: right truck, wrong motor..."ls" 5.3 vs 350 TPI
I was chatting with the guy that runs a local yard. He was laughing (and amazed) about the fact he was shipping a "truck" engine - a 6.0 ls - to somebody all the way across the country and the guy had paid his asking price of $700. thought it sounded like a great deal but he's the guy in the business. Seems to be highly dependent on location.
Last edited by fourspeedwagon; 03-26-2015 at 07:45 PM. Reason: miss spell |
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#16 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: NOR-CAL
Posts: 1,134
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Re: right truck, wrong motor..."ls" 5.3 vs 350 TPI
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#17 |
Old member
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S.
Posts: 19,936
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I swapped out my 305 TPI 700 R-4 for a LS 6.0 with 3l80e and I can't believe the differance it made and both motors are stock.
The LS motor and 4l80e hands down no questions asked is 100 times better. Stock 350 TPI may have 200 HP stock, which I doubt. A stock LS motor starts at 200 and goes up! My 6.0 put 290RWHP on the Dyno. You are way ahead of the HP game with a stock LS motor over the old small block. ![]()
__________________
1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 ![]() Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs. |
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#18 |
Vintage 4x4s
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Prior Lake, MN
Posts: 4,305
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Re: right truck, wrong motor..."ls" 5.3 vs 350 TPI
Assuming you don't want more than 300hp, a late 90's vortec 350 vs a 5.3 is a wash in my opinion when you compare them. I've owned both. Both are pretty much zero maintenance and within 2mpg of each other. The 350 is a easier and cheaper swap, which IMO compensates for the slightly lower fuel economy.
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67 GMC K1500 Custom- 305V6 SM420, PTO, Ram Assist, yellow (the outcast) (project period correct upgrades) 67 GMC C2500 351V6 TH400, AC, PS, PB (can't decide what to do with. Update, decided to keep and will restore ![]() 86 CHV K30 502 th400, apple red NEW 71 CHV K20 350 SM465, ochre (saved work truck) 71 CHV K20 292 SM465, white, tach, PTO, (future project) 72 CHV K20 350 350th, medium blue (project stocker) 01 CHV K2500hd crew, indigo blue ^3 dont run and the others don't see winter either '86 K30 Cummins "Fireside" thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=649649 '71 K20 "get driveable" thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=590642 '72 K20 Build Thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=493477&page=6 |
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#19 |
Old member
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S.
Posts: 19,936
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I pretty much drive my 71 everyday rain or shine. The cost of install is a little higher than a small block but the benifit of the LS is way above the small block ever amagined. I don't care what anybody tries to tell you. If you thinking about a new motor install are buying a new truck are old truck, look for a LS swap truck hands down no arguing! It's that much better!
Cold starting is a big + for the LS over the old SB. Better MPG Better life out of the LS motor over a SB. Less maintance on the LS compared to the SB Everything about a LS is better than the SB. ![]()
__________________
1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 ![]() Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs. |
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#20 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Posts: 2,148
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Re: right truck, wrong motor..."ls" 5.3 vs 350 TPI
Quote:
If I understand OP correctly, it all depends on what you want. I say go drive the truck and decide. TPI is a low-end powerhouse. Coupled with the low gears of a 700R4 they really pull. What do you want to do with the truck? Cruise? Tow? Drag race? daily driver?......all of the above?
__________________
'83 K20-TPI '73 C10 '79 C10-ex-diesel(SOLD) '07 Tahoe(Son driving) '14 Suburban-DD '71 C10-current project |
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#21 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Rapid City, SD
Posts: 2,281
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Re: right truck, wrong motor..."ls" 5.3 vs 350 TPI
I would say you have found your next truck. A 350TPI is a decent daily driver. The different in MPG is not much really. Then when your current project is done, you have your next project, an LS swap into the daily driver truck. Plus, this give's you time locate and acquire the LS swap parts without having to rush into spending a bunch of $.
__________________
My Trucks: 1967 Chevrolet Short Wide Box 327 TH350 9" w/3.90 gears paint will be White - Current Project 1967 Chevrolet Custom LWB 283 TH400 3.73 Posi, no-AC, no-PS, no-PB, bench-seat, small-window - mostly orig driver 1967 Chevrolet CST LWB originally a 327 TH400 3.73 Posi AC PS PB, had Buddy Buckets, Small Window - parts truck 1967 Chevrolet CST LWB, 283 MT 3.73 had Buddy Buckets, Panoramic Window - parts truck 2001 Chevrolet 3500 2WD Crew Cab Dually 8.1L Allison White |
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#22 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Valley Center KS
Posts: 3,525
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Re: right truck, wrong motor..."ls" 5.3 vs 350 TPI
I had a 72 GMC that I put a TPI 350/3.73 gear/700R4 tranny. It was OK. I got OK mileage, and I had a few little buggy/idle issues with it.
When it came time to build the truck of my dreams I seriously considered building the TPI. Ultimately I built my 68 with a 5.3/4.10/4L60E. And honestly, there is no comparison. The LS engine is WAY better. As far as fuel mileage goes, I can't really compare apples to apples since I had the TPI engine in WA where the highway speed limits are 60 compared to KS where they're 75. But I was getting 16ish in the TPI truck (may have gotten 18 once) and I get around 17ish in my 68 truck (doing 75). If it was an apples to apples comparison, I think the LS engine would get you 2-3 mpg better. |
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