Swap to Ls or Stick with sbc on my 64

[SuperCtruck]

Just want some opinions on wether it would be wise to swap in a 5.3l or stick with the small block v8?.

It's a all original 1964 Chevy c10 shortbed, 283, turbo 350 auto truck. My plans with this truck is to lower it 4/6", use it as a local parts chaser, cruse night cruiser nothing major.

I'm still unsure whether to stick with the turbo 350 behind a 5.3 or 350horsepower sbc?? Decisions....decisions......?

What are your all thoughts about this and would it hurt the value of the truck by going modern instead of a cherried out V8 w/350hp

[TJ's Chevy]

If its just gonna be a cruiser....What's wrong with the 283?

The LS would be a good and reliable swap for sure. Much better power and mileage. Or you could stick with a SBC and have something much easier to work on and cheaper to get parts for. Personally I'd leave the 283 in there if it runs good....why fix something that isn't broken? 283's are good reliable little V8's. And so are 350s....But Everyone has a 350. Just a matter of how much you want to spend and what You want out of the truck.

[SnS C10]

I have a 64 c10 shortbed that came with the 292 and 4 speed on the floor. I thought about swapping in a 5.3. Ultimately I wanted the look and sound of a big block so I picked up a 454 bored .030 making it a 460. Should have plenty of power when I'm done with it about 500hp, backed up by a turbo 400 trans. The 5.3 is awesome as I drive one everyday in my silverado. But to me, that's what everyone is doing. Kinda turning into a modern 350. That's why I went big block. My vote would be to stick with the 283 or build a 400 horse 350

[63burban]

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Only changes I would make is a 700r4, pretty easy swap at this point.
LS swap can be expensive.

[mooseknuckles]

you can't beat an LS if you plan on driving it...

[SnS C10]

On the ls swap, if planning on a carb swap, it's about 900 to 1000 bucks for the manifold, carb, controller also

[verdell]

If it were me, I'd go LS...Dependability, fuel mileage, power

[SuperCtruck]

Originally Posted by TJ's Chevy

If its just gonna be a cruiser....What's wrong with the 283?

The LS would be a good and reliable swap for sure. Much better power and mileage. Or you could stick with a SBC and have something much easier to work on and cheaper to get parts for. Personally I'd leave the 283 in there if it runs good....why fix something that isn't broken? 283's are good reliable little V8's. And so are 350s....But Everyone has a 350. Just a matter of how much you want to spend and what You want out of the truck.

The original 283 sat for many years on a farm. I'm having blow through issues with it. Also the PO drilled a 5/16" hole in the front of the driver side head now plugged with JB Weld so looks like the old 283 will need a refreshing
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[SuperCtruck]

If I decided to do the LS swap I was considering having a radiator shop tig weld a bung at the bottom of the original tank for gravity fed external pump, because these pumps need head pressure correct?? Or is it best to splurge and buy a rear frame mounted efi tank?

[SnS C10]

My 2004 silverado crew cab with 5.3 is currently getting 13.1 mpg city and about 18 highway

[MikeN]

Originally Posted by SuperCtruck

Just want some opinions on wether it would be wise to swap in a 5.3l or stick with the small block v8?.

It's a all original 1964 Chevy c10 shortbed, 283, turbo 350 auto truck. My plans with this truck is to lower it 4/6", use it as a local parts chaser, cruse night cruiser nothing major.

I'm still unsure whether to stick with the turbo 350 behind a 5.3 or 350horsepower sbc?? Decisions....decisions......?

What are your all thoughts about this and would it hurt the value of the truck by going modern instead of a cherried out V8 w/350hp

That is a super nice looking, mostly-original truck. I'd stick with the 283/TH350. My backup plan would be a later Gen I SBC, maybe a 327 or 350, dressed out with the intake and valve covers from the 283 and thus disguised as a 283.

[Clyde65]

If it was mine, and i needed to rebuild anyway, i would store the sbc and swap to a 4.8/4l60e, the cost will be a bit higher on the ls but not much. Rebuilding your sbc will cost $2k probably unless you do most of the work.

Good luck with whatever you choose but i would save the original and not change much that i couldnt go back to original.

[SuperCtruck]

Originally Posted by MikeN

That is a super nice looking, mostly-original truck. I'd stick with the 283/TH350. My backup plan would be a later Gen I SBC, maybe a 327 or 350, dressed out with the intake and valve covers from the 283 and thus disguised as a 283.

This is what my machinist engine builder said to do. Make it a sleepy little 350 disguise as a 283. I just picked up a Quadra jet intake manifold for a 327 with the oil fill tube out front just in case! Thanks

Originally Posted by Clyde65

If it was mine, and i needed to rebuild anyway, i would store the sbc and swap to a 4.8/4l60e, the cost will be a bit higher on the ls but not much. Rebuilding your sbc will cost $2k probably unless you do most of the work.

Good luck with whatever you choose but i would save the original and not change much that i couldnt go back to original.

Yeah very true!! Thanks Clyde65

[Mathew21]

Originally Posted by verdell

If it were me, I'd go LS...Dependability, fuel mileage, power

This is why I did the 5.3 swap. My 327 ran excellent. but the gas mileage was terrible. My carb was running rich and needed to be adjusted. I'm sure that would've helped. My truck is my daily driver from April to November. Since my swap I have been 18-22 mpg depending how I drive. I love it it, my truck now has more horse power then I need.

I think effecting the value is a toss up. It makes people who like original trucks shy away. But then it attracts people who like modded trucks.

Listen to everyone's advice and then make the decision that works best for you. It's you truck do what makes you happy.

[TJ's Chevy]

Originally Posted by SuperCtruck

The original 283 sat for many years on a farm. I'm having blow through issues with it. Also the PO drilled a 5/16" hole in the front of the driver side head now plugged with JB Weld so looks like the old 283 will need a refreshing
Posted via Mobile Device

Hate when PO's do stuff like that. lol He mention what the hole was for?

[SuperCtruck]

Originally Posted by Mathew21

This is why I did the 5.3 swap. My 327 ran excellent. but the gas mileage was terrible. My carb was running rich and needed to be adjusted. I'm sure that would've helped. My truck is my daily driver from April to November. Since my swap I have been 18-22 mpg depending how I drive. I love it it, my truck now has more horse power then I need.

I think effecting the value is a toss up. It makes people who like original trucks shy away. But then it attracts people who like modded trucks.

Listen to everyone's advice and then make the decision that works best for you. It's you truck do what makes you happy.

Yeah all so true! If I used it as my daily I would for sure 100% Ls swap it, I guess I am very fortunate to drive a company service van. Thanks for the advise

Originally Posted by TJ's Chevy

Hate when PO's do stuff like that. lol He mention what the hole was for?

Lol, no explanation for it. I really didn't notice it until I started checking over everything on the truck once I got it home. I think maybe for an accessories bracket or something... Who knows it sure sucks when I started unscrewing it and antifreeze came shooting out at me

[number10]

I have a 66 in Colorado Springs and just went thru the same deal. went with a 350 as it was simple and has great power for our shop truck. You can get a new crate motor for about $1500 new. A LS would be fun but a bit of work and money. Converted to a T5 as it was a manual with info from this site. An overdrive is the best thing for these things.

[60chevyjim]

Originally Posted by Mathew21

This is why I did the 5.3 swap. My 327 ran excellent. but the gas mileage was terrible. My carb was running rich and needed to be adjusted. I'm sure that would've helped. My truck is my daily driver from April to November. Since my swap I have been 18-22 mpg depending how I drive. I love it it, my truck now has more horse power then I need.

I think effecting the value is a toss up. It makes people who like original trucks shy away. But then it attracts people who like modded trucks.

Listen to everyone's advice and then make the decision that works best for you. It's you truck do what makes you happy.

Mathew how much did it cost to do the ls conversion ? is yours injected ?
also did you do all the conversion work yourself ? thanks 60chevyjim

[ready2go69]

Crazy power can be made from LS swaps.

[SuperCtruck]

Originally Posted by number10

I have a 66 in Colorado Springs and just went thru the same deal. went with a 350 as it was simple and has great power for our shop truck. You can get a new crate motor for about $1500 new. A LS would be fun but a bit of work and money. Converted to a T5 as it was a manual with info from this site. An overdrive is the best thing for these things.

Sounds like a killer setup!!
So far my buddy (owner of a machine shop) says he can put me together a snotty 350hp 350 making it look like the 283 with all the tins and manifold etc... and rebuild my turbo 350 trans all for $2k then he throws at me; or let's just cam a 5.3 and slap it in that little 64.... fml
This is why it's been a tough decision

[Aaronoregon]

We've done quite a few LS swaps into old trucks now. They all have their challenges, but they are awesome when complete. Below is a picture of a 64 SB we just put a 6.0 in. We are also doing a '51 Chevy truck over an S10 Frame with a 5.3 in it. Below is what you will have to deal with:

- Engine mounts
- Transmission crossmember
- Headers
- New plug wires for headers
- O2 sensors
- Harness (we do this in house now)
- ECM Tuning (we do this in house now)
- Probably electric fan
- Fuel delivery
- Oil pan if trucks engine and your truck is low.
- adapters plugs and sending units
- EGR & EVAP plugs
- Steam line plumbing into cooling system.

More stuff to deal with than you would think. Just takes time and money, but a hell of a lot of fun when done.

'64 Chevy SB


'51 Chevy truck going over


In an old 46 Ford

[Mathew21]

Originally Posted by 60chevyjim

Mathew how much did it cost to do the ls conversion ? is yours injected ?
also did you do all the conversion work yourself ? thanks 60chevyjim

Yes I did it all myself. Well with a lot of advice from the good people on this board. I think I read every LS swap thread 10 times. This was my first motor swap I ever did.

Yes mine is fuel injected.

I can honestly say it wasn't that bad. As far as cost go I really don't want to ad it all up. But I'm over $3000.00 including the cost of the motor and transmission. I could've did some things cheaper like the fuel tank and radiator. I went with Boyd welding tank with electric fuel pump, Radiator Entropy with dual electric fans.

Read this thread there's a lot of good information in it. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=456787

[suburban99]

Almost done my LS swap on my 62 longbox. I bought the whole truck (2000 Sierra 5.3 2wd) removed what I wanted and sold the rest. My engine and tranny cost me about $50 now that I recovered my investment. The challenges I have found are the narrow frame on the '62, and the engine mounts as mine is a disc conversion from a '78. I did my own EFI harness (actually quite easy if you read up on it), and modified my stock fuel tank for electric fuel pump with return.
Just got my 3 core rad last week. I drilled and tapped the water pump for the steam fitting. Also shortened my own driveshaft.

I don't have a fancy shop just a normal garage like most guys on here. Whatever you decide take your time and good luck with it.

[SuperCtruck]

Just finished reading ls1Nova71 thread over on Ls1 tech. This is one awesome thread to read since it pertains to a 1971 c10. It answered a ton of questions I've had all along and mostly pertaining to the fuel feed with stock tank. Check it out if you haven't already

http://ls1tech.com/forums/conversion...-c-10-a-3.html

[SuperCtruck]

Originally Posted by Aaronoregon

We've done quite a few LS swaps into old trucks now. They all have their challenges, but they are awesome when complete. Below is a picture of a 64 SB we just put a 6.0 in. We are also doing a '51 Chevy truck over an S10 Frame with a 5.3 in it. Below is what you will have to deal with:

- Engine mounts
- Transmission crossmember
- Headers
- New plug wires for headers
- O2 sensors
- Harness (we do this in house now)
- ECM Tuning (we do this in house now)
- Probably electric fan
- Fuel delivery
- Oil pan if trucks engine and your truck is low.
- adapters plugs and sending units
- EGR & EVAP plugs
- Steam line plumbing into cooling system.

More stuff to deal with than you would think. Just takes time and money, but a hell of a lot of fun when done.

'64 Chevy SB


'51 Chevy truck going over


In an old 46 Ford

Those are some Awesome looking builds Right there!! Thanks for the info I'm going to be pricing everything come this weekend to help make my decision.