Swapping an LS Swap?

[Ezzz]

Hey guys, I've been daily driving my 69 C10 with a 4.8 t56 swap for about 4k miles. It's running great but I'm already wishing I had more power. I'm debating between 3 different options and am wondering what has the most carry over from my current set up.

Option 1: LS1 cammed with head work/LS6 cammed with head work if I can get a deal

Option 2: LQ9 cammed with head work

Option 3: Current 4.8 with a turbo setup

Besides how much I can carry over I'm concerned with reliability and fuel efficiency, which I gotta say is a strong suit of my current setup. The t56 with 4.56's and I average just below 20mpg's if I can keep off it (which is why I'm kind of leaning against an LQ9 which would be easiest). I also want to be around 450-500hp/ft lbs at the crank. I figure if I stay around there I don't have to do major upgrades to my trans, rear end, fuel system since that's about what they're rated to.

What do you guys think is my best/cheapest/easiest option?

[mongocanfly]

Hp is nice..my stock lq9 is putting out around 344...but the mpg is not there with my nv4500 and 4.10s..if mpg is a major concern I'd go with a stock 5.3..plenty of power and mpgs.
The guy I got my engine from does ls swaps for a living and had a 4.8 in a monte carlo ss putting out over 400hp with a head and cam swap and headers and a good tune

[homemade87]

Your not going to get 450 to 500 with a 5.3 without some major mods (ported heads cam plus supporting parts = money ) . The cam may be more than what you want to drive .
The 6.0 would be a better choice with stock 243/799 heads . Just add a milder cam than what you have to have for the 5.3 to get you HP goals . In the end your drive ability would be much better . Fuel mileage would be about the same if not better with the milder cam in the 6.0 if tuned proper and pretty reliable for a daily . The 5.3 would be more ornery with your HP goals .

If it were me I would go with the 6.0 and put the 243 heads on it and cam . It may just surprise you .

Also A 5.3 with the 243 heads and cam is no slouch . This would be a more economical choice .

Just something to think about .

[zach_carver]

Turbo 4.8!!!

[Heavymetl]

Valvesprings, injectors, fuel sytem, and 15psi on a stock 4.8 will knock your socks off if you've never experienced boost before.

[BR3W CITY]

Turbo the 4.8
If its got over 100k on it, she's just getting around to the point where ring gaps are worn down enough so you don't break a ring land. She's evolving.

Junkyard 4.8 and 5.3's make WAY north of 500 all day long. Throw rod bolts in it if your worried about detonation breakage, and have an early year motor.

Add methanol and you'll be street safe all day long.

[jessemthompson]

I would go the turbo route with the 4.8. Turbo'd LS's are no slouches. Plus, when you keep your foot out of it your mileage will still be there.

[Ezzz]

Turbo was originally what I was thinking, but you guys don't think it's a waste if I stick to the 450-500 range? And for that kinda goal is a turbo setup easier/cheaper than a lq9 or good deal on an ls1/6?

Would either of those engines drop straight in with my existing harness, pcm, accessories, etc. or only the lq9?

[mongocanfly]

Ezzzz..I asked the same question a week or so ago..I've got a buddy fixing to swap in a 5.3 for his 4.8..the info here says to swap it as a long block..keep your accessories intake and ecm to go with the donor engine and get a tune done..the long blocks are all the same
As for cost of turbos thats for somebody else to answer.I've seen them built on a budget to full blown no budget ..check out this ..http://www.hotrod.com/articles/hrdp-...g-bang-theory/

[Paul Y]

500-600whp?

Look here https://sites.google.com/site/sloppy...unkyardturbols for all the info you will need.

Keep the 4.8, it is already there and running and for the price of buying a core (plus a little more) you can enjoy the Boooosted life.

Enjoy and keep us updated.

P.