Making the switch?

[chris1htx]

Hello all. So I've been thinking of making the switch to an LS engine. I currently have an inline 6 that has become unreliable and I just wanted to switch to something that I could depend on.

When looking for an engine, what should I be looking for? I'm looking to get a 5.3 out of a junker or wreck. Is there a certain year I should be aiming towards? What mileage should I keep it under?

Are there any reputable places in Houston to get an engine? Or shops to make the swap? Without spending a bunch.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[StorminNorman]

How much it will cost depends on how clean and factory looking you want it. How many donor parts are reusued and "made to work"

Just for reference:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...67-camaro.html

[TrailerTrash]

there are a hundred ways to do different things differently. ways to save money without half assing things but it can take more effort and time. then there are things you can pay for to make things go smoother and quicker. there is a ton of information about these swaps and alot of knowledgable people around to help

what trans do you have bolted to the straight 6?

[chris1htx]

Originally Posted by TrailerTrash

there are a hundred ways to do different things differently. ways to save money without half assing things but it can take more effort and time. then there are things you can pay for to make things go smoother and quicker. there is a ton of information about these swaps and alot of knowledgable people around to help

what trans do you have bolted to the straight 6?

I have a 350 trans
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[TrailerTrash]

You can use the TH350 behind an LS with a spacer kit if i am not mistaken.

I know most people want to switch to a modern overdrive trans when swapping to an LS but if you don't have the funds at the time or can't get your hands on everything for a trans swap then you can stick with the TH350 for the time being

[chris1htx]

what would be a overdrive trans? is it better to get the original trans that came with the motor?

[blazer2007]

I,d keep the six,reliable easy to work on,cheap. I wish I never threw out my old six

[chris1htx]

Originally Posted by blazer2007

I,d keep the six,reliable easy to work on,cheap. I wish I never threw out my old six

What makes you regret it?
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[mongocanfly]

I would look for a pullout engine/trans combo like a 5.3/4l60....around here theyre on craigslist all the time...much less headache if you get it all together from the same vehicle...even if it had 150k on it i wouldnt sweat it..these LS engine seem to run forever..as far as years it depends...i would look for a dbc ,w/o dod...there will be things you'll need to overcome but its a fairly simple swap if you have basic mechanical skills....you won't regret it...I never have

[chris1htx]

Kind of a newbie when it comes to engine types. What’s a dbc without a dod?
Posted via Mobile Device

[mongocanfly]

dbc-drive by cable (cable throttle)
dbw-drive by wire (electric gas pedal)
dod-displacement on demand

going with dbc just makes thing a little easier and costs less....I swapped mine from dbw to dbc

[blazer2007]

Originally Posted by chris1htx

What makes you regret it?
Posted via Mobile Device

Just a good reliable and easy to work on. Put some aftermarket intake and header and 5 speed manual tranny ,no computer stuff to worry about. I think you might see a comeback on these,everyone has a LS or a stoker it seems

[mongocanfly]

theres a reason everyone is going LS...reliability,mpgs,hp.....the list goes on..it used to be a novelty..now its the norm...I resisted for a long time before I jumped in...no regrets...never ever

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

What is causing you 6 to be unreliable?

Don't get me wrong I am all for more power,and mpg. Being you only truck from the sound of the post. I would score a new 6 to drop in, and be done for awhile. Or get a core, rebuild it, and then drop it in. What ever works.

If you have other means of transportation go for the LS swap. There are quite a few things that will step in your way even if you have everything.

I can swap motors in a day if I am motivated, and 2 days if I decide to deal with things along the way. I am sure your more at home with the nuances of your truck then a full swap. A typical carb'd SBC is a drop in affair except for engine stands, and exhaust. Then shorten a bit of the wiring.

Worst case scenario here. You drop in new 6, or SBC. Then it won't crank over. You will find a 100 times more mechanics to take over then a new style swap. Much less taping in to enthusiast you may know who will help out for beer, and pizza.

Not to discourage guys from big steps, but just food for thought.

[RotaryRocketeer]

GM started putting DOD hardware in trucks around 2005 (as always, there could be some weird mid-year crossovers though.) Non DOD and drive by cable is gonna be the best way to do it. Also, if you're interested in a 6.0, the 1999-2000 LQ4 has a longer crank snout and will engage your TH350 with no spacer/adapter, but they came with iron heads. LS engines are pretty awesome in that they are easily modified and ultra simple to understand. It's just an old small block with different firing order and new tech. For added simplicity, you can always carb it too....

[chris1htx]

so it looks like my best bet is to find an LS before 2005. I think ill try to pull the trans with the motor. save me some hassle. there's a place out in san antonio that pulls them out with the trans and harness, might try my luck there.

[StorminNorman]

Keep in mind most '03 and later engines are drive by wire. Decide which kind of throttle setup you want.

[1968aj]

look around. I got this running but wreced on right side for$1000. I will part out what I don't need to get some money back.

[mongocanfly]

youll need more than just the engine and trans.....

[chris1htx]

Yeah I know. Those were the main components I was worried about. From my understanding I will also need:

Oil pan
New fuel pump or gas tank?
Crossmember
Engine mounts
Radiator

I’m sure I’m missing a bunch of stuff

[RotaryRocketeer]

You will need a wiring harness and PCM if you plan to run EFI. Fuel pump for sure, gas tank maybe. There are ways around having to run a new tank. Your radiator can probably be made to work as well. Mating the power steering pump to your old box takes some creative thinking, but it easily surmountable.

[mongocanfly]

yeah I was referring to ecm, wiring harness unless you go aftermarket,maf sensor..gas pedal if its dbw..all from the donor....
the rest is just generic stuff...
your orig gas tank is fine.. youd just need a walbro 255 or similar and a vette fiter/reg and a way to return fuel to the tank...
stock radiator is fine..
unless your running really low to the ground the stock oil pan works fine..
motor mount adapter plates are all youll need with v8 mounts..
my stock trans crossmember worked, I just had to move it back a set of holes..
power steering hooks right up..all those are metric fittings..not sure what year your truck is..my 81 was metric

[tucsonjwt]

Just me, but unless you drive your truck A LOT and demand a high performance vehicle and tow or haul heavy stuff I don't see the attraction of doing the swap. Obviously, if your are a mechanical/electrical wizard with a lot of time on your hands then it makes sense. I am not such a person. I like simple and cheap (emphasis on cheap), and no longer want to look or be cool. If you have to hire a tech to figure out what computerized sensor/monitor/relay gizmo is causing your truck not to work, then I think you would regret the swap.

One of the best vehicles I have ever owned was a 1960 Chevy Carryall (think 2 door Suburban) with a 6 cylinder and 3 on the tree. I was a great hauler and a lot of fun to drive. New GM goodwrench 6 cylinders are cheap and reliable.

No amount of improved fuel economy or whiz bang gizmos will convince me that a computerized engine/transmission truck is worth the hassle. I have purchased many new trucks, suvs, and cars but traded most of them back into a dealer within 6 months of ownership and 3,000 miles. About half of those vehicles went back to the dealer for repairs in that 6 month period. One of them (a 2004 Tahoe) stayed at the dealer for 10 days and they replaced everything on every TSB until some tech decided to "try" a new PCM and it finally fixed the error codes and it idled without stalling.

Don't get me wrong, it is nice to drive a snazzy computerized vehicle, and I like driving them when I venture out of town on a trip. But I would rather spend $20 per day for a one weekend driver than have a long term relationship with a fussy new vehicle.

I have a 2002 Cavalier beater in addition to my 83 C20 454 beater which sucks gas just sitting in the yard. The Cavalier was purchased used 6 years ago and has had a lot of repairs to maintain reliability. It needs a heater core which requires the removal of the entire front of the passenger compartment to get to it (minimum 8 hours of experienced tech time and $1400 fee.) No independent shops will work on it - the cost of repair exceeds the value of the vehicle. I took apart a 2002 Cavalier in a local junkyard to see if there was any easier way to do it and, sure as shootin, it requires that complete disassembly and a lot of acrobatics just to get to the heater core, and you will trash a lot of old cheap plastic dash parts on the way in and out of there. Fortunately, in the desert we need a/c much more than heat, so if i need to get somewhere when it is cold outside I just fire up the BB which is hot as Hades in a hurry.

End of crusty old geezer rant.

[RotaryRocketeer]

It's just you. I'm kidding of course. Simplicity is important to me too. You can carb an LS and get all the same power that EFI delivers. That's what I'm in the process of doing right now. Engine is on the stand and my intake manifold is ready to bolt on. Gonna use my same old school 3 speed trans too, until I build my 2004R to suit. Big power and decent mileage are much more easily attained from the LS platform. And I love old school small blocks, so there's no bias here. I've still got one in another ride that will never see a newer generation engine. But the knowledge is out there, and the facts just don't lie.