Engine decisionssssss!

[prin]

OK, I have finally started restoring my 72 c10. But, I dont know what route to take. I would like to got he cheapest of course! It now has a 350 / th350 combo. The motor comes from a late 70's Impala. It MIGHT have 150 hp as it sits. So here goes...

1. Keep the 350 in it and install Vortech heads with a better cam. With these heads, I will have to get another intake as well. I will also install a better convert. Something like a 2700 stall or so.

2. Get a donor 5.3 motor and install bigger cam. I will also do the converter as well.

So, which is a better option? Give me your opinions!!!

[sixnine]

A little confused with your question.

Option 1 is the cheapest solution - which is what you said is most important to you.

Option 2 is the best solution - with the LS you get fuel-injection (which means infinite tuneability, no cold start issues, decent horsepower, decent gas mileage, easy upgrades, etc, etc). Although it's possible to do an LS swap pretty cheaply nowdays, it will still cost significantly more than Option 1.

Whatever you choose...good luck with your project!

[mac72]

ls power the only choice if you got the jack.Thats my 2

[prin]

Wel, I have heard of people getting a complete engine with harness and computer for $400-600. Add a inline pump, better radiator, and tune and it will be around the $1500 mark.

For the old motor, heads themself will run about $400.

[sixnine]

If you can do an LS for $1500, then I would definitely go that route, but $400-$600 for a complete engine including harness and ecm? Let me know when you find a decent one for that price cause I'm looking for one too!

And what about motor mounts, headers, trans, or bellhousing/flexplate to mate the Gen3 motor to the Gen1 trans? That's another $1000 depending on what parts you go with.

The cheapest price I've found for a complete 5.3 with all electronics was $800 but it had a lot of miles on it, meaning it would need a complete rebuild. And that didn't include a transmission.

So far, my plan for an LS has me at about $3k for a cheap 5.3 swap to about $6k for a decent 6.0. (Keep in mind that "cheap" and "decent" vary greatly from one person to another.)

Again, if you can do it for $1500 then go for it! And I want to see pics as I will be doing this swap next spring!

[67slammer]

you can build a real nice small block for under a thousand dollars and have great performance with not so great gas milage . but if you want gas mileage buy a honda. uor trucks were always gas hogs , but thats only my 2 cents

[big_al_71]

If you have a daily driver then I would go with the ls 5.3 if it is a weekend toy/cruiser/show then I would build a bad ass small block "Radical"

[mtdave2]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=304830

i had the same problem..but this is what i did.

[highperf4x4]

You won't need a 2700 rpm stall converter. You'd have to run at least 3000rpm just to keep the truck moving at all times,even on the highway.

A 1500rpm stall is about as far as I would go with something I intended on using for anything other than racing. The stall converter is intended to let your engine rpm jump to the bottom end of the rpm range for your cam before it has to put the power to the rear wheels. If you install a camshaft that doesn't start making power until 2700rpm then your engine will be a dog. It takes a LOT of compression, serious valve springs, and major flow like a high rise intake and 3" headers. That wouldn't be a street motor. Not a daily driver anyway and your stock drivetrain wouldn't handle the power either.

If you're putting on Vortec heads, a dual plane intake and that's it then you need a cam with an rpm range like 1500-5500

If you're installing a stock ls 5.3 then don't worry about a stall. It will make plenty of power right off the bat and a stall will only kill the fuel mileage advantage of an ls engine.

On another note, I believe your estimate of 1500 to do an ls swap is way low even for a salvage yard motor.