Which LS(x) to choose and aftermarket performance..

[laynrockers]

Hey guys.

Been doing my reading and starting to look into an LS swap for my 66 c-10. I know a lot of you have already been down this road and wanted to get your feedback and perspective before I pull the trigger on a motor. The build for my truck includes a full porterbuilt front and rear drop member with ls motor swap, I plan on driving the truck all the time and using as a second to my daily.

I am looking for a low miles (motor/tranny) combo that can easily be upgraded. (thinking turbos down the road) After looking into the options I am leaning towards going with a 04 trailblazer 5.3 with 4l60E from Spaulding Auto in Spokane Wa. They sell the motor with brand new long block ( zero miles), rebuilt trans turn key ready to fire with all the accessories, cracked computer, harness, ect. for about $5000.

AAAnd they give you a warranty

I would like to hear from you guys on what you decided and why. What upgrades did you do, how much did it costs vs. HP gain. And would love to learn from your own research.

Also what is the consensus on the 5.3 aluminum block vs. the 6.0 cast iron bloack in relation to aftermarket performance/ this build??

thanks

[crazy longhorn]

My butt squeaks when I walk....so I opted for a used 5.3 , in a wrecked truck. The parts left over , will pretty much pay for the engine, & I can spend the bucks on the harness, & fuel system just getting started, so I cant help much on cost projection, but alum vs iron block,I take the iron block anytime I have heard it said ,that you can "punch" an iron 5.3 to 5.7 spec, without issues? crazyL

[gringoloco]

If you wanna do the work to pull it, a wrecked truck is the way to go. Should he able to find an engine/trans combo for around $1k.

5.3 can be safely bored to a 5.7, just swap pistons- rods and crank are common between the two motors...
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[85burb]

Originally Posted by gringoloco

If you wanna do the work to pull it, a wrecked truck is the way to go. Should he able to find an engine/trans combo for around $1k.

5.3 can be safely bored to a 5.7, just swap pistons- rods and crank are common between the two motors...
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By the time you do that you will have more in it then a 6.0 or 6.2 would cost. If you want performance get a 6.0. They have a iron block for when you do the turbos.

[gringoloco]

Agreed.
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[mooseknuckles]

and the lq4 has less compression than the lq9....

[laynrockers]

They also have a 6.0 from and 01 2500hd. claims only has 8500 miles on the motor. comes prepared to drop in like the other. Would this be better in your opinion with the iron block for a twin turbo application?

They want $400 more for this one.

Also I was searching a couldn't find a good clean build thread with someone who turbo'd one of these motors in detail. Can any of you point me in that direction for more hints and detail.

Thanks

[softballnrd27]

Go to ls1tech and look in the forced induction section
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[85burb]

Originally Posted by laynrockers

They also have a 6.0 from and 01 2500hd. claims only has 8500 miles on the motor. comes prepared to drop in like the other. Would this be better in your opinion with the iron block for a twin turbo application?

They want $400 more for this one.

Also I was searching a couldn't find a good clean build thread with someone who turbo'd one of these motors in detail. Can any of you point me in that direction for more hints and detail.

Thanks

That sounds like a winner to me as long as it is not the cast iron heads the early ones had. i forget the years they had them.

[gringoloco]

Cast iron were on 99-00. Still not a bad flowing head. '01-up have 317 aluminum castings that are similar ports to z06/ls6 heads with a larger combustion chamber.
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[laynrockers]

It is from an 01 2500. I have been reading through the LS forums and made a post, not to many educated responses yet. But everyone is saying the 4l60E wont hold up and to try and get a 4l80e.

[85burb]

For sure get the 4l80e. They 4l60e will need to be built pretty stout to hold up for long. When you get to the turbo stage 4l60 will not hold up long. Do it right the first time and get the 4l80e. Wish i did.

[69trk]

I was going to go with a 4l80e, but in order for one to hold the power i'm intending on making i couldn't justify the cost. So i had a turbo 400 built to handle over 1000hp and i have $1100 in it vs $3500.in the 4l80... I can drive for quite a few years before the benefits of the 4l80 helps on fuel...jmo. Plus with the turbo, you can go with 3.23's or something like that....

[85burb]

I agree with that as long as you dont want overdrive. The 4l80 is just a new version of a 400 with overdrive.

[laynrockers]

What about a LQ4 with a cam package $6000 shipped with a 4l60E and 1 year warranty "drop in" motor package. less than 75k on motor and tranny.

[Number98]

Once you get up in cost you could get an LS2/4L70E from a Trailblazer SS for under $5k with 20,000 or less miles and have 400HP/400TQ... There is a guy in Indiana I have spoken to who sells these for $4800 all day long.
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[83_shortwide]

Originally Posted by Number98

Once you get up in cost you could get an LS2/4L70E from a Trailblazer SS for under $5k with 20,000 or less miles and have 400HP/400TQ... There is a guy in Indiana I have spoken to who sells these for $4800 all day long.
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Who is this guy you speak of? Do you have a name or number?
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[ERASER5]

It's not me, so who is it? tap tap tap...

[laynrockers]

Originally Posted by Number98

Once you get up in cost you could get an LS2/4L70E from a Trailblazer SS for under $5k with 20,000 or less miles and have 400HP/400TQ... There is a guy in Indiana I have spoken to who sells these for $4800 all day long.
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Please send me the info, my quote for an LS2 with the tranny (both less than 75K miles) "drop in ready" form a trailblazer SS was for $7000 shipped. So i would be very interested to speak with this guy.

Thanks

[68 c10 ls2]

I have a used 02 6.0(75k) with a used 4l80e(54k), new heads, new cam and a maggie 112 with 102mm throttle body(600+hp) and i have less than $5k into all of it. If your looking to throw anything over 10psi of boost with the turbos the stock bottoms ends dont hold up to long. If your thinking of huge boost numbers look at the 4.8 block. Hot Rod Mag did a test on a stock 4.8 (what they 1st thought was a 5.3 block). They through over 30psi at the stock block and was able to get 1100hp on the dyno(stronger/thicker side walls).

[laynrockers]

Originally Posted by 68 c10 ls2

I have a used 02 6.0(75k) with a used 4l80e(54k), new heads, new cam and a maggie 112 with 102mm throttle body(600+hp) and i have less than $5k into all of it. If your looking to throw anything over 10psi of boost with the turbos the stock bottoms ends dont hold up to long. If your thinking of huge boost numbers look at the 4.8 block. Hot Rod Mag did a test on a stock 4.8 (what they 1st thought was a 5.3 block). They through over 30psi at the stock block and was able to get 1100hp on the dyno(stronger/thicker side walls).

I WAS thinking conservative 6-8 pds. of boost. Most recently I have come to the conclusion to throw a Cam intake possibly heads tune and call it a day. The turbo would be for much later down the road if i got board. But a nice Daily driver type of motor is what I am really looking for, would like to get over 400 to the wheels.

I will look into some motor combos with the above I am sure that is achievable without forced induction.

any recommendations?