Thinking on LS swap, need opinions

[BamaDave]

If you could pick any version of the LS, non-supercharged, used, what would you go with? I want as much horsepower as possible. I am just starting my research. Can you take a reasonable power LS and spend minor money and achieve 500 hp? I want to keep the fuel injection. Drive by wire or pedal? How do you make gauges work with the electronics. What are the going rates for drop out assemblies? If anyone lives near northwest alabama, can you suggest somewhere to find these mythical creatures? Soooo many questions....but I do know this site is FULL of info!

[bohmankid]

Best bang for your buck? 5.3 or 6.0 truck motor. Iron blocks and aluminum heads. They respond well to mods. You could probably get 500 hp with a good cam, heads, and tune. Hopefully in a 2-wheel drive truck?

Drive by wire and drive by cable are both equally easy to install. So whatever year motor you get works fine..
Gages are not my specialty.. I've seen a lot of auto meter gages used. I actually bought special adapters for the stock temp and oil gages and I kept my th400 in my ls swap so the speedo was cable driven. Gas is easy, just find power to sender.

Personally, I went with a 5.3 swap for better gas mileage. A 6.0 would guzzle gas. 5.3 has slightly less hp, but if you mod it, you could easily surpass a 6.0 output and maintain the mileage. I spent $2000 for EVERYTHING (motor, tune, harness, adapters, gas lines, accessories, etc.) in my swap. A couple more thousand dollars would get me a fast rig.

[07XCSBZ71]

There is a new junkyard that just does LS GM trucks. They are on HWY 31 in Athen, AL. I don't have their number, as I haven't been there yet, I haven't been back home for a few months. My Dad was telling me about it, might check there.

Just for reference, I bought a 4.8 and NV3500 5spd from a 03 1500 with 110k for 650.00 from a part out on CL.

[ofnaman]

We looked at many options before deciding on our combo. You can get a complete (engine, intake, drive belt and accessories) 5.3 minus the ecm and harness for under $1000. LKQ had a ton to choose from out here. 4.8's are much cheaper, and you can get them with lower miles mainly due to the fact most people want a 5.3 or 6.0 for their swaps. We ended up contacting LKQ's headquarters via email and told them we were looking for a low mileage 6.0 with a matching auto trans. They responded the next day with a 2012 40,000 mile L96 6.0L/6l90E combo complete with harness, ecm, gas pedal, accessories, and basically everything needed for $3000 shipped. We ordered it right away....

[nekkidhillbilly]

if i wanted big power well 6.0 is the only option. to make a good driver with good power any will do. i had a 4.8 4wd 01 truck and loved it power was great mpg was great. you could prob get a 4.8 with a good trans for next to nothing. its all going to make more power than that old 350 or 305 in a square. the 4.8 is a great motor for its size.

[83GMCK2500]

Originally Posted by nekkidhillbilly

if i wanted big power well 6.0 is the only option. to make a good driver with good power any will do. i had a 4.8 4wd 01 truck and loved it power was great mpg was great. you could prob get a 4.8 with a good trans for next to nothing. its all going to make more power than that old 350 or 305 in a square. the 4.8 is a great motor for its size.

Not entirely true... That is even an old article, more options now.

[nekkidhillbilly]

seen that many times im talking na big power. if you will look na it made 451 hp and 380 ft lbs. not big power especially the tq rating (the number that matters in a truck). if you can find one cheap a 6.2 is the best option for a lsx engine but there usually high dollar. there are very few nbs trucks with 4.8s that can run 12s pretty common with little mods on a 6.0.

[aotte1]

I was looking at a 6.2 out of an Escalade, the L92 version from 08' or 09' with less then 30K miles. Complete dropout with trans and everything including drive shaft for $5500. With tune and cam, tuner estimated in a 1986, short bed ets in the mid 11's (assumes traction). Totally street able with good gas mileage per tuner. With this set-up you can have a separate specific shift program for the trans, e.g. when drag racing telling it at what RPMs to shift into next gear ( no more manual valve body in the turbo 400 to control shift points)

The L92 heads are the better flowing heads for high H.P. and were used on several different engines (, including the HD trucks in certain years with the 6.0 iron block engine along with the 6L90E trans (GM's Heavy Duty trans- rated for 550 H.P. and 7000 RPMs in certain version)

Consider looking for an engine wo/cylinder deactivation, needs to be remove for higher valve lifts along with faster valve opening rates, cost to replace needed parts is plus $500.

I was considering the 6.2 because of its bigger bore which helps the L92 heads flow more.

Les

[nekkidhillbilly]

well 5500 is high dollar compared to the 1500 of a 6.0 with a 4l80e. what ever you want in the truck though. id be happy with a 4.8 60e combo in 2wd half ton. i could build it in the high 13s thats fine for me to drive.

[gchemist]

You can carb an LS engine if you want hold off on FI until you have all the components or need to save a few bucks. http://www.superchevy.com/technical/...sc_conversion/

Here are complete details on a conversion.
http://www.aera.org/ep/downloads/ep1...2010_10-19.pdf

[aotte1]

The price mentioned above for a 6.0 is exceptionally good from what I found. My research showed $3,000 to $3500 for a gen iv 6.0 drop-out complete w/ 6L90E trans and under 60K miles ( which is what was recommended to me). Also pull one valve cover to check for sludge/crud should be clean or walk away.

Agree that the 5.3 with 6 speed auto available in 2010 is an outstanding engine/trans combination. Have it in my 2010 Silverado short bed-love it!! Actually waited for that trans to be available before buying the truck.

Les

[OutlawDrifter]

OP, what is your engine combo going in? what are your goals other than 500hp, and is this crank hp or wheel hp. big difference.

what are your goals: daily driver, weekend warrior, tow pig, etc.

my z28 has an LQ9 (6.0l with flat tops from the factory) with a cam and it easily made 500fwhp. i put a mid size cam in it, because i wanted it to have decent manners in stop and go traffic, and have brutal torque through the midrange. it pulls like a freight train from 2500-6700, and spins there pretty fast.

a 5.3l with a 220 or less duration cam, mid .5xx's lift, would be great for a dd, have plenty of power, and still pull down some good mileage with a 4l60e. put a 3200 stall in it and it would be a rocket ship.

[N2TRUX]

LS3 Crate motor if you want big bang for your buck.

[Kainedogg]

I am frugal so for me it was a no brainer. Grabbed an early model LQ4 with the iron heads and 6.0 displacement. Tossed it behind my Th350 for an easy install wity dirty dingo mounts. There is absolutely no reason to go carb'd to save money. An MSD box and ls specific intake is only slightly less than having your harness done, modding your own tank and buying an ebay walbro 255lph pump and ecm flashed. Trust me I keep a spread sheet so I don't have to guess.

[nekkidhillbilly]

Originally Posted by aotte1

The price mentioned above for a 6.0 is exceptionally good from what I found. My research showed $3,000 to $3500 for a gen iv 6.0 drop-out complete w/ 6L90E trans and under 60K miles ( which is what was recommended to me). Also pull one valve cover to check for sludge/crud should be clean or walk away.

Agree that the 5.3 with 6 speed auto available in 2010 is an outstanding engine/trans combination. Have it in my 2010 Silverado short bed-love it!! Actually waited for that trans to be available before buying the truck.

Les

well your looking at a 10 with a the 6 speed auto. an 06 with a 4 speed auto is much cheaper.

[BamaDave]

wow, love the responses. This would be going in my 86 stepper. I want to keep the stock gauges, adaptors, where? Mainly gonna be a weekend fun and gun! Would like to drive during week sometimes, 100 mile round trip.
500 rwhp is what I am aiming for. I just posted a question about the 87 fuel system, will it work for a LS?

$4000 would be the most I could get the bride to agree to for this entire job.

[BamaDave]

Originally Posted by 07XCSBZ71

There is a new junkyard that just does LS GM trucks. They are on HWY 31 in Athen, AL. I don't have their number, as I haven't been there yet, I haven't been back home for a few months. My Dad was telling me about it, might check there.

Just for reference, I bought a 4.8 and NV3500 5spd from a 03 1500 with 110k for 650.00 from a part out on CL.

Have anymore info on this place? Work in Athens, live in the Shoals area.

[OutlawDrifter]

Originally Posted by BamaDave

wow, love the responses. This would be going in my 86 stepper. I want to keep the stock gauges, adaptors, where? Mainly gonna be a weekend fun and gun! Would like to drive during week sometimes, 100 mile round trip.
500 rwhp is what I am aiming for. I just posted a question about the 87 fuel system, will it work for a LS?

$4000 would be the most I could get the bride to agree to for this entire job.

you will fall short of 500rwhp with a $4k budget. it's all of the little things you need during the build that add up fast.

get on ls1tech and start reading, there is more than enough info to complete your swap.

[nekkidhillbilly]

500 rwhp is a pretty high goal even with a high budget. are you wanting to be na or wanting forced induction? fi you can forget cheap gas. also you going to have to build even a 80e trans at that much power so add that on your budget. realisticly i would think mid 400 to 500 hp at the crank with a 6.0 within you budget.