LS vs 383

[stepside68longbed]

The ls swap does sound great but as for now I think it's just a bit over my head I feel more confident doing the 383 for now plus I like the old school look with the carb (already rebuilt a holly 4bbl without a problem and I was told their hard to do lol) I cant stand these new vehicles so dang clustered its just a mess and no room to work at all. But I will do an ls swap later down my line I'm 20 so my line is just getting started so I belive a 383 is what I will begin my first build with.

Now I'm no transmition guy at all I need to get a book on them or something. But would a 6 speed bolt up to the 383? And what would a 6 speed be classified as? 4L60E is a 4 speed (that's where the 4 come from) is L for low? And what's the 60E stand for?

[primetime]

The 'L' means it is mounted longitude as opposed to transversely 'T'

[stepside68longbed]

Well hell I just found a LQ4 6.0 460HP vs a 383 I was looking at 320HP and the 6.0 is only $200 more I don't need or want to get over 500hp 450 really I ain't ready for that yet... I'd end up hurtin my self and my truck and I don't wanna do neither of them...

N thanks prime I wouldn't of guessed that I need to read up on them sometime hah

[bpatrol]

this is a ls carbed motor. see all those wires?

[fast&low]

bpatrol that is beautiful brother!!!
You hit that right on the nail

[stepside68longbed]

That looks sweet!! I'm thinkin about a black bay, Crome wells, black Crome long tube headers, black Crome intake, and red valve covers.

And if I do a ls carb is it about the same hook up (wireing) as a 383? Or will I still need to get the harnesses reworked? I plan on haveing a digital dash for a slick look should I do that all at once or later down the road?

[bpatrol]

the only thing different is you will need a msd 6010 box to run the coils. the ls engines don't have a distributor. after that its just power,ignition on, alternator starter just like a small block. you don't have to use the harness at all but you will need the alternator plugs and a few things. you can run a 700r4 behind it or any chevy tranny
bpatrol

[Lees68GMC]

A 5.3 can get 420 HP with only a Cam change & tune.

[primetime]

Originally Posted by bpatrol

the only thing different is you will need a msd 6010 box to run the coils. the ls engines don't have a distributor. after that its just power,ignition on, alternator starter just like a small block. you don't have to use the harness at all but you will need the alternator plugs and a few things. you can run a 700r4 behind it or any chevy tranny
bpatrol

that's something I didn't know. so our factory 3speed manual will bolt right in to a LS 5.3?

[bpatrol]

With an adapter it should all automatics generally bolt up with a flywheel and spacer
The manuals are different but can be mounted ted as well

[fast&low]

bpatrol what water pump did you go with & did you use the truck front drive system or an aftermarket one and if so what brand?

[bpatrol]

On my Camaro I used Camaro or f body components, however you can use the truck setup no problem.
If you want aftermarket the holly brackets work well
bpatrol

[fast&low]

Ok
Just wondering what motor mounts worked better for you & can I use the truck oil pan or do I have to go with a car oil pan?
I'm doing this on my 69 C10 SWB using my 02 Avalanche as a donor.
Thank you

[DaddyO]

Originally Posted by fast&low

Ok
Just wondering what motor mounts worked better for you & can I use the truck oil pan or do I have to go with a car oil pan?
I'm doing this on my 69 C10 SWB using my 02 Avalanche as a donor.
Thank you

When I did my LS1 install I I used the Camaro oil pan and I used motor plates. By using the motors plates it allowed me to used the stock motor mounts and I have no clearance issues at all.

[stepside68longbed]

What would a LQ4 get MPG carb'ed any idea with eather a 5speed auto or 6?

[chevy72blu]

I used an LS1 out of a '98 F body and all of the accessories (with the exeption of the low mount AC compressor) worked great. The Fbody oil pan fit like it was supposed to be there. I used CPP tubular engine mounts, which were nearly a bolt on procedure. I even used an fbody radiator and e fans.

If your goal is MPG I would stick with the factory FI setup. I'm getting 22-23 mpg freeway with the stock ls1 and 4l60e

[trkfrk]

Originally Posted by chevy72blu

I used an LS1 out of a '98 F body and all of the accessories (with the exeption of the low mount AC compressor) worked great. The Fbody oil pan fit like it was supposed to be there. I used CPP tubular engine mounts, which were nearly a bolt on procedure. I even used an fbody radiator and e fans.

If your goal is MPG I would stick with the factory FI setup. I'm getting 22-23 mpg freeway with the stock ls1 and 4l60e

I was able to make the low mount A/C compressor work. I did have to trim the frame 1/4" in front of the motor mount, and was able to follow the natural curve of the frame.

[Boog]

Originally Posted by bpatrol

this is a ls carbed motor. see all those wires?

Now that is one awesome LS engine right there. Prettiest carb'd one I've seen yet I think. Is that in a Nova?

[fast&low]

Don't know what it's in but I agree it definitely is the cleanest & best looking one I have ever seen & I have been studying this for a while & have seen a lot of them on the internet because i am going to have one installed in my 69 C10. He should do it for a living truly the best work I have seen in months!!!.

[Z10]

Not a 383, but a pretty quick ZZ4 with FIRST TPI.

[fast&low]

bpatrol I was studying on the internet and came up on a build where a guy said his OE drive shaft mated right up to the 4L60E trans on his complet 5.3 LS pull out swap on his C10.
I be leave it was a 68 C10
In other words he didn't have to mess with or modify his driveshaft at all
Is this true can this be done?

[Heavymetl]

Of all the details involving a proper LS swap, the driveshaft is about the most simple to overcome.

I'm a huge fan of the LS. They make so much more power over the traditional SBC its almost like cheating.

I had a 383 with Dart Pro 1 heads, ~9.75:1 compression, 230/236 .520/.540 cam, RPM Air Gap, Th350/3000 stall, 4.11 gears, Holley 750DP carb, MSD ignition, etc. Ran a 7.42@92.89 in my Camaro.

Swapped in a STOCK LS1 with headers and a tune, and backed with a 6 speed manual..ran a 7.62@91 at the same track. And got over 25mpg on the highway. It's ridiculous. LS all the way EVERY TIME for the average joe with some ambition and the desire to learn something new.

[fast&low]

So was that a yes or a no?

[bpatrol]

it would really depend on your ls adapter plates. some have as much as 6 inches of adjustment. So yes its possible
as far as which plates to use ,there are a number of them but I like stokars adjustment plates. google them and they sell on ebay too.
bpatrol

[derotoreut]

I put a 383 in my '69 C20, mainly because I wasn't concerned with gas mileage and it's not a daily driver. I also wanted to stick with a somewhat nostalgic/vintage theme. However, if there comes a time that I ever do another build, I will definitely go LS. I have a K10 that is stock for the most part. My C20 is not stock and has the 383. I would love to have a SWB LS truck, slightly lowered with OD trans. This would make a great cruiser with good power, gas mileage and dependability. For now I will dream on. Good luck.