What LS would you use?

[71meangreenc10]

I am going to put an LS in the old Burb soon. What package should I go with 4.8, 5.3 or 6.0? Trans would be 4L80E. This would be a cruiser and possibly could be a tow vehicle.

Thoughts......


Smitty

[tinydb84]

If you are going to tow Id do a 6.0 if you are cruising then 5.3. I dont think the 4.8 would give you the torque you want in a heavy burb.

[Manatee Poacher]

6.0 if you're towing. I have an 04 Silverado 1500 with the 5.3. It's a fantastic engine for doing most things, but it's kind of a dog if you're towing anything over 2,000 pounds. Power is at like 4,000 RPM... I always feel like I'm going to blow the thing up towing up a grade.

[mongocanfly]

Nothing wrong with the 5.3 and that would be the easiest one to get your hands on...I pulled a 8500# gross load tractor and trailer for years with my 99 5.3 1500.it would pull it running 65-75 mph all day long doing it to..it had 265000 on it when I traded it off..never turned a screw on it except for the water pump..and the 5.3 will get way better gas mileage than a 6.0.....I got one of each..but nothing wrong with a 6.0 either and although I personally wouldn't want a 4.8 they can be made to have a ton of hp

[bowtieguy79]

If you are choosing the 4L80E they are a power robber, based on gearing off the line. Make sure you compensate your rear end gear to offset the trans tall first gear.

I would get what your budget allows for, and plan on a cam swap regardless of engine size!

I put a LQ9 in my 72 Sub with the 4L80E, my rear end is 3.07, its a pooch off the line, but at 60 it pulls very hard. I put a decent size cam in it as well. I'm going to go for a 4.10 this next winter, should take care of the poochy-ness.

Do what is best for you! Good luck!

[engairuph]

I have a 5.3 factory with 4L80e that has been built extreme and have no problems jumping into it, towing or just driving. 20.2 70mpg hwy 3:73 rear gears. It has no hesitation off the line and last longer then the 4L60e in my opinion and experience.
The 5.3 are easy on parts, and available at any parts house that I've come across.

[MalibuSSwagon]

4L80E is a good choice, very strong trans.

5.3L is good, my Dad has a 2k Silverado with the 5.3, we've done alot of towing with it, great tow vehicle pulling cars on my trailer, and it plows quite well in the winter, plenty of power. It's why I chose a 5.3L for my C10, and it was a good choice.

[71meangreenc10]

Thanks guys for your answers.

I am heading into a full tear down soon. Gas mileage is a strong factor. I will have to research what GM used for gear ratio's for most of the LS trucks with a 4L80E. I do like the 3.42 rear.

Smitty

[1970customhugger]

I have a 72 burb that I'm dropping an lm7 5.3 into with an ls1 intake, But I prefer the ls1 itself. They are a bit pricey, but get better mpg, have an aluminum block and the intakes are alot cleaner looking and only require a feed fuel line, no return like the pre -03 5.3's.

[1970customhugger]

I also avg 26 mpg in my 72 sierra short bed, 4l60E with 3.08 rear gear. And I can stomp on it at 45, and kick it sideways.

[chris mc bride]

question for you fellas.Rough idea of cost of your conversion?

[mcmlxix]

Truck manifolds have longer/taller runners and create more low end torque. LS1/2/3/6 intakes will make more top end HP.

Also, once the conversion is complete and all the bugs worked out, you could always add a supercharger on top. Not Cheap. Not great on MPG.... but big on smiles....

[Kevco72]

I bought the 475 hp 6.2 with the 4l70e. Complete package was 10,750
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[MalibuSSwagon]

I spent about $1000 to get the engine in the truck, not including the cost of the engine. Your cost will vary, I had to buy a clutch and flywheel at a cost of $250, but I re-worked the harness myself so that saved me a good amount.