Why do I want an LS motor?

[nekkidhillbilly]

if you have the np205 then its a little harder and im not as keen on them but i think you just get the adapter and shorten lengthen the ds. if you could find a ome od truck though you can get the 208 and ds from it direct bolt up.

[bohmankid]

I kept my th400 for the exact same reason you stated. I plan on putting an OD trans in when funds allow and I want to drive the thing NOW. lol.
Also, I'm planning on doing a 4l80e instead of the 4l60e. My PCM will need to be tuned for the 4l80e and the cross member will need to be moved back. Cool thing about the 4l80e is it will bolt directly to the old transfer case and you don't need any special adapter.
And about the VSS, I bought mine from dakotadigital and it lets me use my stock speedo gage with cable.

[nekkidhillbilly]

to not swap while you do the engine id double the work is what im getting at. you can have the engine bolted to the trans and stick it all in at once alot easier. the 4l60e is direct bolt for the np208 the 4 to 6 adapter is included in new trucks from the factory. so when you getting the 4wd tranny just grab that with it. the np205 idk for sure but the adapter may work on it too.

[TheBlueBomber]

I've got the np203. I haven't made the decision yet about the 208. When I do put the 4l60e in I'll most likely go with a 208. I want to do the swap without having do modify the drive shafts first and then finish up later with the transmission swap.


Heck if there is a deal going on I might end up going with a SM465.

[bowtieguy79]

I'll tell you what I did on my nephew's truck.

5.3/4L60E/ NP241 from a 91 Sub. ( VSS built in ) Used a 91 Sub/Blazer dash cluster that has the elec speedo already. Looks stock ( not 73-80 stock but close )

I was able to find a rear drive shaft that would work, but he had to shorten the front. The NP208/241 Linkage is the same for what thats worth.

If you want to run OD some day, I would do it all at once, one and done. But that is just me, there is something to be said for doing just the enigne, your going to see improved mpg, and more Smiles Per Gallon over the engine you have now.

Nephew's truck sits on 35's 4" of lift and he see's 16-17 just running around. It made it a nice truck. And its actually a pretty quick truck with the 4.10's in it.

[nekkidhillbilly]

Originally Posted by TheBlueBomber

I've got the np203. I haven't made the decision yet about the 208. When I do put the 4l60e in I'll most likely go with a 208. I want to do the swap without having do modify the drive shafts first and then finish up later with the transmission swap.


Heck if there is a deal going on I might end up going with a SM465.

i would get a 5 speed over that sm456 .nv3500 from a 4.8 bolts right up to a 5.3. you should just be able to find a junk 80s truck/suv and either get the 208 or the 241 like bowtie said and the front driveshaft too. cutting a ds is not alot of work its when there to short is the problem. its going to be easier to do it all at once like i was saying. im sure you could find a 208 and the drive shaft for a 150 bucks.

[chevymadness]

Originally Posted by nekkidhillbilly

4.8 is around 270-285 depending on years. 5.3 is around 285-330. 5.7 350. 6.0 345-400. 6.2 is 415ish. 7.0 500 good luck affording the last one though.

Interesting how much gas mileage would something like the 6.0 put out and 5.7.I wonder how much those cost and would people recommend these ls for towing.

[bowtieguy79]

Originally Posted by chevymadness

Interesting how much gas mileage would something like the 6.0 put out and 5.7.I wonder how much those cost and would people recommend these ls for towing.

I did an LS swap on my 94 K1500. I use it as my work truck. Tows great, improved MPG. And will walk any newer truck from a light

[TheBlueBomber]

Originally Posted by bowtieguy79

If you want to run OD some day, I would do it all at once, one and done.

Your right. I have a daily so it shouldn't be a big problem to let this sit. I might end up getting this done sooner than expected.

[nekkidhillbilly]

Originally Posted by chevymadness

Interesting how much gas mileage would something like the 6.0 put out and 5.7.I wonder how much those cost and would people recommend these ls for towing.

it all depends on what your towing and what trans. all are capable of the mid teens. i had a 01 4wd 4.8 truck i would pull 6-7k behind it all the time it would get about 15 mpg when hooked to the trailer. when unloaded i saw up around 23-24 mpg once on the highway. could avg around 20 mpg. in a half ton the 4.8 or 5.3 would be what i would want. now with a hd truck id def want the 6.0 or 6.2. the 5.7 was mostly a car motor and not as common i wouldnt recomend them for truck use unless i just got it for the right price. not enough bottom end really. basically would be like a new truck in the old sheet metal. if you have a 4wd truck just find a new junked 4wd and gut it same for a 2wd. all are better than the older sbc imo.

[TheBlueBomber]

Okay. You guys got me. The new "Sith Lord Apprentice" has joined the dark side lol.

I'm 1000% going with a 5.3. But with a twist, and it starts with a "T", and ends with a "turbo"

Can anybody guess what that is?

[bowtieguy79]

Originally Posted by TheBlueBomber

Okay. You guys got me. The new "Sith Lord Apprentice" has joined the dark side lol.

I'm 1000% going with a 5.3. But with a twist, and it starts with a "T", and ends with a "turbo"

Can anybody guess what that is?

Twin Turbo... cause if it was a single, it starts with a "T", and ends with a "urbo" I would say single....

[nekkidhillbilly]

Originally Posted by TheBlueBomber

Okay. You guys got me. The new "Sith Lord Apprentice" has joined the dark side lol.

I'm 1000% going with a 5.3. But with a twist, and it starts with a "T", and ends with a "turbo"

Can anybody guess what that is?

awesome but i will say this it is much easier to sc one of the engines than turbo.

[TheBlueBomber]

Originally Posted by bowtieguy79

Twin Turbo... cause if it was a single, it starts with a "T", and ends with a "urbo" I would say single....

^this guy gets it!! Haha.

Originally Posted by nekkidhillbilly

awesome but i will say this it is much easier to sc one of the engines than turbo.

Yes it is. Especially since I've only just started learning about turbos but I'm up to the challenge. I think it'll be an interesting first build to say the least.. i happen to be a very creative person so the planning on paper portion will be stupid easy for me.. the hands on part should be entertaining for ya'll haha.

[TheBlueBomber]

Oh and by the way... this should be here early next week.

[68post]

It's too bad that the newer engines look so cluttered in an older engine bay if they are left stock , there is a lot of stuff to deal with to make it appear cleaner - $$.

[slammed90]

Originally Posted by bohmankid

If you go LS, keep the fuel injection. The fuel injection is what makes it all worth it, in my opinion. I did my 5.3 swap for $2k and have seen people do it for a lot cheaper than that. Just do your research. I used my stock th400 and transfer case as well, works good. Also, my interior is completely stock, even the gage cluster. I was getting 7 mpg with my old 3/4 ton, TBI motor, 4.10 gears, and 33 inch tires. Now with the 5.3 I got that up to 14-15 mpg. If I put an overdrive trans in it I would expect it to be even better. So everything you want is possible.
Personally, I think LS swaps will date your car because there is much bigger and better technology coming out all the time. But they are SUCH great motors for a great price with tons of aftermarket support for easy modding.
I'm in the middle of another LS swap right now. You're welcome to check out my build threads linked in my sig, but there are a ton of threads on here with a lot more info.

wat headers u youse bro n motor mounts

[bohmankid]

Originally Posted by TheBlueBomber

I'm 1000% going with a 5.3. But with a twist, and it starts with a "T", and ends with a "turbo"

Can anybody guess what that is?

Turbos aren't exactly a budget build, but still cool. I have two words for you: Turbo lag .. Make sure you don't go too big on the turbos.

I'm still contemplating turbo or supercharger for mine. At my elevation in these Rocky Mountains, there's nothin else like boost.

Originally Posted by slammed90

wat headers u youse bro n motor mounts

Dirty Dingo motor mounts and 5th gen Camaro long tubes (eBay headers)

[TheBlueBomber]

Originally Posted by bohmankid

Turbos aren't exactly a budget build, but still cool. I have two words for you: Turbo lag .. Make sure you don't go too big on the turbos.

Yeah... I gave up on the budget part.

[rs72z]

Like everyone else has said......go with the o.d. now. You will not be happy with the th350 or a sm465.
My 5.3 & 4l60e gets 18mpg in my 78 crew cab dually with 4.10 gears.

[Stepper86]

The "dark side" grows stronger
I have been looking for a new engine for a year now, and finaly found what I wanted. Dipped in to the piggy bank 5 min ago and now I own a 2004 6.0
with 31000 mile on it.
The guy I got it from had all the parts for the swap, he had plans to drop it in a 62 Cadillac. But decided to go original instead.
Now I only need to get some engine mounts and get started

[dman1982]

Originally Posted by Stepper86

The "dark side" grows stronger
I have been looking for a new engine for a year now, and finaly found what I wanted. Dipped in to the piggy bank 5 min ago and now I own a 2004 6.0
with 31000 mile on it.
The guy I got it from had all the parts for the swap, he had plans to drop it in a 62 Cadillac. But decided to go original instead.
Now I only need to get some engine mounts and get started

how much you get that for??? sorry but I've been looking around and havnt found anything that low the lowest i found was about 55000 for like 3500 or so...just engine

[Stepper86]

I payed 4800 for everything. I like that all the parts come from the same truck,should make things easyer than having a mix of things from different donors.
It came with a new harness and clean ecm.
He even gave me the transaxel,exhaust and other bits and pieces from the parts truck.I have´nt sorted trough everything yet. Just made sure that I had all the essential stuff for the swap

[TheBlueBomber]

Originally Posted by Stepper86

I payed 4800 for everything. I like that all the parts come from the same truck,should make things easyer than having a mix of things from different donors.
It came with a new harness and clean ecm.
He even gave me the transaxel,exhaust and other bits and pieces from the parts truck.I have´nt sorted trough everything yet. Just made sure that I had all the essential stuff for the swap

Nice! That's sweet. My buddy just texted me earlier this morning, the engine just got dropped off at his shop. He went to lunch and then this happened. So as soon as the ice stops falling from the sky and he's at his shop I'll be going there to pick it up.


I'm afraid of driving in the snow not because of the snow, but because of the people.

[dman1982]

Originally Posted by Stepper86

I payed 4800 for everything. I like that all the parts come from the same truck,should make things easyer than having a mix of things from different donors.
It came with a new harness and clean ecm.
He even gave me the transaxel,exhaust and other bits and pieces from the parts truck.I have´nt sorted trough everything yet. Just made sure that I had all the essential stuff for the swap

thats pretty good for the mileage and having everything match up, I'm hoping to be going to pick up a whole 2004 suburban with 80k for 2 grand, hoping its still there when i go get my taxes in the next few days