LS1 or 327?!!!!

[yellaboi]

I'm seriously considering getting rid of my 327 and going with a LS1! Do you guys have any pros/cons of both?! Thanks!!!

[RManson]

How about an LS327? Kinda like the best of both worlds!

[classicchev]

Ls, you will not regret it

[MARKDTN]

Originally Posted by classicchev

ls, you will not regret it

x2

[special-K]

If the 327 runs fine why swap? I'm not down on LS conversions. I just love these old trucks and how they have "always" driven. I like how they sound,how they feel,how they smell,how they run,and especially how reliable they have been. That's what made them so popular through the test of time. This may make a lot of guys defensive,but I feel the benefits of the LS swaps won't be realized enough to make them worthwhile for most. I want better mileage,too,but unless it's pretty much a daily driver that doesn't balance out in my book. You can get a lot of power easier from an LS. I love mo' horsepower,but 300 is easy from the 327 and I still enjoy that much power as much as ever. It's not a race car and fast enough is fast enough for me. I have a motorcycle to go real fast on and it's way more fun than in a pickup truck. If I have 450-500hp I want everyone withing a block to know it. I love the sound and feel of an angry high compression lumpy cam motor. I guess if I'm going to throw a computer in my good old easy and cheap to diagnose & fix truck it will be to gain the full benefits of that technology. For a pleasure cruiser it's not worth all that for me. Newer vehicles are great to travel in,rack up the miles,and get to work. If I did all that in my '72 I'd consider the modern stuff

[DaddyO]

It's a matter of personal preference I think. While I do love the old school I chose to give my truck an update and put in a LS1 and I have not regretted it one bit. When I put my truck together I wanted the best of both worlds. I wanted added horsepower and reliability and improved mileage My truck can be driven daily or I can take a road trip without a second thought. . I have the horsepower and my LS 1 tuned and has a healthy rumble to it. An LS can be set up to give you a nice sound. Once set up the LS is very reliable , even for the occasional cruiser. Horsepower gains can be easily achieved with an LS if that's what you are looking for. In fact a growing number of the cruisers here are embracing the new technology and are reaping benefits from it.



So, the choice is yours.


Good luck and happy motoring.

[joesgreen67]

x4.... LS swap

Since my swap I can enjoy my truck like never before. I have driven it more in the past year than I have in the past 20 years I've owned it.

Just yesterday I needed to make a 6 hour round trip to Winston Salem......Didn't even need to think twice about it, just turned the key & drove.

I had to make the same trip last week...drove the truck then too. 100% flawless even in heavy stop-n-go traffic.
When I got home I told my wife "I wish I would have done that swap years ago...."

[A1971Blazer]

Originally Posted by special-K

If the 327 runs fine why swap? I'm not down on LS conversions. I just love these old trucks and how they have "always" driven. I like how they sound,how they feel,how they smell,how they run,and especially how reliable they have been. That's what made them so popular through the test of time. This may make a lot of guys defensive,but I feel the benefits of the LS swaps won't be realized enough to make them worthwhile for most. I want better mileage,too,but unless it's pretty much a daily driver that doesn't balance out in my book. You can get a lot of power easier from an LS. I love mo' horsepower,but 300 is easy from the 327 and I still enjoy that much power as much as ever. It's not a race car and fast enough is fast enough for me. I have a motorcycle to go real fast on and it's way more fun than in a pickup truck. If I have 450-500hp I want everyone withing a block to know it. I love the sound and feel of an angry high compression lumpy cam motor. I guess if I'm going to throw a computer in my good old easy and cheap to diagnose & fix truck it will be to gain the full benefits of that technology. For a pleasure cruiser it's not worth all that for me. Newer vehicles are great to travel in,rack up the miles,and get to work. If I did all that in my '72 I'd consider the modern stuff

Originally Posted by DaddyO

It's a matter of personal preference I think. While I do love the old school I chose to give my truck an update and put in a LS1 and I have not regretted it one bit. When I put my truck together I wanted the best of both worlds. I wanted added horsepower and reliability and improved mileage My truck can be driven daily or I can take a road trip without a second thought. . I have the horsepower and my LS 1 tuned and has a healthy rumble to it. An LS can be set up to give you a nice sound. Once set up the LS is very reliable , even for the occasional cruiser. Horsepower gains can be easily achieved with an LS if that's what you are looking for. In fact a growing number of the cruisers here are embracing the new technology and are reaping benefits from it.



So, the choice is yours.


Good luck and happy motoring.

An outdoor toilet was good in it's day, but indoor plumbing made life a lot easier.

Don't get me wrong, I've had a love affair with small block Chevys for long long time, but for me, it's time to move out of the stone age.

LS1 is going in this project..





2002 LS1/4L60E

[yellaboi]

Originally Posted by RManson

How about an LS327? Kinda like the best of both worlds!

??? Is there such a thing??? I'm new to most of the scene when it comes to that but a LS327?!

[yellaboi]

Originally Posted by classicchev

Ls, you will not regret it

I was hoping id hear I wouldn't regret it : )!

[yellaboi]

Originally Posted by special-K

If the 327 runs fine why swap? I'm not down on LS conversions. I just love these old trucks and how they have "always" driven. I like how they sound,how they feel,how they smell,how they run,and especially how reliable they have been. That's what made them so popular through the test of time. This may make a lot of guys defensive,but I feel the benefits of the LS swaps won't be realized enough to make them worthwhile for most. I want better mileage,too,but unless it's pretty much a daily driver that doesn't balance out in my book. You can get a lot of power easier from an LS. I love mo' horsepower,but 300 is easy from the 327 and I still enjoy that much power as much as ever. It's not a race car and fast enough is fast enough for me. I have a motorcycle to go real fast on and it's way more fun than in a pickup truck. If I have 450-500hp I want everyone withing a block to know it. I love the sound and feel of an angry high compression lumpy cam motor. I guess if I'm going to throw a computer in my good old easy and cheap to diagnose & fix truck it will be to gain the full benefits of that technology. For a pleasure cruiser it's not worth all that for me. Newer vehicles are great to travel in,rack up the miles,and get to work. If I did all that in my '72 I'd consider the modern stuff

SPECIAL K, man I feel you 100% too that old sound and look is what got me hooked to these trucks but I will be making it a VERY NICE "daily driver"! I plan to drive it over multiple states. I'm doing an almost full restoration from the frame up while upgrading my suspension and brakes as well...is it needed, no but it does make it a bit safer and more comfortable. But Special K man I HEAR YA I have that same feeling when I see them and hear them!!! Thanks for your response I know you are a true enthusiast.

[truckster]

Originally Posted by yellaboi

??? Is there such a thing??? I'm new to most of the scene when it comes to that but a LS327?!

Click the link. It's only five grand.

[yellaboi]

Originally Posted by A1971Blazer

An outdoor toilet was good in it's day, but indoor plumbing made life a lot easier.

Don't get me wrong, I've had a love affair with small block Chevys for long long time, but for me, it's time to move out of the stone age.

LS1 is going in this project..

Attachment 1272818

Attachment 1272819

2002 LS1/4L60E
Attachment 1272820

Attachment 1272835

NICE!!! My pastor has a blazer like that too AND a 68 swb lol!!! Yeah I'm leaning more toward the ls1

[yellaboi]

Originally Posted by truckster

Click the link. It's only five grand.

Oh WOW!!!! Well...there's a new contender in the ring!!!!

[slowcpe]

I debated, and still do on occasions, on big block vs LS. As much as I've dreamed of owning a BB C10 I'm opting for a 6.0 simply based on reliability and drivability. I know with the 6.0 I can have all that and better mileage.

[Rockit]

Driving down the freeway in Vegas last week came up on a really nice 70 short and dropped chevy truck going 55, every other car blowing by him going 70. This guys ride was cool but it sounded topped out and not keeping up. Looked like it's time to move up!

[trkfrk]

Originally Posted by classicchev

Ls, you will not regret it

Add resale and mileage.. Why not

[RManson]

I'm with those of you who lean more towards the old timey stuff as well. That was until I finished my LS327. Over 500hp at the rear wheels and 22mpg highway. Fuel injected, drive-by-wire throttle, keyless ignition, push-to-start...I opted to go above and beyond my comfort zone to see what's reliable and what's not. So far so good with about a thousand miles and a dozen dyno pulls on the truck. Been a great learning experience and an eye opener for sure!

[Heavymetl]

That's usually the case. Everyone hates on the LS until they actually spend some time behind the wheel of one that's been properly set up.

[truckster]

Originally Posted by Rockit

Driving down the freeway in Vegas last week came up on a really nice 70 short and dropped chevy truck going 55, every other car blowing by him going 70. This guys ride was cool but it sounded topped out and not keeping up. Looked like it's time to move up!

That's usually a problem with gears rather than the engine.

[67swb72klb]

Originally Posted by truckster

That's usually a problem with gears rather than the engine.

X2 maybe gears and trans!
if you don't have a engine (or needs a total rebuild) it may be cost effective to do an BASIC ls swap imo

[yellaboi]

Originally Posted by RManson

I'm with those of you who lean more towards the old timey stuff as well. That was until I finished my LS327. Over 500hp at the rear wheels and 22mpg highway. Fuel injected, drive-by-wire throttle, keyless ignition, push-to-start...I opted to go above and beyond my comfort zone to see what's reliable and what's not. So far so good with about a thousand miles and a dozen dyno pulls on the truck. Been a great learning experience and an eye opener for sure!

WOOOOOOOW do you have any pics of it?!!!

[yellaboi]

I think I'm going with the LS but I'll keep my 327 for juuuuuuust in case !!! This truck will be up and down the highway, I just want better gas mileage and durability at the same time as well as performance.

[Already Gone]

Originally Posted by truckster

That's usually a problem with gears rather than the engine.

A lot of the short wheel base trucks came with 6 cylinders and granny 4 speeds and with that 4;10 gears were standard equipment. If someone changes from a 6 cylinder & granny with 4 speed to a small or big block with a 350 or 400 3 speed trans and still run with the 4:10's yes, it'll be screaming at 55. Putting an LS engine in our trucks is great idea if you have a use for it or have the disposable cash to do it. I'm with Special K on the way theses trucks drive, feel and look with an original power train i them.

[Lattimer]

All depends on what YOU want.


I didn't want a computer. Most complicated electrical thing in my truck (outside of the radio) is the module in the HEI.

So I went with a Vortec crate motor. Get ok mileage (12-13) if I'm nice to it, good power, and no freaking computer.

And I definitely did not want a junkyard engine out of some wreck going into my truck without being rebuilt, so the cost savings of a used LS wasn't going to happen for me anyways.

My truck is a toy, weekend cruiser, occasional driver. I figure I will put about 5000 miles a year on it max. If I was building something to drive every day, I would definitely consider an LS for that.