what would you guys do? LS vs 454?

[324matt]

Well, my 350 in my 1985 k20 is leaking oil out of the rear main seal, and now the front of the oil pan by the harmonic balancer. It has 120k on the odo, so im sure the days are numbered. Check the gas, filler up with oil. I had a good line on a 6.0L 4l80e and tcase from my local honey hole for $300, but I had to take it out. Today I spent 2hrs un clipping the wire harness, removing the front end to get to the motor, only to find out it is locked up. Its a 6.0L core. The trans oil is burnt bad in the 4l80e also. I really want to do a LS 6.0L swap just because of the learning experience and my truck would be bad to the bone after it was complete. I have a line on a 5.3L with a 4l60e that is not locked up, but I'd rebuild it anyways. But then I also refresh craigslist every hour at work to see what I can make a few $$ on, and I come across deals like these.

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/pts/4874448220.html

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/pts/4847412547.html

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/pts/4828225911.html

what would you do if you were me?

[cerial]

http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/engine/...ec-inline-six/

or a 496 it all depends on what I would use the engine for. I have come to love the simplicity of my 292.
A blow through turbo 383 might be a fun experience also.

[andrewmp6]

And just remember the newer trucks the t case drop is on the wrong side so you will have to use a adapter to run a older t case in it.If drive your truck a lot i would go ls if its more a weekend toy go big block or a stroker small block.

[hatzie]

If you had 2WD I'd say look for a 472 Caddy motor. Torque monsters.
They tow huge trailers like they aren't even behind you.

[Ghostwhite]

If I was keeping my 454 instead of doing a cummins swap on my R30 I would be going blow-thru turbo on it. It would be a fun, learning build for me and definitely keep me smiling on the road.

Economically you will never be able to compete with the driveability and mileage of the LS series motors.


I have plans for dropping the 454 into my 62 pickup to turbo.

[S10Fan]

My C-10 has a 454/700R combo I installed in 2009, the truck doesn't get driven as much as I'd like which has nothing to do with the motor. Anyway, I'd love to do a 6.0 LS swap, or even a 5.3. The LS motors are very much available and can be worked into most budgets, there's no comparison between my 454 and the technology of today's LS setups.

Either one will look impressive under the hood.

[chevy-fun]

Ls if daily...454 if wkend only. This based on gas consumption

[Rascal_one2001]

I have a built 454 wit a 4l80e it's fun but ls is the way to go. For the person who said you will have to buy an adapter if your truck is 4x4 since t case is driver side drop all you have to do is run an earlier model t case with the pass drop.

[324matt]

I have access to a 5.3l with a 4l60e, true miles unknown though. Looks ok could use a power washing, but its all there. $300 for the set up.

[95 S_Trucker]

That's a great price on the Gen 6 if does only have 70,000. Id buy it if it was close, but I also have 2 of those in 2 of my trucks.

They want 1000 for cores with accessories around here.

[cerial]

Originally Posted by hatzie

If you had 2WD I'd say look for a 472 Caddy motor. Torque monsters.
They tow huge trailers like they aren't even behind you.

They also take premium fuel and cost 2x to rebuild as a 454. I have a 68 472 bolted to a 465 to drop in for some weekend fun later on.

[slotard]

I'd really like to pick up an LS motor for my C20. I think I'd want to stick to the 4L80E rather than the 4L60E, though. I'd like a 6.0 but would be willing to run something a little smaller and then if I decide I don't have enough power I could always toss a turbo on it.

[hatzie]

Originally Posted by cerial

They also take premium fuel and cost 2x to rebuild as a 454. I have a 68 472 bolted to a 465 to drop in for some weekend fun later on.

I had a 72 Coupe Deville with a 472 just before I graduated high school. It took 89 octane just like the 400 in my 73 Catalina Wagon. It didn't knock or ping on the 89 and pushed that Whale right down the road at a pretty good clip. Early 70's Land Yachts were almost free in 1983...
I've seen a couple running early 70's 472's in recent years that were in pretty decent shape go unsold. They weren't asking much money. People assume they need 92 octane and they will need to rebuild the engine just because it's old and big cubes.
The ones I looked at had no smoke, even on startup, and cranked right up as soon as I whacked the key. Made me cry that I couldn't save one of them... but I didn't have safe storage or a project in need and the Caddies were too far gone to use.

[bnoon]

I'm doing a 5.3 turbo 4L65E in my 2wd and selling my 454 core. Went this direction because I want to be able to do Power Tour and other long cross country cruising.

[79c25]

How about building a LSX 454. Costly but it's both options in one.

[RIDE-RED 350r]

Well, I have an '06 Silverado as the daily family hauler. I have now owned three Silverados with the 5.3 and I have never had any issues whatsoever other than a starter on the last one. Traded that truck (an '01) back in '12 with just shy of 160k on it. I am an LS fan.

But having said that, if I were to re-power my old '78 I am into the old school. Despite all the technological and performance advantages the LS engines enjoy, I would go with the old school 454. My truck has a mildly improved 350 in it now but I have back burner plans of doing a moderately built 454 for it in the future.

Part of the thing I love about my old truck is the smell of that exhaust (you know, you smell it every time you meet a classic car or truck on the road), pumping the throttle on cold starts and in the way of electrical and vacuum lines, everything you need and nothing you don't under the hood..

I vote 454, just because it's an old school truck. Not because I am not a an of the LS.. Quite the contrary in fact.

[slotard]

If I go LS on mine it'll be catless, so it will smell a little bit (not much). You can always pump the throttle, it doesn't do any harm.

Or, of course, you could go carb'd LS.

[naphtali5725]

plenty of BB Olds and Pontiac motors out there for dirt cheap... takes some changes, (trans adapter to mount the Chevy tranny bolt pattern to the BOP bolt pattern on the engine, motor mounts out of a 79 Trans Am), and you're in business... but i did it on 2wd (page 23-24 of my build thread)

[bnoon]

Originally Posted by naphtali5725

plenty of BB Olds and Pontiac motors out there for dirt cheap... takes some changes, (trans adapter to mount the Chevy tranny bolt pattern to the BOP bolt pattern on the engine, motor mounts out of a 79 Trans Am), and you're in business... but i did it on 2wd (page 23-24 of my build thread)

If you buy an old diesel c10 those bop and caddy engines will bolt right up! Neighbor had one of the dealer installed Olds 350 replacement motors in his old diesel c10. Fun to see!

[lowbucktrucks]

I would only go LS if I were going to do a lot of long distance driving. I love the simplicity of old school, and you can pay for a lot of gas for what it costs to wire and set up the LS.
Just my humble opinion.