LS swap talk thread

[T-Bagg]

They are great engines but saying you can make twice the HP of any SBC/BBC with an LS is stretching it a little bit. The stock heads work extremely well so they do respond well to mods. 200cc runners and 15* valve angles make a big difference compared to any other production heads.

You gotta figure in more than just the cost of the engine itself when making a comparison too though. If you buy a standalone or adapter harness its probably gonna push the cost up to around $1000 just to get it in there, not including the engine. That's if you wanna keep everything functional and factory appearing. All that little stuff adds up, but still the most cost affective swap to make if you're starting with a clean slate.

I don't think technology stopped when the LS went into production since
there's still plenty of aftermarket companies coming out with new parts for the SBC and BBC. It's still just a pushrod V8

 

[992dr]

Well, a stock 5.3 makes between 285 and 305hp.
It has been said in several articles, here's a good example, Feb '11 issue of Car Craft. Junkyard 5.3 puts down 644hp. Built with quality parts.
Another good example.
R. Holdener took a bone stock 5.3 bolted a single turbo and made more than 600hp, w/ more available at the turn of the boost control knob.
Both made more than twice the factory HP ratings.

While the base L31 makes 250hp. Have you ever read or seen a stock L31 with say a SCer make 500hp? Stock fueling can only handle roughly 400hp. I havent even seen an L31 Turboed. Have you?

While I agree, a swap can get up there (and quick) in cost. By taking your time and doing your homework, the budget minded mechanically inclined person can do this for very short money. Many people have done a swap for as little as $1500. While I want to do a budget build, I am more than likely going to go a different route. But, it can be done.

I dont think technology stopped but, I do think the LS based motors are being used more now-a-days in a lot more garages than your typical SBC. Especially when so many companies are coming out with carbed manifolds, old and new all in one pushrod motor

 

[AtomicHoe094]

im thinking more about a ls build. this tbi is being too complicated and already getting out of the price range with this blower build. to hard to try and get a 2bar map on these obd1s.
Thinking HARD about a ls swap. hmmmm

---------- Post added at 09:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:15 PM ----------

shit, soo i started reading more into this tonight and now im reallllly thinking.

What alot of guys are doing in there OBS are running Speartech harnesses. alll plug and play with a couple of power and ground wires that need to be hooked up. some fuel issues, weather to delete your AC or to find a compressor that works with it, its all a very simple but long process if you dont buy EVERYTHING first.

 

[blackcoffee]

I'm down for the LQ4 6.0L swap still. Lets all go out and find some LQ4's with 4L80e's and plan to swap at around the same time lol. Then we can all colaborate and ***** with eatchother.

---------- Post added at 11:03 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:02 PM ----------

Until then I'll be enjoying my L31 with my 4L65e HD super monster tranny slamming gears lol.

 

[steamroller]

While the base L31 makes 250hp. Have you ever read or seen a stock L31 with say a SCer make 500hp? Stock fueling can only handle roughly 400hp. I havent even seen an L31 Turboed. Have you?

While I agree, a swap can get up there (and quick) in cost. By taking your time and doing your homework, the budget minded mechanically inclined person can do this for very short money. Many people have done a swap for as little as $1500. While I want to do a budget build, I am more than likely going to go a different route. But, it can be done.

I dont think technology stopped but, I do think the LS based motors are being used more now-a-days in a lot more garages than your typical SBC. Especially when so many companies are coming out with carbed manifolds, old and new all in one pushrod motor

Lextech's truck is the closest truck I can think of but it's a 305, no dyno #'s but IIRC he's ran low 13's with it. My point was directed at the ''twice the hp of any SBC/BBC'' you made, you can't really lump every other engine together with the L31 and it's shortcomings.

That and alot of people just think you buy the junkyard engine and you're done spending money. The harness, motor mounts, AC bracket and hoses, whatever you need to mate your trans if you're keeping it up to the donor engine, fuel line adapters, tuning, blah blah blah...all that stuff needs to be factored in as well. The ''swap in a junkyard 5.3/6.0 for $500'' that I see posted all over the place isn't happening in the real world. The cheapest harnesses I've seen go for that much or more by themselves.

What are you planning for yours and who the hell is R. Holdener lol?

 

[T-Bagg]

I'm down for the LQ4 6.0L swap still. Lets all go out and find some LQ4's with 4L80e's and plan to swap at around the same time lol. Then we can all colaborate and ***** with eatchother.

---------- Post added at 11:03 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:02 PM ----------

Until then I'll be enjoying my L31 with my 4L65e HD super monster tranny slamming gears lol.

 

[992dr]

Lextech's truck is the closest truck I can think of but it's a 305, no dyno #'s but IIRC he's ran low 13's with it. My point was directed at the ''twice the hp of any SBC/BBC'' you made, you can't really lump every other engine together with the L31 and it's shortcomings.

That and alot of people just think you buy the junkyard engine and you're done spending money. The harness, motor mounts, AC bracket and hoses, whatever you need to mate your trans if you're keeping it up to the donor engine, fuel line adapters, tuning, blah blah blah...all that stuff needs to be factored in as well. The ''swap in a junkyard 5.3/6.0 for $500'' that I see posted all over the place isn't happening in the real world. The cheapest harnesses I've seen go for that much or more by themselves.

What are you planning for yours and who the hell is R. Holdener lol?

I should clarify this (and meant to post this in my last post) and base it on the comparison of the 5.3 and L31. Not "any SBC/BBC".

My plans. Going forged and boosted. Let me also clarify that I am not in any rush to build this. I dont care if it takes me 6 months or 6 years. Like blackcoffee said "until then, I'll be enjoying my L31 with my FLT/Yank tranny"
I'm in no rush

 

[blackcoffee]

Hell yeah!

As far as modding the L31 anymore I'd have to pass to me a BB tune CAI headers are as far as I'd go with the motor. Mechanically wise, I'd rather concentrate on getting a 14bolt maybe hydroboost a nice lift some 4.56 gears then when I'm good and ready do my LQ4 swap which will be also a stock motor with the same BB tune some LT headers CAI simple shit dependability.

I've got some 295/70/17 tires from the silvy but I'm selling it. I don't know if I should sell the silverado with the lift / tires or take off the lift and tires and bring it back to stock height tires. Then take the tires and put them on the tahoe since their brand new!? Opinions?

 

[96ProCompTahoe]

i'd take the off the extras and either use them on the hoe or sell them seperatly. should get more out of them that way.

 

[retorq]

im thinking more about a ls build. this tbi is being too complicated and already getting out of the price range with this blower build. to hard to try and get a 2bar map on these obd1s.
Thinking HARD about a ls swap. hmmmm

---------- Post added at 09:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:15 PM ----------

shit, soo i started reading more into this tonight and now im reallllly thinking.

What alot of guys are doing in there OBS are running Speartech harnesses. alll plug and play with a couple of power and ground wires that need to be hooked up. some fuel issues, weather to delete your AC or to find a compressor that works with it, its all a very simple but long process if you dont buy EVERYTHING first.

I'll take that blower off your hands ...