LS swap talk thread

[07Burb]

I agree with that. I love a big block! In fact I have future plans of putting one in my 77 but it'll be pretty well modified so that when I push on the go pedal it'll go! I was just pointing out that to get a stock 454 to perform as well as a stock LS motor (with regards to acceleration) you'll have to do some modifying first. If you're worried about MPG then I'm pretty sure the 454 discussion is mute

 

[D-Block]

i have to agree but theres just something about a truck with a big block in it. haha, can't remeber where i was reading but the 454 swap out of a same year truck is supposed to be straight forward like putting in a crate engine. mines a DD as well so no long drawn out swap for it at the time being.

Now that crate engine sounds like an idea that I can get with.

 

[07Burb]

I put a crate motor in my 77 and worked like a charm! Obviously, much different than an OBS Hoe but the idea is the same. Mine is the 330hp 350 from GM and it came pretty much ready to go. The only thing I had to adjust to get it to run right was a slight adjustment to the timing and a few twists of some screws on the carb and I was set. The motor was less than $4k shipped to my door. I priced it out and that's about how much it would have cost me just in part to rebuild a 350 in my garage so it was a no brainer....AND the crate motor came with a 3 year 36k mile warranty. If you can find a crate motor that works for the project and you got the coin to throw down on it IMO the expense is worth it.

 

[T-Bagg]

I agree with that. I love a big block! In fact I have future plans of putting one in my 77 but it'll be pretty well modified so that when I push on the go pedal it'll go! I was just pointing out that to get a stock 454 to perform as well as a stock LS motor (with regards to acceleration) you'll have to do some modifying first. If you're worried about MPG then I'm pretty sure the 454 discussion is mute

When it comes time to swap for the 454 mine will be modified before going in the truck.
I don't drive 'em for the fuel economy.

 

[retorq]

Ya, I did a lot of research on them over the last couple of months too. You need the original PCM to run your dash, you keep your ABS computer and I think the airbag computer, the new one runs everything else. There are several places that make custom harnesses for these applications that are said to be a must have to make this a smooth transition.

Ohhh gotcha ... If I go down that road I planned on running custom gauges anywho ...

 

[07Burb]

When it comes time to swap for the 454 mine will be modified before going in the truck.
I don't drive 'em for the fuel economy.

Sounds great, man. Driving these things for fuel economy is a losing battle no matter what so might as well go for pure HP

 

[gulleyman]

Ohhh gotcha ... If I go down that road I planned on running custom gauges anywho ...

Might still need to keep the ECM from the donor truck, not sure, I never considered the custom gauges. I did think it would be cool to run the NBS Denali gauges though wonder what that would involve...

 

[T-Bagg]

Sounds great, man. Driving these things for fuel economy is a losing battle no matter what so might as well go for pure HP

 

[992dr]

Swapping in an LS motor doesnt have to be a week long project as long as you're prepared. It has been done in a weekend, key is doing your homework and having all necessary tools and parts.

I had thought about doing a BB swap, I agree seeing a BB under the hood would be sick but think of how much they wiegh. Our trucks are slugs as they are, an aluminum LS based motor is roughly 90lbs lighter than a iron block, probably twice that of a iron BB.
With quality parts you can make twice the HP of any SBC or BBC easy. This build keeps coming to my mind "bone stock iron 5.3 with single turbo making 650hp, with room for more". I know for a fact I cant make anywhere near that with my SBC, even being built. If so, I'd need a new rotating assembly along with an aftermarket intake manifold. Cost = not worth it. Thats why I'm going LS based.

Its just not worth dropping in old technology when new tech is at your fingertips for far less.

 

[steamroller]

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