Rebuild or Swap

[ivin74]

If the engine is not smoking and the transmision is not missing any shifts. I. Would refresh all the gaskets and drive it until the wheels fall off. My NBS has 170k and runs and drive like a 20k mile vehicle. Maintenance is the key to keep these rigs running.

Nice ride, reminds me of my 2 dr tahoe.

 

[GMW468]

140K isn't a lot of miles. I've got a 94 Silverado with the 5.7 that I bought brand new in 95. It's got 202,000 miles and still runs like a beast. My kids use it to drive to school and their part time jobs. I'm the original owner of the truck and I've been religious about the maintenance.

When they go away to college next year, I'm going to pull the motor and trans and swap in a 6.0 LS with a 4L80E trans that I scored out of a wrecked Yukon. The LS and trans only have 60K on them. I'm not worried about how long it will take or the issues, I'll encounter because my Tahoe is my daily driver and I have a Musclecar as a weekend ride.

 

[TARDIS]

140K isn't a lot of miles. I've got a 94 Silverado with the 5.7 that I bought brand new in 95. It's got 202,000 miles and still runs like a beast. My kids use it to drive to school and their part time jobs. I'm the original owner of the truck and I've been religious about the maintenance.

When they go away to college next year, I'm going to pull the motor and trans and swap in a 6.0 LS with a 4L80E trans that I scored out of a wrecked Yukon. The LS and trans only have 60K on them. I'm not worried about how long it will take or the issues, I'll encounter because my Tahoe is my daily driver and I have a Musclecar as a weekend ride.

Please keep me in the loop on your 6.0 SWAP!

This is not my first k1500. I also currently own a K1500 Silverado. That truck has a 383 mated to a 4l60e with a standard stall speed torque converter. That truck has 250K mile and is a great at housework/HomeDepot duty.

Neither truck does more than 3k miles a year.

This '96 Yukon is my resto-project. We use it for a couple of family off road trips a year.

 

[TARDIS]

If the engine is not smoking and the transmision is not missing any shifts. I. Would refresh all the gaskets and drive it until the wheels fall off. My NBS has 170k and runs and drive like a 20k mile vehicle. Maintenance is the key to keep these rigs running.

Nice ride, reminds me of my 2 dr tahoe.

Thanks, ivin74!

This Yukon sat for a long time before I got a hold of it.
I refreshed everything it needed 3 years ago, and have since used it on several 1000 mile family trips. Which is it's only job...
Get there safe, off-road beach driving, get home.

In April I found this Yukon SLE, needs head & intake gaskets.
Also, having owned several of these trucks, I get the feeling it's underperforming.

 

[Squirrelsmith]

Just depends on your skill level. Obviosly the ls swap is the way to go anyone that says otherwise is foolish

 

[TARDIS]

Just depends on your skill level. Obviosly the ls swap is the way to go anyone that says otherwise is foolish

Squirrellsmith, your past input on this truck has been really good.

I know I can LS swap with all the modular parts... wiring, computer, etc..
I know the power is incredible

Are there any other advantages for putting an LS into a 4x4?

Thanks!

 

[Squirrelsmith]

Squirrellsmith, your past input on this truck has been really good.

I know I can LS swap with all the modular parts... wiring, computer, etc..
I know the power is incredible

Are there any other advantages for putting an LS into a 4x4?

Thanks!

Yeah i mean its the engine

Squirrellsmith, your past input on this truck has been really good.

I know I can LS swap with all the modular parts... wiring, computer, etc..
I know the power is incredible

Are there any other advantages for putting an LS into a 4x4?

Thanks!

In the catagories of power, reliabilty, efficiency and aftermarket support the ls is a better option. There is literally no quality about the vortec or tbi that is desireable when compared to even the oldest lowest level of ls engine

 

[Squirrelsmith]

I mean guys are swapping ls engines into mustangs for christ sake

 

[PG01]

Just depends on your skill level. Obviosly the ls swap is the way to go anyone that says otherwise is foolish

I mean guys are swapping ls engines into mustangs for christ sake

foolish? that’s harsh... why bother with wiring, tuning, etc when a 350 will drop right in. if its a project truck sure ls it all the way... who cares about ls swapping mustangs..... he’s asking about his family hauler .... sometimes reality is just that..reality

 

[01FormulaTA]

foolish? that’s harsh... why bother with wiring, tuning, etc when a 350 will drop right in. if its a project truck sure ls it all the way... who cares about ls swapping mustangs..... he’s asking about his family hauler .... sometimes reality is just that..reality

Foolish was probably a poor choice of words, but I do agree if someone has the time, money to spend, and the know how, and you are choosing bw rebuilding a 5.7 TBI or an LS Swap, hands down the LS swap is the way to go. It is just a better platform all around, stronger, more efficient, makes more power, and the list goes on....

In the case of the OP, when considering he wont be doing any of the work himself I think that answers his question right there.

OP unless you have a shop in mind that you trust and they have already given you a quote on the work to be performed that you can work with (which it doesnt sound like you do), then the obvious answer is to stick with the simplest route and get a rebuilt 350 (or even a 383 if you some extra power).