Does a LS swap into 1968 Chevy C10 require major modifications? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

HeavyHauler · 02-26-2020, 02:17 PM

My truck is a original 1968 Chevy C10 SWB 396 bigblock truck and I have the original engine but it needs to be entirely rebuilt.

I have a couple of all aluminum LS1 engines and a 5.3LS truck engine and I am thinking about putting one of those in temporarily until I can get my bigblock built the way i want it.

I dont want to cut on the truck at all or weld anything to it that alters the originality.

Can the LS engines and overdrives tranmissions just bolt in without any welding or cutting on the truck or chassis provided that you have the correct engine mounts and transmission mounts?

cebra · 02-26-2020, 04:16 PM

Yes, just drop in with different mounts. You may not even need to change the trans crossmember. The only cutting would be if you go with a larger trans and have a low hump.

Andy4639 · 02-26-2020, 04:21 PM

I installed 6.0 with 4L80E with low hump. Nothing to it. Used a stock cross member just had to slide it back a few inches. Cut the drive shaft to fit.

Wiring the motor with stand a lone using factory type gauges with GPS speedometer. Put a S-10 shifter in the floor with the over drive selector.

ls1nova71 · 02-27-2020, 04:32 AM

You want to put an LS in temporarily? That is about the most non cost effective way to get your truck on the road just to put a big block in it later.

Willie Makeit · 02-27-2020, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ls1nova71

You want to put an LS in temporarily? That is about the most non cost effective way to get your truck on the road just to put a big block in it later.

100% agree.

prodjay10 · 02-27-2020, 05:20 PM

A lot of stuff I see done on this site isn’t cost effective. But to each his own.

If you have a manual transmission and want to go auto you’ll have to remove a crossmember. If you add a low mount ac some have notched the frame. You have to consider fuel delivery. That may require some modification. The shifter may also require some modification. Depends what you are doing.

prodjay10 · 02-27-2020, 05:22 PM

Forgot to add, gauges require effort to get working. Temp, speedo, oil pressure, etc...

cebra · 03-04-2020, 11:55 AM

I missed the big block part, you will have a very significant amount of time and money in getting a LS to run (fuel system, electrical, gauges, etc). that will not be applicable to going back to a big block. My engine and trans were $1,700, I have another $4,500 in parts to install it and not a single part I installed would work with a big block so you'd be selling that off at pennies on the $ to another LS swapper down the road.

02-26-2020, 02:17 PM	#1
HeavyHauler Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: USA Posts: 412	Does a LS swap into 1968 Chevy C10 require major modifications? My truck is a original 1968 Chevy C10 SWB 396 bigblock truck and I have the original engine but it needs to be entirely rebuilt. I have a couple of all aluminum LS1 engines and a 5.3LS truck engine and I am thinking about putting one of those in temporarily until I can get my bigblock built the way i want it. I dont want to cut on the truck at all or weld anything to it that alters the originality. Can the LS engines and overdrives tranmissions just bolt in without any welding or cutting on the truck or chassis provided that you have the correct engine mounts and transmission mounts?

02-26-2020, 04:16 PM	#2
cebra Registered User Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Durham, North Carolina Posts: 782	Re: Does a LS swap into 1968 Chevy C10 require major modifications? Yes, just drop in with different mounts. You may not even need to change the trans crossmember. The only cutting would be if you go with a larger trans and have a low hump. __________________ My Daily Driver Build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=755668

02-26-2020, 04:21 PM	#3
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,945	Re: Does a LS swap into 1968 Chevy C10 require major modifications? I installed 6.0 with 4L80E with low hump. Nothing to it. Used a stock cross member just had to slide it back a few inches. Cut the drive shaft to fit. Wiring the motor with stand a lone using factory type gauges with GPS speedometer. Put a S-10 shifter in the floor with the over drive selector. Attached Images __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.

02-27-2020, 04:32 AM	#4
ls1nova71 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Independence Mo Posts: 4,119	Re: Does a LS swap into 1968 Chevy C10 require major modifications? You want to put an LS in temporarily? That is about the most non cost effective way to get your truck on the road just to put a big block in it later. __________________ My '72 short bed build. http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/conver...6-0-4l80e.html 5.3 swap into my RUSTY '71 C10 http://ls1tech.com/forums/conversion...71-c-10-a.html

02-27-2020, 05:20 PM	#6
prodjay10 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Phoenix AZ Posts: 429	Re: Does a LS swap into 1968 Chevy C10 require major modifications? A lot of stuff I see done on this site isn’t cost effective. But to each his own. If you have a manual transmission and want to go auto you’ll have to remove a crossmember. If you add a low mount ac some have notched the frame. You have to consider fuel delivery. That may require some modification. The shifter may also require some modification. Depends what you are doing.

02-27-2020, 05:22 PM	#7
prodjay10 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Phoenix AZ Posts: 429	Re: Does a LS swap into 1968 Chevy C10 require major modifications? Forgot to add, gauges require effort to get working. Temp, speedo, oil pressure, etc...

03-04-2020, 11:55 AM	#8
cebra Registered User Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Durham, North Carolina Posts: 782	Re: Does a LS swap into 1968 Chevy C10 require major modifications? I missed the big block part, you will have a very significant amount of time and money in getting a LS to run (fuel system, electrical, gauges, etc). that will not be applicable to going back to a big block. My engine and trans were $1,700, I have another $4,500 in parts to install it and not a single part I installed would work with a big block so you'd be selling that off at pennies on the $ to another LS swapper down the road. __________________ My Daily Driver Build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=755668



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