is it worth it?

[aboesec10]

hey guys, I need some opinions. Ive got the opportunity to purchase an ls drivetrain from a totaled truck. its a 2011 with 7,000 miles on it. I can purchase it fairly cheap with transmission, wiring, computers, and all accessories. The only drawback is its a 4.8L. Can you make enough power etc. with this baby to make it worth the swap? I know it'll be a lot more efficient than the 400 small block that I currently have but in the long run will I be happy with it? Thanks for your opinions. Ill include some pics of my truck for fun.

[Xeen]

Pros:
You will get tons better gas mileage.
It will be more reliable and run 3 times longer.
Cons:
It will feel under powered compared to your current engine.
In the case of a electromagnetic pulse your truck won't run.

P.S. Nice truck!

[Billett]

Depends on your end power goals. Although that said, if you haven't seen this yet its a good read. If you're shooting for a fun driver with 4-500 hp I don't see why not, especially if it's a really good deal.

http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/h...g_bang_theory/

[NEWFISHER]

How often do you throw down at the stop light and race for pink slips?

How often do you think about how much fuel is costing you to drive around in the eve's or weekends?

Do the 4.8 with a cam and some great sounding exhaust and enjoy the smoth reliability and mileage

[aboesec10]

that's some good input. ideally if I could do a reliable @450 horsepower I would be thrilled. The turbo article is very intriguing. Don't have any experience with turbos but I would love to have em.

[Roostboy102]

Happy guy here with a 4.8. Still haven't gotten through my first tank since I've had a working speedo/trip so I dont know real world mileage for mine but its looking very good! Do it!

[boostedc10]

Aboesec10 the 4.8 and 5.3 are almost identical motors with the exception of the stroke. Even on the stock power side the 4.8 and 5.3 are very close.

My 2 cents is do yourself a favor if you get it and swap the cam and springs in it. Cams wake these motors up more than anything I have seen.

[Daaaanz67]

Wouldn't change a thing after 3 years since my transplant its a D/D for me. Also hard to keep my foot out of it. Power # aren't much different from the 5.3.

[Clyde65]

I have the 4.8/4l60e and have loved it since I got it running. It isnt 450HP but its an honest 300HP AND with 20MPG on the highway.

If you want a DD with a bit of HP to go fast, this is your cheapest option.

Cammed you can get 325HP I bet, a 5.3 cammed will net around 400HP and a 6.0 will get you around 500HP. of course you could put a turbo on the 4.8 and get close to the 450Hp too!

I would snatch it up, throw a cam and a tune at it, put it in your truck and drive the wheels off of it. If you want or need more power, put a turbo on it. If you still want more, pull it, put a 6.0 stump puller since you have it all working, that swap will be fast.

Have fun!

[Nitis]

I would jump all over that for sure!

Like some one else posted I was really surprised that the 4.8&5.3 are so close and that the 5.3 is basically a stroked 4.8. Unless something better falls in my lap I am going with a 4.8 in my rig. 300 hp is just a littl bit more than my stock 350

[boostedc10]

Funny thing about the 4.8 and 5.3 is you wouldn't believe the number of trucks I have looked at where the owner thinks they have a 5.3 and I find out that it's a 4.8 in the ecm lol.

[slowcpe]

I vote turbo 4.8.

[DLW]

If your goal is 450 HP, I'll be the minority here and say to keep looking for a 6.2L. It's going to cost some $ to get the 4.8L to 450 HP. The 6.2L is 420-430 HP range already and if you want a cam in it well it's not that hard to get 500 from it. I'm not sure how much the 4.8L is but if it's not what you really want keep the 400 until you can get what you want. If your satisfied with the performance of a 4.8L (I would find one and take a ride in it), then by all means pick it up.

[aboesec10]

Thanks fellas, I think I'm gonna pull the trigger on this one. Ive gotten lots of input from you guys and others that I believe that the 4.8 with a cam etc. will be a great starting point. My wife mentioned a supercharger, I'm thinking turbo? Truth be told I'm buying the engine and accessories from a totaled truck at my bosses bodyshop. Ive got him talked down to $1000 for all of it. With that kinda price and super low miles I cant pass it up. Now who here has experience with turbos and superchargers and what are opinions of each? I've owned 1 vehicle that was supercharged, Harley edition F150, and loved it. Which is simpler to tune etc. and whats the cheapest for power? Thanks guys and ill post pics as soon as I go get this thing and start the fun!

[Nitis]

That's a steal. I'm looking at paying that for just an engine with 90k on it!

Don't sell that 4.8 short I didn't realize until last weeke that the 5.3 was basically a stroked 4.8.

And I bet even if you do a supercharger or turbo your still into it less than what you'd pay for a 6.2 and you'll have a closeted project. Not to mention I'm sure you won't have to give your existing set up away either.

Just from an economical point of view I can't see how you lose.

[boostedc10]

Originally Posted by aboesec10

Thanks fellas, I think I'm gonna pull the trigger on this one. Ive gotten lots of input from you guys and others that I believe that the 4.8 with a cam etc. will be a great starting point. My wife mentioned a supercharger, I'm thinking turbo? Truth be told I'm buying the engine and accessories from a totaled truck at my bosses bodyshop. Ive got him talked down to $1000 for all of it. With that kinda price and super low miles I cant pass it up. Now who here has experience with turbos and superchargers and what are opinions of each? I've owned 1 vehicle that was supercharged, Harley edition F150, and loved it. Which is simpler to tune etc. and whats the cheapest for power? Thanks guys and ill post pics as soon as I go get this thing and start the fun!

Its really a matter of opinion on which you should choose. In a nut shell both are the same to tune, the supercharger is a bit more compact/all in one unit, whereas the turbo has the ability to make a bit more power but requires more fabrication to get it done. The turbo takes up a lot more real estate.

[DLW]

Can't really go wrong for a $1000 7K mile complete setup . I managed a good deal for low mileage 2014 LS3 setup for under 5K, it's good to know someone.

Anyhow, I lean to the turbo side. Both have there pro's and cons. Had both and like how the turbo just never quits pulling. If you want instant power and don't want to wait for the turbo to spool, then a super charger is a better choice. like boostedc10 said, turbo requires fabrication (unless they make a bolt in for our trucks?), typically a front mount intercooler, they produce a lot of heat, etc, but worth it IMO. The upside is there is a lot of info and parts out there for the LS motors to go either route. Good luck to you and keep us posted on what you do..

[Billett]

Turbo lag is a thing of the past, especially with an appropriately sized unit. Boosting with either setup will likely cost more than the LS swap to have it done properly and reliably. The 4.8 is definitely capable of 450 to the wheels but it won't be as cheap to get there as it would be if you were starting with a 6.0. The trade off is economy, but if you boost it, you can kiss that goodbye anyway...

[boostedc10]

A 4.8l is plenty capable of 450whp with a turbo setup. As for cost, you will spend the same money on either motor for the turbo side of the system.

Of course the 6.0l will make more power due to displacement and heads but if we are strictly talking cost its the same.

The only place you would could save on a 6.0l is with the cam but then again they are a dime a dozen.