Which LS to buy?

[ajgriffin]

Question for the experienced LS swappers...

There are a couple LS engines that I've seen available and I wanted to get feedback on which one would most valuable.

Option 1: LS1/4L60 out of a 99 Trans Am with 120k miles (7k/year). 243 heads, cam kit with pushrods, lingenfelter intake and 4L60 has a new SS3600 Yank converter. Made 383 rwhp/380 rwtq. List price $3900 seller open to offers.

Option 2: LS2/4L70E out of an 09 Trailblazer SS with 28k miles. Vehicle was wrecked and both removed. Stock specs. List price $6500, not sure how willing they are to negotiate.

Option 3: Neither of these is right and I need to keep looking. Please make suggestions for potential sources.

As far as I know all options are complete with harness and accessories. I'm planning to use the swap in a 69 K5 Blazer that needs to be a Socal daily driver. What are your thoughts?

[71swb4x4]

Being a 69 I assume a 4x4, or have you converted it to 2wd? If still a 4x4 what transmission and transfer case do you want to run?

[ajgriffin]

It's converted to 2wd already.

[paul mora]

Call George at 310 684 0997. He is our contact a a wrecking yard in Wilmington Ca. We have bought half a dozen pull out from him for LS conversions. The price you are quoting look like over double what you should be paying.

[homemade87]

For a daily driver have you ruled out 5.3 . A 5.3 with headers CAI and a tune ( have to have it tuned anyway ) will get you around 330 to 350 flywheel hp . Also better fuel economy for a daily . You will get a 5.3 considerably less money . I put one in my 82 and it was not lacking . Just a thought .

[mongocanfly]

Those prices do sound high...but it seems things are cheaper in the south than out west.. a buddy of mine just bought 2 -5.3 with 4l60 combos with acc ,harness, and ecms for $900 each..he heard both run before pulling.I put a 6.0 lq9 in mine and don't have half the cost of what you quoted..

[ajgriffin]

Originally Posted by paul mora

Call George at 310 684 0997. He is our contact a a wrecking yard in Wilmington Ca. We have bought half a dozen pull out from him for LS conversions. The price you are quoting look like over double what you should be paying.

I've seen a lot of George's combos on Craigslist and contacted him on a couple because he's super close to me. Prices aren't any better than what I posted here though. Complete LS1 for $4500 ready to swap engine only, no trans. Also quoted a LS3/4L80 combo with low miles at $9500.

Originally Posted by homemade87

For a daily driver have you ruled out 5.3 . A 5.3 with headers CAI and a tune ( have to have it tuned anyway ) will get you around 330 to 350 flywheel hp . Also better fuel economy for a daily . You will get a 5.3 considerably less money . I put one in my 82 and it was not lacking . Just a thought .

Haven't ruled out the 5.3. I will keep that in mind.

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

Those prices do sound high...but it seems things are cheaper in the south than out west.. a buddy of mine just bought 2 -5.3 with 4l60 combos with acc ,harness, and ecms for $900 each..he heard both run before pulling.I put a 6.0 lq9 in mine and don't have half the cost of what you quoted..

I'm in Augusta, GA now and Craigslist is turning up some combos in that range. I feel pretty confident that shipping won't cost me $3000. I may give it a shot before I head back

[slowcpe]

Unless your hellbent on an aluminum block I'd go find a 5.3 or a LQ4/9. I went with a complete LQ4/4L80e complete kit out of a van with 50k miles and then found a set of 243s with 18k miles for a lot less than that. The rest of the money can go towards a turbo!

[paul mora]

I checked at the shop today the LS we got from George 6 mo back was 2800. We have done 6 all around the same price.

[ajgriffin]

That's encouraging! Can you tell me more about what you all got from him? I plan to give him a call when I'm back in Cali.

[paul mora]

I will get back to you on that. I will be out of town till Thursday. I talk to the guys at the shop