LS Swap - Long Term Planning

[dagnabbitt]

I've been reading up on LS swaps for a couple years now, but I've been having trouble pulling the trigger on purchasing an engine and getting started. I have a hard time making long term plans: anything more than two weeks away is long term, for me. I just really, really enjoy driving my 1970 SWB stepside and I don't want to tear i apart just yet, despite the fact that it is completely clapped out and needs a full restoration. It isn't unsafe or anything, but the truck looks like the south end of a northbound dog, and the engine has more blow by and leaks than any running engine I have ever encountered. I will restore it, I just am not ready. I haven't blown that engine yet.

What also kind of paralyzes me is the fact that I like to hear an engine running, so going to a junkyard doesn't do it for me.

It turns out that I need a work truck - something to drive in the winter and occasionally pull a trailer with - and I thought that I might as well start looking for a vehicle that will ultimately my LS donor, when that day comes: but one which still has a few years left in it for me to drive. I am looking forward to shopping for this truck, for once I won't care about options and appearance, just drivetrain. There are a number of different LS engines and setups: if you were looking for the perfect donor vehicle for what I plan, what year and model would it be?

[MARKDTN]

LS should go 300K so I would look for a 2000-2006 Silverado or if you don't need a bed a Tahoe or Suburban. A pickup may be easier to find in 2WD, the Tahoe/Suburban many of those are 4WD so you would end up having to buy another transmission when you swap. I would chase the early ones with drive by cable so it will be easier to convert. But if you have a whole driving truck, any of them will work.

But I have bought an installed a bunch of junkyard engines over the years. Only got burned once (Toyota Cressida, cracked head). With a VIN you can get mileage and kinda where it is from on CarFax. Most yards take before pull pics and some even running videos so that should help too.

[Ampedracing]

Totally unrelated but I’m from Lloydminster ab

[dagnabbitt]

Originally Posted by MARKDTN

LS should go 300K so I would look for a 2000-2006 Silverado or if you don't need a bed a Tahoe or Suburban. A pickup may be easier to find in 2WD, the Tahoe/Suburban many of those are 4WD so you would end up having to buy another transmission when you swap. I would chase the early ones with drive by cable so it will be easier to convert. But if you have a whole driving truck, any of them will work.

Thank you, this is the kind of advice I was looking for. I am not in a hurry and would like to find the perfect candidate. So, 2wd would be a good idea since I'd like to pull engine and trans together: is there anything else I should look for? A lot of people do 5.3, is that simply because they are available, or should I be looking for a 6.0? Can anyone tell me the years in which drive by cable was used?

I will be shopping for a low mile candidate that fits the profile.

[mongocanfly]

The early yrs were both dbw and dbc...5.3s are more plentiful and a whole lot cheaper...just find you a good one and go with it...try to stay away from flex fuel and dod...

[57taskforce]

Definitely stay away from dod/afm. It’s not quite as reliable as the normal engines are. Those lifters are a bit of a pain in the butt the change.

[dagnabbitt]

ttt

I appreciate all the insight, but any real-world examples would be appreciated... should I be looking for a 2wd 2002 GMC 6.0 for example? What is the ideal year make and model LS donor truck?

[mongocanfly]

thought that was covered above....they started in 99 so anything newer than that...your building a 2wd so get a 2wd truck or Tahoe..early yrs...no dod or flex fuel..4.8,5.3,6.0...its your choice...the bigger they are the more expensive they get...id be looking for a 5.3...the ideal one is one you find at a decent price with decent mileage

[Heavymetl]

5.3 for sure. They're cheap, plentiful, and make great power with a few basic breathing mods like headers and a good tune.

A 5.3 will run circles around a traditional 350 SBC.

[dagnabbitt]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

thought that was covered above....they started in 99 so anything newer than that...your building a 2wd so get a 2wd truck or Tahoe..early yrs...no dod or flex fuel..4.8,5.3,6.0...its your choice...the bigger they are the more expensive they get...id be looking for a 5.3...the ideal one is one you find at a decent price with decent mileage

Thanks for the info; does anyone know what years they introduced DOD and Flexfuel so I can avoid those ones? Feel free to dumb it down for me, I won't be offended. I am basically looking for years, makes and models for me to use as search terms.

For example, I am looking at this one:

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/...ationFlag=true

Low miles, 2wd, seems to be about the right year.

[mongocanfly]

Lm7 is the garden variety LS engine..has vin code T
I believee DOD came along in 2005..
..flex fuel is a vin z...

[mongocanfly]

Try this ...it may help....https://help.summitracing.com/app/an...-engine-by-vin

[dagnabbitt]

Originally Posted by Ampedracing

Totally unrelated but I’m from Lloydminster ab

Hi!

[skyphix]

Out of curiosity, why are people saying avoid flex fuel? You get bigger injectors but otherwise it’s the same as a LM7 (L59 is the Z code 5.3.) Since you’ll be dropping a quick tune on the PCM anyway to get rid of VATs and all of that, any flexfuel programming will be wiped.

I fully agree with staying away from 2007-2012. Just curious why avoid flexfuel? (Genuine curiosity)