Doner vehicle for LS engine?

[Jonny Hotnuts]

What to look for? What to avoid?

I have been shopping for an LS engine with trans but after a search I have found there are a LOT of options. I would like a LS engine WITH transmission as a unit from the same doner vehicle.

-I am not adverse to having an automatic.
-Needs to be SB
-Would like high factory HP/Tq
-Want an easy to find LS, something that isnt some rare animal.


Is there a vehicle out there that has a really good engine trans combo that works better with the c10? (*for instance, someone saying something like "the engine/trans from a 2005 corvette or 2005 Escalade works better in the c10 due to this mount location").

Is there any years/models of doner vehicle I should avoid?
Is there any LS engines or transmissions I should look for or avoid?
Is lack of a harness or ECU a deal breaker?



Thanks!

~JH

[gmc684x4]

I would look at a truck 2500 or 3500 in 2 wheel drive for a 4l80e tranny and being a truck engine it will fit easier into your truck less having to redo the serpentine belt system
the more complete it is the less you will have to buy latter

[mongocanfly]

The early escalades had the lq9 in them..its a 6.0 with 345 or so hp...I have one in my C30...its a great engine...the early yrs are my choice..look for no DOD, no vvt...I wouldnt worry about the harness but you'll want the ecm...and if its dbw , all the pedal assembly..
What are you putting it in?

[MidLifer]

Any of the Gen III truck engines would be a good choice. Of course the LQ4 will give you the most power, that’s what I went with. I took a chance and bought a pulled engine/trans (4L80e) combo, and it has worked out fine. It came with a harness and ecu and I paid $2300 a few years back - I know some guys will jump on this and brag about the $800 lq4s they bought but anyway.

If you buy a gen IV engine you’ll want to have the ecu reflashed to get rid of the option that turns off half the cylinders under low load to save fuel. Can’t remember the name. Not only does it reduce fun but it led to the engines consuming oil. My brother’s Tahoe used a quart every two tanks of gas.

That said the gen iii engines are older now and it may be harder to find one that hasn’t been driven to hell. The service life was designed to be 300k. Unless you plan to rebuild it I’d look for one with<150k.

[skyphix]

Originally Posted by gmc684x4

I would look at a truck 2500 or 3500 in 2 wheel drive for a 4l80e tranny and being a truck engine it will fit easier into your truck less having to redo the serpentine belt system
the more complete it is the less you will have to buy latter

This is pretty much what I was going to say. Look for a 2001-2006 2500 or 3500. I believe the Van's got the same truck accessory drive and might end up being cheaper. 2500 or 3500 will have the LQ4 6.0 most likely, and will have a 4L80E most likely. Depending on the condition of your donor, you could reuse a few other things off of it (like the radiator, electric fans if it has them, drive by wire pedal and TAC module if you need them, etc.)

Mount locations dont matter too much - you're going to need to buy or make conversion mounts anyway. My 5.3 came out of a 2006 Yukon and my 4L80E out of a 2006 Van (just happened to work out that way.) I used Dirty Dingo sliding mounts and the Dirty Dingo trans crossmember. Only put a few miles on the truck so far, but more than happy with all of it.

[MidLifer]

Originally Posted by skyphix

This is pretty much what I was going to say. Look for a 2001-2006 2500 or 3500. I believe the Van's got the same truck accessory drive and might end up being cheaper. 2500 or 3500 will have the LQ4 6.0 most likely, and will have a 4L80E most likely. Depending on the condition of your donor, you could reuse a few other things off of it (like the radiator, electric fans if it has them, drive by wire pedal and TAC module if you need them, etc.)

Mount locations dont matter too much - you're going to need to buy or make conversion mounts anyway. My 5.3 came out of a 2006 Yukon and my 4L80E out of a 2006 Van (just happened to work out that way.) I used Dirty Dingo sliding mounts and the Dirty Dingo trans crossmember. Only put a few miles on the truck so far, but more than happy with all of it.

Second on the van idea. That's where my engine came from too.

One note - the intake on the van engines has one key difference in that it lacks a vacuum port. This will make it a bit more difficult to connect your brake booster. However, the hydroboost conversion is more than worth the effort in terms of braking improvement, and with the power steering pump on the LS engines you are half way there. Plenty of threads on this board will walk you through the project. And the first time you hit the brake pedal you'll thank yourself!

[MDPotter]

Buying a complete engine/trans/harness/PCM/pedal definitely makes things easier, but not impossible to piece it together. I have an LQ9 out of an 04 Escalade and put a 4L80E behind it. Factory harness, PCM, and pedal. Looking back, I could have put a 4L65E behind it (was factory in the escalade), but I went for the heavier 4L80E.

If you want to go Gen IV, the 6.0 engines made 345-360 HP stock. The van engines in that era did not have DOD/AFM so I see them as pretty desireable. Not a big deal, but Gen IV PCM's are a lot smaller and compact and no TAC module with Gen IV's.

It is getting harder to find low mileage Gen III engines, but if you do you can swap the cam and make 400 HP with an LQ4 or LQ9.

Things to avoid:
-4L60 transmissions
-LS4 engines - these were put in the Impala SS's and are not swap friendly.

Finding a factory high HP/TQ powertrain will cost you more for sure. The cam swap in my LQ9 cost me about $750 for the parts and a base tune. Also keep in mind that if you put a trans behind the engine that is not factory (what we call a segment swap), that's a change that will have to be made in the PCM.

I bought my engine off eBay with 110k miles and got a rebuilt 4L80E from Just Chevy Trucks.

[MidLifer]

Originally Posted by MDPotter

If you want to go Gen IV, the 6.0 engines made 345-360 HP stock. The van engines in that era did not have DOD/AFM so I see them as pretty desireable. Not a big deal, but Gen IV PCM's are a lot smaller and compact and no TAC module with Gen IV's.

Thanks MDPotter, was unaware that the Gen IV vans did not have that option. Will keep that in mind for my next project.

My LQ4 is DBC (the vans didn't go DBW until 2006 iirc) and frankly I like the pedal feel. I've driven the DBW trucks as well as a lot of modern cars with electric gas pedals, and something about that cable connection and the more linear feel of the throttle response just feels better. But just one guy's opinion, and we all know what they say about opinions

[LS short box]

I've done both gen3 and gen4 LS swaps. Really about the same amount of work. Gen3 engines are 14 years old best? If I was going gen3 I would buy a high mileage 6.0 for cheap and build it. Forged rods and pistons and cam. Add L92 or LS3 heads. Easy 450 rwhp.
If you decide on the gen3 the ecm will control the engine and trans. On a gen4 engine you need a ecm for the engine and the trans ecm. The gen3 dbw requires a controller while the gen4 requires just the correct gas pedal. On my gen4 swaps I deleted the VVT. The gen4 engines I've used didn't have DOD.
You can run FEAD from trucks and they are almost free. Change out the truck oil pan as needed for your swap.
All my LS swaps I purchased aftermarket harness's designed for my LS swap combo. Plan on buying some type of scanner in case of a check engine light.
Trans wise I've used only 4L60E or T56. The 4L60E's were rebuilt with "good" parts and had no failures even behind a 500 rwhp 427 cube gen3 LS.
Good luck with your swap.

[nsb29]

I got a ls2 from a Pontiac G8 360hp 380fpt and a 6l80e with 60k miles and the tcm is belt in to the trans it does have DOD but can be turned off in tune the only issue was the trans yoke but they make an adapter and I have to use a top mounted A/C compressor I set my engine low and to the rear which probably caused my problem with the AC compressor I went with this motor because I thought they look better than the ones out of the truck this is before it was finished

[MalibuSSwagon]

Van engines use the same intake as a trunk engine, there's just a plug in the brake booster port that pops out easy, and you can pop in the fitting for the booster.

[Rich84]

My Van intake does not have a place to fasten the engine cover. That's the only difference I see.
Don't forget the box trucks. Isuzu or GMC had 6.0 with 4l80. Find a wrecked one.

[71cadc10]

having been thru this, lately if I were looking for a complete engine/ trans deal I think I'd go the L76 route w/ 6l80
same as mentioned earlier comes in G8 cars and Caprice.

here's one on ebay for not a bad price really...there's several

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2012-Capric...UAAOSweHtdk4Zv


The reason I say this:
aluminum block 4.00" bore
rectangle port heads, lots of potential
car intake so it's low profile
exhaust manifolds look like the 2010+ camaro pieces, they should fit our trucks with no cutting needed.
6 speed auto...you can run more rear gear, still get great cruise mpg
they do come with the oil cooler which I would delete...

[kglowacky]

I just did a swap using a 2001 Firebird/Camaro LS1 and 460 trans. I am not sure the extra money I Paid for the all alum. block is worth it but one thing I was told but have no idea if it is true is the 98-99 firebird / Camaro is a the first try by GM 200-2001 has some new and improved internals that make the engine more dependable. The major visual diff in the two externally is the intake. 98-99 have a egr system that connects to the intake right behind the throttle body. quick way to recognize the year BUT be careful a lot of people have changed the intake over the years. So if it has a egr hook up more then likely it is a 98-99 if not then maybe 00-02. With these motors being 20 years old low mileage ones are hard to find. GTO 00-06 is a nice high HP to find. Good Luck

[fastlane]

I went the Chevy Express 2500 route. Bought it on auction from the state, high milage but you know it was maintained well on the tax payers dime! (Proof positive, the crosshatch was still in the cylinder, and no sludge anywhere in the engine!)I parted out the rest of the van and the motor and transmission ended up free! Performance parts to beat my dad's corvette down the strip. Not so much!

[Daaaanz67]

2006 3500 Savana van for me. Paid 1,500 for a complete running 133 thousand miles. 6.0 4l80 DBW. Runs like butter. I really lucked out.

[purple gas]

What is your budget and what is your goal are the first 2 questions to answer.
Do you want to go racing & doing lots of smoky burnouts?
Do you want bragging rights? " It's got a Corvette engine"!
Do you want decent performance and no trouble dependable drivability?
For work I used to drive a 2004 -2500 chevy, van . Got it brand new and put 500,000 Km on it. Didn't handle very good but off the line and passing performance was impressive to say the least. Freaking amazing actually even with 3,000 lbs of meat in the back running AC and a Cooling unit. I've wanted one of those in my 67 ever since.
I talked to a few guys this summer running bone stock 5.3's. They say plenty of power, lots of torque. Really fun to drive.
I just bought an '02 Silverado for a daily/ winter driver. It's got a 4.8. with 160,000 Km on it. Sure doesn't have to jam of a 6 litre but I'm not pulling a trailer and I'm too old & boring to do burnouts. If that drivetrain was in my 67 it would do what I need as good or better that the HO 305 with headers & Edelbrock goodies bolted on to it.
My mechanic / car flipper buddy says 4.8 is undesirable because they're no good for towing. Might be true but it's fine for groceries and the odd trip to the lumber yard.
quick google search on 02 Silverado Specs.
4.8 - 270 HP, 285 Ft. lbs
5.3 - 285 HP, 325 Ft. lbs
6.0 - 300 Hp, 360 Ft. lbs.
There's other options out there of course. Me, I'm looking for a running donor for my truck, either a driver or a write-off. If I score a 6.0 that'd be cool, if it's something a little smaller that would be fine.
It's suddenly winter here and wednsday I nearly got smacked at an icy intersection. If I had I'd have bought back my truck from insurance and I'm sure the 4.8 would serve me nicely in my 67. I'm not looking for bragging rights or smoky burnouts.

[A1971Blazer]

I bought a low mileage 5.7 LS1 out of a 2002 TransAm WS6...I think it's around 325 HP stock, had the 4L60e with it...actually drove the car prior to pull out...it was wrecked in the rear.
I like the Fbody front drive accessories because they are really compact and close in to the engine...I went with a Vintage Air system and bought their low mount compressor bracket.
I've had it fired up already..
I'm not sure if I would buy another one or go with a good 5.3 or 6.0....the biggest difference is the LS1 is about 100lbs lighter than an iron block engine...
It will be a few months before it will be on the road because of the body work going on now...

[kev2809]

it kind of depends on your area. I bought a 2002 Tahoe for a grand, whole truck. around here the trucks and SUVs are everywhere. make sure if you get a DBW (drive by wire) to snatch the module on the firewall and the gas pedal.