LS Swap Cheaper Then SBC Build?

[MalibuSSwagon]

I always say buy a whole parts truck if you can. Then you get everything you need and can sell the rest off to make money back. I ended up coming out even on my engine. Around here 4.8/5.3 parts trucks are worth 500 to 800. I paid 800 for the 5.3L truck with 140k miles and I gave 400 for a 99 4.8L extended cab with 200k. The 4.8L is going into a buddies suburban, and we aren't too worried about the mileage as there are LS trucks running around with 250k to 400k miles on the original engines.

[foamypirate]

Originally Posted by MalibuSSwagon

I always say buy a whole parts truck if you can. Then you get everything you need and can sell the rest off to make money back. I ended up coming out even on my engine. Around here 4.8/5.3 parts trucks are worth 500 to 800. I paid 800 for the 5.3L truck with 140k miles and I gave 400 for a 99 4.8L extended cab with 200k. The 4.8L is going into a buddies suburban, and we aren't too worried about the mileage as there are LS trucks running around with 250k to 400k miles on the original engines.

Yeah, these things will run forever. When I was searching for my engine, I came across several in vans with over 450K miles.

[aknovaman]

Valve guides generally start to leak around 250k. My camaro has 213k, 05 yukon has 135k, 02 burb had 218k, hit a deer. None burn or leak a drop of oil and run like a top. I change fuel and oil filters every 6 minths. Keep the pcv ststem clean and they run a bery long time. My buddy just sold a 04 silverado 4.8L with 425k and on 3rd trans. He hauled 20k pounds of granite all over the state.

[clemsonteg]

I have been tossing around the same ideas. I have a worn out 307 that I think will be replaced with an LS. I considered the $1300 (on sale) 350 crate motor, but I think I am going LS. It will be more than the $2000 I had originally planned to spend to replace the tired 307, but I think it will be worth it in the end.

As a side note, complete 5.3 setups with 120-140k seem to go for around $1500 in my neck of the woods.

[SierraMtns]

Originally Posted by ls1nova71

As long as the miles are legit, that seems like a pretty good buy to me. You can find a transmission later, doesn't need to be from the same truck, just get one that is for an LS engine and you'll be fine.

Originally Posted by aknovaman

Valve guides generally start to leak around 250k. My camaro has 213k, 05 yukon has 135k, 02 burb had 218k, hit a deer. None burn or leak a drop of oil and run like a top. I change fuel and oil filters every 6 minths. Keep the pcv ststem clean and they run a bery long time. My buddy just sold a 04 silverado 4.8L with 425k and on 3rd trans. He hauled 20k pounds of granite all over the state.

Those are some amazing miles. I don't think a SBC could do 425k miles.

[toddoky]

Originally Posted by SierraMtns

I am looking in to doing a LS swap in my 67. Currently I have a built 283 with MSD dist, weiand intake, rebuilt q-jet carb, ect. At first my plan was to keep most of the accessories and get a 350/ 700r4 trans but after looking around it looks like I could do a LS swap cheaper. But maybe not. Things I would have to figure out, dash gauges, computer, motor harness.

Is it possible?

I have a Boyd tank already but would still need a intake fuel pump.

Thanks

The GM crate HT383 is also a good choice and will cost you less overall than to produce the same level of power from a 5.3L and it will be a new engine. I love LS swaps, but I don't think they are the best re-power option in all cases.