454 vs. 5.3 efi vs. 5.3 carbed

[Super73]

Originally Posted by andrewmp6

A diesel would give you the best mileage out of the truck but the cost up front is higher then a ls swap.A aftermarket company holley i think makes coil pack covers that look like big block valve covers that would mess with people.

Best milage, maybe.. Lowest cost to operate? Probably not.

With 87 octane at aprox $3.40 in California and Diesel at $4.10, if the math was done I bet the 5.3 might win.
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[BR3W CITY]

isn't fuel basically priced by BTU output now? I though that almost fundamentally defeated the "diesel swap" mantra from a savings perspective.

It was different when diesel was .80 CHEAPER than regular.

[bohmankid]

Originally Posted by BR3W CITY

isn't fuel basically priced by BTU output now? I though that almost fundamentally defeated the "diesel swap" mantra from a savings perspective.

It was different when diesel was .80 CHEAPER than regular.

The only reason I won't do a diesel swap is because when a diesel breaks down, parts are thousands of dollars. eff that. I'll do my entire ls swap for 2 thousand and when stuff breaks, spend a few bucks

[Indian113]

Originally Posted by bohmankid

The only reason I won't do a diesel swap is because when a diesel breaks down, parts are thousands of dollars. eff that. I'll do my entire ls swap for 2 thousand and when stuff breaks, spend a few bucks

Let me know how your 2000 dollar budget works! I haven't added up all of the little things yet but I'm over 2500 and climbing. I never looked back and I'd do it again. My S10-5.3 is a blast to drive

[bohmankid]

Originally Posted by Indian113

Let me know how your 2000 dollar budget works! I haven't added up all of the little things yet but I'm over 2500 and climbing. I never looked back and I'd do it again. My S10-5.3 is a blast to drive

I definitely will do it again as well. I had a budget of $2000, but I spent $2400, and that includes all of the little things. Every bolt and paint can as well haha. I'm pretty sure I can do it again for cheaper.

[mooseknuckles]

I prob spent more that both of you...lol. and I'd do it again as well...

[bohmankid]

Originally Posted by mooseknuckles

I prob spent more that both of you...lol. and I'd do it again as well...

And you're swap is so cool, Moose!!
The only reason I spent over my 2K budget is because I splurged on stainless steel headers otherwise, I would've been under budget.

[Jon01]

I've done a few LM7 swaps and they can be done for under 2k if you have the ability to do some things yourself - harness, tune, plumbing and other things similar.
Current project is my 71, I'm hoping to get it done for ~1600. It's going to be close.
As follows:
Motor w/harness, all accy's - 500
4L60 w/converter - 200
Headers - 200
Mounts - 40
Intake tubing - 40
Driveshaft cut down - 80 - maybe, might have another shaft I can use.
Fuel pump/filter - 120
Exhaust tubing - 60
E-fan - 80
Harness kit - 150 but I might just pay to have it whacked up, it's only another 200 so 350 if I do that.

Still have a few things to do and pick up but nothing major. Fluids and the like.

Not including costs associated with cam, head milling and/or converter as they are optional but what's the fun in a stock LS motor?
Cam - 250
Springs - 250
Head gaskets - 100
Head Bolts - 60
Milling - 80
Converter - 400

[mooseknuckles]

Originally Posted by bohmankid

And you're swap is so cool, Moose!!
The only reason I spent over my 2K budget is because I splurged on stainless steel headers otherwise, I would've been under budget.

thanks....I splurged on almost everything...lol.

[bloodybigblock]

Good thing is that where i come from nobody does any kind of custom anything unless its a honda lol. Plus my dad and the lady that owns the salvage yard are real good friends. Its all in my favor. Being im from north alabama, yall have any idea what a full 454/400 is worth? All acc and carb included?

[D.FENS]

Originally Posted by bloodybigblock

Good thing is that where i come from nobody does any kind of custom anything unless its a honda lol. Plus my dad and the lady that owns the salvage yard are real good friends. Its all in my favor. Being im from north alabama, yall have any idea what a full 454/400 is worth? All acc and carb included?

I'm in Huntsville. A friend has advised me a 454 in decent running condition is worth at least $800 - 900, and maybe as much as $1500 if you're willing to sit on it till somebody really needs one.

Figure maybe another 100 - 250 for the trans depending on condition. Lot more TH400's around than 454's.

[meatwagon83]

man you guys really drank the ls kool aid didnt you? with a good tune and an overdrive a 454 can easily get 15mpg, and as far as saying the ls motors are more reliable i can go out there right now and start my truck, from 110 degrees when i was living in texas to below 0 in ohio it has never failed to start in 7 years!

[Super73]

I can do the same, yet drive around your big block with the wheels up... just giving you a bad time. There is a place in the world for most every engine platform. Even an old school BBC
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[meatwagon83]

you know i was going to put a 6.0 in my truck but i kept talking to people with them in duallys and i kept hearing i would be lucky to get 12mpg, so i am just going to put the 4l80e from the combo in my truck and rebuild the 454 i figured i could get 400 hp and 550 ft lbs very easy out of it and get 15 mpg as opposed to the 6.0s 300 hp and 360 ft lbs, and be money ahead, but what to do with the lq4? hhmmm......i have a s480 turbo sitting around and a 66 chevelle....

[68GMCCustom]

Originally Posted by meatwagon83

as opposed to the 6.0s 300 hp and 360 ft lbs, and be money ahead

you're kidding right? LQ4 6.0's had various ratings (up to 325hp/370tq in '01 others may be higher)...w/o tweaking. The stock LS2 6.0 in my TBSS was factory rated 395hp/400tq...(ever looked at the air/fuel/spark tables on a factory tune?) a few tuning tweaks w/o opening it up could be producing over 450+?

[meatwagon83]

for a 2005 3/4 ton van the lq4 is rated at 290/360, thats what i have for what i would spend on a cam and lifters alone i could do a nice rebuild on the 454

oh and remember this is for a double cab dually, so horepower numbers are a moot point, its all about torque, whats it take to get a 6.0 up to 550 ft lbs?

[derrickmanx1]

Originally Posted by meatwagon83

man you guys really drank the ls kool aid didnt you? with a good tune and an overdrive a 454 can easily get 15mpg, and as far as saying the ls motors are more reliable i can go out there right now and start my truck, from 110 degrees when i was living in texas to below 0 in ohio it has never failed to start in 7 years!

I know right. Don't get me wrong because I like the new ls series and plan on using one some day. I think they are great because the stock heads are better than stock sbc heads. I used a 402 BBC and made a very streetable 496hp/479tq with a 226/234 @.050 cam. That just goes to show you with good heads you can make good power. I could have made way more power but wanted to drive this one a whole bunch on the street.

[Super73]

I won't argue that it is easier to get 550fltbs from a 454 vs a 362 which is what a 6.0 is. Heck, you have 92 extra cubic inches to help (roughly 25.5% more displacement).

The 454 would have to make 1.21ftlbs per ci where the 6.0 would have to make 1.52ftlbs per ci (roughly 26.5% more tq). That is a lot of tq to make up. Even with more compression (like the LS2) better heads, and optimized valve events, headers... It would be a stretch to get an honest 550tq out of it.

Now, lets talk milage.. My wife's AWD trailblazer SS come with an aluminum 6.0. It makes an honest 400/400. It has no issues towing my racetruck to the track over some hills. On long freeway trips it will get high 18mpg. Mixed driving it will get high 15 to mid 16 depending on who is driving it (less if I do). Remember though, this is all wheel drive all the time, has 4.10 gears from the factory and weighs 4,900lbs.

I think it will be hard to get a 454 to get the same milage a well optimized 6.0 will get given the same platform.

With all that said, if you put a 4" crank in the 6.0 with ls6 heads and a ls6 cam, get the compression to 11-1, you would probably make that 550ftlbs and get better milage than the 454.
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[meatwagon83]

i will be happy with 15, i know i can do it, it hs been done too many time before, now 15 highway, i know theres no way in hell im getting that around town, i have 3.73 gears 30 inch tall tires and weigh 5800 lbs

[Wasted Income]

I just have a hard time with a gas engine in a tow rig no matter what the platform is

However, I've been spoiled with a Dmax/Allison combo in my tow rig over the past 8 years.

For what it's worth, I also have a hard time with Dmax guys who try to make them fast, lol.

[meatwagon83]

Originally Posted by Wasted Income

I just have a hard time with a gas engine in a tow rig no matter what the platform is

However, I've been spoiled with a Dmax/Allison combo in my tow rig over the past 8 years.

For what it's worth, I also have a hard time with Dmax guys who try to make them fast, lol.

I dont want a $700 a month truck payment!
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[Oilbrnr]

Originally Posted by meatwagon83

I dont want a $700 a month truck payment!
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A 2005 DMax won't set you back $700/mo. And I agree with WI, once you have a diesel, especially one hooked up to an Allison, it is tough to go back to a gasser. And that is at sea level, come out here in the Rockies towing, and there is absolutely no replacement for forced induction.

My '04 6.0 Denali is OK unloaded, but even a couple of quads on a single axle trailer has that thing spinning like a sewing machine up our AZ hills. RPM gauge to the right, fuel needle to the left. Blame torque management I guess, but overall it is not that impressive.

[Wasted Income]

They payment was only $740 / month for the first 5 years. Been paid for a few years now, has 202k miles on it, and all i put into it is fuel, oil changes, and tires.

Still hauls just fine through the Ozarks...even with a bit of a load. haha



To the OP...I'd sell the BBC to someone for more than it's worth (seems easy to do with BBC stuff...), pick up a junkyard 5.3, and find a used magnacharger for it. Reliability and strength of the LS, with the torque of the BBC.

http://www.lsxtv.com/news/swap-insan...ered-jet-boat/

However, I'm biased...been there done that...I replaced a cammed 454 carb motor in my jet boat with a stock with cammed EFI 6.0L....picked up 3 mph, docking manners, fuel economy and "OMFG" reactions at the ramp

[kamikazekyle05]

Originally Posted by 68GMCCustom

I'm confused as to why a 454 is being compared to a 5.3?

To be fair.....for 7.4liters of GenV BB V8...wouldn't a 4.8L LSx be a better comparison?









j/k...I mean a 6.0-6.2L of course!

hahahaha

[prostreet1967]

Originally Posted by bloodybigblock

Thanks guys, its weird how you say "bbc is a cool factor" i think seeing an LS motor under a hood is cooler. Again, thanks for the info guys, i appreciate it.
BR3W CITY, i love your build man, thats a bada$$ ride you built man

Im n process of switching from BBC to 5.3 with turbo. I like how they look but loosing the weight and now the ease of power for low price was a no brainer for me.