?'s about Ls1 for my S10

[Indian113]

I found out what the ticking noise in my motor was! Seems like I have bad piston skirts and bad rod bearings and main bearings. I have priced buiding a 350 as I don't feel like putting a lot of money in the 327.

A buddy of mine put a 5.3 in his S10 for around $2000.00. He changed cams and did some computer work to it. It seems to run pretty good.

I've found 5.3's for $650.00 up,my ? is would a motor with 100,000 miles be worth buying or should I spend more and get a low miles 5.7 ?

If I buy a 5.3 I would need to change cams for performance right? The 5.7 should have more HP than a 5.3 with a small cam change,shouldn't it.

I get kind confused as I'm a old fashioned hot rodder and fuel injection is New School.Thanks in advance for any and all help I get

Ray

[Indian113]

here's my S10,it's a 327 with a shot of Nos and 700r4

[BR3W CITY]

Originally Posted by Indian113

I've found 5.3's for $650.00 up,my ? is would a motor with 100,000 miles be worth buying or should I spend more and get a low miles 5.7 ?

If I buy a 5.3 I would need to change cams for performance right? The 5.7 should have more HP than a 5.3 with a small cam change,shouldn't it.


Ray

You should be able to find a lower mileage 5.3 for around that price. You can also look for a 6.0 for a couple hundred more. You get the additional displacement and horespower, and have the 4" bore if you were to want to do a head upgrade (better options).

The 5.7 LS1's are going to command a higher price, have higher mileage and be much more worn in. IMO a 5.3 with decent cam will usually satisfy anything you'd expect from a small cam or stock 5.7
You might have a few less ponies up top, but in a truck the additional tq you'll have will more than make if for it in pep and driveability.

For the price of a used complete ls1 with under 100k (usually $950-1400 or more depending where you live)...you can buy a used 6.0, cam kit, and have some money towards some headers. Ooh, an lq4 with a cam for spray will love that nitrous shot you have all day long.

[Indian113]

Thanks Br3w city, I am starting my swap!

I bought a 2004 5.3 drop out with 85,000 miles for $600.00 I found a Muscle car oil pan for $138.00 that should fit my S10. I was told F body exhaust would work for a while.

This swap is going to put a strain on my budget. While I'm changing motor's out I'm adding air to the truck as it's going to be a DD when done.

If anybody has suggestions I'm open to them as this is all new to me.

[BR3W CITY]

fbody headers might squeeze if you have the early tubular style. Trailblazer SS manifolds are the smallest fit and fairly budget friendly. Not as much power as long tubes but cheap.

You can take a look through my build, i tried to get as many in-the-process shots as I could. If you need specific advice just let me know...I don't think I'll ever forget how to do it after my experience.
For what its worth, I built mine and ran it fairly untested for almost 2500 miles across 4 states without a problem. I could DD it if I wanted to, its actually more reliable than my daily had been.