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12-26-2018, 03:39 AM | #1 |
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Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Edmonton Alberta
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LS Swap - Long Term Planning
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?
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DAVE Edmonton, Alberta 1959 Apache 1967 K20 1968 C20 1970 C10 1972 GMC 2500 1981 C10 |
12-26-2018, 05:39 PM | #2 |
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Location: Chattanooga, TN
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Re: LS Swap - Long Term Planning
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.
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'83 K20-TPI '73 C10 '79 C10-ex-diesel(SOLD) '07 Tahoe(Son driving) '14 Suburban-DD '71 C10-current project |
12-26-2018, 06:19 PM | #3 |
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Re: LS Swap - Long Term Planning
Totally unrelated but I’m from Lloydminster ab
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12-26-2018, 06:25 PM | #4 | |
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Location: Edmonton Alberta
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Re: LS Swap - Long Term Planning
Quote:
I will be shopping for a low mile candidate that fits the profile.
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DAVE Edmonton, Alberta 1959 Apache 1967 K20 1968 C20 1970 C10 1972 GMC 2500 1981 C10 |
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12-26-2018, 07:29 PM | #5 |
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Re: LS Swap - Long Term Planning
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...
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Mongo...aka Greg RIP Dad RIP Jesse 1981 C30 LQ9 NV4500..http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=753598 Mongos AD- LS3 TR6060...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...34#post8522334 Columbus..the 1957 IH 4x4...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...63#post8082563 2023 Chevy Z71..daily driver |
12-26-2018, 09:54 PM | #6 |
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Re: LS Swap - Long Term Planning
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.
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Tyler '57 3100 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=813888 '72 K20 Cheyenne: 5” lift, 35’s, front dana 60 blah blah blah… http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=662879 ‘69 K10 SWB: 4” lift 33”s… in a million pieces http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=805206 '98 Silverado LT K2500HD ECLB Vortec 454/4l80E: 6" lift 35x12.5x20’s |
12-28-2018, 12:58 AM | #7 |
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Re: LS Swap - Long Term Planning
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?
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DAVE Edmonton, Alberta 1959 Apache 1967 K20 1968 C20 1970 C10 1972 GMC 2500 1981 C10 |
12-28-2018, 06:01 AM | #8 |
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Re: LS Swap - Long Term Planning
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
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Mongo...aka Greg RIP Dad RIP Jesse 1981 C30 LQ9 NV4500..http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=753598 Mongos AD- LS3 TR6060...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...34#post8522334 Columbus..the 1957 IH 4x4...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...63#post8082563 2023 Chevy Z71..daily driver |
12-28-2018, 04:30 PM | #9 |
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Location: Southern Ohio
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Re: LS Swap - Long Term Planning
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.
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1970 C10 Turbo LM7 5.3/LS6 cam PT7675/4L80E/Holley Dominator EFI/E85 Moser 9" 3.25/4 wheel discs 11.16@121.07 |
12-29-2018, 05:05 PM | #10 | |
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Re: LS Swap - Long Term Planning
Quote:
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.
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DAVE Edmonton, Alberta 1959 Apache 1967 K20 1968 C20 1970 C10 1972 GMC 2500 1981 C10 Last edited by dagnabbitt; 12-29-2018 at 05:15 PM. |
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12-29-2018, 05:36 PM | #11 |
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Re: LS Swap - Long Term Planning
Lm7 is the garden variety LS engine..has vin code T
I believee DOD came along in 2005.. ..flex fuel is a vin z...
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Mongo...aka Greg RIP Dad RIP Jesse 1981 C30 LQ9 NV4500..http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=753598 Mongos AD- LS3 TR6060...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...34#post8522334 Columbus..the 1957 IH 4x4...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...63#post8082563 2023 Chevy Z71..daily driver |
12-29-2018, 05:38 PM | #12 |
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Location: Alabama
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Re: LS Swap - Long Term Planning
Try this ...it may help....https://help.summitracing.com/app/an...-engine-by-vin
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Mongo...aka Greg RIP Dad RIP Jesse 1981 C30 LQ9 NV4500..http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=753598 Mongos AD- LS3 TR6060...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...34#post8522334 Columbus..the 1957 IH 4x4...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...63#post8082563 2023 Chevy Z71..daily driver |
12-30-2018, 06:01 PM | #13 |
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Re: LS Swap - Long Term Planning
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DAVE Edmonton, Alberta 1959 Apache 1967 K20 1968 C20 1970 C10 1972 GMC 2500 1981 C10 |
12-31-2018, 12:52 PM | #14 |
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Location: Hampden, ME
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Re: LS Swap - Long Term Planning
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) |
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