LS swap

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Mike Sammons

Junior Member
Joined
Apr 29, 2019
Posts
7
Reaction score
4
Location
Bryan Ohio
First Name
Mike
Truck Year
1977
Truck Model
Scottsdale
Engine Size
350
I’ve got my 77 Scottsdale with a old warn out 350. I’ve had a lot of ppl tell me to restore the truck(which is my plans anyways) and put a 99-02 5.3L in it. Would this be a major pain in the butt or fairly easy swap? Thanks
 

82sbshortbed

Fuckemall!!
Joined
Mar 1, 2018
Posts
15,961
Reaction score
53,759
Location
SE Texas
First Name
Doug
Truck Year
1982, 1984
Truck Model
1500 shortbed, 1500 longbed
Engine Size
454, 305
Major pain with a major price tag. Whole new wiring harness, computer and the nice ses light to annoya. I like the era correct motors for the square. Thats why I got one. Easier to work on and no stupid computer and ses light.

Mine had a 305 in it. I swapped it out for a BBC 454. Found that and a turbo 350 to go with it. Motor has cam, intake and headers. Carb alt and ps pump for $2,400. Ready to drop right in with out having to buy a bunch of **** to get it to fit.

Anyways I'd say no to a ls swap but, thats me. Because I got a square with a BBC in it and swap was easy.
 

Vbb199

B-rate Hillbilly Customs
Joined
Jan 12, 2018
Posts
9,108
Reaction score
15,456
Location
Salisbury NC
First Name
Vince
Truck Year
89, 79
Truck Model
89 Suburban R1500, 79 C10
Engine Size
350, 502
Youll need an engine harness, high pressure fuel pump, if its saddle tanks, price goes up, if its a rear gas tank setup you want, youll need a 87-91 gas tank so you can run an in-take High pressure pump.
if you run a 4l60e, 4l80e, or whatever, you'll need a trans controller.

If youre using a electronic auto from the said 5.3 truck, and your 77 is 4x4, you will also either
A. Need to convert the cable driven speedo to electric with an adapter.
B. Find an ultra rare 90 or 91 squarebody passenger drop np241 that uses VSS.

You will also need a 1990 or 1991 squarebody instrument cluster in conjunction with all of that.

If its just a 2wd truck, and youre running a 2wd 4l60e or 4l80e, then you'd just need the 90 or 91 cluster or get a aftermarket digital cluster that supports vss



If its JUST the 5.3, and youre keeping your 4 speed, or 3 speed auto, wont be extremely expensive id think.

I vote bbc as well tho :D
But thats my opinion, and this is the internet :deal:
 

Poppy 87

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 19, 2019
Posts
1,082
Reaction score
1,944
Location
Bloomingdale GA
First Name
John
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
R10 Silverado
Engine Size
305
I’ve got my 77 Scottsdale with a old warn out 350. I’ve had a lot of ppl tell me to restore the truck(which is my plans anyways) and put a 99-02 5.3L in it. Would this be a major pain in the butt or fairly easy swap? Thanks
Pretty loaded question. Depending on one's mechanical and electrical abilities, along with the depth of your wallet, should contribute to your decision. The $1500-2000 ls swaps DO NOT happen. Best bang for your buck is probably a crate engine (with warranty) and can add some upgrades depending on how you plan to use truck. The '77 trucks are awesome! If restoring keep it as simple as possible. Bet the ls swap is closer to 5k if you do all the work.
 

JoeR Jr

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 23, 2018
Posts
196
Reaction score
251
Location
Stokesdale, NC
First Name
Joe
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
6.0/4L80E
I swapped my 86 C10. I've got 15k miles on it since the swap and I love driving it. Great manners and 500 HP in one package. That said, it's not cheap to swap even when you do your own work. The old small block chevy engines are still fantastic powerplants. I'd never go back, but I totally understand the guys that aren't interested in them.
Joe
 

hoagster

Full Access Member
Joined
May 16, 2017
Posts
1,408
Reaction score
3,464
Location
California
First Name
Mike
Truck Year
1973, 2000
Truck Model
K10, 1500
Engine Size
5.3l
My build is not cheap! I tore it down as far as you can go. And all the comments so far I agree with. If you are going to restore it and drive it to shows and occasionally rebuild what is in it. If you are a dyi person like most on this forum and you plan to drive it until you can't fix it put a 5.3 or 6.2ls motor in it. Twice the Hp without working at it and increased gas mileage.

That is my goal! either way you have a awesome truck.
 

Slybeanx

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 29, 2020
Posts
122
Reaction score
101
Location
Maryland
First Name
Chris
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
R1500
Engine Size
v6
I’m $1200 into a running driving 5.3 swap. I say go for it. Double if not triple the mileage of a 454 and it’s actually really easy. Fee free to pm me any questions.

Thats a pretty good price for a swap. I'd do the swap just for the MPG alone, the V6 does not impress.
 

Mike Sammons

Junior Member
Joined
Apr 29, 2019
Posts
7
Reaction score
4
Location
Bryan Ohio
First Name
Mike
Truck Year
1977
Truck Model
Scottsdale
Engine Size
350
I’m $1200 into a running driving 5.3 swap. I say go for it. Double if not triple the mileage of a 454 and it’s actually really easy. Fee free to pm me any questions.

Thank you very much, I have tons of questions.
 

Blackbeard44

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 14, 2020
Posts
280
Reaction score
258
Location
Washington State
First Name
andy
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
6.0 LS
Ls swaps can be done fairly cheap, if you reuse the fuse block and harness from the donor rig you can unfunk them at home with youtube videos, external walboro fuel pumps are not very expensive and will work just fine, you dont need a fancy radiator the LS motors have better cooling, I think a person could have it done for $1,000 plus the cost of the donor rig
 

Michael Benardo

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 14, 2020
Posts
113
Reaction score
44
Location
Vallejo, California
First Name
Michael
Truck Year
1973
Truck Model
C 25
Engine Size
292 Cubes
Major pain with a major price tag. Whole new wiring harness, computer and the nice ses light to annoya. I like the era correct motors for the square. Thats why I got one. Easier to work on and no stupid computer and ses light.

Mine had a 305 in it. I swapped it out for a BBC 454. Found that and a turbo 350 to go with it. Motor has cam, intake and headers. Carb alt and ps pump for $2,400. Ready to drop right in with out having to buy a bunch of **** to get it to fit.

Anyways I'd say no to a ls swap but, thats me. Because I got a square with a BBC in it and swap was easy.
You put a Turbo 350 in back of a 454? You should have used a Turbo 400.
 

TubeTruck

I'm from Boston. Deal with it.
Joined
Sep 4, 2019
Posts
1,439
Reaction score
2,180
Location
East TN
First Name
Denis
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
Suburban K10
Engine Size
LQ9
Price all depends on where you live. My buddy in MA picks up 6.0l's, with harness and computer, for $500 all day while out here in IL they are $1500 just for the engine. Best bet is to find a wrecked truck and swap everything over. That way you can pick everything you need.
 

TPISly-C10

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 1, 2019
Posts
615
Reaction score
883
Location
Boucherville QC Canada
First Name
Sly
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
C-10 shortbox
Engine Size
LQ4 6.0L
for me its was easy en not so expensive..yes i do all the swap my self include wiring!

so this my cost:

LQ4 6L 2004 $500 tax in (kenny-U-pull)
4L80E 2006 $198 tax in (Kenny-U-pull)
Tejas Steel work motor mounts $100
Wiring harness and PCM $0 (old scrap '99 GMC lying aroud my brother garage)
few gasket, trans mount, new alternator ect.... +- $500
i can give you a another $500 for part i don't remember
Total: $1698

Re-Sale my old 6.2 diesel and 700R4 trans $1000
and +- $500 of different others part re-sale

so if you do the math in my case it was a good choice to swap a economic and relyable 350hp pure stock no mod anywhere.. and lot of fun to do it all my self (including remove LS trans and engine at the junkyard lolll) :D

You must be registered for see images attach
 

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
44,401
Posts
956,765
Members
36,714
Latest member
MartinK5
Top