LS swap

[Mike Sammons]

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]

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]

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
But thats my opinion, and this is the internet

 

[Poppy 87]

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]

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

 

[Shorty81]

LS no....BBC yes.

 

[hunters628]

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.

 

[hoagster]

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]

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]

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.

 

[JoeR Jr]

A short while back a member here did a nice job of documenting his swap. Lots of great info in this thread: https://www.gmsquarebody.com/threads/5-3-lm7-going-in-my-87.27558/

 

[Blackbeard44]

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]

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]

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]

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)

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