New Member

What engine should I put into my squarebody?


  • Total voters
    11

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.

Onebad1983

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 13, 2018
Posts
156
Reaction score
76
Location
Alabama
First Name
Kaleb
Truck Year
1983
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
TBD
Hi, my name is Kaleb. I turn 16 in June. I currently own a 1983 K10 that I plan on turning into a toy. I also own a 2002 Tahoe 4X4 as a daily

You must be registered for see images attach


You must be registered for see images attach


You must be registered for see images attach


You must be registered for see images attach


You must be registered for see images attach
 

Old77

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Aug 19, 2010
Posts
28,491
Reaction score
9,561
Location
Kansas City, Mo
First Name
Jacob
Truck Year
1977/1990/1991
Truck Model
C10 longbed/R1500 Burb/R3500 Dually
Engine Size
350/350/454
:welcome: to the site :waytogo:


If it was me and wanting to LS swap my truck I'd just stick to the basics of 5.3 or 6.0 or maybe even a 4.8 if I got it for almost free. A LOT more bang for your buck where as you'll pay through the nose on the options you have listed in your poll.
 

WFO

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 6, 2017
Posts
3,717
Reaction score
5,112
Location
Texas Panhandle
First Name
Dan
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
Welcome from the Texas Panhandle.
 

Onebad1983

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 13, 2018
Posts
156
Reaction score
76
Location
Alabama
First Name
Kaleb
Truck Year
1983
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
TBD
:welcome: to the site :waytogo:


If it was me and wanting to LS swap my truck I'd just stick to the basics of 5.3 or 6.0 or maybe even a 4.8 if I got it for almost free. A LOT more bang for your buck where as you'll pay through the nose on the options you have listed in your poll.
Yeah but imo the 5.3 sounds weak
 

Old77

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Aug 19, 2010
Posts
28,491
Reaction score
9,561
Location
Kansas City, Mo
First Name
Jacob
Truck Year
1977/1990/1991
Truck Model
C10 longbed/R1500 Burb/R3500 Dually
Engine Size
350/350/454
Yeah but imo the 5.3 sounds weak
The 5.3 is a very reliable engine and is plentiful so many pennies can be saved (as compared to your poll choices) so that the money can be put into hop up goodies or other aspects of your build. I'm just trying to encourage you not to get caught up in the "oooooooooohhhhhhhhhh LS3" factor (or whatever) and use your noodle. You will indeed unnecessarily overpay for the options listed
 

Onebad1983

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 13, 2018
Posts
156
Reaction score
76
Location
Alabama
First Name
Kaleb
Truck Year
1983
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
TBD
The 5.3 is a very reliable engine and is plentiful so many pennies can be saved (as compared to your poll choices) so that the money can be put into hop up goodies or other aspects of your build. I'm just trying to encourage you not to get caught up in the "oooooooooohhhhhhhhhh LS3" factor (or whatever) and use your noodle. You will indeed unnecessarily overpay for the options listed
I just want something to drive and be able to boil the rear (or all four) tires on command
 

Old77

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Aug 19, 2010
Posts
28,491
Reaction score
9,561
Location
Kansas City, Mo
First Name
Jacob
Truck Year
1977/1990/1991
Truck Model
C10 longbed/R1500 Burb/R3500 Dually
Engine Size
350/350/454
I just want something to drive and be able to boil the rear (or all four) tires on command
A well built 5.3 will do that. Heck, even a built 4.8 will do that with no problem.
 

Derrick

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 12, 2017
Posts
544
Reaction score
271
Location
near Milwaukee, Wisconsin
First Name
Derrick
Truck Year
2003
Truck Model
1500
Engine Size
5.3
:welcome: the 5.3 is a great option parts are everywhere. they are very reliable I have seen 5.3 trucks were the motor lasted way longer than the body. the big block would be easier depending on what you pick for that. (less wiring than the 5.3) there are a few people on this forum that have done 5.3 swaps and if you need a place to find a cam for a 5.3 go to https://www.texas-speed.com/. Another thing with the 5.3 is if you buy a truck that has a 5.3 (2000-2006 truck seem to almost always have them) you can pull the harness and trans. The 5.3 also gets better gas mileage than a big block could ever dream of. So my vote is 5.3 but it is your truck in the end
 
Last edited:

82sbshortbed

Fuckemall!!
Joined
Mar 1, 2018
Posts
15,978
Reaction score
53,838
Location
SE Texas
First Name
Doug
Truck Year
1982, 1984
Truck Model
1500 shortbed, 1500 longbed
Engine Size
454, 305
:welcome: if you were in Texas I have a buddy with an ls1 ready to go. He offered it to me when I got my 82 c10 about a month ago. I have a 2000 camaro ss with an ls1 so I decided just to rebuild the small block in it for cost and the fact I have the camaro that's already fast as hell. I think here you'll find the big block will be the most voted on. Good luck on whatever you decide on.
 

Old77

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Aug 19, 2010
Posts
28,491
Reaction score
9,561
Location
Kansas City, Mo
First Name
Jacob
Truck Year
1977/1990/1991
Truck Model
C10 longbed/R1500 Burb/R3500 Dually
Engine Size
350/350/454
What the hell is other and who voted for it??? Lol
You must be registered for see images attach
I added that per my previous comments on this thread. There needs to be an "other" selection here :handshake:
 

Honky Kong jr

Super Sarcastic Man
Joined
Jun 14, 2016
Posts
14,968
Reaction score
9,833
Location
Denver,PA
First Name
J-me
Truck Year
87
Truck Model
V10
Engine Size
Lil BB 407
I added that per my previous comments on this thread. There needs to be an "other" selection here :handshake:
Ok I was just wondering. Because to me putting in a SB isn’t a true swap lol
 

Old77

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Aug 19, 2010
Posts
28,491
Reaction score
9,561
Location
Kansas City, Mo
First Name
Jacob
Truck Year
1977/1990/1991
Truck Model
C10 longbed/R1500 Burb/R3500 Dually
Engine Size
350/350/454
Ok I was just wondering. Because to me putting in a SB isn’t a true swap lol
putting in a 350 or 305...correct, that's not a true swap. Putting in a "small block" LS motor, though, that is a true swap IMO. There's nothing stock about that as it pertains to a square body and in many aspects is a huge improvement over the old power plants.
 

Honky Kong jr

Super Sarcastic Man
Joined
Jun 14, 2016
Posts
14,968
Reaction score
9,833
Location
Denver,PA
First Name
J-me
Truck Year
87
Truck Model
V10
Engine Size
Lil BB 407
putting in a 350 or 305...correct, that's not a true swap. Putting in a "small block" LS motor, though, that is a true swap IMO. There's nothing stock about that as it pertains to a square body and in many aspects is a huge improvement over the old power plants.
I’m not arguing it just struck me funny there was a list of LS engines and big block and other. It made me laugh a little.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
44,428
Posts
957,693
Members
36,793
Latest member
koolblue84
Top