Poll -Would doing a LS swap in a CLEAN 1987 V10 INCREASE to DECREASE VALUE?

[82sbshortbed]

Yes, drive it till it takes a **** on you, then worry about what to do. I can't wait to get mine back on the road so I can drive it.

 

[hoagster]

If it's all original i.e. numbers matching! I would keep it that way.

 

[Rusty Nail]

Come down off the fence bro, we're your friends..don't jump - It'll be okay.

 

[Jwernatl]

Come down off the fence bro, we're your friends..don't jump - It'll be okay.

That's what Im doing. I needed realizim. I decided - to take heads off - machine shop for complete job - valves etc - and put 'm back on. If bottom is bad when I take heads off - I'll yank it out and take it up to a certain machine shop in Lynchburg Va - have them build it right - and go with that. I like it like it is. Simple - I can do anything on it.

It's such a nice truck. and it leaves money for paint!!!

It's not that I wanted an 'ls' - I want reliability for years and years to come- well it's been reliable for 160k miles Actually still is. so screw it... - redo the heads - Im hoping it's just the valves - I'll know when I take heads off -

 

[Jwernatl]

If it's all original i.e. numbers matching! I would keep it that way.

yea - thats it. I like originality. more so than not.

Shorty81 said it best - want an ls - buy a truck with an ls -

I bought this one because it's pure. - what am I thinking.

You guys rock

 

[hoagster]

yea - thats it. I like originality. more so than not.

Shorty81 said it best - want an ls - buy a truck with an ls -

I bought this one because it's pure. - what am I thinking.

You guys rock

I inherited my truck from my dad. He gave it to me when I retired from the Air Force. I drove it as a teenager and when I stripped it to put it back together the only numbers that match were the frame and the cab. I have no idea what 350 it is I haven't torn it down yet, but it was a remanufactured motor becuase the stamp has been XXXX'd out. And I destoryed the original rear end and the second one came apart shortly after I retired. So mine is a resto mod with an LS 5.3 with a texas speed stage 2 cam upgrade. Everything has been resealed, rebuilt, replaced and once I'm done I'm going to drive the s#$t out of it then give it to my son! I am still going to make it original except new goodies underneath!

 

[TPISly-C10]

mine was diesel so was not a big decision to swap it 6L LS

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[K5ride]

I prefer the stock engine in these squarebodys, but if you drive a lot, I can understand the desire for an LS. Better fuel mileage and they seem smoother running. The LS engines received many upgrades and are a better engine overall. Personally, I wouldn't purchase a truck with an LS conversion but that is just me. I don't think it would hurt your value, but it might limit the potential customers as many prefer the gen 1 engine in these trucks. Also, your truck is an 87. I believe it has a 1-piece rear main seal and provisions for a roller cam. If so, when you do the rebuild, I would install a roller cam.

 

[CrapJunknStuff]

IMHO, the LS swap will increase the value from the perspective of increasing the drivability. It's more reliable and a nice horsepower doesn't come at the cost of MPG.

The key I think is minimizing upgrades that require permanent modifications and keeping all of the original parts so it can be returned to original condition by you or a future buyer.

Trends and likes change. I remember when the rage was to modify your Gen II K5 to accept a Gen III '81 or later front clip for the square headlights because no one wanted round headlights (I did several). Now it's just the opposite.

 

[eskimomann209]

If the stock engine runs, run it. as soon as it’s rebuild time I’d LS it hands down.

Now around here people think a 600$ JY engine makes any square worth 10k automatically.
Your location plays a large effect on the value of the swap.

 

[gmbellew]

I'd keep the stock TBI for simplicity and reliability unless you do all your own maintenance work. Any mechanic ought to be able to work on a stock TBI. Hell, i am far from a mechanic, but even I can do a lot of work on a stock TBI. But not every mechanic or shop wants to mess with a LS swapped vehicle with non-OEM computer, wiring, etc. Just another perspective to add in the mix.

 

[Green79Scottsdale]

Yes - I see that. Im so on the fence. May just put a little into the heads and go with back with all new sensors - i do like its all original.

Especially when its clean likw now ...

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Very clean, and sharp!

I would say stick with the original parts, especially if you are not after having gobs more power. Working with the traditional sbc platform is still plenty reliable for many more years. It's not like all SBC's suddenly became totally unreliable when the LS platform came out. You could easily rework your existing heads and toss a cam in it and have a bump in power and keep the reliability, for much less than an LS swap.

 

[bucket]

If the stock engine runs, run it. as soon as it’s rebuild time I’d LS it hands down.

Now around here people think a 600$ JY engine makes any square worth 10k automatically.
Your location plays a large effect on the value of the swap.

That's a good point about the junkyard engines. A run of the mill 5.3 (as an example) with some miles on it will probably have no chance at all of adding any value even if it's a really nice swap.

 

[Grit dog]

mine was diesel so was not a big decision to swap it 6L LS

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That pic is almost a good enough reason for anyone! That LQ9? is a thing of beauty!

 

[Grit dog]

But our last 2 boats have had classy looking small blocks in them!
Long live the 350…You can still buy new boats with new, old school small blocks in them, although a lot are LS based marinazations if they’re GM motors.
Old boat had a LT1 vette motor marinized with a Northstar ignition.
Current boat with the MCX is real perty.

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