What Ls engine should I go with

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.

1sik78

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 8, 2013
Posts
153
Reaction score
6
Location
Sparks,Nevada
First Name
Manuel
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
C10 pickup
Engine Size
250 inline 6
So I'm going to be doing ls swap in my 78. I need suggestions to which engine would be best. I want a street engine I would be happy with 500 horse once upgraded. My options are (these all come with computer and all supporting components)
4.8 with 4l60e $2,300-3,100

5.3 with 4l60e $2,900-3,500

6.0 lq4 or 9 w/4l60e or4l80e $3,300-4,300

5.7 ls1 with 4l60e $4,800-5,800

6.0 ls2 with 4l80e 6sp auto $5,600-6,700

All auto trans all 2wd applications

What is the best starting point to achieve at least 500 horse. N/A. If I buy a less expensive one can I achieve this goal or is it worth getting the LS1 or2 let me know your suggestions please thanks



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

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
So I'm going to be doing ls swap in my 78. I need suggestions to which engine would be best. I want a street engine I would be happy with 500 horse once upgraded. My options are (these all come with computer and all supporting components)
4.8 with 4l60e $2,300-3,100

5.3 with 4l60e $2,900-3,500

6.0 lq4 or 9 w/4l60e or4l80e $3,300-4,300

5.7 ls1 with 4l60e $4,800-5,800

6.0 ls2 with 4l80e 6sp auto $5,600-6,700

All auto trans all 2wd applications

What is the best starting point to achieve at least 500 horse. N/A. If I buy a less expensive one can I achieve this goal or is it worth getting the LS1 or2 let me know your suggestions please thanks



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
A big block.:D
 

spanky55amg

I'll give u $5, a hardy handshake, & 5 fish sticks
Joined
Jun 6, 2017
Posts
819
Reaction score
212
Location
Dallas, TX
First Name
Spanky
Truck Year
1984
Truck Model
C10 Short Fleet
Engine Size
V8
turbo 5.3... 650 hp
 

spanky55amg

I'll give u $5, a hardy handshake, & 5 fish sticks
Joined
Jun 6, 2017
Posts
819
Reaction score
212
Location
Dallas, TX
First Name
Spanky
Truck Year
1984
Truck Model
C10 Short Fleet
Engine Size
V8
LS1 or 2, the weight will be a big difference. You will need to replace your front suspension springs because of the weight.

There isnt much of a HP difference between the 5.3 and 6.0 to be totally honest.

If you want 500 HP NA, you will need heads, long tube headers, huge ass cam, bigger injectors and tune.

See sig.

Edit... oh yeah, and if you go FI, you will need to gap your piston rings. That said, even if not rebuilt, you could go 800-1000 easily on a stock bottom end. You could go more, but being used, you could mess up bearings. Hitting 500 NA isnt impossible, you'll just need to redefine what driveable is. To me, the huge cam was fine. To others who drove it, hated it.
 
Last edited:

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’d say try to find one out of a Trailbazer SS or a Saab aluminum 6.0 for the win.
 

smoothandlow84

I'd rather be draggin' frame
Joined
Jan 4, 2015
Posts
2,121
Reaction score
791
Location
Arizona
First Name
Steve
Truck Year
1984 Frame...87 motor and 700r trans
Truck Model
1500 r10 pavement scraper
Engine Size
350 TBI
LQ9...Supercharged and turbo'd...(pull the motor from a vette and a salvage yard) 600 + h.p. will get you noticed.
 

gpmorgan

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 9, 2013
Posts
562
Reaction score
105
Location
Tupelo Ms.
First Name
greg
Truck Year
1992
Truck Model
1500
Engine Size
632
I'm very pleased with it. Runs great. I'm looking to get some dot street radials soon. I think I'm going to try the m&h tire.
 

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'm very pleased with it. Runs great. I'm looking to get some dot street radials soon. I think I'm going to try the m&h tire.
Oh that’s good I don’t think I’ve seen a video yet.....lol
 

gpmorgan

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 9, 2013
Posts
562
Reaction score
105
Location
Tupelo Ms.
First Name
greg
Truck Year
1992
Truck Model
1500
Engine Size
632
I've got a couple of short vids when I got it running but can't get them to load on here. My son has been trying to get me to make some and put them on ytube. Mabe soon I'll have a few.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
44,419
Posts
957,218
Members
36,758
Latest member
PapaD
Top