ZONES89RS

iTrader: (25)

For a budget, a set of stock LS1 pistons can be had cheap, ARP bolts for the Ross after swapping and resizing the rods, balance the assembly and then slap some stock ls1 heads on with a cam and you will have a fairly cheap investment in 400 rwhp.

Or scavenge a 6.0 and cam it and drive it like I did.

lsthirdgen

do you mean for the ls1 pistons and rods to go on the 4.8 crank? i think im only going to go ls1 pistons if the block needs bored, not sure though. i also thought about just putting a 5.3 crank in with the 4.8 rods and pistons i already have but im not sure if the 4.8 rods are too long for this or not. i live in SD so the truck parts should be cheap and plentiful and if i can stay out of the machine shop as much as possible i should be able to save quite a bit. im still up in the air on most of this stuff though, just trying to get what i want and keep both of my arms and legs.lol

ZONES89RS

iTrader: (25)

4.8 rods only work with 4,8 crank. Think a 4.8 bored to 3.905 ls1 piston makes 310 cubes. You can get a ls1 rotating assembly and not have to balance it. Just bore the block. Tge 4.8 can scream rpm. Just will not produce the torque of a larger engine.

jsanford

iTrader: (4)

I bought a 5500 mile lq4 short block for $500.00 off Craigslist. If I was you, I would look for a 6.0 shortblock and put your 4.8 parts on it. I think you would be better off in the end. Just my .02.

ZONES89RS

iTrader: (25)

Exactly.

Beeterolds

No replacement for displacement

lsthirdgen

So with that 310 cube set up how fast do you suppose I'd have to spin it to make decent power? I'm not really looking for a torque monster and the 310 seems different from the norm which appeals to me. Idk maybe its a bad idea but I like to new Lil different. Man i wasn't expecting this many options! Lol

66chevelle_02SS

iTrader: (7)

To add to your confusion. I just completed a 4.8 swap into an 87 Monte LS. The 4.8 is a great motor I picked it off of CL for 100 bucks. I would suggest just throwing the motor in the car and driving it as is. Then you can collect parts to build up a nice 6.0 while you enjoy your car.

ZONES89RS

iTrader: (25)

Just run the 4.8, I you don't like it change it up. You will be surprised by the power it will make with a cam, spinning 7000 will make decet power.

camarozz383

iTrader: (3)

mike over at s-k speed hooked me up with msd 6ls2 and edelbrock intake, great person to deal with!

orange88ls1s-dime

i agree with Zone89rs. i had a box stock 4.8 in my 96 s10 before i swapped to 5.3. when i first built it , pulled out on the road in front of my shop started burnout shifted second,shifted third(th350) sat there for another 5 seconds then let off the brake and pushed the throttle to the floor and proceeded to lay down over 450 feet of posi marks(monte carlo gov-lock in factory housing).I'd like to also mention this was with 26X11.5X16 M/T et street tires. I didnt have a tach hooked up at the time but she was revving and that little 4.8 was making power.
Beaudacious

lsthirdgen

thats not a bad idea either. it will certainly cut down on my parts scavenging time. at this point all ive done is tare it down and deglaze the cylinders so its wide open. im going from the bottom up with it so im in the process of finding the proper oil pan for the swap and then it'll be off to the machine shop for new cam bearings.i think the crank i have (if i use it) needs some work also. i will post as i go, thanks everyone!

ZONES89RS

iTrader: (25)

Yep, slapping the 4.8 into my 91 RS I am getting Friday, then I'll can it and all the BS later.

lsthirdgen

awesome let me know how it goes!

ZONES89RS

iTrader: (25)

I will, will be fun to see how it runs with the tiny 4.8 with a carb conversion compared to the L98 350 that was in the 89 once upon a time, went 13.87 at 101 mph with a 1.87 60 foot. Was a 5 speed with 4.10, will be a 6 speed with 3.42, so it will be held back by a bit of weigh difference and not as much gear, but I think it may beat that, or it may not. The l98 started at 235 hp, the 4.8 270, but the tpi was a torqy fellow with 340 ftlbs or so, but the 4.8 has 285, so it will be interesting. I would not me surprised if it did not beat the 350, simply make torque, but if it does....it will be funny to see the SBC lovers get upset when I give them a hard time. I could port the heads and put a ls6 cam in, but that would be cheating. Then again, we are comparing a car engine to a truck engine, so it is not exactly a TBI 5.7 it is going against, time will tell.

lsthirdgen

yeah im hoping to to get deep into the 13s at least with this. regardless of what i decide to do with the displacment on this build i will be putting an agressive cam in and porting the heads myself. on a side note id like to post pics in this thread of my car and maybe of the motor as it comes together but i cant figure out how to get them from my album to here. what am i doing wrong? i searched and everything.lol

ZONES89RS

iTrader: (25)

I use photobucket.com, then it gives you the ability to post the code than links the picture here. Ported heads and cam will be 12s I'm sure with the right gearing and converter, as long as it isn't over 3500 pounds going down the track.

speedtigger

iTrader: (16)

There is now way I would tear into a 4.8 and start swapping cranks and rod etc. The cost and potential problems would just be way too much for what your stated goals are.

I would either run the 4.8 for what it is or sell it and get a 5.3 or 6.0. That is the beauty of these motors for guys on a budget. Just pick up a good used motor, throw in a cam, springs, pushrods and a timing chain and they make awesome, reliable power.

ZONES89RS

iTrader: (25)

Meh, I skip the timing chain part some times...lol

lsthirdgen

if i can come across a 5.3 crank and rods cheap enough i will go that route, if not it'll stay a4.8. either way its getting new bearings cuz they're cheap. the 4.8 crank has some wear on it but nothing i feel is too serious. i'll probly just smooth it out with emery cloth if i use it. and thanks for the photo help, here is the future home of my first ls motor.

http://s1245.photobucket.com/albums/...rrent=tint.jpg