Camaro73

Deciding to go the cheaper/ easier route and carb an ls motor for my 73 Camaro swap.

As far as the wiring and top end stuff what do I need or in better words what does everybody run?

BigEd_72455

iTrader: (7)

MSD 6LS, and some form of LS carb intake. usually edelbrock victor jr, or a dual plane if street driving. depending on what engine, whether cathedral port or rectangle port heads, will point you towards your modifications.

Welcome to the NEW small block chevy... Where power levels are only limited by your wallet!!

ZONES89RS

iTrader: (25)

You need to read this:

https://ls1tech.com/forums/carburete...need-know.html

Camaro73

Well it'll either be a 5.7 or a 5.3 2006 & under. I did a lot of research these past few months but that was the efi route which I wanted to do but with a very limited budget is impossible for me.

This car will bet daily driver if that helps any. So HP isn't a big concern RIGHT NOW but if I snag up a can or some heads for cheap I'm sure I'll get them if I can

rustys10ls

5.3. Msd carb and intake. My opinion $500 junkyard motor= $3000 old school sbc. My last sbc all forged bottom end world product heads I would cringe at 7000 rpm. $500 junkyard 5.3. Goes 7200 all day stock everything. With carb. No worries.
2 tenths faster than The sbc.

rustys10ls

5.3 I speak of has 160000 miles and runs like a new motor. And I beat it down!!! Im on the rev lim all the time. Just sounds to good not to. Best thing is that new used short block will run 300 bones. So blow it up(not likely).

Camaro73

I've been in the fence about buying a 5.3 with high miles since I'll be putting a lot on one. I picked up a Trans am a few weeks back with 140k and that worries me lol

CarbedZ-28

We built dads 5.3 for his nova just for a little insurance.
130,000 mile complete engine minus intake-$250
piston rings from Orielly's auto parts-$158.99
main bearings from Orielly's auto parts-$110.99
rod bearings from Orielly's auto parts-$31.99

We also put in new rod bearings in my 6.0 just because i didnt get them all with the engine (it was disassembled) i ran a finish hone thru it used the old rings that were on the pistons and reused the main bearings it makes 75psi of oil pressure and went 7.77 @ 89mph in the 1/8th mile. These engines are tough and made to take the abuse.

I forgot to mention that we put arp rod bolts in them both, its worth the money to do at least that.

Camaro73

Unfortunately for me here in TX 250$ for even a high mileage 5.3 is impossible. It's crazy how much people are selling them for here. So buying one with low miles compared to getting a high mileage one and putting new parts in it is basically the same.

I guess the word got out about ls swaps lol.

TXsilverado

iTrader: (18)

dont let them talk you into thinking it's cheap. by the time i built a fuel system, carb, intake, filter, MSD box, throttle cable and cable brackets along with fittings and gaskets...i probably could have put EFI on....with that said, i'm glad i went carb.

ZONES89RS

iTrader: (25)

My 6 liter mustang motor, 198k miles before swapping in for 7200 rpm nitrous duty.

The 86 TA 5.3, 156k miles before 7200 rpm abuse duty.

Don't worry about miles. Lol

Camaro73

Well I don't have to change anything with my fuel system other than putting in a big block sending unit. The only expensive things will be the intake/mad box/ carb

Camaro73

Why is that?

CarbedZ-28

I'm in Texas, and it was a lot cheaper then Efi believe me I swapped over from efi after chasing gremlins and replacing everything fuel related then still not fixing the issue.

Camaro73

Where are you in TX? & ya I'm not sure if people that do swaps in the old.cars know but they can use there original fuel system they just have to use a external fuel pump or bigger sending unit. That saved at least 400$ then no tuning for a computer or re flash or having to send your harness out to get re worked which saves you at least 1k. And a carb just seems so much easier and can get just as good gas mileage + power.

CarbedZ-28

I'm in the Odessa/Midland area and yeah that saves a lot and you can buy a cheapo Mr. Gasket pump from the auto parts store or "splurge" lol for the one of the holley pumps with a regulator. There is a salvage yard down here that sells me the 5.3's intake to pan for $450 but I always give the intake back. I also agree with the ease of the carbs I am happy as hell with mine.

ZONES89RS

iTrader: (25)

I like the Efi guys that say the Efi is the same price. But they are talking used junk to new carbed parts. Let them go new with Efi. And take it in the A on the price tag. No thanks. I'll take a carbed super Vic for 400ish over a Efi fast 102 for 1000ish. And they still need a TB, MAF, blah blah. I don't have that kind of cash and I don't need a tuner or EFI tuning software. F all that.

fast89stang

iTrader: (2)

well, my carb was high, but I wanted it cause I liked the way it looked.. So I bought it. 760 bucks, but man its PURTY!!! LOL

TXsilverado

iTrader: (18)

you can get a complete truck intake with injectors fuel rails, throttle body and sensors for less than 100. i have 2 or 3 of them around my garage. and a modded stock harness for around $350. pcm is $40 from a yard if you dont have one laying around.

i put my carb setup together with a used MSD box, used vic jr, used carb, used TCU...it's all used except for my fuel system. I wanted to relocate the tank to the back side of the bed for traction so that cost me pretty good.

ZONES89RS

iTrader: (25)

You didn't read the whole used part there huh? Still, the average guys cannot use a truck intake and it doesn't produce the power the average guys swapping want and they are FUGLY. I know all that crap you just posted as I have been there and done a Efi swap for a friend. And he wishes every time we talk that he went carb. Lol