FultonPerformance

Ok guys well I have been thinking my old Buick is gonna need a rebuild soon I meen my grandpa build it 15- 20, maybe more years ago and its still running low 8s (1/8th).

I was wanting to build a n/a 370 out of a 6.0 iron block. But I have heard to convert to a LS intake you have to change the accessories.

So basically should I spend the extra money on a LS1 from summit or go to my local junk yard and buy a 5.3 or 6.0?

When I rebuild ill be changing my setup from strip only to street and strip and would love to have it where on a programmer I can go from a easy riding car to full blown beast.

ZONES89RS

iTrader: (25)

A 370 is not a stroker. It is a 364 ci 6 liter block with a larger bore. .030 over from stock.

A junkyard engine is a fan favorite and my 6.0 in my camaro went 7.1s and in my lighter mustang runs 6.9s all motor in the 1/8th. Which is much slower than many of the other guys that have better heads, converter and gears.

So it depends on how hard you want to run. My 86 TA with a salvage 5.3 runs 7.7 all motor in the 1/8th. Didn't even really tune it.

Accessories? I run the truck pieces.

FultonPerformance

Im going off idiots that are around my residents with ls blocks.

Well is a 370 a good platform or should I just save the money get a low mileage 6.0 and leave it stock short block and throw cam and heads in it.

btw when running carb on a ls based engine how exactly does the coil packs work?

fast89stang

iTrader: (2)

msd 6012 or 6010, depending on the year of motor, or reluctor on crank. A 6.0 will be fine. I wouldnt even worry alot about mileage unless its a whole lot, more than likely you could run one with a 100k easy, i am sure lots have.

ZONES89RS

iTrader: (25)

I run junkyard salvage 6 liters all day with a cam, springs and pushrods. The MSD fires the coils while reading the cam and crank position allowing it to know when to fire. Short and sweet yet potent engines.

79CamaroKyle

I went with a silverado engine. See info below. Used head that were in it.

Flex Fuel 5.3L LC9
LS1 08 Silverado Engine 55K miles. (Craigslist) ($950)

MSD Ignition 6012 - MSD Ignition Controller for GM EFI/Carbureted LS Engines: (Jegs) $349.99 http://www.jegs.com/i/MSD+Ignition/121/6012/10002/-1

Edelbrock 71187 - Edelbrock Performer RPM Manifolds & Kits for Chevrolet: (Jegs) $265.99
http://www.jegs.com/i/Edelbrock/350/71187/10002/-1

newschool72

iTrader: (12)

Technically , your engine isn't an LS1. Its a 5.3 truck engine. The LS1 was put in Camaros, TAs, vettes and one year in the GTO(04). The LS1 is the 5.7 liter, aluminum block founding father of the LS family tree.

Doug G

Just get the 6.0 Silverado motor....add a cam....an intake....a carb....and a MSD box to run it all.
Drive it anywhere and smoke that low 8's motor anytime

newschool72

iTrader: (12)

What he said !

FultonPerformance

We was going to go a big block 454 with cam and heads a while back so when we set the car up with the small block we went ahead and got ready for bigger and better.

We ran a msd ignition for a while but when we would shift there was a horrible pop to it so we just yanked it and rebuilt the stock distributor.

I was actually just looking on Chevrolet performance, and in order to keep my car still reasonably priced I will probably go with a 6.0 from the work truck models (if I can find one) and put a hefty cam and have the heads worked.

Also I read that the MSD has a 2step launch, Ive seen them in action but never got a chance to ask about them, could anyone enlighten me?

79CamaroKyle

True, the 5.3 is not an LS1 but falls into the same category as an LS4. If your searching for a MSD swap you can use Vortec truck engines interchangeably as follows Vortec 5.3 (LS4), Vortec 6.0 (LS2), Vortec 6.2 (LSA/LS3/LS9). Just something to keep in mind if you can't find a Camaro, TA, Vette, or GTO to pull one from!

-Kyle

newschool72

iTrader: (12)

Pretty much everything V8 wise from GM has been in the LS platform since about 98, except a few truck engines that hung on to the gen 2 stuff for a few years. About the only thing you have to consider as far as a carbed swap goes , is head style (rectangular port or cathedral port) and whether it uses a 24X or 58X wheel. 4.8, 5.3, 5.7, 6.0, 6.2 are all the same basic block. Some aluminum, some iron.
There are many knowledgeable people hanging out on this site. You have a lot to learn about the LS platform. Hang on and enjoy the ride !! Its a lot of fun.

FultonPerformance

Well I am along for the ride, its my turn to build a engine for the buick and well I just am tired of the 4 bolt mains. I wana run a little faster but still be very streetable and with the 6.0 I can do that

newschool72

iTrader: (12)

You sure can. There is a lot of support for that build too. A 6.0 truck engine is probably the most popular swap on the carbed forum. You will be very impressed with the way a carbed 6.0 gets you down the track!

FultonPerformance

That is basically my only option around here, and being that there are a lot of 3500 6.0 trucks around I am sure to find a good compression one. But how can I tell if it has the 223 or 799 heads?

Pop N Wood

iTrader: (1)

newschool72

iTrader: (12)

LOL!!! The numbers never lie!

FultonPerformance

Well I have decided to go 6.0 and just have the heads worked with a good cam and see what it runs.