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Possibly thinking about a LSx in a S10.. looking for some information

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Old Dec 25, 2009 | 03:24 PM
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Default Possibly thinking about a LSx in a S10.. looking for some information

I got a 1996 Chevrolet S10. It had been a project for someone. 4 cylinder lost the headgasket.



This is where she sits now. It has a 4L60E in it now, I think, but its got the 4 cylinder bellhousing.

I would like a V8. I drive a 2005 Blazer 4x4 every day. Its a 4.3 auto, and it burns about $55 worth of gas every 5 days, just going to school and back. (70kms round trip to go to school and back, per day)

I would like to drop in a V8 however I'm not sure what sort of fuel mileage I'd be getting.

I would like to do a 4.8/5.3/6.0 swap into it. Being such a light truck it should be decent on gas.

However I'd probably go the carbureted route, with a distributor, unless the 6010 MSD box is cheaper.

So heres my questions.

1. How well do the LS motors take to carburetors? I heard that the LS motors are not rebuildable because they have thin cylinder walls, and because they are fuel injected. Fuel injected motors should last longer than carbs because they don't wash the cylinder walls. True or False?

2. What sort of fuel mileage would you get with a stock 4.8/5.3/6.0 with a carburetor ontop, and an automatic trans?

3. Where do you guys seem to get the cheap complete motors? I found a 4.8 with 200,000kms and the guy wanted $2000 for it.

I am not sure what transmission I'd be using. I'm trying to avoid alot of wiring. And I'm also trying to do it on a budget.

Last edited by Gearstix; Dec 25, 2009 at 10:56 PM.
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Old Dec 26, 2009 | 09:52 AM
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Yes the 6010 box would be cheaper. Im doing a carbed 6.0 with L92 heads right now in a first gen two wheel drive.
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Old Dec 26, 2009 | 10:22 AM
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1) I have never heard of the two statements you listed. Folks rebuild these all the time. As far as washing the cylinder walls, that is because someone has poured fuel down the carb to try and get it to start.

I could really go on about this but in light of this qestion, I would suggest you do a fair bit of reading. Go to s10forum dot com and read through the lsx build threads there. Most if not all your questions will be answered between these two forums.

2) Can't comment on an LS however, i did get 'round 30 HWY with my 383SBC in my first gen 4x4.

3) Whats your location? I noticed you mentioned km's so i am assuming that you are not in the US. If this is the case, that is your issue. My suggestion to you is to start off with a 5.3L as they have better properties later down the road than a 4.8L

Both will work, one is just "better" in some respects than others.

Good luck.
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Old Dec 26, 2009 | 12:56 PM
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I'm in Canada.

I may just save up my cash and buy either a carbed ls crate, or a rebuilt longblock from gm.

I am a member on S10 forum, I have read through the conversion thread, but I haven't really looked for peoples gas mileage. I know when these motors a fuel injected they get pretty good fuel mileage, as I have another buddy into S-trucks and he urged me to do a LS motor rather than a SBC, if I were to do an engine swap.

Thanks for the help guys.
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Old Dec 26, 2009 | 06:38 PM
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There's a guy on here and on the S10 forum, BlackX. He has a turbo 6.0 in an Xtreeme running in the 9's and getting almost 30mpg. IMO do your homework, keep the fuel injection, and you will have a nice build. I am in the process of my swap right now. 2003 5.3, LS6 intake, 224/588 comp cam, 2600 converter, 3:42's in an 8.5" rear
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Old Dec 26, 2009 | 10:15 PM
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Originally Posted by Gearstix
I'm in Canada.

I may just save up my cash and buy either a carbed ls crate, or a rebuilt longblock from gm.
Can you narrow down "Canada"?

Depending on where you're located, i may be able to direct you to a reasonable engine.

If a crate engine is what you desire, then so be it. if you are looking for a budget truck engine, there are options. I too am from "Canada" and was able to acquire a low mileage engine from the US for significantly less than any local could compete with.
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Old Dec 27, 2009 | 10:50 AM
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Don't be a bumb. Do the fuel innjection. It's going to be way more reliable, and more efficiant. Besides, the truck is a 96, so it should stay injected. At ;east locl laws here require it to be, and the block has to be the same age or newer than the swaped vehicle it goes in. Not sure about Canada.
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Old Dec 27, 2009 | 01:25 PM
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If gas mileage is a concern of yours then KEEP the fuel injection. Esp. in your cold climate it'll start up way better and really save on gas. All you'll need to do is buy a stand alone harness and pcm then.
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Old Dec 30, 2009 | 02:57 PM
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I'm in Fort McMurray, Alberta.
I'm just looking for a 5.3 thats in running order that I won't have to rebuild. Doesn't have to be a crate. Truck engine would be find for me.

I wanted to go the carb route because I don't want to do alot of wiring, really.
The truck won't be ran in the winter, only in summer months. I'll have a winter beater.
It seemed that guys on here with carbs were getting pretty decent mileage.. better than my V6 Blazer.

We don't have emissions testing here, just have to keep the exhaust at a resonable level or else you'll be ticketed for a noise violation.
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Old Dec 30, 2009 | 07:52 PM
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So would something like this be everything I need to run a LS? Price doesn't seem to bad, it'll cost more than that to do a carbed setup.

http://www.painlessperformance.com/w...rchField=60217

I could use the V6 trans I have if I could change the tailshaft so its 2wd.

The more I read about LS swaps, the more I wanna do one.
Wiring doesn't seem to be too bad if I get a plug and play harness.

Last edited by Gearstix; Dec 30, 2009 at 08:04 PM.
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Old Dec 30, 2009 | 10:24 PM
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Originally Posted by Gearstix
So would something like this be everything I need to run a LS? Price doesn't seem to bad, it'll cost more than that to do a carbed setup.

http://www.painlessperformance.com/w...rchField=60217

I could use the V6 trans I have if I could change the tailshaft so its 2wd.

The more I read about LS swaps, the more I wanna do one.
Wiring doesn't seem to be too bad if I get a plug and play harness.
lol that
if u are ready to pay that much might as well go to current performance and get a plug and play for the s10

http://www.currentperformance.com/s10wir.html

call him
good guy
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Old Dec 31, 2009 | 02:22 AM
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Originally Posted by b005td
lol that
if u are ready to pay that much might as well go to current performance and get a plug and play for the s10

http://www.currentperformance.com/s10wir.html

call him
good guy
Just sent him an email. If its plug and play, I'd be all over it.
I just have to find an engine. I would like to find a decent one for a couple hundred bucks, but looks to me most go for over a thousand here, even some with 200,000kms+ go for $1500, $2000.

and yes, I've heard of car-part.com
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Old Dec 31, 2009 | 05:03 AM
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I lucked out and got an '05 6.0L for $1100 plus $400 shipping from Quebec -> Vancouver, found on eBay. Where have you checked? I too have noticed that our Canadian wrecking yards seem to have no clue what this stuff is actually worth. Try eBay/Craigslist/Used___.com, or call a truck-specific yard as they usually have a better grasp on the actual worth of these things.

I'd recommend sticking with EFI, even if just the stand-alone costs more than an entire carb setup, you'll be thankful way up there in Fort McMurray when the temps start to drop, not to mention you'll want all the help you can get in the fuel efficiency department with a not-entirely-aerodynamic s10... Good luck!!
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Old Dec 31, 2009 | 09:22 AM
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Just a few weeks ago i purchased an '05 LQ4 6.0 with 29,000 miles for $1200 after shipping to my door. I found mine on carpart.com.
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Old Dec 31, 2009 | 02:24 PM
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It does get cold here, -41*C/-41*F and colder. However I won't be driving the truck in those temps, as its 2wd for one, and I don't want to winter drive it. Fuel injection would still be nice.
Hopefully I can get better gas mileage than the V6 Blazer I drive now. I've read something on S10f that a guy had a V6 Sonoma and he sold it cause it burned more gas than his vette. I'm not sure if he was joking but I'm starting to believe it now.

I have found some engines in idaho, washington and montana, I'm going to call about them today and see if any will ship them to me, if not I may see if I can drive down. I think its only a 12 hour drive to montana..

Current Performance harness is $850. I may get it, if it reduces the aggrivation and confusion factor.
What advantages does the Current harness have over ones such as the Painless one above?
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Old Dec 31, 2009 | 05:08 PM
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I picked up my LM7 from LKQ for $249 88k klms adn 3mo warranty.

Try them see what they have.
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Old Jan 2, 2010 | 05:22 PM
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Originally Posted by TTLS1GP
I picked up my LM7 from LKQ for $249 88k klms adn 3mo warranty.

Try them see what they have.
What is LKQ?
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Old Jan 2, 2010 | 06:41 PM
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Originally Posted by Gearstix

Current Performance harness is $850. I may get it, if it reduces the aggrivation and confusion factor.
What advantages does the Current harness have over ones such as the Painless one above?
The CP harness will fully integrate with your truck. Your speedometer will work, your gauges will work, you can add electric fans. The harness will fall naturally in place. It's not a universal harness made for any random vehicle.

Jared has done hundreds of these and does them well.
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Old Jan 11, 2010 | 12:03 PM
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Here is a link to a few pictures of my 96 Sonoma.
http://www.s10forum.com/forum/f213/m...nished-418170/
You are right a carb can wash cylinders down. My truck gets 7.2 however it has a 3800 converter with a 4.10. I'm running a 350 trans and a 12 bolt with a spool. I'm taking the Carb off and so I can play with it. If you stay with a small converter like a 2400 or less, maybe a 3.08 gear you'll be fine. I don't know about 30mpg you should get 15 or so. Your truck will not be as heavy as mine so that will help also. If you have any questions send me a pm. I spent from 8 to10,000 I lost count. I think it could be done own a tight budget of 3,000 or so. Maybe a little less.
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Old Jan 11, 2010 | 12:18 PM
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I would go with Efi but I understand not wanting to try it the first time around. The good thing is if you keep the motor all stock. All you would have to do is send out the harness and computer and then plug and play. By the time you buy the Carb, msd and intake you're at the same price for the price for the computer and harness reworked. It was cheaper for me to go Carb because I could not use any of the Efi stuff with my combination. If I could do it over I think I would've spent 3000 on a stock l92 motor and just stuck it straight in.
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