Conversions & Swaps LSX Engines in Non-LSX Vehicles
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Im a rookie to LS.....need some help!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 1, 2012 | 07:31 PM
  #1  
87_squarebody_ls's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Pensacola Florida
Default Im a rookie to LS.....need some help!

I picked up a 2004 5.3 truck motor yesterday, it has around 200,000 miles on it. I scored it for $200 & its going in a 1987 C10 pickup. This is my first motor build ever so I'm nervous & don't really know what to do. The motor had a small oil leak on the front so I know I want to take care of that. So I'm gonna throw some questions at yall & if anybody can help that would be awsome!

Should I take it to a machine shop & have it bored & sleeved & all that or what?

It has 706 heads on the motor, are those good or should get some other heads?...or would those be fine with some machining?

My goal for the motor is I want to have somewhere around 400 hp to the rear wheels....and not get 8 miles to the gallon. I expect to have to do a cam, something with the heads, & a tune.....but what else do I need to do?
Reply
Old Apr 1, 2012 | 07:44 PM
  #2  
99VetteFRC's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,356
Likes: 2
From: Felton Pa
Default

A turbo would work on a stock motor. Agood freshen would be smart on an engine with that many miles. I bought a 4.8 with 177k on the clock and when I got installed it knocked bad. Had to get another and put it in.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmKsw...2&feature=plcp

This is after I changed the engine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=779K_...1&feature=plcp

I have a pair of T70's for it just waiting for injectors and a tune.
Reply
Old Apr 2, 2012 | 09:27 AM
  #3  
rouseyss's Avatar
On The Tree
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Manama, Bahrain (Military)
Default

Ive always been like you and somewhat nervous about doin **** to motors. Well im in the Coast Guard and we had two motors take ***** on us and me and 3 others were the ones assigned the task. I learned a ton and the motors run so if I can do it you can do it man. Just trust yourself and take pictures of everything just incase you forget what goes where.

5.3's do awesome on boost so see if you can find where the leak is coming from. I'd replace your oil pump timing chain water pump and other accessories since your at 200k miles. As frc99 said it would be a good idea to get a gasket kit and get the torque specs and freshen the motor up. Im sure others will jump into this convo also
Reply
Old Apr 2, 2012 | 11:34 AM
  #4  
99VetteFRC's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,356
Likes: 2
From: Felton Pa
Default

I am a technician, rebuilding the engine is no problem, I just bought an engine from a yard and it was supposed to be a good one so I made them stand behind there products. They let me keep the noisy engine so I will build a stroker out of it.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:32 PM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE