OK, so I am pulling the trigger finally
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From: Mustang, OK
OK, so I am pulling the trigger finally 
The travel trailer we will be pulling with the 55.
After years of research, I have finally decided to pull the trigger and come over to the dark side. I have been a 265/283/327 guy my entire life. I struggle starting to learn everything all over again at 50. I just helped my 80 year old dad transplant a LS1 into his 1968 El Camino and we busted it off for the first time last weekend. I learned a lot, mostly what not to do.
I have a platform that will make the Ford purists cringe. I am getting ready to pull the old Y block out of my 1955 Ford Customline and go LS.
We are within a few years of retirement and we are looking to travel the US, pulling our vintage travel trailer. I don't want to work on old junk anymore. Time to enjoy my life!
With that said, I am trying to decide what powerplant to transplant into the 55. It is a front sump like the GTO. I have a local salvage yard that is the GM outlet and they have a lot of 5.3's with less than 10 miles on them. I called Speartech and they said the later engines are harder to install and more costly, but it can be done.
The LS1's all have 100K plus these days. What would you guys do? It's not a performance type car, just a sled.
Root
Last edited by Roothawg; May 1, 2018 at 02:16 PM.
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From: PDX-OR-USA
Novak Adapters has some good reading on GM engine swaps, Also Advanced adapters they aint the Bible, but lots of good thoughts.
If I was planning on a old ford to tow a trailer I'd find a dropout form a 2500 truck, use a shop with a consistent reputation, stand alone converted harness stock ECU with a standalone tune. There are a couple shops near me in Portland Or that provide this stuff as a package ready to run.
Then,, All you need a set of weld in motor mounts and a rear tranny mount cross member.
The customline is fairly heavy car I had a 57 Fairlane 500 ,, the 6.2 has nice stock grunt for the car+trailer.. but the 5.3 won't be a slouch and may pick up a mile or two better mileage, I'd go iron block to keep form having to fool with the front suspension.
If I was planning on a old ford to tow a trailer I'd find a dropout form a 2500 truck, use a shop with a consistent reputation, stand alone converted harness stock ECU with a standalone tune. There are a couple shops near me in Portland Or that provide this stuff as a package ready to run.
Then,, All you need a set of weld in motor mounts and a rear tranny mount cross member.
The customline is fairly heavy car I had a 57 Fairlane 500 ,, the 6.2 has nice stock grunt for the car+trailer.. but the 5.3 won't be a slouch and may pick up a mile or two better mileage, I'd go iron block to keep form having to fool with the front suspension.
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Teching In
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From: Mustang, OK
I have a set of Aerostar springs for the front, which will help. I can pick up a brand new 5.3 with 3 miles on it and the 6L80E for $5500, which is a lot of money but it would go forever. I just don't know about the 2018 stuff.
I'll probably just buy a harness to expedite things. I would look at the bigger engines, but they seem to get scarfed up pretty quick by the performance guys.
I'll probably just buy a harness to expedite things. I would look at the bigger engines, but they seem to get scarfed up pretty quick by the performance guys.
If I was planning on a old ford to tow a trailer I'd find a dropout form a 2500 truck, use a shop with a consistent reputation, stand alone converted harness stock ECU with a standalone tune.
This is the way to go...You'll want to use a 6.0L for trailering...the 5.3Lwill be ok, but just ok...you really want a 6.0.
Every swap I've done, I have started with a complete running truck either 5.3 or 6.0. you'll have most of the extra stuff you don't think of when you start a swap.
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this is the way to go...you'll want to use a 6.0l for trailering...the 5.3lwill be ok, but just ok...you really want a 6.0.
Every swap i've done, i have started with a complete running truck either 5.3 or 6.0. You'll have most of the extra stuff you don't think of when you start a swap.
Every swap i've done, i have started with a complete running truck either 5.3 or 6.0. You'll have most of the extra stuff you don't think of when you start a swap.
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Teching In
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From: Mustang, OK
Trucks sell high around here. Everyone wants a truck. Honestly, I don't wanna hafta get rid of everything afterwards. I would prefer a crate engine or at least a low mileage pullout. I will peruse craigslist though and see whats out there. What kinds of stuff do you need that you don't think of? This is only my second LS swap. I am open to advice.
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I could be wrong, but I would think the newer LT 5.3 engines would probably pull your trailer just about as good as a Gen3 6.0. That being said, they are more expensive, and a little harder to swap, and there isn't as much aftermarket support for them yet, but there surly will be soon. I would go for it if it you can justify the higher cost. It would definitely be easier and probably cheaper to just freshen up an older engine. either way, I like your plan! It will be a lot of fun traveling around the country in your old Ford with the camper. That Devil's Tower pic reminds me of when I was there a couple years back, they take that 25mph speed limit seriously! LOL I got pulled over in the park for doing 38.... 
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Verdad Gallardo Yeah....I don't live that far from Devils Tower...Is that the actual trailer your getting, or one like it...???
Either way, bitchin' ride none the less...
6.0L, 4L80E, proper rear gear, lots of cooling (oil, tranny and rad), lots of BRAKE, suspension workover, quality tires (load rating especially). Go tour the USA in your Chevrolet (powered Ford).
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From: Mustang, OK
Yeah, that is my trailer in the pic. I built it for my wife. Took about a year to restore and it now has well over 15K miles on it. 2 years ago we did the whole New England tour. It went all the way to Maine. You can read about it here. http://theadventuresofavalair.blogspot.com/ The restoration is back in 2011 in the archives. Blogspot is kinda backwards the way the format is.
I would prefer the LT but I need a front sump pan and I am unsure if they ever made anything that has one. The LS has the GTO pan, which drives me towards the earlier stuff. Still researching.
Oh and I would live up there CattleAC, but it's those dang winters.....I have been to Yellowstone 4 or 5 times. I love it there.
I would prefer the LT but I need a front sump pan and I am unsure if they ever made anything that has one. The LS has the GTO pan, which drives me towards the earlier stuff. Still researching.
Oh and I would live up there CattleAC, but it's those dang winters.....I have been to Yellowstone 4 or 5 times. I love it there.
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From: Central Cal.
Did they make 2wd ones? If they did, I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't use the same pan, just without an axle going through it. But then, that's just speculation.
I would use a Gen IV engine in the largest displacement you can afford. Keep in mind that most truck and some car engines have vvt and/or AFM. This can be dealt with but adds expense.
If you're going to keep this long term, just get a LS3 crate engine and be happy!
Andrew
Thread Starter
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From: Mustang, OK