Hello everyone. short time viewer, first time poster.

I recently got a 1950's classic truck. It came with a SBC 350. I'd like to upgrade to something a bit more modern and with the capabilities of reaching 500-650 rwhp.

I've been recommended to look at an 04' ls1/ls6 and do some staging upgrades to it.

I'm not an engine guy at all. I'm an electronics guy. I can wire all the electronics in a vehicle but when it comes to the mechanics of it all, I'm a complete noob so please forgive my complete lack of engine mechanics and inner workings.

I was going to find a local shop to build and tune the motor before having it installed. I started looking at BBC, then LMx, but as my coworker suggested. It seems like a ls1/ls6 or a ls3 might be the way to go.
I would like to keep as few computer components as possible. Fuel injected. He also said Holly makes a unit that will tune the engine itself.

What do you think? Would a ls1/ls6 be the way to go? Doesn't anything past a 2004 come with a lot of emission bs and have a lot of computers components? My state doesn't have emissions regulations. Or would a ls3 be a better starting point? I just want something that runs without computers all over the place.

I'm not a fan of turbos in trucks (Hondas and Subarus all day) but I'm not opposed to a super charger if that would be the quickest and safest/reliable way of doing things? (Is using better cams and internal components a better solution?)

I was thinking about pairing this with a 4l65e (should this be staged as well or stock?) Or would there be a better tranny at 500-650hp? Automatic please.

And finally I was going to add hooker headers and a borla exhaust to it.

Any suggestions on an engine gameplans? What engine would be the most reliable for an everyday driver and wouldn't break the bank to get 500-650hp? When I say daily driver, my entire days drive is under 15 miles. So what type of mpg would we be looking at for that type of engine and power?

It's going in a 1951 ford 51 (currently with a crate 350 with 400 miles on it. Which I'll keep as a backup engine , or maybe I'll sell it?)

Just looking for a reliable engine that is also fun to play with when I want to.

Thanks for your patience and help.

This would essentially be a new build as the motor and tranny will be replaced.

Trying to keep the engine (including intake and anything else needed to just run) cost under $10k and the tranny under $4k. Basically a $15k budget (exhaust and Holley ECU is still needed). Any suggestions? If i was to do this upgrade in 3 steps (all within 3 months) what order would you go with?

Or is there a turnkey crate motor solution with warranty for about the same price?

Thanks again everyone.

 

Welcome! There's a lot of good info on this forum and people will chime in with their opinions.

I've got a 1991 Mustang coupe project that I'm working on. It's LS3 swapped with this engine that I purchased from Gandrud Chevrolet Performance Parts 4+ years ago:

LS376/480 495HP Hot Cammed LS3

It is currently selling for $8584.41 as of today, 1/15/2023. Obviously it was less expensive when I purchased it in Dec 2018 but I had determined that it was the best value out of the three LS3 crate motors offered; 430hp, 480hp or 525hp. My engine still hasn't been started so I can't tell you how it runs or anything like that but I've never regretted buying it. If you don't want to deal with used engines or rebuilding an engine and if you can afford it, I think this engine is the way to go.




I'm a manual transmission guy so I went with a brand new Tremec T56 Magnum (close ratio version.)



I paid about $3200 3+ years ago for the T56 Magnum.

I've got a Holley Dominator computer system to control the engine. The Holley part # is 550-611 but that particular kit is now discontinued. I don't know what the replacement kit part number is. Like everything else in our society, the price of these computers has skyrocketed!

 

Hello,

An LS3 is an excellent choice although it can also be one of the most expensive choices. Computers, in one form or another, will be required unless you go with a carburetor - and I don't recommend that. Any modern GM automatic transmission will also need some kind of computer support either from an aftermarket set up like Holley or if you keep the GM computer. An LS3 also has an additional huge advantage over any GM engine post about 2007 in that the LS3 does NOT have "Active Fuel Management / Displacement On Demand, aka "AFM / DOD". You will want to delete AFM / DOD on any GM engine that you purchase because it was / is a poor design choice by GM - this will cost you additional time and considerable expense.

For a lot less money and its much easier to find than an LS3, any pre-2007 5.3 liter motor can get you the horsepower numbers that you desire. With a cam swap, a different intake, free flowing exhaust and an operating system tuning change, many things are possible. A supercharger or a little wet nitrous oxide would absolutely get you those horsepower numbers.

Go to Jegs.com or Summit Racing to see what GM offers in their "E-Rod" crate motors. Expensive, but largely turn key for the kit.

You mention a 4L65E transmission and there is a lot of debate around here about its durability. It can be built up for better durability but you should also consider the 4L80E.

Rick

 

Thank you guys so much for taking the thime to reply.
I was looking around for turnkey LS3 and found them to be in the $8-12k range.
So would an 04' or earlier LS1 still require the same amount of computers as an LS3? I would assume one for the fuel injection/intake and one for the tranny? I believe Holley's ECU's can do all of this, right? And everything else (in terms of compute) can be stripped away?
I would assume spending about $10k on a turnkey engine with a warrenty would be about the same investemnt as finding a used engine (could be from a wrecked vehicle, sounds hit/miss) and building it up? So maybe turnkey would be a good option for me since I have no clue what I'm doing under the hood and would be soley dependant on my local mechanic to get things sorted.

I was also told a 6L80e would be a good choice for these engines. What is your thoughts on 4 vs 6? I've been reading that people prefer the ratios on the 6's better, and I believe the LS3 came with that option.

If I was going to get a turnkey solution, is there a company anyone would recomend for the price over others? My goal is to keep this truck till i'm dead haha, so I would be repairing/swapping motors in this vehicle going forward.

Thanks again for all the help. I really appreciate everyone.

 

You'd have a hard time finding a 6L80-E with an aftermarket converter in your budget. The 4L80-E is a proven performer, I wouldn't even bother with a 4L65-E with what you're trying to do. I don't believe the Holley EFI system can control the 6L80-E ,and for ease of use the Holley system will be what you want. In your situation, I would definitely buy a crate motor over having one built, especially if you have to rely on your local mechanic to do all the work. That labor bill won't be cheap. You can easily add a blower to a factory LS3 without having to touch the internals, Gen IV LS engines are extremely strong. Build it N/A first, and when you have it running like you want, then add the blower. Upgrading in stages helps ease the hit on the pocketbook.

 

Any GM engine and transmission from about 1999 and later will require some kind of computer support. The later you get, the more likely it would need a separate transmission control module (TCM) if you stick with a GM computer setup. My 1999 LM7 / LS engine does not need a TCM with my P01 GM computer and anything with the later GM P59 computer would also NOT need a TCM.

Rick

 

Copy that! Thanks for the info.
This was one example of dozens: LS3 w/ 6L80E
That's why I was asking about the 6 vs the 4. I can find packages with 6's all day, 4's seem to be a bit more rare.
Would either of those tranny's be ok or is the 4 THAT much better?

What year did TCM's become a thing? I would love to just have the Holley computer and call it a day.

Thanks again

 

Right around 2006 or so GM changed the 24 tooth crank wheel to a 58 tooth crank wheel. As I understand if you are going to run auto and use GM components you will need a engine ECM and separate trans ECM. My current 80 Camaro project has a 2012 L92/4L60E. I needed two ECM's.
Any 24 tooth crank LS should need one ECM that controls both the engine and trans. My 98 Wrangler 2002 LS6/4L60E has one ECM for engine and trans control.
My .02 on a engine? I would buy a used pre-2006 24 tooth crank wheel 6.0. Rebuild it and stroke it to 408 cubes. L92LS3 heads. Mid level cam something like 225I/230E. .600 lift. 114 C/L. Build a nice strong long block and you can always get a bigger cam or add a supercharger at a later date.

 

With the budget you have to work with, I would just buy a donor vehicle and swap everything over after disabling the simple things like VATS and anything else not wanted. Then you'd have a roller to recoup some of the initial cost to cut down on the total cost or reinvest into the first set of mods. Of course, I'm cheap though and would rather do some extra labor to reduce the cost of this hobby. Not everyone has my same viewpoint.

 

Keep it simple and (rather) economical: get a used, low-miles 6liter engine, the LQ9 being "the best", with higher compression ratio and therefore a bit more power.
Hopefully, you can get the trans that came with it, otherwise, the 4L80E is very strong and you will never hear from it ever again (or pretty much!).
Get the factory GM engine harness and computer, modify them or have them modified by a specialized shop (I have used Speartech, excellent!), and it all goes together easily. The computer also manages the trans.
Not engine work, just a few wires to connect!
OK, you will need exhaust, fuel system (easy, you can probably even keep your old tank) too.
If you need some more power easily, try a Magnacharger blower, in 1 afternoon, you get 120 reliable HP without even getting your hands dirty!