ahawes

So I know I want to do the LS swap, I have read everything I can get my hands on in the previous months and recently pulled the 350/350 out of my 73 Monte Carlo and got it sold.


I want an LS motor with a car intake (purely for visual appeal) backed by a 4L80E. The dilemma I am currently having is in deciding whether to bite the bullet and just purchase a true LS1 or go the seemingly less expensive route and get a 5.3 out of a truck for the swap and convert the accessory drive and intake/injectors etc. over to the car style setup. I know each of these options has it's own financial and time challenges associated with it but with having just bought a house and having a baby girl the time is something I have a bit more of than money most times.


As far as the engine goes I know I want it to be over 400hp and have an aggressive sounding idle, I am not looking to push the envelope as far as performance goes too much. I would likely just be looking at swapping the cam and getting a good dyno tune and this seems very attainable no matter which route I go engine-wise. What I am wondering is if I would be better off finding a low-ish mile 5.3 with hopefully somewhere under 110k miles for ~$1000 and put on an LS6 intake/injectors etc. or if I would be better off just saving for an LS1 and being done with it. I have a friend who just bought one from an '02 firebird with 65k miles w/ no accessories for $2500 and I know that there are still deals like this out there. Welcoming all thoughts and opinions.

MonmouthCtyLS7

iTrader: (6)

5.3 would be far cheaper and free up some of that money for upgrades. Btw you can get one for way less then a grand w/ decent mileage.

Tuskyz28

Do you want 400 horse at the tire or just a simple 400 horse motor ?

ahawes

400 at the flywheel is fine for me. It's replacing a 350 that was making probably 150hp so it's going to be a big upgrade either way. I plan to put some miles on the car when it's done.

Tuskyz28

That's easily accomplished with a 5.3 motor.
You'll need a set of headers, a custom tune and a small camshaft..
Hot Rod magazine tested a baby cam 210 cam in a 5.3 and ended up with 412 horses.
The bigger 224 cam made 440 horse at the crank.

ahawes

I've been eyeballing the 224/224 112LSA. I know this isn't a mild cam by any means but it has the sound and performance that I am shooting for.

Tuskyz28

You'll want a nice stall using that cam but with nice valvesprings it'll last a long time. Recommend you getting a oil pump and new timing chain also

ahawes

I figured on putting on a 10295 Melling high pressure pump while doing the cam just to freshen things up a bit. Do you think this would be too much cam for a 4000lb car?

Tuskyz28

Well aloy of that go depend on rear gear ratio and torque converter of choice.

Kmaroman

iTrader: (1)

Well since your talking about ponying up for an ls1 you gotta have some descent cash I assume. I see people selling them for ridiculous amounts. I'd look for an lq4 I've seen complete running motor for 6-800 when I look hard. Also that opens your head choices up to l92s which flow a little less then 243/317s ported polished. Also have the truck intake worked to a 90 throttle body and I foresee 450-500 rwhp easily my friend. 800 for motor cam kit 1000 heads 1600 other odds and ends 1000~ $4400 for like 600+ flywheel

BrownMK3Kid

iTrader: (4)

For that power level I think i'd agree with a 5.3 or 6.0. I just picked up a pretty clean 5.3 complete for $300 lol

01WS6/tamu

iTrader: (37)

LQ4,LQ9 6.0. GM performance oil pan kit, run truck front drive accessories and intake save yourself a boatload of cash unless it's all about the look stick a nice little cam it and have a nice driver. More truck stuff you use cheaper it will be and will all drop right in and clear everything in your monte. Grab a escalade 3 piece engine cover to clean it all up. You'll still have 5-8G or more tied up for the complete start to finish job just in parts.

mantleovmyg

I plan to put some miles on the car when it's done.