S10driver85

So long story short, 82 s10 with a mild built 390hp 395ftlbs and a turbo 350 is getting tired. It's a motor and tranny package I put together back in high school 10 years ago. Truck has always ran low 12s and even one high 11. But 11mpg sucks and I want a DD now. Time for a LS I guess. I'm having a hard time finding info I need, all swap info is there and I'm not changing much from what I have. Looking for money well spent rebuilds on 5.3 and 4.8s. I kind of want a lot out of this. First foremost 20mpg. 400hp, low 12's, 100k reliable Every thing I read is people trying to get the most out of engine. I want 100k. Not 20lbs of boost and .28 ring gaps. I'm looking for info and don't mind reading. What I have in mind so far is two ideas. 4.8 with valve train work done to run more rpm or a mild compression 5.3. Any info helps, I'm in the realistic budget planning stages but have not locked into anything. PS also wanting OD

sbf

A stock lq9 6.0 with bolt ons should do it easy

2000PewterT/A

5.3 will be the easiest one to find, you can't really go wrong with any of the engines. Mild bolt ons with a 4.8 or 5.3 will give you a great engine that has plenty room to grow in the future.

erickcastillo95

iTrader: (1)

i have a 6.0 in my tahoe stock just tune and its powerful but gas mileage sucks though maybe the tune

S10driver85

From what I've read so far lq9's tear up 4l60s. And to get any mileage you need to drop cylinders. What I really want is a high revving 4.8. Not for the power, but for the fun... I've always loved driving my old 283 in a 66 pickup, I would spin that thing to 6800, yeah it wasn't fast but **** it was the funniest thing I ever drove. And it was tame in front of cops. Has any one built a 4.8 with 400hp that spins to 7k n/a?

96capricemgr

iTrader: (1)

You don't think the mileage problem has anything to do with being in a barn size 5000lbs+ whale of a vehicle?



If you want 100K reliability a 7000rpm stock shortblock might not be the more prudent choice.
Far as the 4L60E GM tried to hide the shifts the trucks got for instance smaller 2nd servos than the Roadmaster wagon sitting out in my garage. That and there are a LOT of bad shops happy to take your money and blame the tranny when it fails but there are plenty of us pushing 4L60Es hard for years so long as you use a competent builder more interested in clearances than trying to throw parts at it.

Dropping cylinders doesn't really help mileage much. Most people don't grasp vehicles keep getting heavier and trucks are bigger than ever, tires wider than ever, transfer cases bigger than ever, most 6.0l are backed by the big heavy parasitic 4L80E that has different gear ratios than a 4L60E with a larger axle to turn. There is a lot going on and the displacement is about the least of it.

Tuned properly the primary load on an engine at highway speeds is aerodynamic drag and displacement or even rpm have nothing to do with that. That is another mileage myth that rpm is devastating to MPG but in reality it is increased speed. Some grossly misgeared vehicles like the 90s Caprice wagons which had a base 2.56 gear option got BETTER mileage if you used drive instead of OD for all but flat steady high speed cruise.

S10driver85

I used to own a 07 silverado with a 4.8 2wd drive and a 4l60. Put 100k on that thing with it flat footed, all I ever did with it was corvette servos. Now the day I traded it in the tranny had its last on there first customer test drive. I had a super chip k&n intake and exhaust. So I'm not blind when it comes to these motors and trannys. With the rear end upgraded to 3.73 posi (not 3.23). Also that thing towed 12k up passes all day long holding 6k 70mph 2nd gear. I'm telling you I beat the **** out of this truck and got 101k on this setup.

I'm not trying to do a 1322$ dollar 462hp build... I'm want a money well spent build... I can replace bottom end bearings you know...

S10driver85

P.s I also seen temps of in excess of 300 degrees in that tranny a couple of times. Lol Chevy don't warranty that for some reason.

S10driver85

So again this "project" is a 82 s10 with an all iron 350 3spd auto that weighs 3200lbs with 4.11's. It's a mule to drive daily and don't trust my wife too, she's tired and ten years old. Been through some **** you know, we'll since high school. I believe a 4.8 is a great optionfor my future state truck. Daily driven, 4spd o.d. 400 hp.

With the truck 4.8 making all of its torque from 3000 and up means my little truck gets nuts all the time. By putting the power up top makes it easy to get around town, put put your foot into it and go a little bit more in the rpm and she's alive, like a two stroke. It's not going to tow any thing or even go for low e.t.s mid 12s are fine as long as I'm smiling. And even if I was there's simple nitrous kits I've seen these things respond well two a 75 or 100 shot.

Is my way of thinking incorrect? I'm really thinking 5-6k will do what I want. Again it's in the drawing board time. Am I unrealistic that a 4.8 can gain 100hp another 1000rpm and last 100k miles, or even a 5.3?

Blackpanther99

iTrader: (8)

A 5.3 will get there with no issues.

S10driver85

That's what I think, just trying to find a well described build.

Blackpanther99

iTrader: (8)

A stock bottom end 5.3 with a small shot of N2O will get you well over 400HP. 5.3, mild cam, 243 milled heads, upgraded pushrods, arp head bolts and studs (even ebay bolts and studs have been proven to hold good). You can get over 400HP N/A also.

bowtieboySS427

iTrader: (23)

I built a 4.8 with hand me downs and CHEAP parts from the classifieds and it will surprise most people when they find out its a 4.8.

Its a 4.8 (took on trade, 500.00 credit)
Came with free ls6 springs and ls2 cam wich I adapted to front mount cam sensor. LS2 Timing cover was included
Milled 706 heads .010", performance valve job done with factory LS1 2.00 1.55 valves (pulled from old iron 6.0 heads), gm mls gaskets, Cloyes ls2 tc, Ebay head studs and I was at 800 total including motor. Added a new ls6 intake (500) and for 1300 the car will go 12.50s with slicks I'm pretty sure. Its in my bros transam and he calls it an N/a turbo motor. Nothing really until 4500 then it breaks the tires loose and cleans ditches up to 7500. Will lay 100' burnouts no problem.. But the motor was built for future boost. It will really shine on a cheap ebay turbo using flipped truck manifolds.

Don't overlook a 4.8, but If I was to do it over again I would put 4.8 pistons in the 5.3 block or bore block to 3.898 and use decently used ls1 pistons, mill heads .030", install ls1 valves and DIY port cyl head. I like keeping costs low so when you blow stuff up, your not out your life savings. And it makes it fun to try to make a lot with very little. Oh and 24 mpgs hwy to boot.

99Bluz28

iTrader: (35)

IMO, the LQ9 will get you there with less modification and a milder build. I'd go with a LQ9 2001 on up(aluminum heads) but a 2004 on up would be better(beefier rods and floating wrist pins). For long engine life keep the rpms down to about 6500rpm and keep the compression to 11.0:1 or less. As far as cams keep the intake duration under 230(at .05" lift), and stick with milder cam lobes for longer valve train life.
I'd also consider a 6sp manual transmission and 3.90 gear out back.

S10driver85

Bowtieboyss427 described really kinda what I'm looking for, but I wouldn't mind going a little further, and through some good studs all the way around and new bearings. And some valve train work. It will be in the ball range of 400 and hold up to 100k abuse, and if it does I will boost it.

S10driver85

6.0L are great engines, but it comes down to 1.2 liters of motor not needed, a 4.8 will do everything it needs to that s10 pickup for daily use, this truck is going to be a daily driven 22,000 mile a year driven. Maybe only a couple of tracks, or drift competition.

I have always dreamed of 6spd the thing is my dodge is a 6spd and I'm terrified every time my wife goes "hunting" for gears..... I'd like her to be able to drive my drunk butt home some times you know. Keeps me sober!

And I think I'm a drop rear gear to 3.55-3.73 depends on my cam really.

bowtieboySS427

iTrader: (23)

Iron block Ls motors are defenitely the blueprint for what you want. Lq9 would be awesome. 4.8/5.3 will make your goals with a cam kit, good headers, and some cylinder head work. But I don't know about 12s.. I'm thinking 11s in a 1st gen with some stickys on the back and a rock solid tune. Good luck! Hopefully we see a build thread? Love budget 1st gen builds!

S10driver85

My truck has never seen a Dyno, when I built the motor I blue printed it of a 385hp 385tq crate engine upped the compression from 9.6 to 10 and some nice rockers, think its 400 horse best it's ever done at the strip was a 11.9. With sticky 10.5's

But when I go to do this I will do a thread. I'm just in the early stages of planning and budgeting. I don't want any headaches or heart aches.

But these LS motors are nuts, just bastardize a couple junk yard donors and BAM! 500 horse. What happened to earning it, build from the the bottom up to get 450 and spin a bearing 6 months later? Really wished I would have come on board a long time ago and not be afraid of e.f.i.

bowtieboySS427

iTrader: (23)

Right on man. Ill be lookin for it in conversions. May start one too when I get my 91.

S10driver85

I got a couple pictures added to my profile or garage? The patina is coming along nicely you can see hand prints in hood and across fenders. I think after this swap it gets clear coated

Wow this got off topic fast, any other combinations on small displacement LS

Found one, https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...ed-swap-8.html. The Dyno chart on this page is what I'm going for and looks like a fun car