LS Engine Swap question... What years?? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Tetanus Express · 03-10-2017, 11:55 AM

Ok so I've done a bunch of reading and figuring on what LS Swap to go with. The truck is a 85 C10. The main question I have is what year or years is preferred when looking for a transplant donor engine? I was thinking of going with the 5.3 and 4L60E or 6.0 with 6L80E combo. If you were going to do a swap what year would you prefer? What would you do differently? Are the earlier years easier to swap into a standalone type configuration or later years?

Thanks

**mongocanfly** · 03-10-2017, 01:21 PM

In my 81 truck i used a 02 lq9 ..and have a 10 ls3 going in my next one..I used manual trans so I can't speak for the autos but the engines are pretty much all the same..dbc is less hassel as far as electronics are concerned but dwb is fine ,,just make sure you get the gas pedal for it..get the ecm and maf that goes with whichever engine you chose..I was impressed with the simplicity of these swaps after i got mine running.I was hesitant going in but was pleased with the results..buying a donor vehicle would be best if you have the space..

Tetanus Express · 03-10-2017, 01:34 PM

Ok so there is not really any difference between like a 02 to 06 5.3 versus a 07 to 10 or 11 5.3 setup? Just make sure that it comes with the pedal, MAF, ECU that came with particular setup. I see your local to my area. Did you get yours from a place here locally or did you buy it online somewhere?

**mongocanfly** · 03-10-2017, 03:03 PM

On the later engines you will get into dod and vvt which I think most people do a delete on..I've not had to deal with either of those..wasnt a issue with my lq9 being a 02 model..other than that its pretty much the same..going into a truck you'll be better off with a truck engine because of the accessories mounts and oil pan.there's lots of engines for sale local but when I got mine several years back there wernt many available so mine came from Chattanooga...I'm not far from you..down around cullman

Tetanus Express · 03-10-2017, 03:17 PM

Good deal. Thanks for the info. I've got my eyes open and searching for one. I did remember a guy from around or in Chattanooga that had a bunch of LS Engines for sale on Craigslist but I haven't seen that he's listed anything new lately. Yea your about 30 to 45 minutes south of me. You got any pics of your install?

**mongocanfly** · 03-10-2017, 04:37 PM

Here's a couple..

Tetanus Express · 03-10-2017, 04:43 PM

Looks NICE!!! Clean and neat also. That's what I'm shooting for. What mounts did you use? You using stock radiator? A/C hooked up and working? You buy a harness already weeded out or you pull out what wasn't needed?

**mongocanfly** · 03-10-2017, 07:30 PM

For mounts I got a set of adapter plates off ebay that keep engine in the same spot and used stock smallblock mounts..I'm running stock radiator with dual electric fans..I went with psi harness..never got around to hooking the ac back up..maybe this year but I'm more of a ride around with the windows rolled down guy

03-10-2017, 11:55 AM	#1
Tetanus Express Registered User Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Elkmont, AL Posts: 151	LS Engine Swap question... What years?? Ok so I've done a bunch of reading and figuring on what LS Swap to go with. The truck is a 85 C10. The main question I have is what year or years is preferred when looking for a transplant donor engine? I was thinking of going with the 5.3 and 4L60E or 6.0 with 6L80E combo. If you were going to do a swap what year would you prefer? What would you do differently? Are the earlier years easier to swap into a standalone type configuration or later years? Thanks

03-10-2017, 01:21 PM	#2
mongocanfly Post Whore Join Date: May 2015 Location: Alabama Posts: 14,598	Re: LS Engine Swap question... What years?? In my 81 truck i used a 02 lq9 ..and have a 10 ls3 going in my next one..I used manual trans so I can't speak for the autos but the engines are pretty much all the same..dbc is less hassel as far as electronics are concerned but dwb is fine ,,just make sure you get the gas pedal for it..get the ecm and maf that goes with whichever engine you chose..I was impressed with the simplicity of these swaps after i got mine running.I was hesitant going in but was pleased with the results..buying a donor vehicle would be best if you have the space..

03-10-2017, 01:34 PM	#3
Tetanus Express Registered User Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Elkmont, AL Posts: 151	Re: LS Engine Swap question... What years?? Ok so there is not really any difference between like a 02 to 06 5.3 versus a 07 to 10 or 11 5.3 setup? Just make sure that it comes with the pedal, MAF, ECU that came with particular setup. I see your local to my area. Did you get yours from a place here locally or did you buy it online somewhere?

03-10-2017, 03:03 PM	#4
mongocanfly Post Whore Join Date: May 2015 Location: Alabama Posts: 14,598	Re: LS Engine Swap question... What years?? On the later engines you will get into dod and vvt which I think most people do a delete on..I've not had to deal with either of those..wasnt a issue with my lq9 being a 02 model..other than that its pretty much the same..going into a truck you'll be better off with a truck engine because of the accessories mounts and oil pan.there's lots of engines for sale local but when I got mine several years back there wernt many available so mine came from Chattanooga...I'm not far from you..down around cullman

03-10-2017, 03:17 PM	#5
Tetanus Express Registered User Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Elkmont, AL Posts: 151	Re: LS Engine Swap question... What years?? Good deal. Thanks for the info. I've got my eyes open and searching for one. I did remember a guy from around or in Chattanooga that had a bunch of LS Engines for sale on Craigslist but I haven't seen that he's listed anything new lately. Yea your about 30 to 45 minutes south of me. You got any pics of your install?

03-10-2017, 04:37 PM	#6
mongocanfly Post Whore Join Date: May 2015 Location: Alabama Posts: 14,598	Re: LS Engine Swap question... What years?? Here's a couple.. Attached Images

03-10-2017, 04:43 PM	#7
Tetanus Express Registered User Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Elkmont, AL Posts: 151	Re: LS Engine Swap question... What years?? Looks NICE!!! Clean and neat also. That's what I'm shooting for. What mounts did you use? You using stock radiator? A/C hooked up and working? You buy a harness already weeded out or you pull out what wasn't needed?

03-10-2017, 07:30 PM	#8
mongocanfly Post Whore Join Date: May 2015 Location: Alabama Posts: 14,598	Re: LS Engine Swap question... What years?? For mounts I got a set of adapter plates off ebay that keep engine in the same spot and used stock smallblock mounts..I'm running stock radiator with dual electric fans..I went with psi harness..never got around to hooking the ac back up..maybe this year but I'm more of a ride around with the windows rolled down guy



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