Which LS for a swap

[Sawlog]

I have a 69 c10.
I'm looking at my options on engine and tranny.
If i want to do a LS swap... What am I looking for? What year trucks?

[mongocanfly]

The phrase Ls swap can cover alot of ground...from 4.8 on up....way up.....if your looking to do a basic swap that 75% of people do, it would be a lm7 5.3/4l60......It's a common pullout from most pickups.....I would look at the early 2000s for a donor....if you can swing a whole running wrecked truck it would be your best bet....

[66 C10 383]

For an LS swap your options are endless. From brand new crate engines all the way to finding one from a u-pull-it yard or Craigslist. It all depends on your end goals, wants and needs.

If you have a good budget, a crate motor will be brand new with a warranty.

Are you looking to get a decent engine to rebuild so you know exactly what condition it's in?

You can find a seller on Craigslist that buys/sells engines. Mileage may be stated but no way to verify it after it's pulled.

You could also find a wrecked truck and pull everything you need and scrap the rest. You could also possibly recoup some of your money this way by selling parts you don't need.

I see you are from Central IL. I'm from So. IL and bought my pull out 5.3/4L60E from a guy off Craigslist who buys them from a St. Louis wrecking yard.

As far as mileage on the motors go, I work at an oil change facility and see them on a regular basis with over 300,000 miles and still running like a top. I also see them with 50,000 miles that run like ... well, you get the idea. It all depends on how well they are maintained.

[Sawlog]

I'm thinking my best bet would be to find a wrecked truck and get what I need from it.
So if I find a early 2000 truck then that's what I'm wanting?

[Kawabuggy]

Yes, look for a 99-2002 Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe, Yukon, with a V8 LS engine. Buy the entire truck and you will be far ahead of the game. I bought a 2000 Silverado that was a "flood" truck. No water in engine, or transmission, but water in the interior due to windows being left down.. $800 for a non-wrecked, 124K mile truck. I used, or sold, 95% of the truck. When I was done parting it out, I only had the cab, & frame, and some body & lights related wiring. I MADE money on the deal.

Doing it this way does require that you have a place to store the donor vehicle while you part it out. It is by far, the best way to do it though.

[flashed]

Even buying a wrecked truck (mine is an 03 Avalanch) you will still have considerable expense buying needed parts , motor mounts ,underbed tank if you go that route ,fuel lines ,A/C mounts and new compressor if you are planning to keep air as I am ,exhaust manifolds ,and in my case a rear end with better gears .