Which is best an LS swap on rebuild Gen 1 350

[REDDIEDAD]

I am trying to decide which is the best way to go with my son's El Camino. Swap to a LT/LS or just rebuild the 350. Which ever way I go I am going to beef the engine up. From the experience out there will the fuel injection still give some milage with a larger cam, hedders,etc. I am goind to be using a 5 speed manual with over drive. Or would it be just as well to turn the 350 in to a 383. Mileage is a small factor but engine life is the major factor. Thanks for any advice.

Reddiedad

[raycow]

I am a major fan of computer controlled injection. However, the factory programming only works right with a stock engine. If you do all the mods you mentioned, you will have to spend some serious money with someone who knows how to reprogram it unless you are able to do this yourself. If you leave the computer stock, the engine could very well run worse than it would have with a carb.

If you build the 350/383 with a roller cam and a rev limiter, I can't see why engine life should suffer when compared with the LT/LS.

Ray

[glock35ipsc]

My vote is LS. A 6.0 pushing 500hp at close to 20 mpg is hard to beat.

[cableguy0]

The ls engines are the way to go. They are all around more efficient. They are designed better etc. The computer is not a big deal. I believe you can get the harness reworked and the pcm programmed for under 500 bucks without issue.

[REDDIEDAD]

Well it is a LS1 with a six speed from a 2000 Z28 Camaro. Going to drive to North Carolina Friday to pick it up. I purchased the whole car for a song and dance. Now I just have to decide on what modifications to do.

[GMR-PERFORMANCE]

I run a ls6 engine in my sand rail. Cannot help much on the 6 speed , I know there is something about the trans that you need a computer for but do not recall what. I use a mefi 3 ecm and had mine tuned. A LS engine will put down some great power. CNC ported stock heads and a hot cam it made 525 at the crank on 91 pump gas.
We swap them over to a Non FBW throttle body, in the sand rails at least.

If I where to do my engine over in my 62 I would build a 413 stroker on the lS base. GM does have a stand alone system they sell for street rods for the ls engines you might want to look into that.

[LEEVON]

Heads or head work, cam, springs, pushrods and bolt-ons. You can get all of this for maybe $1500 if you shop smart.

Don't worry about the tuning with a modded LS engine. You're in Texas, which is practically ground zero for LS tuners, shops, suppliers. Get it all together and take it to a shop with a dyno, should cost you about $250-400.

Go here:

www.ls1tech.com

[skoffice]

Oh heck ya man if you are in Texas you are set. There are so many guys out there that do LS tuning it's not even funny. I would just put the GM Hot cam in it, push rods and valve springs. Should have a fun 400hp engine with that combo. Also remember just by removing all the smog junk from the computer expect to open up about 20hp, no joke. If you are going to do heads, I'd recommend a set of 317 heads or 243's but the 317's are nearly identical and much cheaper/abundant.. good stock head worth a few horses. The new L92 heads are great but won't fit on an LS1 so keep that in mind. The valves are too big for the bore size. I think there is just a small harness on the T56 but it is for neutral safety and reverse lights. I don't think it plugs into the computer at all but don't quote me on that. I don't see why it would. I hear tons of good things about nelsonperformance for harnesses, tuning, etc. but I'm sure you can find someone local no problem that will do a live tune with you.

[skoffice]

By the way GMRPERFORMANCE... Kick A$$ rail!!

[GMR-PERFORMANCE]

Thanks, for the comment on the rail.... Basic LS6 cam CNC heads truck intake, ford injectors ha ha they work and are half the cost of the gm high flow versions. That set up puts down almost 400 hp to the rear tires. Through a albins trans axle and 934 cv on 35 inch mudders on a mustang dyno. Tq is 380.. all on pump gas.

tune wise make sure that the tuner has a eddie current brake if not waste of your money the tuner is blowing smoke as it cannot be properly tuned. Canned maps are a bust as well.. prices vary but look for a place that will spend the time to tune it correctly. I tune in house on a dyno jet250i and the harleys take me 4-6 hours based on what the build is.


I have read a ton on the LS forum,... and after seeing many a engine on a engine dyno and then in a car tuned,, I thnk there are some great gains to be had.

My dad has the vette 6 speed for his 55 chevy with a dual TBI 409 chevy ( for the younger guys that is not a bored out 400 SBC ) He is having a issue with a harness on that trans..

As for the LS engines I sold my LS intake first off, installed a truck intake way more usable tq.

Located a new gms or caddie suv and there you have a great start. Pull the VD set up lifters cam, and install a stroker kit and you have a 413 kit that will put down over 440 hp and in the 450 tq range on pump gas.