5.7 vortec or 5.3LS?

[Brothajack93]

My 6.0 LQ4/4L80 is at 250k. Everything is original and I got it from the PO at 225k. He's a car enthusiast and owned a collection of Corvettes and F bodies with his friend. Really nice guy. He used the truck to tow his cars across the country. I was thinking OP was interested in a Gen III swap, since that's what makes more sense and everyone does.

I see 800/900 2500HD trucks with that engine for sale all the time with 300k, some as much as 400k+, which seems crazy to me, but that's what they have. And those are work trucks, so they get pushed hard and rack up probably millions of miles altogether every year. Same for the 2500/3500 03+ work vans. I'm glad GM leaves the HDs trucks pretty old school.

Even 20 years ago it was kinda of feat for an engine to hit 100k. Now, that's more like 200k or more.

Yeah, the 1500 Gen IV LS engines have that DOD system and those complications and issues. The best you can do is a DOD delete on those. It basically reverts it back to a Gen III.

OP, I hope this is good, honest advice for pros and cons and experiences. I think it's good you have lot's options. Let us know if you have any more questions and good luck with your project.

That actually is very helpful and I think I’m going to go with what you and most of the other suggestions consider to Be the most efficient way to add a little more power for purposes of towing…. I definitely don’t need to get too crazy on the power so I think the simple swap to 6.0/4l80 would suit my needs and by the sounds of it make me possibly more fuel efficient or not much noticeable difference. Better capability without chugging a bunch more fuel sounds perfect. Sorry I haven’t been on in a while I’ve been pretty busy with work and stuff. When attempting to start the tear down on the truck I realized there’s a lot more I need to do first. Might even involve a whole new project as this one’s chassis is too far gone. At best I can use the cab and bed to learn the body panel patching for future projects and if I don’t find a chassis for it after that I can consider selling them to help someone with their rotted body issues. If I can find a c2500 roller chassis though I might go that route to beef up the truck even more without having to invest in a bigger truck just yet. Might even consider taking on the alterations required for a k2500 swap but my mechanic co worker and I need to do a little more research on that one. I know it’s not exactly practical but at this point it seems the entire purchase wasn’t very practical so at this point it’s more about the lessons I’ve learned/will learn and building some of the skills I’ve always wanted with it. Taking a bad situation and putting in the work to make something good out of it. Whether it be this truck restored or a cleaner one I buy from out west in better shape the LS swap sounds like it’s a really good upgrade all around and will help make whatever old Chevy I build more capable. I appreciate all the knowledge and advice. Yours especially

 

[Brothajack93]

It has been stated over and over the pros/cons of each motor design.

If people are in love with the LS and gmt800 series trucks - all good. Please go to one of those forums and spread your love.

Actually I’m here because I love these trucks…. You know the one the site is designed for. Else I wouldn’t be putting all the work into restoring it and making it a little more capable than it’s age. If you like to go on groups and forums asking questions and state your 2 cents about how you feel. All good. Please go on a social media platform to spread your annoyance and not a forum platform designed for it. There’s nothing wrong with upgrading the bones of a truck you love to help it better suit your needs. If you’re a purist that’s fine too. I would love to have a 92-94 that is all original with the 350tbi but my goal was to build a more capable work truck that could compare better to modern trucks which has turned into accepting that the truck is beyond repair but at least some people have gave me some knowledge on how I can build an obs to be better when I have a more solid truck to work with. Seriously dude there is literally no need to be an ass. You can simply not participate in the thread if you don’t like it’s topic

 

[AuroraGirl]

Do I need to get the get the attitude out here again

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[letitsnow]

Actually I’m here because I love these trucks…. You know the one the site is designed for. Else I wouldn’t be putting all the work into restoring it and making it a little more capable than it’s age. If you like to go on groups and forums asking questions and state your 2 cents about how you feel. All good. Please go on a social media platform to spread your annoyance and not a forum platform designed for it. There’s nothing wrong with upgrading the bones of a truck you love to help it better suit your needs. If you’re a purist that’s fine too. I would love to have a 92-94 that is all original with the 350tbi but my goal was to build a more capable work truck that could compare better to modern trucks which has turned into accepting that the truck is beyond repair but at least some people have gave me some knowledge on how I can build an obs to be better when I have a more solid truck to work with. Seriously dude there is literally no need to be an ass. You can simply not participate in the thread if you don’t like it’s topic

Good luck with your project.

 

[Brothajack93]

Do I need to get the get the attitude out here again

You must be registered for see images attach

Lol I was nice about it this time!

 

[L31MaxExpress]

That actually is very helpful and I think I’m going to go with what you and most of the other suggestions consider to Be the most efficient way to add a little more power for purposes of towing…. I definitely don’t need to get too crazy on the power so I think the simple swap to 6.0/4l80 would suit my needs and by the sounds of it make me possibly more fuel efficient or not much noticeable difference. Better capability without chugging a bunch more fuel sounds perfect. Sorry I haven’t been on in a while I’ve been pretty busy with work and stuff. When attempting to start the tear down on the truck I realized there’s a lot more I need to do first. Might even involve a whole new project as this one’s chassis is too far gone. At best I can use the cab and bed to learn the body panel patching for future projects and if I don’t find a chassis for it after that I can consider selling them to help someone with their rotted body issues. If I can find a c2500 roller chassis though I might go that route to beef up the truck even more without having to invest in a bigger truck just yet. Might even consider taking on the alterations required for a k2500 swap but my mechanic co worker and I need to do a little more research on that one. I know it’s not exactly practical but at this point it seems the entire purchase wasn’t very practical so at this point it’s more about the lessons I’ve learned/will learn and building some of the skills I’ve always wanted with it. Taking a bad situation and putting in the work to make something good out of it. Whether it be this truck restored or a cleaner one I buy from out west in better shape the LS swap sounds like it’s a really good upgrade all around and will help make whatever old Chevy I build more capable. I appreciate all the knowledge and advice. Yours especially

A simple 350/383 + 4L80E swap would be how I would do it if I used my truck as a work truck to do actual work and did not want a big block fuel bill.

 

[Brothajack93]

A simple 350/383 + 4L80E swap would be how I would do it if I used my truck as a work truck to do actual work and did not want a big block fuel bill.

For sure dude… definitely don’t need a 454!

 

[Brothajack93]

Good luck with your project.

Thank you

 

[L31MaxExpress]

For sure dude… definitely don’t need a 454!

I liked my 8.1L in my Tahoe and with tall gear and 4L80E is reasonable of fuel. Now that the van is done I can move back to going through the bottom end and getting the heads back on the 8.1L. It burned #8 exhaust valve over a year ago. It had 80K but apparantly a huge amount of idle time on in when I got it. One of the lifters got sticky and was hanging the valve open causing it to burn.

This was my inspiration for my L31 383 build.

GMPP HT383E swapped into 99 Suburban K2500

www.gmtruckclub.com

I recently had a 2015ish L83 5.3L truck with some kind of loud exhaust try to jump in front of me out of a traffic light getting on to an onramp. Until 30 mph we were side by side, then the 383 easily showed him Express van tail lights. 4L85E and 3.73s do not have the greatest acceleration from a stop but the 383s torque has no problem pulling that gear combination.

 

[Erik the Awful]

One of the lessons I learned from playing with 500cid Cadillac motors is that more gear is a crutch for motors with no torque.