I have a 1990 gmc k1500 regular cab step side which I am redoing. I picked the truck up for 3k no dents or rust. In my area I can’t find a running one without dents or rust for under 5k so I’d say it’s a good deal.
I’m doing a project in it. Want to do a classic 90s truck. I’m getting it painted in the next couple weeks and getting some wheels and lift on it. It’s got 200k and it’s a 5 speed manual.
I think to tie the whole build together an engine swap is in the future. The power range in going for is 420whp. My old man had a 600hp (crank) supercharged tundra when I was in high school that scooter pretty good. Love to get my truck up to it. HP to weight ratios say I need about 420Whp to run about what it ran.
I know cheap and engine swap are two words that don’t go together well. Same with cheap and fast.
from doing some research iv compiled a list of possible swaps for my stock TBI.
Of course none of these have the HP I’m looking for stock, I’m looking for the cheapest way to get there, (price of motor included). Because yes, a 6.2 makes 450hp (crank) but they also cost 4k. Would I be better off building a motor? Let me know what you guys think.
Engines iv considered:
Good ol 5.3 swap - super cheap and commen. and super easy to work on. Can get good power out of them.
6.0 (LQ from a truck) - still on the cheaper side compared to other LS motors. Same benefits as the 5.3 except a little more pony’s.
Lt1 - although 300 crank hp is not even close to the mark I’m after, the LT1 might be one of the only motors I can pick up cheaper than a 5.3. And from my understanding it’s almost a bolt in for our trucks? The downsides is limited aftermarket support and hard to push higher hp out of.
LS1 - probably the best candidate for the build. Easy to get HP out of and already has more HP stock (out of a vette) than the 6.0 and 5.3. The downsides are how expensive they are compared to the rest of the motors on my list.
6.2 out of a truck - higher HP stock. Basically a knock off LS3. Downsides is price of the motors.
I can pick these motors up out of a junkyard for following prices
5.3: 900$
6.0: 1100$
LT1: 1000$
LS1: 2700$
6.2: 2800$
Which direction including price of motor would be cheapest (i said cheapest, not cheap) to come close to my mark (390-420whp). Or if any other engines come to mind that’s great too.
LT1 sounds convincing to me, almost a bolt in and they are cheap. But expensive to build.
Also iv been told I might want to look into a different tranny?
I’m doing a project in it. Want to do a classic 90s truck. I’m getting it painted in the next couple weeks and getting some wheels and lift on it. It’s got 200k and it’s a 5 speed manual.
I think to tie the whole build together an engine swap is in the future. The power range in going for is 420whp. My old man had a 600hp (crank) supercharged tundra when I was in high school that scooter pretty good. Love to get my truck up to it. HP to weight ratios say I need about 420Whp to run about what it ran.
I know cheap and engine swap are two words that don’t go together well. Same with cheap and fast.
from doing some research iv compiled a list of possible swaps for my stock TBI.
Of course none of these have the HP I’m looking for stock, I’m looking for the cheapest way to get there, (price of motor included). Because yes, a 6.2 makes 450hp (crank) but they also cost 4k. Would I be better off building a motor? Let me know what you guys think.
Engines iv considered:
Good ol 5.3 swap - super cheap and commen. and super easy to work on. Can get good power out of them.
6.0 (LQ from a truck) - still on the cheaper side compared to other LS motors. Same benefits as the 5.3 except a little more pony’s.
Lt1 - although 300 crank hp is not even close to the mark I’m after, the LT1 might be one of the only motors I can pick up cheaper than a 5.3. And from my understanding it’s almost a bolt in for our trucks? The downsides is limited aftermarket support and hard to push higher hp out of.
LS1 - probably the best candidate for the build. Easy to get HP out of and already has more HP stock (out of a vette) than the 6.0 and 5.3. The downsides are how expensive they are compared to the rest of the motors on my list.
6.2 out of a truck - higher HP stock. Basically a knock off LS3. Downsides is price of the motors.
I can pick these motors up out of a junkyard for following prices
5.3: 900$
6.0: 1100$
LT1: 1000$
LS1: 2700$
6.2: 2800$
Which direction including price of motor would be cheapest (i said cheapest, not cheap) to come close to my mark (390-420whp). Or if any other engines come to mind that’s great too.
LT1 sounds convincing to me, almost a bolt in and they are cheap. But expensive to build.
Also iv been told I might want to look into a different tranny?
