To LS or not to LS, that is the question

[Eskimomann209]

I hear about a lot of 4.8/ 80e combos lately?
Is there a reason not to get the 5.3?
Where I am 5.3 is much more common and usually make it to the JY with less miles on em.

 

[df2x4]

I hear about a lot of 4.8/ 80e combos lately?
Is there a reason not to get the 5.3?

No, I think it's just that people are realizing you can make good power with the 4.8 and they're usually cheaper.

 

[stutaeng]

I hear about a lot of 4.8/ 80e combos lately?
Is there a reason not to get the 5.3?
Where I am 5.3 is much more common and usually make it to the JY with less miles on em.

In a naturally aspirated vehicle? I think there's a theory the 4.8 does a bit better than the 5.3 under boost? Not sure if that's entirely true.

Aside from them being a bit cheaper than the 5.3, probably not a huge difference. Just get a little better gearing on the 4.8. Any LS 4.8/5.3/6.0/6.2 would be really fun to drive in regular cab truck.

 

[kenh]

Engine Mount Plates; ICB-551-628 $34.99

Flexplate; HAY-10-030 $140.95

Pilot Adapter; SUM-704004 $24.99

Prices as of 5/20/21 @ Summitracing.com

All in stock today 5/20/21!

The mount plates have several positions. One of those put the back of the block exactly where it was with the SBC so the driveshaft can be left alone as well as the transmission mount and linkage.

If you want a direct replacement for the stock engine;

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/nal-12691671

Frank, thanks for the P/N's!

If I'm spending 4K on an engine I'm going to build it myself. Or I'll do the LS swap for less. Haha.

Still lots of research to do.

Ken

 

[PlayingWithTBI]

If I'm spending 4K on an engine I'm going to build it myself. Or I'll do the LS swap for less. Haha.

21 years ago, my Mr Goodwrench 5.7L long block was ~$1300, just sayin'

 

[kenh]

21 years ago, my Mr Goodwrench 5.7L long block was ~$1300, just sayin'

And you could rebuild a SBC for about $800

Ken

 

[0xDEADBEEF]

4.8 likes revs more because of the shorter stroke, but unless you have a cam it doesn't really matter.

 

[dave s]

No, I think it's just that people are realizing you can make good power with the 4.8 and they're usually cheaper.

I ran two 4.8's. One in an 08 Chevy Express 2500 loaded down for 250k. No mercy on that motor. Traded it on a 16 Express with the same 4.8 and ran it up to 110k. Heavily loaded and drove em like I stole em. Never a tranny or engine issue. I was very impressed by the power and reliability. I would love to throw one in my old 78 square body someday.

 

[df2x4]

I ran two 4.8's. One in an 08 Chevy Express 2500 loaded down for 250k. No mercy on that motor. Traded it on a 16 Express with the same 4.8 and ran it up to 110k. Heavily loaded and drove em like I stole em. Never a tranny or engine issue. I was very impressed by the power and reliability. I would love to throw one in my old 78 square body someday.

Matt Happel of Sloppy Mechanics used a 4.8 junkyard block and some go fast parts in his "8s for $8K" SN95 Mustang build. I don't remember what the dyno sheets looked like, been a while since I watched the videos, but according to the Sloppy Wiki page it's been 8.85 at 153MPH. I have a feeling builds like this are why the 4.8s are increasing in popularity. More people are realizing how much potential they have, even if they are the baby of the LS engines.

https://sites.google.com/site/sloppywiki/sloppy-builds/8s-for-8-mustang

 

[Frank Enstein]

My 2003 XCSB2WD got 18.75 MPG tank after tank even with 453,000 miles and the engine had never been opened up and the stock exhaust in place.