lsx swap need help picking an engine

Printable View

02-26-2013, 09:50 PM
zane-O

lsx swap need help picking an engine

building a 92 xcsb 4x4. going to do an lsx swap not 6.0 or 6.2 unless a 6 or 6.2 would last longer. i want to do a 4.8, 5.3 or 5.7. i would like a rock solid daily driver, extreme reliability and get at least 100k miles on a set amount of boost, i want to set it up once on the boost and leave it, possibly a hi/low boost controller . i am open to any insight for the build i want to get the max out of the setup. here are my plans
5.3, ls6 intake, ls9 cam, aftermarket head gaskets
4l80 trans
76mm turbo

tell me your thoughts on the build im sure its been done a hundred times but i'd like to hear from the people that have done it. thanks -zane
02-27-2013, 06:02 PM
RPM Graphics

they're all going to take the same amount of work to swap so i say start shopping & buy the best deal. i know a lot of guys swap to the 5.3. i personally wanted a true LS1, '02, 5.7, aluminum block. that motor came DWC & had the LS6 intake. i like it so much i just bought another one exactly like it to swap into my IS300.
02-27-2013, 06:44 PM
kerrige

I would suggest a better cam. An isky 112 would be a great choice over the ls9 cam. Also there will be little to no difference in reliability or durability between different motors most will have the same weak points. I think an important factor is your final goal.
02-27-2013, 10:25 PM
cjriojas

Quote:

Originally Posted by zane-O

going to do an lsx swap not 6.0 or 6.2 unless a 6 or 6.2 would last longer.

I am not quite sure what you mean by this. Why wouldnt a 6.0 or 6.2 last as long as a 4.8/5.3? Typically, people choose a 5.3/4.8 because they are so easy to find and cheaper.
02-27-2013, 11:04 PM
zane-O

[QUOTE=cjriojas;508544]I am not quite sure what you mean by this. Why wouldnt a 6.0 or 6.2 last as long as a 4.8/5.3? Typically, people choose a 5.3/4.8 because they are so easy to find and cheaper.[/QUOTE

I was just wondering what engine would do best under boost long term. Or if it even matters what liter block i start with.
02-27-2013, 11:06 PM
zane-O

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerrige

I would suggest a better cam. An isky 112 would be a great choice over the ls9 cam. Also there will be little to no difference in reliability or durability between different motors most will have the same weak points. I think an important factor is your final goal.

I see what your saying. I just want a strong durable engine I can get miles out of. Just wondering what parts are important for a fi motor. Not radical power.
02-27-2013, 11:10 PM
zane-O

Also is a $1000 a good price for a 4.8 pullout with 30k miles? No harness or computer, has manifolds intake accessories and oil pan.
02-27-2013, 11:17 PM
zane-O

Quote:

Originally Posted by RPM Graphics

they're all going to take the same amount of work to swap so i say start shopping & buy the best deal. i know a lot of guys swap to the 5.3. i personally wanted a true LS1, '02, 5.7, aluminum block. that motor came DWC & had the LS6 intake. i like it so much i just bought another one exactly like it to swap into my IS300.

But that engine does not have the ls6 cam or ls6 heads right?
02-27-2013, 11:27 PM
cjriojas

Quote:

Originally Posted by zane-O

I was just wondering what engine would do best under boost long term. Or if it even matters what liter block i start with.

Take your pick, all about the same. The key to longevity is in the tune so you should have it live and dyno tuned for max potential.

Quote:

Originally Posted by zane-O

Also is a $1000 a good price for a 4.8 pullout with 30k miles? No harness or computer, has manifolds intake accessories and oil pan.

terrible price, id give 400 for it. you can find 6.0s for that
02-27-2013, 11:42 PM
zane-O

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjriojas

Take your pick, all about the same. The key to longevity is in the tune so you should have it live and dyno tuned for max potential.

terrible price, id give 400 for it. you can find 6.0s for that

Alright thanks for the info. Do you have any suggestions on where to dig for a good pull out engine?
02-28-2013, 12:07 AM
kerrige

Quote:

Originally Posted by zane-O

Alright thanks for the info. Do you have any suggestions on where to dig for a good pull out engine?

Car-part.com

you need fuel system to support boost. Injectors and fuel pump are the basics.

I would suggest a good boost cam, hardened pushrods, LS7 lifters(if gen III motor), good valve springs, trunion rocker upgrade, ls2 timing chain or better timing chain, and ls6 ported oil pump. If you plan on more than 12lbs of boost head studs would be a good investment.

A well built transmission is a given and rearend upgrades as well.

You will most likel need Efans to clear a turbo setup.

As you can see the list goes on and on, but really depends on your goals, budget, and plans.
02-28-2013, 09:22 AM
RPM Graphics

Quote:

Originally Posted by zane-O

Also is a $1000 a good price for a 4.8 pullout with 30k miles? No harness or computer, has manifolds intake accessories and oil pan.

that's really high.

Quote:

Originally Posted by zane-O

But that engine does not have the ls6 cam or ls6 heads right?

just the intake
03-01-2013, 01:47 PM
zane-O

zane-O=RPM Graphics;508568]that's really high.

just the intake[/QUOTE]

Is an LS6 engine that much more than an ls1? Wouldn't the ls6 be worth it?
03-01-2013, 03:30 PM
kerrige

Quote:

Originally Posted by zane-O

zane-O=RPM Graphics;508568]that's really high.

just the intake

Is an LS6 engine that much more than an ls1? Wouldn't the ls6 be worth it?[/QUOTE]

No, the ls6 will cost double in many cases and the difference is cam and intake that's about it. You will want to swap out the cam anyways and the stock truck intake is just fine for a turbo application.
03-01-2013, 08:54 PM
zane-O

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerrige

Is an LS6 engine that much more than an ls1? Wouldn't the ls6 be worth it?

No, the ls6 will cost double in many cases and the difference is cam and intake that's about it. You will want to swap out the cam anyways and the stock truck intake is just fine for a turbo application.[/QUOTE]

Am I better of just starting with a block or should I get the whole pullout so that everything is there? This is where I'm on the fence.
03-01-2013, 09:00 PM
zane-O

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerrige

Car-part.com

you need fuel system to support boost. Injectors and fuel pump are the basics.

I would suggest a good boost cam, hardened pushrods, LS7 lifters(if gen III motor), good valve springs, trunion rocker upgrade, ls2 timing chain or better timing chain, and ls6 ported oil pump. If you plan on more than 12lbs of boost head studs would be a good investment.

A well built transmission is a given and rearend upgrades as well.

You will most likel need Efans to clear a turbo setup.

As you can see the list goes on and on, but really depends on your goals, budget, and plans.

Those are the things I was wanting know about for longevity. How well would the stock rods and pistons do? I've heard where all the ls cranks are good for 800ish horse.
03-02-2013, 01:33 AM
cjriojas

Quote:

Originally Posted by zane-O

Am I better of just starting with a block or should I get the whole pullout so that everything is there? This is where I'm on the fence.

For what my opinion is worth considering i have never done a swap, a pull out with as much stuff on it, specifically the harness and PCM, is the best starting point.

Quote:

Originally Posted by zane-O

Those are the things I was wanting know about for longevity. How well would the stock rods and pistons do? I've heard where all the ls cranks are good for 800ish horse.

Ask Botlfed about the longevity. He sprayed a 300 shot of nitrous out of the hole to a stock bottom end 5.3. We had polls going on to see when he would finally blow it up but it held :lol:
03-02-2013, 03:11 AM
kerrige

Quote:

Originally Posted by zane-O

Those are the things I was wanting know about for longevity. How well would the stock rods and pistons do? I've heard where all the ls cranks are good for 800ish horse.

Lots of big power builds on stock bottomends. Need to gap the rings for boost at high levels and rod bolts are good as well. Later 4.8/5.3s have beefier rods.
03-02-2013, 06:51 PM
zane-O

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerrige

Lots of big power builds on stock bottomends. Need to gap the rings for boost at high levels and rod bolts are good as well. Later 4.8/5.3s have beefier rods.

I was looking at the newer 5.3's and its hard to find them with out afm.. there is so many different was to do an ls engine it hard to decide on something lol.
03-04-2013, 12:55 PM
zane-O

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerrige

Lots of big power builds on stock bottomends. Need to gap the rings for boost at high levels and rod bolts are good as well. Later 4.8/5.3s have beefier rods.

What years of 4.8 or 5.3 are the ones to opt for? I'm thinking 4.8 with 6l80 lil turbo action and still get good mpg :)

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:45 PM.