Post-LS Swap Review: For You Who Have Succeed, I Want to Hear About It.

[beertestr]

I have found there is a pretty good chunk of information on the web regarding assistance and completing LS swaps to various vehicles, but there really aren't many post-reviews (e.g., how did it turn out, what sort of problems occurred/ how were they dealt with, if the swap was cost effective, how challenging the swap was, etc.).

Being someone who is presently engaged in an LS swap, I would like to hear some reviews from others who pulled this process off. Here are some basic questions to consider, but feel free to mention other stuff as well:

1. What specifically did you swap, and are you satisfied?
2. Did any part of the swap end up not turning out right? What?
3. Did you manage to stay on budget, or did the swap turn into a money pit?
4. How much working knowledge did you have on the swap before beginning?
5. If you tow, how does the LS set-up perform?
6. Would you do the swap over again if you knew then what you know now?

Thanks in advance for contributing to this post. I think everyone's feedback will be greatly appreciated and helpful.

I've done 2 swaps.
1) 93 2WD Sierra. USed a 2004 4.8L converted to cable TB, used a 99 LS1 2WD trans. Made my own mount brackets and set the motor so the driveshaft didn't need mods. 2004 Exhaust from a SCSB from the heads to tailpipe. Kept the Mech Fan. Towed my 1995 Caprice a few times, no issues with 31" tires and a 3.42 axle. First tie I towed it, I thought the 4.8 was a little weak downshifting on rolling hills. Then I found out my speedo call was off, and I was towing at 80mph not 70mph.. .. Total swap cost was under $1000 not including engine.

2) Pulled that engine and exhaust, put it into a 1994 Z71 SCLB. Made my own mounts again, and located the engine to the original 4L60E. Did not need to move any of the driveline. Stock mech fan, centered in the fan shroud, again manifolds and complete exhaust. Drove like a stock vehicle. I have a build thread, search for my username, it's on here. I also offer my mount brackets to make the swap a drop in option. I drove that truck for 30,000+ miles as my DD, only got rid of it because I traded it for a Harley. I towed with it several times, with the 3.73's and 33" BFG's, it was a little short of torque and liked 3rd gear better than 4th.

To answer your questions.

1) See above
2) If I didn't get the 4.8L practically free and extremely low miles, I'd have done a 5.3L for a DD. Other than that, I would not have changed anything.
3) I was all about figuring out the least expensive way to do it and not cut corners. I spent $$ where it counted for reliability, and made trans cooler lines out of hydraulic hose, and swaged fuel lines off the stock frame lines. Those 4 lines cost me $100, but I knew they were dead nuts reliable. Keeping the mech fan saved a bundle, and I did not have to worry about cooling issues while towing. Not saying there would be with E-fans, but I decided KISS was good (Keep it Simple Stupid).
4) The 93 was my first LS swap in anything. I've done 4 swaps now. The interweb is your friend, the wiring is not all that scary.
5) Tows very good, the 4.8 makes great power, but having the extra 40+ #-ft of torque of a 5.3 would have been nicer. Or... a 6.0 FWIW, the guy that has my 94 Z71 put a 5th wheel hitch in the bed and tows a camper trailer with it. Puts the truck in 3rd and gets 11 mpg towing. He's cooked the 10 bolt from over loading the truck (smoked the new OEM gears I put in the truck), but that kinda happens when you exceed the towing capacity of the axle. Motor and trans held up fine, and he hauls clear across MI from Lake Huron - Lake Michigan (he literally lives 2 miles from Lake Huron and drives to the dunes on Lake MI).... with a 5th wheel trailer, and a 4.8L.. then goes wheeling in the truck after he unhooks the trailer.
6) Do it over???? I did it twice on pickups, then I did my 79 Caprice, I'm helping with a 96 Impala SS this winter, and I've sold over a 100 sets of mounts to others doing LS swaps. If you are looking to decide between repowering an old 305/350 truck with an LS or just rebuild the original motor, I'd go 5.3L LS ANY DAY. It's a little more involved, but the costs are comparable. Figure a stock rebuilt with machine work will run you $1000-1500.. put that into a swap where you can find a good running 5.3L for $500 and spend the rest on the swap. The cost is a little variable depending on things you decide to do while doing the swap, your skill and ability (can you mod your own harness... hint:: YESS!), but there are costs you need to consider. I will tell you that you can do an LS swap for less than $1000+ donor engine cost.

HTH!