ls swap in a 1979 chevy

[gman6762]

this 4.8 ls motor factory hp is around 352. im sending the heads later on to t e a/total engine airflow its going to cost around 2400$ but for now ive already got motor mounts flywheel and starter to hook up to a 350 trans-and the motor its self and computers for 1700$. i just ordered k&n cold air intake and an  pro hp tuner kit which usually adds about. 35-60 more hp with both add ons.but the hp ill make when i send my heads to t e a will gain about 100 more hp so all around once i finish ill  have 19k in this truck rebuild. and ill be pushing around 470 to 510 rhp. seems like a good deal cheaper than what you can buy a new truck for but you just have to take your time that the killer  :

reply if you have any questions.

[Captkaos]

The max power for a 4.8L is 295hp/305 lbf·ft.  You won't gain anywhere near 100 hp without changing the cam along with the heads and valvetrain.  You also won't be seeing anywhere near 500 rear wheel horsepower without a cam change.  Of the 295 the top 4.8L made, you are going to loose about 80hp to the drivetrain, so the 295 at the crank will be about 200 to the tire. 

You are going to need cam/valvetrain upgrade along with head work to get close to the 500hp and it will be at the crank with no accessories not fully loaded like the engines are factory rated.

To give you an idea, we havea 2000 Silverado with a stock 5.3L, put on a cold air and tuned it and it went from 230hp at the tire to 245hp at the tire.  This was our baseline before we fabbed up the STS turbo kit
(I am a dealer) to fit it (SWB vs Extended)  After the turbo and 8lbs of boost it made 405hp.  It peaked at 525hp/653 on 14lbs before it popped the ring land.  All of this was on a stock block.

[gman6762]

yea sorry i look up a freaking 4.8 with a super charger yea ill be getting about about 350 rwhp once i i get the cam and heads on it that have been. sent to tea. but i ran the number and its a 5.3. not a 4.8

[DustyRusty]

I know this is an old thread but I wanted to find and provide some more information for consideration about the 5.3L LS-.

Back in the November 2011 issue of Super Chevy magazine they started a series of articles on a build up of the 5.3L LS-engine entitled "Modern Mouse".  They eventually made a 383 ci in various forms of natural aspiration and boosted applications.  You may want to follow the links below if you are interested.

A few facts from the Nov. 2011 issue:  The 4.8L and the 5.3L are identical in exterior appearance.  Both have the same bore size of 3.78 inches; the 4.8L has a 3.268 inch stroke with a 6.276 inch rod length; and the 5.3L has a 3.622 inch stroke and a 6.098 inch rod length.  To tell the difference between the 4.8L and the 5.3L, the rod and crank casting numbers must be determined.  The 4.8L will have a rod casting number of 121 and a crank casting number of 12553482.

Here is the link to the Nov. 2011 issue:  www.superchevy.com/technical/engine_drivetrain/completebuilds_testing/sucp_1111_5_3l_ls_small_block_build/

If, for some reason, that link doesn't work try the Super Chevy link and browse around and find the Nov. 2011 issue:  www.superchevy.com/  Then type in Modern Mouse in the "Search Super Chevy" block; that should work.

[gman6762]

alright i appreciate it guys got it in a hp tuned with a cam and it was tuned by ss performance in tallahasse florida those are some great guys who can tune the heck out of a CAR OR TRUCK and i found out that ernie sims owns  it pretty awesome set up they have down their!