LS Swap

[85chevy327]

Hi guys!!!! I'm new to the forum however, I am not new to my 85 Chevy Custom Deluxe that I have been building for going on six years. Since taking the truck apart, I have did a complete frame off painting the frame and lowering it I have also done several body mods to include shaving the fuel door out of the bed, as well as the stake pockets.

The reason for this post is I have recently became really good friends with a LS guy who I believe has me talked into putting an LS motor instead of my original plans of putting a nice hopped up 327. Has anyone out there done this and are you happy with it? I also plan on putting the 4L80 tranny in it as well which would give me a durable tranny that has overdrive, so I could make monsterous power yet cruise the interstate at a reasonable RPM.

Please let me know your thoughts.

Sean

[yellowk20]

4L80E is a good tough trans to be sure, but it is heavy and consumes more power then a 4L60E . In a 2wd  like yours with a near stock LS the 4L60E would be perfect in my opinion.


But either one would be nice.

[bake74]

     First off welcome to the site, 85chevy327 from California.
     As far as the LS motors, there are several threads on swaps, look in member's rides, projects, and engine/drivetrain.  The owner of the site, Capt. is doing just that right now in one of his builds, and he says he won't swap anything else besides a 2000 or newer engine in one of his builds.

[Captkaos]

As bake said I am doing this now.  I wouldn't waste my time on the old SBC's if you are after performance.  If you are getting the motor with the trans and it has a lot of mines the 4L60E will need to be rebuilt if you plan to put some power to it.  If you just plan to play with it every once in a while is should be ok though. 

If you are planning for serious power, I recommend 4L80E.

[roadrage41]

I like mine, definitely not a commuter without overdrive, but im looking at adding one. Other than that what cap said, make sure you run a decent cooler, and if you plan on putting power through a stock 4l60 plan on a rebuild. If you dont know the source of the trans also budget for it, you'd be surprised how many bad transmissions a junkyard will say shifts fine.

[lechez71]

i did an LS swap in my 82 c10 and im lovin it. its cost more to do the swap than just a sbc but worth every penny! way more reliable, more fun to drive and w the 60e tranny i run 4.11 gears has awesome tq. you wont be dissapointed with the swap

[85chevy327]

Thanks guys! My plan all along has been to run a 4l80. My LS buddy has built a street legal 01 Camaro that was an 8.30's car, among several other competitive cars. He has been an excellent tool to have as this build is moving forward. He plans on making big power with the truck for a very reasonable price. As for the initial price, I picked up a long block that is currently in a truck and running, for $200.00, so I def ahead on most builds. Chad (my LS buddy) plans on doing an big cam springs and a little head work, along with a holly intake and fuel rail. Once i get it set between the frame rails I will definitively start posting some pictures for all to see. 

Thanks for all the advice, and making me feel welcome!