The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop LS engines

I have been told that late model chevy /gm trucks have LS engines in them ...does any one know if that is the true ? If so ,would it be a good choice to put into my 1955 3100 pick up that currently has a 350 in it ..I was also told that they are torqueir ( if that's a word) motors

Thank you

Most late model GM trucks do come with LS motors, from I believe 1999-present day. You WILL need the computer too.

LS engines introduced in 1995?

1950 with a 350 in it and contemplating an LS engine.

Maybe this belongs in the Hi-Po forum?

I am only pointing this out because some new members are getting heated over getting dissed about their posts on Hi-PO minutiae. In "The Hi-Po Shop".

Vent that heat in "The Hi-Po Shop". It is not interesting reading those posts here - in the pre 1973 Chevrolet Trucks "Engine Shop"?

That engine family intro'd in '97 in Corvettes with a 5.7L, '98 in F-bodies with a 5.7L, and '99 in trucks with 4.8L and 5.3L engines. However, I don't think any of the truck/SUV engines were technically called "LS"-anything. The technical names of the engines are different, but they are in the same family as the LS-1 and others.

I had a '99 truck with a 5.3L I bought with 28k miles, drove for 9 years, and traded in with 247k miles.

"LS-based" engines are on their 5th generation now, as they were introduced in 1997.

You commonly hear of the LS1, LS2, LS3, LS6, LSA, etc... When they came out in the Corvette, then the Camaros/Firebirds, those had an aluminum block and cylinder heads.

The trucks, vans, and SUVs had the LQ4, LQ9, LY6, and an entire host of other names. While some of them had aluminum blocks, the majority had cast iron blocks.

Bottom line, if you want to shave off 75 lbs and are willing to pay more, go for the aluminum block engines. If you don't care about the 75 lbs, and want to save a good bit of $$$, just go for the 'truck' blocks.

To me, the LS-based engines are much easier to get power from and don't have to work as hard as the old 350-style engines, plus they are much easier at the gas pump. You just have to determine what do you want in the long run? How much power do I really want? A 4.8L is cheap and can be made to be a super nice street engine all around (naturally aspirated, fuel injected, turbo, supercharger, whatever). If you want more, step into a 5.3L or a 6.0L.....or more!

LS engines are AWESOME! They're even more awesome if you have a Corvette suspension, steering, and brakes to help keep it from getting away on you. Garage queen C5 Corvettes are an incredible value for the dollar these days...I'll bet less than all the extras needed to keep it under control in a TF truck..just sayin

With enough time and money you really can make a silk purse from a sow's ear- - - - -but it makes the pig look really funny and she doesn't hear very well!
Jerry

In my lifetime there have been a dozen or so engines that were praiseworthy in my opinion. Some were performers, some durable, and some almost immune to abuse. One of my selections for each would be the Chrysler Slant six for durable--used in every thing from fork lifts to farm equipment. Performance would be the SBC even though it's derided as a "belly button" it made it so even the guy on an hourly wage job could pep one up with over the counter parts. The abuse award goes to the 302 Ford where pimple faced kids don't even know what an oil dipstick is but do know how to keep the tires burning on their Mustang for months on end. Can think of a half dozen more in each category but these are the first to come to mind. I now think the LS (and related) will probably be one of the best of all time. 450 factory HP, at LEAST 20mpg, 200K miles, after market support growing by leaps and bounds, and super swap support available both in parts and information. They ARE expensive but the crate price is dropping every year and soon will be less than a 350 built to 400hp and getting 12mpg. GM still hasn't been able to come up with a cure for Butt Ugly but several after market folks have pieces to de-uglify them a bit.

Pretty good resource on LS engines. It is rapidly becoming the shade tree hotrodder's preferred choice over the old SBC.

LS Engine History

A source for LS engines to consider. Located in the NE, so shipping could add up for us southerners.

LS Engine Source

My 1980 C20 came with the LS9 engine. It's funny that they reused the RPO number. Gee, if I still had the truck, I might have been able to sell it to some poor yob for an inflated price! (yeah, she's got the LS9, eh...)

Gord, that is funny. I wish they'd stop recycling the RPO numbers. We're on what, the third LT1 now?

Hi Everyone! Haven't been on the Stovebolt sight for some time. Now I actually purchased a 1952 Chevy 3100 in October of 2016 and am looking at putting one of those 4.8L/5.3L engines in as I have been reading here. The 4.8L/5.3L were the 3rd generation of the LS they were called Vortec engines I believe. In any case my question to those who have put them in do you need to cut the floor pan/toe pan away to accomodate the engine or transmission? The photo's i have seen on line e show some trucks with the floor is still original looking and some show they have added a hump to clear the transmission. I was told the bell housing size has not changed since 1952.
Can anyone provide info on this and what options I have when adding one of these 4.8L/5.3L truck engines.

All small block and 63 newer six's transmissions will attach.
That is why they are easy to use. Other than very reliable, powerfull and every junk yard now has them. Oh what fun the general has created!!

Plan to put one in my old six cyl Volvo.