LS swap advice

[cfan10]

OK, here is my idea, I get lost thinking about what engine decision to make. I am really wanting to test the ls waters, I have a '91 suburban with a rebuilt 350 tbi in '14 that was never really driven much, as I didn't really at the time or money to play with it. It needed attention to the wiring and a new distributor and other issues, rust free everything worked when I bought it.

My mom is still going to sponsor an engine for the c10 so I think this is most cost effective, I was considering a Jegs sbc.
She wanted to buy me a new truck after graduation but the prices are really out there even for a base model.

The c10 has a 350 4bolt/th350 I want to swap the tbi engine minus the tbi junk to the c10...and ls swap the suburban which I enjoy driving more than the truck for some reason. And if I understand correctly, I'll just have to swap in a walbro 255 and a fuel pressure regulator in the stock tank. Planing to use the stock ls harness, thinking the most expensive thing will be the exhaust system I do not want the sound of headers, I read that stock exhaust manifolds aren't really compatible.
I know on the tbi block I'll have to buy the intake to use the 1406 carb, and I have a fairly new HEI distributor, Mr. Gasket electric fuel pump. I would like to keep the v belt setup since most of the accessories are fairly new, but the suburban has AC that works great, so I may have to swap the pulleys.
Is the water pump from the 350 the same rotation as the tbi block.

'91 Suburban 350 tbi/700r4
'84 C10 350/350

My plans:

4.8/5.3/6.0/6.2 whichever I find in the best condition I am really leaning towards a 4.8 as they aren't as sought after as the others and are more plentiful.
It will be matched up to the 700r4, which should I do dbw or dbc, simple is my goal.
I do plan to do a gasket kit and seals on both engines.
The exhaust manifolds on the suburban are cracked will the sbc exhaust manifolds bolt right up.
New motor mounts with ls adapter plates I would like to have AC as well.

I have seen head bolt adapters to convert a sbc intake to a tbi block anyone have any experience with them.

As always your time and advice is greatly appreciated. Anything I've overlooked please share that with me.

[cfan10]

I know I'll need the trans adapter.

[Mathew21]

Are you on Facebook? If you are join this group. "LS Swapped Square Body GM Trucks ('73-'86 C/K & '87-'91 R/V)" Read the file section first. Most if not all of your question about LS swap can be answered in there.

[mongocanfly]

You wont need a trans adapter..the 700r4 will bolt up to the LS...you will need the correct flex plate though..
Simple is dbc....
Look for holley,LS3 ,or tbss manifolds...the work on square bodys...
Although the 4.8 can be made to produce big hp I think in the burb youd be happier with a 5.3......6.0s and 6.2s are $$$$
You can get a new harness for a couple hundred bucks...theres a thread here recently on it...

[cfan10]

Originally Posted by Mathew21

Are you on Facebook? If you are join this group. "LS Swapped Square Body GM Trucks ('73-'86 C/K & '87-'91 R/V)" Read the file section first. Most if not all of your question about LS swap can be answered in there.

Not on facebook.

[cfan10]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

You wont need a trans adapter..the 700r4 will bolt up to the LS...you will need the correct flex plate though..
Simple is dbc....
Look for holley,LS3 ,or tbss manifolds...the work on square bodys...
Although the 4.8 can be made to produce big hp I think in the burb youd be happier with a 5.3......6.0s and 6.2s are $$$$
You can get a new harness for a couple hundred bucks...theres a thread here recently on it...

Thanks I was just thinking about the weight of the suburban, I drove a '16 gmc Sierra with the 4.8 loved the drive but compared to a '14 gmc van 6.0 it was really sluggish.

What are the years to avoid with ls engines? I'm looking on Craigslist for wrecked or possibly just bad transmission and the local junkyard.
Which the last time I went to the junkyard there was a guy who pulled 6.2 out of a caddy ahead of me in line, I know I heard $179 and he had accessories on it. No computer but not a bad price.

[cfan10]

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/p...iABEgIYVPD_BwE

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Summit-Stag...8AAOSwIJlaAkzG

[mongocanfly]

I doubt he got a 6.2 for $179 unless there was something really wrong with it
I would look for the earlier yrs for a LS...no dod, or flex...don't be scared of one with higher mileage ...the LS has proven itself to be a dependable high mileage engine

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

I am going to throw this one out there. Look up the LV3 4.3 V6 in the new Silverado's.

My 2018 crew cab has that engine, and it scoots along great. I have the 3.23 factory gears, and plan is to go to 3.73 or 3.91 in fall. I have towed almost 7000 pounds with it, and it did better then tuned 4.8. My truck like your Burb is not a small women.

It is un-loved so you can get the whole thing cheap, but you need to getbthen6 speed with it. That is 1/2 the magic of this combo.

[cfan10]

Originally Posted by Ziegelsteinfaust

I am going to throw this one out there. Look up the LV3 4.3 V6 in the new Silverado's.

My 2018 crew cab has that engine, and it scoots along great. I have the 3.23 factory gears, and plan is to go to 3.73 or 3.91 in fall. I have towed almost 7000 pounds with it, and it did better then tuned 4.8. My truck like your Burb is not a small women.

It is un-loved so you can get the whole thing cheap, but you need to getbthen6 speed with it. That is 1/2 the magic of this combo.

The low miles coupled with the prices some are under 2k with accessories. The wiring is a concern for me, waiting to hear back from a seller on ebay its a '15 year model. Insurance auctions may be a better option considering I need a new interior for the suburban anyway. Thanks!

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

It is the same as the V8 version's, and there is a swap harness available.

I would like to get a project truck for one, and boost it.

[SBTork]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

You wont need a trans adapter..the 700r4 will bolt up to the LS...you will need the correct flex plate though..
Simple is dbc....
Look for holley,LS3 ,or tbss manifolds...the work on square bodys...
Although the 4.8 can be made to produce big hp I think in the burb youd be happier with a 5.3......6.0s and 6.2s are $$$$
You can get a new harness for a couple hundred bucks...theres a thread here recently on it...

do you remember what thread had the new harness for a couple hundred bucks?

[mongocanfly]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=780507
Almost certain it's a unbranded Psi harness....

[SBTork]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=780507
Almost certain it's a unbranded Psi harness....

thank you sir! Something to consider for sure...

[mongocanfly]

From what I can tell , and for all purposes ,I think it's a PSI harness

[nekkidhillbilly]

wouldn't It be just as easy if not easier to get a ls and 4l60e combo and drop both in at once.