First off let me claim my ignorance on LS based engines so any insight or advice is welcome. Secondly I am just interested in knowing what to look for so I can start budgeting what this will run me total.
This is for my 71 Nova POS....Lets just say I don't trust this motor/trans and on top of that every seal on the car is leaking to the point all my drip pans are full and nothing registers on the dipsticks. It is a 350 stroked out to 383 in front of a 700r4. I know if I keep the car carb'd I may need to fix the seals but I believe this is the same trans as the 4l60e just electronic (common to LS engines?)
So I am debating dropping in a LS series motor and potentially a trans. I know it's a somewhat common swap in these cars and I already know some of the requirements such as motor mounts, headers and fuel tank if I keep the LS motor FI (debating keeping it carb'd for cost and simplicity)
*Disclaimer* I am a cheap ass and want to keep this as cost effective as possible. I have seen examples of engine/trans/ecu and pedals from wrecked silverado's with 60 to 100k miles for around $1200-$1500 done as budget builds on Steve's Nova Site. This is kinda what I am looking for to get started. I have yet to find a donor vehicle like mentioned in this paragraph....
My problem is not knowing what to search for as the best platform to use, there are a few generation LS motors and different configurations and of course size. Everyone seems to have different opinions on what is the best setup to choose. 4.8 truck engines seem to be the most common budget build setup or if going turbo as I see these guys winding the engine out in the rpm's. Some guys like the LS1's for weight savings or the 6.0's just because the no replacement for displacement mentality. I'm not looking for a race car, just something that has some decent power but most importantly will be low cost and reliable.
My short term goal would be to find a decent mileage running engine and or trans and just drop it in. Once the car is mostly complete I may be looking to add a bit of oomph so the end goal is something that can do 400-450rwhp/rwtq NA (cam/heads/intake). Not sure if this information is needed or if it can change the recommendations but I put it in here just in case.
I will be sourcing this via craigslist and local junk yards etc so any insight what to look for and what would be the best donor vehicle would be appreciated!
This is for my 71 Nova POS....Lets just say I don't trust this motor/trans and on top of that every seal on the car is leaking to the point all my drip pans are full and nothing registers on the dipsticks. It is a 350 stroked out to 383 in front of a 700r4. I know if I keep the car carb'd I may need to fix the seals but I believe this is the same trans as the 4l60e just electronic (common to LS engines?)
So I am debating dropping in a LS series motor and potentially a trans. I know it's a somewhat common swap in these cars and I already know some of the requirements such as motor mounts, headers and fuel tank if I keep the LS motor FI (debating keeping it carb'd for cost and simplicity)
*Disclaimer* I am a cheap ass and want to keep this as cost effective as possible. I have seen examples of engine/trans/ecu and pedals from wrecked silverado's with 60 to 100k miles for around $1200-$1500 done as budget builds on Steve's Nova Site. This is kinda what I am looking for to get started. I have yet to find a donor vehicle like mentioned in this paragraph....
My problem is not knowing what to search for as the best platform to use, there are a few generation LS motors and different configurations and of course size. Everyone seems to have different opinions on what is the best setup to choose. 4.8 truck engines seem to be the most common budget build setup or if going turbo as I see these guys winding the engine out in the rpm's. Some guys like the LS1's for weight savings or the 6.0's just because the no replacement for displacement mentality. I'm not looking for a race car, just something that has some decent power but most importantly will be low cost and reliable.
My short term goal would be to find a decent mileage running engine and or trans and just drop it in. Once the car is mostly complete I may be looking to add a bit of oomph so the end goal is something that can do 400-450rwhp/rwtq NA (cam/heads/intake). Not sure if this information is needed or if it can change the recommendations but I put it in here just in case.
I will be sourcing this via craigslist and local junk yards etc so any insight what to look for and what would be the best donor vehicle would be appreciated!