Discussion Forum - Northstar Chevelle Club

I think the LQ4 6.0 is one of the more popular LS engines.  Here's a guy in Eagan that has a couple for sale for $500 (would likely need to be opened up to check the internal condition): http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/dak/pts/4419679317.html

Here's a complete one for $1100 with 115K miles that might be o.k.: http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ank/pts/4410545308.html

And another for $1200 with 124K miles: http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ank/pts/4387508855.html

AAA Auto Salvage in Rosemount will sell the LS cores too, but you need to buy all the accessories for it separately.

The least expensive route is the iron block 5.3 from a truck.  But as I've learned when researching this, the cheap part is the engine itself.  The costs add up FAST after that; Wire harness, ECU, oil pan, engine mounts, injection system from a Corvette, Camaro, Firebird, etc. since the truck system is typically too tall to fit under the hood, exhaust headers/manifolds, and all the misc. metric to SAE adaptors needed.  I'm guessing the engine swap alone can run from $3K-$5K depending on how much of the original stuff you are able to use, and how detailed you get into the install.  Throw in another $2500-$3500 for a 4L60E, and you are not on the cheap path anymore.

The other thing I understand is that the LS engines torque band doesn't kick in until 3K RPM, so expect a high winding engine to get into the power band vs. the BBC you have now with torque from 1500 RPM and up.  That's how the 5.3 in my '03 GMC works.

I'm sure Dashboard has more insight having done a ton of research on this for his Buick swap, and Steve S. has done this as well.

I think you need to decide what you want to do with your car after the LS conversion. Do you want the 11 second rubber burning go sideways at 30mph, screaming rocket on a cheerio stick that Steve built? Or do you want a car that will make square corners out of round ones like Derek is putting together? Or would you prefer the mild mannered, very reliable, gets great gas mileage if you can keep your foot out of it, little old lady car I put together with a lot of help from several others? Any of the LS engines from the 5.3 to the 6.0 can easily make over 800hp if you have the money to throw at them.
Before you decide which engine is the best for your application, you need to do a lot of research, and I mean a lot. ls1tech.com is a source for information, however like any internet source be prepared for both good and completely erroneous information from posters. There are several books on the subject; most of the ones I read where more like cover to cover infomercials.
I started my research 18 months before I actually started the Buick conversion project. I was lucky to score an aluminum block 5.3 L33 HO engine with only 65,000 miles on it. Once I actually started the conversion however, almost all the research I had done over the last 18 months went right out the window.
I would suggest you get to the next club meeting that Steve or Derek will be at and spend some time under the hood with them.
It can be pricy depending on what you want as a finish product; I know I’ll never add up the receipts from my project. I still have several little things to complete on mine but I’m pleased with it and it’s a lot of fun to drive.

Nice numbers Brad and it will get nice gas mileage also. I think mine is about 320hp and 340 torque. I'm looking forward top see what Steve's does if he runs it on the dyno during the May meeting.