Discussion Forum - Northstar Chevelle Club

Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Post Info TOPIC: Original 350 or LS?


1K+ Club

Status: Offline
Posts: 1296
Date:
Original 350 or LS?
Permalink  
 


So if a guy has a non-original (305 SBC) in their Chevelle, and not the 350 4BL it came with, how much more cost and work to just upgrade to a newer (more efficient, powerful and reliable) engine.

Not trying to have a restored car, what are the pro's and cons from you who have made the leap?

Asking for a friendrolleyesthumbsup



__________________

Bruce L. - Lakeville MN

1971 Malibu Convert

 



Founding Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 2740
Date:
Permalink  
 

The cost/effort of an LS swap is a big hurdle. Whether it's worth it depends a lot on how much you plan to drive, and how much power you want to make... or how much of the work you can (and want to) do yourself. For a cruiser, you can just put an OD trans behind a mild smallblock and get the fuel economy without a lot of complexity.

I do enjoy that once it's "done" there's very little maintenance required with an LS engine. Lots of work up front, but then it's just key in one hole and gas in the other for a long time afterwards.

__________________

Derek Kiefer - Mantorville, MN

69 Malibu Pro-Touring stroker LS1-383/T56 - 69 SS396-325/3spd project



3K+ Club

Status: Offline
Posts: 4764
Date:
Permalink  
 

Derek is the man in the know on this one regarding LT/LS engines Bruce.

I've investigated the LS swap thing, and while the engine itself is the 'cheap' part, it's all the other parts that add up fast; ECU modification, wiring harness, engine mounts, new oil pan, possibly the front accessory drive, in-tank fuel pump, etc. 

I'm sure there's ways to do it on a budget for less, but I'm guessing $5K min. to do the LS swap, and that's just the well used 100K mile+ engine without any trans work.  headscratch

I'm of the 200R4 for a trans, a 355 small block like I got from YearOne for $3K, a nice 3.42 rear gear, and you're set to go with a fun reliable combo.  My two cents...



__________________

Stan S.-Twin Cities 'South Metro'

1972 Malibu Convertible 2nd time around 

1999 SS Camaro LS1-6 speed

Forum influenced terms: 'Link Paste', 'Stanitized', & 'Revolving garage door...' 

 



1K+ Club

Status: Offline
Posts: 1296
Date:
Permalink  
 

Thanks Derek and Stan!
I'll let my "friend" know.
maybe just grab a 350 close to the original when someone else decides to go with the LS Swap.

BTW I'm currently making a short trip back to the CAC, had to pull the intake manifold as it was leaking out the back.
Shocker, found more shoddy work by the PO, more on that later.


__________________

Bruce L. - Lakeville MN

1971 Malibu Convert

 



3K+ Club

Status: Offline
Posts: 4764
Date:
Permalink  
 

BLyke wrote:


BTW I'm currently making a short trip back to the CAC, had to pull the intake manifold as it was leaking out the back.
Shocker, found more shoddy work by the PO, more on that later.


I've got a couple of annoying small oil leaks on mine too Bruce after resealing.  It's always something...are you going to try and have it back together to make the QA1 cruise in Lakeville Sat. morning?  Tina and I are planning on going and maybe meet up with an old NCC member for the cruise.



__________________

Stan S.-Twin Cities 'South Metro'

1972 Malibu Convertible 2nd time around 

1999 SS Camaro LS1-6 speed

Forum influenced terms: 'Link Paste', 'Stanitized', & 'Revolving garage door...' 

 



Founding Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 2740
Date:
Permalink  
 

I guess that's another advantage to the LS... they don't leak!

I did have a problem with the crank pulley loosening, which slung oil all over everything, but after fixing that, it's leak-free. :)

__________________

Derek Kiefer - Mantorville, MN

69 Malibu Pro-Touring stroker LS1-383/T56 - 69 SS396-325/3spd project



1K+ Club

Status: Offline
Posts: 1296
Date:
Permalink  
 

SShink wrote:
BLyke wrote:


BTW I'm currently making a short trip back to the CAC, had to pull the intake manifold as it was leaking out the back.
Shocker, found more shoddy work by the PO, more on that later.


I've got a couple of annoying small oil leaks on mine too Bruce after resealing.  It's always something...are you going to try and have it back together to make the QA1 cruise in Lakeville Sat. morning?  Tina and I are planning on going and maybe meet up with an old NCC member for the cruise.


 Sorry to say no, we will be out of town on Saturday. Glad to see some cruises starting up, it would be good to see some of the people from the club.



__________________

Bruce L. - Lakeville MN

1971 Malibu Convert

 



President

Status: Offline
Posts: 7253
Date:
Permalink  
 

BLyke wrote:

Thanks Derek and Stan!
I'll let my "friend" know.
maybe just grab a 350 close to the original when someone else decides to go with the LS Swap.

BTW I'm currently making a short trip back to the CAC, had to pull the intake manifold as it was leaking out the back.
Shocker, found more shoddy work by the PO, more on that later.


 I would encourage purchasing a new crate engine, like Stan did, from Year One over an used, probably unknown condition, engine, unless said used engine was less than 1k. He would be starting with a fresh engine, with a warranty and not needing a rebuild in a few years, as could happen with an used engine.

 I'll, also, second the 200R4, if he can find one. I have the 3.42 rear gear too and highway cruising with the B&M converter controller makes for a very nice combo...thumbsup



__________________

Mitch D.   River Falls, WI

Lifetime member of the "Cars apart Club"

Some Assembly Required

1966 Chevelle SS 396 M20

1970 Chevelle SS 396 M20

1967 Camaro SS 350 rs



1K+ Club

Status: Offline
Posts: 1296
Date:
Permalink  
 

Well now that the seals have been replaced, valves adjusted as needed and the distributor cap replaced (one of the contact tabs had slipped down and resulted in the strange tick that started up a while ago), thinking I will be sticking with the 305 for now.rolleyes

Turned out to be a good learning experience, which is nice.....



__________________

Bruce L. - Lakeville MN

1971 Malibu Convert

 



Founding Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 2740
Date:
Permalink  
 

I spoke too soon on the no leaks thing... I have a PS fluid leak that's bad enough that there's fluid all over everything and ran the reservoir dry on the QA1 cruise, but not bad enough that I can find where it's coming from.

__________________

Derek Kiefer - Mantorville, MN

69 Malibu Pro-Touring stroker LS1-383/T56 - 69 SS396-325/3spd project



1K+ Club

Status: Offline
Posts: 1296
Date:
Permalink  
 

Derek69SS wrote:

I spoke too soon on the no leaks thing... I have a PS fluid leak that's bad enough that there's fluid all over everything and ran the reservoir dry on the QA1 cruise, but not bad enough that I can find where it's coming from.


 Strange how that seems to happen? banghead



__________________

Bruce L. - Lakeville MN

1971 Malibu Convert

 



3K+ Club

Status: Offline
Posts: 4764
Date:
Permalink  
 

Derek69SS wrote:

I spoke too soon on the no leaks thing... I have a PS fluid leak that's bad enough that there's fluid all over everything and ran the reservoir dry on the QA1 cruise, but not bad enough that I can find where it's coming from.


I was behind you quite a bit of the QA1 cruise and didn't notice any spray or smoke from it burning off.  It must have been pretty light.  I followed John D. and Blackie once with my freshly painted '71 vert when he had a slight oil cooler leak, and the front of the Malibu had a film of oil on it, but I think it was a bigger leak than what you're describing.



__________________

Stan S.-Twin Cities 'South Metro'

1972 Malibu Convertible 2nd time around 

1999 SS Camaro LS1-6 speed

Forum influenced terms: 'Link Paste', 'Stanitized', & 'Revolving garage door...' 

 



President

Status: Offline
Posts: 7253
Date:
Permalink  
 

Derek69SS wrote:

I spoke too soon on the no leaks thing... I have a PS fluid leak that's bad enough that there's fluid all over everything and ran the reservoir dry on the QA1 cruise, but not bad enough that I can find where it's coming from.


 May need to drive it long enough for the oil to get hot. I've seen it purge out the reservoir cap when hot, but if you have the remote res, I'm sure you would see that at the source ? Have someone hold the brake pedal firmly to test the hydro boost under pressure too. Sounds like a pin hole in a hose or loose crimp producing a fine spray.



__________________

Mitch D.   River Falls, WI

Lifetime member of the "Cars apart Club"

Some Assembly Required

1966 Chevelle SS 396 M20

1970 Chevelle SS 396 M20

1967 Camaro SS 350 rs



Founding Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 2740
Date:
Permalink  
 

I'm thinking it might be a bad AN fitting or braided hose, only leaking when the pressure comes up with RPM when the pump spins faster since I can't find anything at idle. 

Everything is wet along the drivers' side frame rail, suspension, even the inside of the front wheel is coated in fluid. I'm taking off the hydroboost and eliminating half the hoses while I wait for new tires to come in, so I'll get to the bottom of it sooner or later...



__________________

Derek Kiefer - Mantorville, MN

69 Malibu Pro-Touring stroker LS1-383/T56 - 69 SS396-325/3spd project

Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.

Chatbox
Please log in to join the chat!