LS engine swap cost/adaptability for 70-72 Skylark

wait a minute you said do the swap and make plenty of hp now you have to change a cam and springs to make it happen, so what is the difference doing this with a BBB or SBB same stuff you got to be somewhat of a mechanic to make it happen.

 

No better than Buick's
Front mounted oil pump with aluminum housing, steel gears.
1 bolt holding the long pick up tube with the problematic O ring
It oils the same as Buick............. lifters first, then mains.

Same design as the 350 Buick........ deep skirt, EXCEPT for the cross bolted mains, which they probably did because the block is weak, you DONT NEED cross bolted mains for 300/400 h.p
The 5.3 bore is just a smidge larger than the 350 Buick, 3.8 verses 3.9 something, and WAY smaller than a 455
Compare a 350 Buick and an LS block there are alot of strange similarities, almost like they copied it with a few improvements

THAT is true!
THAT is what makes an LS such a good engine, THE HEADS, nothing else
Even at that, they used the tall narrow intake port design, same as Buick used for years.

Finally someone said this with experience in engines, machining, building, and racing them.
LS's make crap torque down low, so they shore it up with higher stall convertors, and deeper rear gears.

Ever watch the You Tuber "I do Cars", he does tear downs of blown up engines, most are LS.

 

well 3-4K is for some of us not Budget friendly. I havent had that $ when i was younger . how much would you have valued the labor part? A lot of people do not have hookups.


I can do the math of a build i am doing for fun right now (4.8 Gen4 SBE, Stock heads, 78/75 Turbo)
Power will depend on the Boost level but lets say 600-800Hp
just FYI.
Its just the typical DIY Junkyard build + some extra


Btw: there is plenty of prove for cam only gains everywhere i am sure you find some if you want to>
here is a more extreme cam example: https://www.cpgnation.com/the-100-horsepower-upgrade-cam-only-5-3l-test/


Buicks are cool

BBS are great ... but they definitly not the 1st Choice for higher HP builds in the Hot rod Scene. BBC , HEMIs, LS are the top 3. Even SBFs are out there more in this builds. Main reason is plenty of aftermarket support and therefore the potential.
Sorry but Buicks are not there.
That is the truth.
That has nothing to do whit what you like or not.

now i am waiting for the responses of the Forum " i raced a LS? BBC/ Hemi/ SBF and blew him out of the Water with a stock Buick 350/455"

 

Yeah, things other than Buicks can go faster or quicker for less money. If all you care about is quick and cheap, then build a an ls with a turbo and put it in your Skylark. Or better yet, buy a ricer bike, they’ll go 9s in stock trim.
If you like Buicks and enjoy driving Buicks and owning Buicks, then build a Buick engine for your Buick.
Patrick

The ‘ls with a turbo makes 1300hp for $900’ crowd is as annoying as the ‘my Tesla does 0-60 in 2 seconds so it’s the bestest’ crowd. So what?

 

You forgot to add reliable and part availability to the pros list on the ls. Unless summit or jegs put buick rods and pistons on the cover of its catalog.

 

You kinda made my point.
Patrick

 

When running NA the best bang for the buck is a LQ4 or LQ9 6.0 with a cam swap and valvesprings. The 5.3 are great for fuel mileage and an easy 360 Hp with a mild cam, but lack the torque unless boosted.

The 6.0 is an Easy honest 500 HP and a bottom end that can take boost or nitrous if you ever want to upgrade. Factory bottom end, is all that’s needed, so a junkyard $500-$800 engine. With long tube headers and a tune these engines make respectable torque, it’s the tune and the choked exhaust that kill the trucks torque when stock. I found huge gains with headers, cat delete and dual magnaflow 3”. Plus it sounds great, fuel mileage improved and towing performance improved as well.

 

Touché lol

 

But that's the point for this specific post.
COST as the title says.

I contributed to the LS idea based on $$, and got all this replies " well I can make a buick as good for cheap
Sorry 3-4k + free labour ( estimated 1 k) is not my idea of cheap.
Actually this 5k can get you a crate LS 5.3 with 420hp and warranty.

Cheap for me is my c10 455/th400 swap 1000$
Or my 150$ junkyard 5.3, 4.8s and then add cheap available performance parts.

So the topic was "cheap" I love BUICKS and I decided against a LS SWAP in my c10 in favor for a BBB.

That's part of hot rodding making your dream work with your pockets.
I wish I could afford ( without sacrificing other things) JW building me a big ci bbb.

 

The turbo Buick 350 will get a lot more looks than a LS motor in the same Buick at a car show they will see a LS in there and call it junk, that is what my brother said everytime he saw a Chevy motor in a Ford at the car show and there is nothing wrong with a 302 engine from the day. Cheap is the key word.

 

You are right the Buick gets more looks.
especially with "older" folks since its so considered "uncommon" nowadays. And yes i experience it always everywhere i go with my 68 TT SBB and with my 69 C10 BBB.
But calling a LS junk idk. I am far from that. its the engine that drives 60% of the trucks out there and SUVs ( there it isnt junk) and thats how the Big Block swaps (Chevy) started out 80% . old truck engines.
I sold my build 5.3 to my buddy whos a "Real" vet with many deployments and he has certain Issues with Smells and Visual stuff . We swapping his 65 C10 ( INline 6) to LS at the moment . 1st for Power 2. reliability 3. Budget. and EFI because of his health issue.

Btw a Chevy in a ford = Junk? thats the only way to make them fast i thought

 

OFF Topic

Not sure when the LS swap craze overtook you guys, but take it elsewhere.. Plenty of places on the net to pound your chest about this generations SBC..

V8 BUICK .com

JW