Ls Swapped '70 LeSabre

Discussion in 'Ebay Parts and Cars' started by wildcatsrule, Oct 7, 2020.

  1. wildcatsrule

    wildcatsrule Well-Known Member

  2. buicksWILD

    buicksWILD Well-Known Member

    Perfect! Same direction mines going!
     
  3. Brad Conley

    Brad Conley RIP Staff Member

    Looks like the "0" key got stuck on his keyboard. Way too many.
     
    no1oldsfan likes this.
  4. 436'd Skylark

    436'd Skylark Sweet Fancy Moses!!!!!

    Wicked sleeper.
     
  5. pbr400

    pbr400 68GS400

    A stock 5.3 make about the same horsepower and less torque a lot higher on the tach than the Buick 350 it was built with. I don’t see the point.
    Patrick
     
  6. no1oldsfan

    no1oldsfan Well-Known Member

    Amen. 20k?? Step away...
     
    6769RIV likes this.
  7. Max Damage

    Max Damage I'm working on it!

    Looks like a pretty sweet and sorted ride.
     
  8. Nailhead in a 1967

    Nailhead in a 1967 Kell-Mnown Wember

    LS with an LS...

    But is the 5.3 L Vortec really an LS engine?

    Link:
    http://bdturnkeyengines.com

    I ONLY SELL VORTEC TRUCK ENGINES
    I DO NOT SELL LS ENGINES
    [​IMG]


    CLARIFICATION: Everyone consistently calls a Vortec an LS and that is not accurate! Although Vortec engines are "LS" based they are NOT LS engines IMO. Besides most Vortec's being iron block, as seen above there are some serious size differences and considerations depending on your project.

    VORTEC ENGINE IN CARS: For the most part, it will be challenging to put a Vortec truck engine into a car. Most cars, even old muscle cars have relatively low hood clearances. If running even a minor cowl hood a Vortec may fit. You can gain an inch or two by removing the plastic engine cover and cutting some of the plastic tabs on top of the Vortec intake manifold. This may be all you need for clearance and a Vortec will fit in your car.

    CONVERSION: It is NOT economical IMO to "convert" a Vortec to an LS nor an option I offer. Below is what would be needed just to lower the intake height and match the LS. If you ALSO require the shorter LS accessories that will add another $500 or so.

    • LS6 Intake Manifold - $400 minimum used
    • LS Injectors - $150 used
    • LS Fuel Rail - $100 used
    • Alternator Relocation kit - $250
    • Camaro Water Pump - $150
    • Custom Tuning - $500+
    WIRING HARNESS: The other thing to consider is the differences in the Vortec wiring harness layout versus the LS layout. The Vortec truck harness has a large portion up on top of the intake manifold, is supported by it, and is covered or hidden by the plastic engine cover. The LS engine harness is configured much differently and the intake manifold is exposed and uses valve covers to dress up the engine. My engines / harnesses are ALL Vortec Truck, therefore when you put a car intake on a Vortec you are left with an excessive amount of wiring on top of the intake manifold. It will work, but it is very "ugly" to say the least.
     
    Brian Albrecht likes this.
  9. 72STAGE1

    72STAGE1 STAGE 1 & 2

    My Condolences.....
     
  10. Nailhead in a 1967

    Nailhead in a 1967 Kell-Mnown Wember

    Don't compare Gross HP figures with an engine that was built after 1971 (SAE HP), like the stock 5.3:

    1970 350 with 9.0:1 compression ratio = 260 Gross HP
    1971 350 with 8.5:1 compression ratio = 230 Gross HP
    1972 350 with 8.5:1 compression ratio = 155 SAE HP

    So let's say the 1970 engine, with the slighty higher compression ratio, produced only about 170 SAE HP.
     
  11. pbr400

    pbr400 68GS400

    Vortec to me is the traditional small block with the better heads from ‘97 or so. I know GM called the ‘new’ engine a vortec, but it’s an ls through and through, regardless of what you call it or how tall the accessories are or iron vs. aluminum. If ls parts, brackets, gaskets, heads etc. fit, it’s an ls. The owner went to a lot of trouble to put a stock truck engine in there, when the factory 350 made similar horsepower and more torque at a lower rpm. (Four barrel 350 was listed as 10:1 and is closer to 300 hp, which nets out to mid 200s, not 170.) For what he achieved, he’d been a lot better off with a hot Buick 350 build or a 455 swap.
    But that’s my opinion, even if you disagree, it and a couple bucks’ll buy you a coffee.
    Patrick
     
  12. buicksWILD

    buicksWILD Well-Known Member

    Thats really what stock buick 350's made? Sounds like some people desperately blowing smoke to try and compare it to Vortec/Ls engine lol.

    Let's not forget that 98-02 Trans as/ Camaros were dynoing anywhere between 270-330 stock w/ 5.7L LS1. The same engine shared with the 5th gen Corvette. Of course detuned because Corvette owners didn't want to be outran by a lower pedigree.

    Let's compare that 5.7L LS1 350 with the 1970 Buick 5.7 350.

    And if you really want to dig into it. Do a search on the LS6. The factory race engine that was in the flagship Z06 for a few years.
     
    Last edited: Oct 8, 2020
  13. 436'd Skylark

    436'd Skylark Sweet Fancy Moses!!!!!

    Thats a blueprinted 350 engine too. The average production engine would likely not make that much power.
     
  14. pbr400

    pbr400 68GS400

    ...But the seller didn’t put a Trans Am or Corvette ls in there. He put a 300ish hp 5.3 truck engine in there. (And hp is much less important than torque. Until the ls swap is passing the 500 lb/ft mark, Buick 455 swap wins). My point was that he went to a lot of trouble, removed not just the Buick 350 but all ‘Buickness’ from the poor old car, to gain driveablilty equal to a well sorted carbureted iron Buick engine.
    Patrick
     
    6769RIV likes this.
  15. buicksWILD

    buicksWILD Well-Known Member

    Screenshot_20201008-130253_Samsung Internet.jpg


    Edit just realized what your actually comparing lol can't believe it flew over my head.


    https://www.ebay.com/itm/2004-BUICK...PULL-OUT-LS1-LS2-LS6-164K-MILES-/183357299595

    So if I was to swap in this Buick engine into my Lesabre. Theoretically its still a Buick. I mean it was pulled from a Buick production car and the engine was installed from factory.

    Theoretically it would retain all "Buickness". I would even have the supporting documents to prove it was pulled from a Buick.
     
    Last edited: Oct 8, 2020
  16. pbr400

    pbr400 68GS400

    I like an ls; it’s a fine engine that is very reliable and can make a lot of power, so I understand the logic of using them. Had this owner added a turbo, blower or other power adder, or used a bigger stouter ls the swap would have made sense. (Swapping in non Buick engines, including the ‘corporate’ designs, isn’t my cup of tea but often the swap is logical.) This swap though doesn’t make sense-he had to change and adapt a lot but got very little to show for it.
    Patrick
     
    buicksWILD likes this.
  17. pbr400

    pbr400 68GS400

  18. buicksWILD

    buicksWILD Well-Known Member

  19. pbr400

    pbr400 68GS400

    Not a comparison, an alternative.
    Patrick
     
  20. 436'd Skylark

    436'd Skylark Sweet Fancy Moses!!!!!

    I googled the 5.3 lm7 Chevy high performance had a stock LM7 on the dyno with short tube headers. It made 342 horsepower box stock. I don't recall the torque numbers.

    The difference between the TSP 350 and the 5.3? The 5.3 donor truck was probably the bought for a grand and came with the entire donor drivetrain and didn't require much. The TSP 350 probably starts at 5k and is a few months away. It is what is..

    Edit- the 5.3 made 373 lbs-ft. The buick makes 396..

    https://www.hotrod.com/articles/dyno-tested-add-60hp-junkyard-53l-ls-just-100/
     
    Last edited: Oct 8, 2020
    buicksWILD likes this.

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