by "RandomTask" (Random_Task)
Published 09/26/2017 at 16:33
by "RandomTask" (Random_Task)
Published 09/26/2017 at 16:33
No Tags
STARS: 1
So here’s the deal. I recently picked up a fairly decent two-tone 1989 S10 short cab/short bed. It has no motor/trans, but the plan is for it to be a project for me and my two boys. The truck essentially looks like this (have no pics on my phone), minus the utility rack and built LS motor:
So I was talking things over with my brother, and he has a line on a few U-Pull-it motors, 5.3 LS, 4.8 LS, etc. Now...I found a line on a L32 S/C, aka the 3800 Series III Supercharged 60 degree V6.
Now the motor is cheap, as in ridiculously cheap ($250 plus tax), but will likely need a full rebuild. I’m not looking to go crazy with this as its a father/sons project so I’m thinking 400-450 HP, 4L80E and a 12 bolt with 3.73 gears. A nice street cruiser.
I’m familiar with the LS family of motors, I’ve built three, two of which were in S10s previously, and I have most of the parts to do the swap. Literally everything with the L32 will be a learning experience for me. I’ve never owned a car with one, never worked on one, and I know ZERO about the motor, other than they respond well to engine mods, are fairly stout, and have the Eaton M90 S/C sitting on top.
So what say you OPPO? Do I go the tried and true route and build an iron block 5.3 LS motor, or do I do something different and go with the S/C 3.8?
"RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht" (ramblininexile)
09/26/2017 at 16:36, STARS: 2
If you go with the 3.8, the S10 needs a fictitious model name and Buick badges right meow. Possibly some interior rework from a Regal.
"cletus44 aka Clayton Seams" (cletus44)
09/26/2017 at 16:40, STARS: 0
LS motor.
"Scary__goongala!" (corymagee)
09/26/2017 at 16:40, STARS: 0
How much do the LS enines cost? Guess another big factor is time. How quickly do you want to finish it or does it not matter? Like you said the 3.8 is a learning experience, so it’s going probably going to take longer.
"Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now)" (bman76-4)
09/26/2017 at 16:41, STARS: 0
It would be neat, but it won’t sound as tough.
"Takuro Spirit" (takurospirit)
09/26/2017 at 16:45, STARS: 1
I would go for a Sky Redline/Solstice GXP swap for the lulz. Surely it hasn’t been done as much as the LS swaps, or even the 3800 S/C swaps...
"rillweid - Now with more TRD and less TDI" (rillweid)
09/26/2017 at 16:47, STARS: 1
Ask your kids. I’m guessing they like V8s, but since it’s a project between the three of you let them get involved and pick the motor.
"RandomTask" (Random_Task)
09/26/2017 at 16:48, STARS: 1
I had the transverse mount version of this in my 2010 Cobalt, and holy crap was it fun. I thought about this too, the problem is these motors are $3k if you can even find one.
"RandomTask" (Random_Task)
09/26/2017 at 16:51, STARS: 0
The 5.3 and 4.8 LS motors are a dime a dozen. Mostly from work trucks/vans. You can pick up a mid-mileage (30k to 40k) 5.3 in my area (South burbs of Chicago) for about $1200. You can get them cheaper if you look hard enough, but they might be missing a part here or there.
"Takuro Spirit" (takurospirit)
09/26/2017 at 16:52, STARS: 0
True, but aren’t decent aluminum LS motors as well?
Providing you need the ECU, harness, etc.
Most of the ones I’ve been looking at for my T/A have the transmission included, so I might be a bit off on the pricing.
"crowmolly" (crowmolly)
09/26/2017 at 16:54, STARS: 0
5.3 LS. Throw a Magnacharger on it later if you want.
"RandomTask" (Random_Task)
09/26/2017 at 16:55, STARS: 5
I was actually thinking either stock looking, or a Pontiac theme using some Bravada parts.
"RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht" (ramblininexile)
09/26/2017 at 16:59, STARS: 2
That sounds doable. Cheesy Grand Prix seats, maybe.
"RandomTask" (Random_Task)
09/26/2017 at 16:59, STARS: 0
I already have a 4L80e in my garage, and the only aluminum LS motor I would want is the 6.2 L L92, but that’s mainly for the heads, and its a truck version of the LS3. The 5.3 is an iron block motor, which is better for boost.
"RandomTask" (Random_Task)
09/26/2017 at 17:01, STARS: 0
haha they’re four and five. My older son just likes hanging out in the garage with me and wants to work on everything.
"Takuro Spirit" (takurospirit)
09/26/2017 at 17:03, STARS: 3
If I was going boosted I’d try to find an iron 5.3 or even 4.8, but I’ve had a hankerin’ for a 6.0 out of a GTO or G8 just to kind of keep it all Pontiac.
"Party-vi" (party-vi)
09/26/2017 at 17:07, STARS: 0
"19JRC99" (19jrc99)
09/26/2017 at 17:36, STARS: 1
I vote V6, but that’s really just because I have an irrational hatred of LS swaps.
"itschrome" (itschrome)
09/26/2017 at 17:47, STARS: 0
Omg, I was gonna say the L67 then like you had the L32 listed.. doo It! Its fate!
"MM54" (mm54mk2)
09/26/2017 at 17:58, STARS: 1
I am just here to say that I really like the first-gen S10s so keep us up to date either way.
"Nibbles" (nibbles)
09/26/2017 at 18:20, STARS: 1
L32s don’t lend themselves too well to being put in unintended vehicles, due to drive-by-wire and other related sensor things. The L67 is what you want if you’re gonna go Buick. You’re not going to lose out on anything by going L67; you can slap the G3 M90 on it as well.
"HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles" (hondasfordsvolvo)
09/26/2017 at 18:47, STARS: 0
You could totally get an arrowhead in where that olds badge goes. Mybe do a GTO The Judge paint scheme
"RandomTask" (Random_Task)
09/26/2017 at 19:22, STARS: 0
Forgive my ignorance on the matter, but isn’t the L67 the earlier generation of the 3800? Did the comp. controls change that much to make it a pain in the ass?
"RandomTask" (Random_Task)
09/26/2017 at 19:23, STARS: 1
On my old S10 blazer I swapped to a Bravada grille and simply removed the badge and filled in the void. The 1st gen Bravada grill is the best looking out of them all IMHO.
"RandomTask" (Random_Task)
09/26/2017 at 19:27, STARS: 0
Thought about that. One of the reasons I was entertaining another LS motor. For as much as everyone complains about them, they have MASSIVE aftermarket support.
"Nibbles" (nibbles)
09/26/2017 at 22:59, STARS: 0
Yes, and yes. L67 is an easy shoehorn into most anything. They proprietaried the fuck out of the L32.
"HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles" (hondasfordsvolvo)
09/26/2017 at 23:39, STARS: 0
Totally
"TheD0k_2many toys 2little time" (thed0ck)
09/27/2017 at 01:20, STARS: 0
5.0 coyote. They like boost better. Also sound better.
I mean they are more expensive but do you really want to be another guy with an LS swapped S10?
"adamftw" (adamftw)
09/27/2017 at 07:23, STARS: 0
5.3 with a cam or 4.8 with a small single turbo. LS all day, everything else is just silly.
"adamftw" (adamftw)
09/27/2017 at 07:24, STARS: 0
4.8 is best for boost out of the box.
"Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer" (smallbear94)
09/27/2017 at 07:43, STARS: 3
Obvious plan: 350 or 327 SBC because that seems to be what these get.
Obvious plan #2: LS swap. Though if you can, find an aluminum block 5.3 for DAT LIGHTNESS.
Everything else:
2.0T now that they’re available for RWD
That SC3.8
4.8 LS built for revs. They’re just a destroked 5.3 and they love to scream already, a little massaging could make it awesome in such a light truck.
See if you can find a wrecked 2017 Colorado Duramax and snag the 2.8
Atlas 3.7I5 or 4.2I6 + a turbo or two. As much as I like the LS, I think this is the one I’d do. I5 for extra uniqueness points.
"Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer" (smallbear94)
09/27/2017 at 07:46, STARS: 0
y tho
"Lokiparts" (lokiparts)
09/27/2017 at 08:34, STARS: 0
The supercharged L32 is cool. But only to people like us, and at the end of the day the potential of the LS engine is just so much higher. I can almost promise you even getting that V6 dirt cheap you will probably have as much, if not more into the swap to make it work... and definitely more time.
I’ve seriously considered all kinds of strange and unique engine swaps in the past for my S10 but ultimately I’ll eventually probably end up just dropping an LS in it too. For the money it would cost and the amount of extra work it would take to make an oddball engine fit it’s just not worth the effort. Especially when all the heavy lifting has already been done and these engines are practically plug and play now.
That is unless I stumble across an old 3L Pontiac SD4, then all bets are off... but I’m probably more likely to get struck by lightning several times.
"Lokiparts" (lokiparts)
09/27/2017 at 09:29, STARS: 1
...and even though nobody asked for it, here’s a picture of my S-10.
For now it still has the original Iron Duke 2.5L. But I’ve already told my wife if anything ever happens to her Tahoe I have dibs on the engine.
"RandomTask" (Random_Task)
09/27/2017 at 13:34, STARS: 0
Beautiful S10 you have there. Not sure where you’re located, but Kansas Racing Products bought the rights to the Pontiac super duty motors, and still produce them on a limited “first come first serve basis”, but I can’t imagine they’re cheap.
Arais Pistons out of California made an aluminum racing version, but I don’t know if they still do.
"Lokiparts" (lokiparts)
09/27/2017 at 14:11, STARS: 1
Thanks for the tip. I’m located in Virginia, but I may have to look into that company. Although I have a feeling those engines would fall firmly onto the list of “things I would consider buying someday if I ever won the lottery” or other such financial windfall. So for now I’ll just keep hoping that someone’s widow lists their husband’s old race car on Craigslist for $500 or something, lol.
And thank you, but trust me in person it’s far from beautiful. It’s every bit the $600 beater truck and gets used and abused acordingly. Someday I hope to make it into a respectable custom but for now it’s just something to tinker with and haul stuff.
"RandomTask" (Random_Task)
09/27/2017 at 16:01, STARS: 1
No worries at all. Also, let me know if you need parts. I’ve been building 1st gen s-series’ for longer than I’d like to admit, and have a random assortment of the harder to find parts (switches, over head consoles, etc.)
As an FYI, it looks like you have an early 1st gen based on the three piece grill. If you wanted to have a little extra leg room, swap in some late 1st gen (91-94) 2-door S10-blazer or Jimmy seats. The slider and tilting backrest are a direct swap.
"19JRC99" (19jrc99)
09/27/2017 at 21:33, STARS: 2
They’re a boring choice. Yeah, sure, statistically they’re great engines, but there’s more to an engine than that for me. They’re not interesting, and they’re basically the new 350 swap.
Every time I see an LS swap I go “Oooh, an LS swap. Haven’t seen one of THOSE before!”
(Like I said, irrational)
"Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer" (smallbear94)
09/27/2017 at 22:15, STARS: 1
The thing with cliches is, there’s a reason they’re cliches.Because they work well. I get it, if it were me and I wasn’t going for ultimate power at rock bottom price I’d probably do something with an Atlas 4.2 instead. Or 3.7I5 for uniqueness points.
But the LS simply makes sense 90% of the time. You can get bored with that, but it’s not something to hate it over—it’s something to respect greatly while you go build something more interesting :)
That’s my opinion anyway, what you think isn’t my problem. I’ve said my bit of mandatory LS defense. Cheers m8
"Lokiparts" (lokiparts)
09/28/2017 at 10:04, STARS: 1
Thank you! I may just have to take you up on that someday. But right now the truck is currently in a state of “if it an’t broke don’t mess with it.” Unfortunately I just don’t have the time, funds, or space to really tear into it right now. As far as parts go, the only thing I’ve really been keeping an eye out for right now is a headliner. Because my original one is beyond toast. But I’ll probably just end up biting the bullet and ordering one of the new plastic backed ones from LMC. Then at least that will be one thing I wont have to worry about anymore.
My truck is an 88. Not super early but I personally I like this year because it has the the newer style interior but the older exterior. I used to prefer the onc peice grills, but the three piece look has definitely grown on me. Right now it has a bench seat in it but if I ever decide to get more wild with the drivetrain I’ll definitely be swapping over to buckets and I’ll have to keep that in mind. Because it’s already a great core workout just trying not to slide across the truck with a bit of spirited driving. I can’t imagine adding a significant amount of power to that equation.
Honestly I actually used to be really into S-10s too, but I used to mess around more with the 2nd gens. My last 2nd gen had tons of obsure hard to find parts. I still sometimes regret selling it, but I still managed to keep a couple of the more uncommon parts that I’ll probably hang onto until they are either worth something to somebody someday... or I get another 2nd Gen.
But we just bought a new house earlier this year and it ended up costing us a little more than we hoped to get it up and running. So ultimately right now my life goal is just to pay down debt and save up to build a new garage... Then the real fun can begin.