1976 K5 LS interest

[St2suit]

I have a 1976 K5 blazer with a 350 engine, but I’m interested in a complete LS engine swap because I plan to drive it daily and would like the improved performance and gas mileage.

Question is I am not sure where to start looking and if I should dove in to a brand new one or a rebuilt LS engine.

Any help, direction, or shared resources would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Eric

 

[MEMO43]

If budget allows I would opt for a new one.
Crate engines at the local orileys run around 3400.

Used who knows what the "real mileage" is unless you bought the while donor car.
You also have to factor all the add ons
ie sensors, accessories, brackets etc etc
the the computer and wiring harness.

Why not stick another 350 and opt for some sort of EFi system, I'm running a max efi from summit on a vortec (roller cam) and loving the simplicity of the straight across swap minus the fuel delivery system. Mine is a daily driver (100 miles a day) 85 k20 Sbc 350/ th400
I know a bunch of folks here are running the Edelbrock Pro Flow system.

Just some ideas to ponder

 

[St2suit]

I appreciate the comment. I have thought about the Eddlebrock, but I’m not sure what the performance (mpg, power, etc.) difference is between the efi and LS. I’ll look into the EFI options too. Thanks again.

 

[MEMO43]

Gotcha
I'll give you mine Mpg and what not
My 85 k20 with EFI I avg 14.5 MPG (5600 LBS)
SBC 350, th400 and 4:10 gears 265/751R6 tires

My 09 1500 I get an and of 18 MPG (4700 LBS)
5.3, 4l80E, 3:42 gears 265/70R17 tires
I live at 5000 ft elevation and work at 6800 ft
elevation

 

[Chuy84k5]

You can do what I did and get a performance crate 5.3 long block from summit for about 3500 bucks

 

[St2suit]

Thanks. Did you have to buy the transmission and other pieces like the fuel pump? I can’t use my existing transmission right? What type of range should I expect for total spend?

 

[TJ1978]

If you're concerned about gas mileage,
buy a Toyota..

LS swaps ain't cheap, keep the 350 or consider and efi set up.

 

[TJ1978]

Thanks. Did you have to buy the transmission and other pieces like the fuel pump? I can’t use my existing transmission right? What type of range should I expect for total spend?

A lot more than you think.
You'll need among somethings I forget. Fuel tank, fuel pump, fuel sender, motor mounts, exhaust, wiring, possibly transmission, possibly drive line, digital gauges, radiator, fans, fluids

Keep the 350 and just efi it. Edlebrock ProFlo or

 

[MEMO43]

I was quoted 5800 to do an LS swap on my truck
that was if I delivered the truck with the engine already out and the trans removed as well.
So it was a no Brainerd for me to do a 350 swap
took me a weekend to get it all swapped over

 

[St2suit]

I am expecting a large price tag for the LS but it will be worth it if the performance is better than an EFI like the Eddlebrock.

 

[Chuy84k5]

Don't be scared my guy change is the way of the world.... so to ls swap it depends on the initial cost of the engine and trans. Then you do need a couple of things fuel system(r10 sending unit with a 91 k5 baffled tank and a walbro pump, fuel fitting and 6an lines also the corvette style filter/regulator ) exhaust (f body heads clear 4 wheel drive applications) motor mounts (ebay chepo sliders for about 30 bucks) wiring( ebay or Amazon stand alone harness) gauges( 91 k5/ suburban just have to repin them) I've done them as cheap as 2k and as pricy as up to 8k.

 

[St2suit]

Thanks for all the help and tips.