Engine Swap Kits

LS Engine Swap Quick Guide

For decades, GM’s Gen I small-block was the go-to engine swap for anything that needed cheap, reliable power, but its reign is coming to an end. GM’s Gen III V-8 debuted in the new-for-’97 C5 Corvette, and during those 14 years it has been installed in North American vehicles from Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Cadillac, Isuzu, and Saab. This widespread use means that complete engines can be found in wrecked vehicles in salvage yards from coast to coast. The power potential, efficiency, and availability of the engines makes them a natural selection for swaps, but there are some hurdles to overcome. For example, the Gen IV small-block was ushered in with the LS2 and while the Gen III and Gen IV engines share a common foundation and offer a lot of parts interchangeability, the electronics, fuel systems, and emissions systems can vary from year to year and between applications. We’ll help you sort out some of the confusion and put you in touch with the people that can answer your specific technical questions.

In addition to giving you the ins and outs of common LS engine swaps, we’ll also give you a quick look into common LS engine dress-up parts. To help us get exactly what we needed, we contacted Stylin’ Trucks and placed an order to match the engine we were swapping in with the truck year and make. Thankfully, the 2000 Silverado that originally came with a 4.3L V-6 also came with the optional 5.3L V-8, which we picked up from a local salvage yard for under $1,000. Once the must-have OE parts were secured, we dressed up the 5.3L with good-looking performance parts and had our Chevy ready for cruising and showing. See a full step-by-step LS engine install in next month’s issue. Now you should have the confidence to swap in some real power and slam the pedal to the floor.

TCI and Advance Adapters both make flexplates that allow you to keep your Turbo 400 or Turbo 350/700-R4 transmission. The companies listed in the Source Box also make wiring harnesses that can help with late-model swaps. To make things really simple, a manual transmission will solve any late-model automatic computer problems—and they’re more fun. Here’s the cam position sensor on the front timing cover of a Gen IV LS3 block. On a 4.8L, 5.3L, or 6.0L Gen III, the sensor will be at the top rear of the block.

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