What engine for a 1972 Chevy C10?

So, trying to use threaded rod to fix the broken starter mount on my 350 didn't work. And pulling the motor and having the block welded up seems like a lot of work just to go back to a cantakerous, carbed 350 that takes three minutes for a cold start. So I'm thinking that if I don't just sell the truck and cut my losses, the obvious thing to do is put in a modern, fuel injected engine. But which one? I'm not worried about the wiring, but it would be nice if the swap doesn't take much fabrication, and the motor would need to be decent as a truck motor. These are the first things that came to mind:

A TPI is pretty cheap, and would bolt right in, being a Gen 1 small block.

LT1s are not that much more expensive, and look like they'd almost bolt in place of a Gen 1, too.

The 8100 Vortec motors are not something you see very often, and don't have much aftermarket, but it would be a big step up from a 350. And they're the only BBC to have intake ports that make any sense.

Or there's the "obvious" 5.3 or 6.0 LSX, but it looks as if that one would take more aftermarket parts to make it fit, making it a bit more expensive than the other options.

Yes, "Swap a Jaguar V12 in there because normally swaps go the other way around" did come to mind, but that might be too much work for a joke.

WWGRMD?

The TPI and TBI are good choices on a budget, just make sure you get a 5.7L one. The wiring can be a pain(tpi more so), but it would do what you want, and you wouldn't have to find a different trans or mounts. An LT-1 from a gen4 fbody would bolt in, but you'd probably need a different radiator, custom hoses, depending on your trans of choice they can get tricky, and even more wiring than the others.

If you're planning on keeping the truck for a while, put the LSx in there.

I'd go TPI, personally. Good torque motors, it'll bolt right in, cheap in a JY, etc.

The 8100 Vortec would be my backup choice. That'd be a badass swap!

I'm messing with a TBI engine now and the wiring isn't easier than the LT1 swap I did in my El Camino. The LT1 was a bit easier as I used a Painless Harness. But I have the stock harness with the TBI engine (no harness with the LT1) so I am trying to use it. So I would say TPI, TBI or LT1 would be about the same work to install. LT1s can use the radiator in the truck, I used the El Caminos radiator with no problems.

A 96-up Vortec 454 would be another possibility, easier to find than an 8100. Don't overlook the older BBCs, the intake ports work quite well on them. Plenty of older stroker BBCs (think 496 cid) that would embarrass an 8100.

Edit: I didn't realize how close you are to me, I'm just up 138 near Walnut Grove. Let me know if you need any help.

turbo'd 4.2 inline 6.

Buick 455 with aftermarket EFI. Either that or big cube Cadillac.

LS is a cheap set of mount plates away from bolt in.

Packard straight 8. Or BMW M62. Or LT-5.

Realistically, though, a TPI isn't a bad idea. I've heard that they're a PITA to wire though. I'm not sure that a Gen III LSX will be terribly more expensive to swap than a Gen 1 TPI. The other thing to consider is availability of parts down the road. It's going to be much easier to source a part for any LSX than a part a TPI; a 30 year old technology.

What's the goal for the truck? Unless it's serious towing, you could probably pick up a 4.8L LS motor for next to nothing and just do the swap that way. The 4.8 isn't as torquey as the bigger brothers, but is still a decent option.

-Rob

big 292 inline 6. Bellhousing (I believe) is the same as a small block, so any trans you want is good the go. I'd recommend a NV3500. Add triple Webbers or dual TBI units w/megasquirt. Is this cheap? No. Cool, different and insane? Yes.

A TBI or TPI swap is pretty easy with a good wiring diagram and a complete donor. I managed to TBI a 350 in a Fiero by using a complete harness/ computer/ etc from a 95 pickup. Used the truck computer to run the engine and took the Fiero computer out completely.

They did an LS swap on that very model on Trucks! IIRC.

fix your carb so it runs right

Toyota 1UZ from a LS400 or Nissan VK56 from a Titan

Personally, I would just get a new GMPP 350 and an efi kit.

In reply to Gearheadotaku: I could get behind this.......just split the exhaust manifold so it sounds mean.

The LS swap is reportedly dirt cheap and easy.

Kenny_McCormic wrote: LS is a cheap set of mount plates away from bolt in.

almost... depending on the trans, you will also need a spacer for the torque converter to properly index in the center of the crank or a special pilot bearing (LS1 F body, i think) and flywheel (early 6.0, if my memory is working right..) if running a manual trans...

an 8100 is literally a bolt in with a few metric bolts- the 8100's are neutral balance and the flywheel or flexplate from the 350 bolts right up to the 8100 crankshaft.. at that point, it's just a matter of wiring, and GM's have used the same basic wiring color code since forever so it's a simple matter of finding a few wires of the same colors that get constant battery and keyed power and getting rid of all the wires that you don't need any more... or just get a carb intake for it and use a standard Chevy V8 HEI distributor in it with a carb..

Im confused, why does everyone suggest an LS swap for things like fiat 850s, vw bugs, ferarris, etc, but now that someone is asking for swap ideas for a vehicle that it actually makes sense and almost bolts in, its too complicated and too much work

Travis_K wrote: Im confused, why does everyone suggest an LS swap for things like fiat 850s, vw bugs, ferarris, etc, but now that someone is asking for swap ideas for a vehicle that it actually makes sense and almost bolts in, its too complicated and too much work

because people are weird...

Travis_K wrote: Im confused, why does everyone suggest an LS swap for things like fiat 850s, vw bugs, ferarris, etc, but now that someone is asking for swap ideas for a vehicle that it actually makes sense and almost bolts in, its too complicated and too much work

People like the resulting fabrication porn.

8.1's are pigs. No noticeable power advantage over a 6.0/6.2 and they suck gas like a, well like a 500 cu in engine. There's a reason there's no aftermarket for them. I'd put another dirt cheap 350 in it.

http://www.classictrucks.com/tech/0907clt_1972_chevy_c10_ls1_engine_install/viewall.html

http://www.classictrucks.com/tech/0909clt_chevy_ls_engine_install_finalle/viewall.html

gots pitchers too

Straight 6

Or a 2 stroke Detroit 4 banger.

rob_lewis wrote: What's the goal for the truck? Unless it's serious towing, you could probably pick up a 4.8L LS motor for next to nothing and just do the swap that way. The 4.8 isn't as torquey as the bigger brothers, but is still a decent option. -Rob

Playing around with the LKQ parts locator, and the 4.8 appears to be the cheapest Chevy V8 they have for sale! Prices look like this:

• 4.8 LSX: $245-285
• 5.3 LSX: $545
• TBI 350: $635
• Corvette LT1: $650
• Vortec 350: $935
• 4.2 Atlas: $935
• 6.0 LSX: $1335
• Corvette TPI motor: $2120

Couldn't find any 8100s on their site, and it was interesting to see some of the outliers in pricing. I guess there's just zero demand for 4.8s - they get passed up by hot rodders, and they don't wear out enough for their owners to need a replacement (or maybe they just upgrade to 5.3s when the motors die).

Also noteworthy: A Corvette LT1 appears to count as a cheap 350. Interesting...