LS Powerplants

[Bukin 67]

Thanks for the useful info. It's almost enough to reconsider. I wish there was a build thread.

 

[Yeller]

Yeah I don't do step by step build threads well at all..... get too side tracked getting stuff done....and a lot of the work I do is for people that won't let me discuss their builds publicly so I'm not in the habbit, I take a couple of pics a week and send up dates to them and thats about it.

 

[00gyrhed]

I went 393 over the LS its kind of nice having that big Ford in there but looking back the chevy would have been easier and cheaper. You can also adapt the 700R4 to the bronco Xfer case if you want.

Build what you want and dont worry about resale. It will sell for just as much and maybe more with the LS in it. You just knock out all the Ford die hards but do whatever makes you happy. Heck the Ford die hards even complain about swapping in Chevy disc.

 

[KyleQ]

Blasphemy! Get the fuck outa here with this talk-

 

[Ss69]

Yea I would love to see a build thread as well. I'm definitely not worried about resale either because my grandfather gave it to me. So it's not going anywhere. I want a nice, reliable cruiser that I can hit the trails with occasionally. And it just so happens that LS motors are what fits the bill right now. And working on them and having extra parts from other personal vehicles doesn't hurt.

 

[lowbush]

Yea I would love to see a build thread as well. I'm definitely not worried about resale either because my grandfather gave it to me. So it's not going anywhere. I want a nice, reliable cruiser that I can hit the trails with occasionally. And it just so happens that LS motors are what fits the bill right now. And working on them and having extra parts from other personal vehicles doesn't hurt.

I remember when I used to build old Jags it was big for people to swap in 350's because Jag engines where so bad, at least some of them where. Even on the Jag it killed the value, you could subtract the price of the swap and then that price again and that was about the market value for them. In the Chevy / Ford brand loyalty I would imagine it would be even worse, it was generally accepted in the Jag world to swap in a 350 but it still killed the value, but you did not hear people screaming that you ruined it, like you do with swapping them into a Ford. That being said, if an owner is in a position like you are where there is no way they are going to regret it, I say go for it. I would hammer someone down pretty far if I where buying it, but if you are not selling then it really does not matter what you put in it.

 

[bsquared]

I've got a low rider buddy that has done and excellent job with a 66 IH Truck. I haven't seen it run yet, but he's saying it's got power to spare.

I've always been fascinated with the 67 GTO and am planning a blown LS plant as a challenge for the build. Saw this 63 Grand Prix in New Orleans and it looks like a big brother of the GTO. Going EFI on my Bronco will come first for experience.

Yes, it's blasphemy but, like a car crash, I'd be rubber neckin' if anyone did that install!

Cheers, B2

 

[broncnaz]

I've been preached by the racers to go LS3. I want to go with a 351 stroker., but the ease of the plug n play LS does have it's merits it seems. I just need to find a local shop to do the 351 conversion for me or I'll never even make next year's NORRA %)

There is next to nothing to do for a 351 swap. So called plug and play of a LS is far more than any 351W swap. Not only do you have to fit the engine and exhuast in you either need to adapt trannys or tcases to make it all work. lots more money involved than people lead you to believe. If you cant find a shop to install a 351 I would think you'd have a tougher time finding one to completely convert your bronco.
I pretty much agree that the engine swap would devalue or at least limit its marketability. You would most likely sell it to someone who has no clue as to what a bronco really is. No big deal but thats the way it goes. Its yours build it how you like. Most people dont intend on selling anyhow.

 

[Bukin 67]

There is next to nothing to do for a 351 swap. So called plug and play of a LS is far more than any 351W swap. Not only do you have to fit the engine and exhuast in you either need to adapt trannys or tcases to make it all work. lots more money involved than people lead you to believe. If you cant find a shop to install a 351 I would think you'd have a tougher time finding one to completely convert your bronco.
I pretty much agree that the engine swap would devalue or at least limit its marketability. You would most likely sell it to someone who has no clue as to what a bronco really is. No big deal but thats the way it goes. Its yours build it how you like. Most people dont intend on selling anyhow.

I also agree with everything you said about the LS swap devaluing, etc. I aint ever selling!
As far as the easiness of the 351 swap, it's all of the part swapping on the engine and efi that's required to get the best end result. What heads, what lower and upper intake, etc. Once you choose the heads what has to be done internally with pistons, etc., and I woild have to stroke it to beat the torque of a stock LS3, no?
The plug and play I was referring toon the LS just means take what comes with it stock and you have the hp and torque without having to swap out a bunch of parts or build it. Plus you can get stock parts easier and cheaper for the LS motors, especially in Baja.
I'm planning on swapping out my t/c and possibly tranny anyway. I don't think my C4 will take the extra hp and torque of a built 351even though it's built and blueprinted.

 

[broncnaz]

Yes youd have to stroke a 351 to really get in line with a LS3 your talking about 402cu vs 351.
Building a stroker is fairly easy. Theres plently of guys here that have done it and can spell it out for you in detail but overall its fairy straight forward not much different than building a stock engine. Or you just get a crate engine already done just as easy as the LS. The EFI part is not that hard might require some tuning to get it running its best but even then if you use the basic stock ford system Im sure you can get parts for it in mexico cheap as well.
Of course if your racing then maybe the LS motor makes some sense.
Transmissions are a different story the C4 can be built to take power a c6 will do it better. and Im sure the gm tranny are up to the task as well so its kind of a wash.

 

[74strokerbronco]

simply NO COMMENT :-X.

 

[BroncoJAK]

This thread reminds me of something I always say. GM builds some good motors, but they wrap them in the crappiest cars.

 

[Ss69]

So what about swapping from a 6-cyl 3-speed? Since a lot of stuff has to be changed anyways, does that help my case? haha

 

[KyleQ]

No, the Chevy guys love the LS motors because the finally got a roller motor with multiport mass air fuel injection... you know, the technology we Ford guys have enjoyed since the late 80's? The LS motors just have decent cams and good cylinder head design- I'd rather build a 351W any day of the week. There is nothing cheaper about swapping in a LS motor after you get all the drivetrain swapped compared to just putting good heads and a cam in a 351w....

 

[Yeller]

I have a good freind that is putting aftermarket heads, roller cam and roller rockers on his 351 and has as much in it as I do in my LS, even if I factor in paying my shop rate to do the conversion. And he's hoping for similar HP.... and still does not have multi port injection. I have nothing against Ford power plants other than the expense in getting the same power levels,with injection, simple wiring and all OEM parts.

 

[BoureeOne]

I understand people being traditionalist, and being loyal to Ford and wanting to keep things original. But so very few of the rigs I have seen on this site are truly being taken back to "completely" original. If you sat down and documented the many things that are not "Ford" that guys are putting in EB today, I think the list would be pretty long. So why is the engine such a big deal. Is it the vision of seeing the distributor to the rear of the engine that guys have so much trouble with? I built two CJ7 Jeeps 20 yrs ago that I put 350 4bolt mains in. Those things were awesome to drive. Again, I understand the purist way of thinking. But IMHO, if the rig is not being taken back to completely original, then put whatever you want in it....

 

[KyleQ]

Its the heart and soul of the build - parts and pieces here and there you simply cannot get around, but putting a Chevy motor in a Ford is just wrong. If i had unlimited funds I would start buying up Corvettes and putting Coyote motors in them just to piss people off.

So many awesome builds have been ruined by putting Chevy motors into them - sure, you might like it, but people skoff and make jokes as soon as they turn around. You can do whatever you want, but I'll loose all respect when you put a LSX into a Ford. Some things you just don't do- but that is my opinion.... Do whatever you want - its your project.

 

[lowbush]

So why is the engine such a big deal.

I think it has to do with other parts being sourced from 3rd parties but engines are almost always built by the manufacture. For example if you put a D60 in the rear even though it has a Ford rear in it, there are many cases where Ford used Dana axles. Even transmissions get sourced from other manufacturers same with brakes and other items, while the brakes make be a "Chevy" or "Ford" design they are all pretty much built by third parties. Where the manufacturers almost always keep body and engine design / manufacturing internal. I think that is why when you go for the engine it tweaks some people, to them it would be the same as swapping a blazer body on a Bronco and calling it a Bronco, even if it has a 302, C4, 9 inch rear, and a Bronco frame, is it still a Bronco when you put a Blazer body on it. Many people see the engine as no different. The only time I see that differ is with diesel swaps and I believe that is only because there are not a lot of good offerings (if any) from the vendors.

 

[Bukin 67]

I'm down to the Coyote or 351w. An LS is a sweet motor, but a swap doesn't make a good enough argument to me at this point, and I don't want get involved in a complete re-configuration with swapping everything out right now. I really just want to get back on the road. I just need help now to make a decision which of the 2 will be better for multi-use, racing and crawling.

I'm going to start a new thread on my swap, but before I purchase one or the other (Coyote or 351w to stroke) I think I'm correct in assuming either will bolt up to what I have, which is D20/C4. Will I have any repercussions only doing the motor now, then tranny &/or t/c later as far as fit & finish? I'm looking at an NP or Atlas t/c.

 

[INPHOBIC]

This thread makes me want a LS swap even more! 5.3/6L80/atlas