LS Engine for Any Budget

Best LS engine swap for 6 different budgets. Whether you want an LS1, 5.3L truck engine, an aluminum L92 truck engine, new LS3 crate engine, or the radical LS9 this video will show you all these options and more. Used or even new, this channel has all your options.

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Auto Guild...Dedicated to impractical cars of all types, but especially Sports Cars and Muscle Cars. From gear head engine swaps and power ads to driving tips and road trip ideas. The love of all things cars, especially the fun and impractical ones we love.


0:00 - Budget: Super-Low
1:22 - Budget: Low
2:48 - Budget: Mid
3:49 - Budget: High
4:57 - Budget: Super-High
5:48 - Budget: Extreme
6:09 - Summary Chart

[AutoGuild]

Check out Auto-Guild.com and pre-order our LS Swap Survival Guide eBook for Free. We have lots of other eBooks and Posters too.
A few Auto Guild fans have made the following comments and I think they are very good so I will add them below:
1) The LS1 can be a great choice too even though its kinda old. They did make them in pretty high volume (way less than truck volume but there are many LS1’s out there). If you can find a good low mileage LS1 it is a great choice, especially if you want aluminum block on a low budget.
2) L33 is also a great choice, its a 310hp aluminum block 5.3 but was only available for 3 models years (2005-2007) on Silverado & Sierra 1500 extended cab 4WD models.
3) Another viewer mentioned the LY6, a iron block 6 liter that is also a solid choice. Factory rated at 364hp. On heavy duty models from 2007-2010. Falls in the MID budget category, $1500-$3000.

[blaing]

Not even looking for an LS engine but appreciated a video that was to the point with no fluff. Good job

[oldschoololdsfool]

I picked up a LQ4 at the salvage yard for $135. Scoured that yard every time i went there till i found it..

[AspectofFrost]

I snagged my LQ4 for $600 with all of the wiring and ECU. I ported, polished, and milled the heads .025 to bump compression from 9.4 to 10.2. pac 1218 valve springs, and sloppy stage 2 cam. should be 500hp na. for about $1200 total.

[rickjohnson]

Could you consider doing a video on where to find the numbers that identify these engines? This is some of the best content on the Tube! Thanks.

[NikMitchell]

Damn, did you just start this channel? Cuz wow, this is fantastic information. Working on an 88 GMC C1500 with my dad (was grandfather's DD), and we are looking at LS swapping the TBI V6 motor with 282k :P This is perfect. Thanks my dude. :)

[DuBstep]

I don't know why I am watching this, my corvette already has LS3

[tonyy]

Looking at this made me feel great about my most recent purchase. Just bought a 02 Yukon denali awd with a 6.0 lq4 engine for 1k. Running and A/C.. hell ya..

[hericium_erinaceus]

Yes please make more videos! These are exactly what I’ve been looking for. They are incredibly informative and well organized.

[SupraSav]

I have been researching LS engines for over a year now and this was the best place that I have found comparisons of all the LS engines and it's variants. Thanks!

[Bigskyguy]

More Great info. I like the fact, that you do voice over & speak clearly, slowly & in an understandable manner.
Keep up the great content.
Stay Real.

[fernandoisaacfilms]

Yes do a detail video on how to a full swap pls

[franklugo]

Would be cool to do a junkyard Frankenstein motor even if it's just on paper. Best blocks, heads, intakes, exhaust manifolds that can be found on the cheap

[heinrichgerhardt]

Wow! Nice job with these videos! The huge amount of research you did is quite evident.

[rowdy]

Awesome list! I think one missing option would be the L96. Truck engine, iron block (if you want power adders), aluminum 823 heads (LS3 minus the sodium valves). The engine is a solid, worry-free workhorse that can be modified easily. I scored one from a wrecked 2011 GMC Sierra and it's been a perfect option for my truck swap.

[erikghukasyan]

Amazing channel, I loved your idea about the full price of an engine swap. Keep on the good work

[MSU_BullDAWGz]

L-33 is my favorite junk yard find. I've also made an iron block version as its just a 5.3 with the 799 heads and 4.8L pistons in a 5.3L. (plus alum. block) but if you just put a good used set of 4.8 L pistons in a 5.3L truck engine that has the 706 heads it instantly has 10.5 to 11 : 1 compression ratio, add a stage 2 or 3 truck cam and you got over a 450 HP engine that costs under $2k. I've even built an L-33 recently that I got from a junk yard late 2023 for $1000, put in a truck cam ( 224 dur @ .050, 110 LSA, 600 lift ) new beehive springs, 706 ported heads swapped in ( 11:1 comp w/ thin head gasket/ fel-pro) sold the 799 heads (stock L-33 heads) after I ported them for $500. (used that to get computer tuned) and added dual exhaust, full length headers on my 05 Suburban 4x4 that had the L-59 flex fuel 5.3L that gave up the ghost at 340K miles LOL. for a total spent of just under $ 3K I have a 461 RWHP (almost 500HP at the crank) and lost a few hundred pounds off the weight (alum vs iron block) but actually improved MPG and is VERY street friendly. Only downside is if towing on hill or hot rodding it needs premium gas to prevent knock.

[davis]

Dude, you're amazing, I am planning to do a swap and you this video greatly helped me. Keep up with these amazing videos and you will be popular in no time

[TheMr]

I have been looking for this info for months.. well done man. Subscribed.. pls do a vid about build requirements..

[tomp]

I got a 2000 chevy Silverado with a 4.8 in it with aluminum heads on it. Got damm near miles on it. Starts every time. Awesome motor.