Need help on decision on what motor on budget of $2500

[whytry]

I have been looking for a bit, then some family issues and haven't been looking and now trying to get my 68 Camaro back on the road, don't like looking at her sitting with an inch of dust on her in the garage anymore, plus my 2 sons keep asking when is daddy getting his "loud car" back on the road so I can take em to school, gotta love em 5 and 7....

I have roughly $2500 set aside for a motor, as I said its going in a 68 Camaro. I am looking to use my existing TKO-600, and eventually add my F1R Procharger to it. So I have been focusing more on the Iron blocks. IF you were in my shoes, help me plan this out. I would like to get the motor and as much swap/changeover parts as possible in the initial $2500, I can always pour more money at this ongoing but first I need to get the motor.

Now I have found some online ranging from the 5.3L to the 6.0L and 6.2L. And the pricing varies alot too. I have found and seem to be able to get a 5.3L with acc and harness for $600 with approx 80k miles on it. I have also found complete 6.0L and AT trans with harness and acc for $2500 with about 75k miles. I know a shop/wrecking yard somewhat local that a friend works at that he is currently trying to help me locate a wrecked truck or SUV but no rain here has made this a little harder. He said he might be able to get me a 75-100k mile 6.0L (LQ4) from a Denali or Escalalde once the rain comes for about $1400 complete with harness and acc.

I know I will more than likely be trashing the oil pan, acc and intake in favor of another setup as I want to run the Procharger too. For acc I'm only running alt, water pump and A/C with the procharger. Looking for as much advice from other as possible. I've searched for days and read others threads, but I think I gave myself too much info and need to just start my own thread for this..

Thanks to all in advance!!

[garys 68]

Honestly $2500 is really a shoestring budget for a swap.
If you're going supercharged, you'll need an upgraded flywheel/clutch combo for LS1, there's at least $500 there.
If you can run the 5.3 with truck accessories you might be able to do it. Without PS, your pulley clearance shouldn't be a problem, then it's just alternator/hood clearance. If you can keep truck accessories, you might be able to just use the chevy truck mount for the procharger.

[71maroesteban]

For 2500 the only engine that falls into that price range is a 5.3 then having the harness reworked accessories changed to f body ones and a ls1 intake plus other goodies your looking at 4k also your fuel situation best bet is to buy a crate 350 and build that up for your budget

[badazz81z28]

The last thing you want to be when buying an engine is a budget. The engine is the difference between walking and being reliable. By all means you can score a high mileage 5.3L or 6.0 or relatively cheap, but there is a cost involved.

You need $2500 minimum for just the LS engine. Add in the fuel system, harness, tune etc...you need thousands more.

[carguykeith]

You "might" just barely be able to do an LS1 from a junkyard if you can do your own harness, go with an in-line 255/ corvette filter and can make the stock manifolds work. Then when you're ready to add the pro charger you could do the headers, clutch and upgrade the fuel system.

[whytry]

I think it's being misunderstood. I'm looking at up to $2500 for the motor then all the other stuff is extra. I'm seeing motors alone in my price range but what's best bang for buck, is more what I'm looking for.. If I run a LQ4 with another intake, cam, acc and headed I know the changing of parts adds to te cost, but is it better for me to be looking for a LS1 for example rather than a LQ4 n adding the other stuff.

[garys 68]

Over at LS1tech, the boost guys swear by the iron blocks. GM has released low compression iron blocks specifically made for boost.
How much hp do you want? Just for reference see article below. A boosted 5.3 should make an easy 500hp, a 6.0 probably good for another 100hp.
LQ4 is one of the lower compression motors, good for lots of boost.
http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/engine/hrdp_1104_594hp_53l_gen_iii_small_block_for_3252/

[SShep71]

The best bang for your buck is going to be the LY6. Its an iron block with the rectangular port L92 heads. I looked at many LQ9s and LQ4s and always found the cost to be about the same over all. You just have to be patient. I got my LY6 with 7k miles on it and I paid 1800.00 for it with manifolds, wiring harness, and accessories.

[jwcarguy]

You should try and get the largest displacement engine that you can, with your $2500 initial budget, look at the 6.0L iron block Vortec engines
You would be hard pressed to find even a truck 6.2L for that price, unless it had major issues and $$$$ aluminum block
Couple things to consider as mentioned before... you are planning on boosting this engine, what psi ??, consider your stock bottom end with type of piston, compression, head cc's, rod bolt upgrade, cam/ lifter/pushrod/ timing set upgrades
LQ4 has press fit wrist pins, dish pistons and weaker rods as compared to LQ9 floating pin, flat top
05'-up truck engines went to the floating pin, heavier rods
You should actually "go through the engine" and make sure that it will be "boost friendly" if that is your intentions, rather than putting a Procharger on a "stock" engine

SShep71 has a good suggestion for the LY6 6.0L engine ( I have seen them on Ebay for $1400-up depending on condition and what is included), convert to a LS3 car intake setup (approx $350 loaded), not sure if the truck acc will clear the 4 bolt TB, even with the idler pulley relocation and newer 07'-up truck water pump

[whytry]

LY6, have not had as much success finding that one, what is it out of typically? Patience is the easiest part for me, as its been 2 years already.... But I like the idea of the LY6 with the L92 heads I've read alot about those heads, and then changing the intake to LS3 and then figuring the acc out, sounds like a good plan for a starting point. I'm still learning as much as I can about these motors so the specifics on the LQ4 vs Lq9 on the pistons and and pins, is very helpful as I dont want to be pulling this motor out for a rebuild within the first 100 miles when I boost it.

My ideal is somewhere around 10-15 psi, as its going to be a driver more than a flat out race car.. I'd like to be able to get into it a d turn the key and drive it, while also being able to get my foot in it and make me smile or some passengers giggle in nervousness!!!

[negativematt]

sloppymechanics.com..... check out the wiki page, tons of good info there! He's got some good videos on youtube as well. Matt has been swapping junkyard ls motors into fairmonts and going 9's for just about your total budget. I have a turbo'd 5.3 in my Studebaker and am doing the same in my 59 safari wagon. A good fuel system, a good tune and it'll take what you can give it. With your procharger, upgraded injectors, cam and springs...it will be scary fast!