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LS swap questions, answered
Answers to what LS swappers actually ask, from our builds and tunes. Filter by topic, or search for your engine, computer or transmission.
Topics: Tuning · Wiring & ECU · Transmissions · Engine build · Cost & planning · Identifying engines · Cooling · Oiling & oil pans · Fuel · General · Mounts & fitment · exhaust · Cooling & accessories · Accessory drive
Tuning
- Why would VATS and starter checks refuse to disable on an E38 ECM even after a Write Entire?
- What is the exact procedure to disable DoD/AFM in the tune without a mechanical delete kit?
- How do I set up 6L80E part-throttle and WOT shift tables after a gear and tire change in an engine swap?
- How do I add a real flex fuel sensor to an E38 Camaro and dial in E85 — what needs adjusting beyond enabling multifuel?
- What is needed to segment-swap a 4L60e E38/T42 truck to a 4L80E?
- Does simply selecting 4L80E under the transmission tab convert a 4L60E tune, or is a segment swap required?
- What are the mechanical and wiring steps to convert a truck from 4L60E to 4L80E besides the tune?
- What is the correct procedure to put the software in speed-density mode for a MAF delete?
- How do you properly fail the MAF for speed-density tuning without breaking transmission shifting?
- What is the right way to force the PCM into speed density on a built 6.0 with larger injectors?
- What is the reliable way to get a stubborn Gen 3 to fail the MAF and stay running for SD tuning?
- How do you transfer injector data correctly when swapping to larger injectors at a different fuel pressure?
- How do you set up the scanner to tune with a 2-bar or 3-bar MAP sensor on a custom OS?
- How do you turn off AFM on a 5.3 and what is required if the lifters are also removed?
- What tune changes are needed after a mechanical AFM/DOD delete on a 2008 Tahoe 5.3?
- How do you use a logged idle-desired-airflow histogram to set base running airflow?
- How do you set up flex fuel so the car adjusts commanded lambda between E85 and pump gas?
- Does a turbo LS2 need a 2-bar MAP sensor and OS to tune properly in boost?
- How does the credit system work for a first-time buyer who wants to tune one vehicle?
- Does fixing a cruise-speed surge require buying credits in addition to the MPVI3 device?
- Do credits get used every time you read or write, or only the first time you tune a car?
- How should TCC lockup be wired and tuned when running a 4L80E on a 4L60E calibration in a swap?
- What do I need to buy and set up to tune a twin-turbo 408 LS with EFI Live — do I need a custom OS, and should I run MAF or speed density?
- What is the easiest way to set up a tune for E85 — enable the flex fuel settings or build a dedicated E85 tune with AutoVE?
- How do I choose between FlashScan V3 and AutoCal, and what tune file format does EFI Live use?
- When should the MAF calibration table be adjusted, and how do VE, MAF, and PE work together for WOT fueling?
- Are Corvette injectors rated at 3-bar or 4-bar fuel pressure, and how do I scale the IFR table for 30 lb Ford SVO injectors at LS1 fuel pressure?
- What is the difference between Trans Abuse Mode and Shift Torque Management, and should abuse mode be disabled?
- What does a segment swap actually change when going from a 4L60E to a 4L80E, and does it work on a T42 TCM?
- What does it take to convert from an 0411 LS1 PCM to an E38 controller, and will the stock dash and gauges work?
- How does the E38 ECU use MAF versus VVE tables for fueling, and how do I trim each one?
- Can a stock Gen III PCM's fuel calibration be changed without purchasing HP Tuners or similar commercial software?
- What causes a Gen III LS-swap drive-by-wire system to enter limp mode at wide-open throttle with P1125, P2120, and P2125 despite apparently correct pedal and TPS voltages?
- Is a remote tune the best interim option for a header-equipped 2002 Z28 that needs emissions-related codes corrected before a future cam and dyno tune?
- Do long-term fuel-trim readings represent one overall correction or change with the active airflow and load cell?
- What free or low-cost tuning tips should a beginner know before tuning an LS?
- Where can a beginner find trustworthy tuning help for an LS build?
- Which ECM is recommended for an LS swap?
- What does a newcomer need to know to get a PCM set up for an LS swap?
- Can a 4.8 PCM run a 5.3, or what PCM changes are needed between the two engines?
- What should a new HP Tuners user know before tuning their first vehicle?
- How do HP Tuners credits work when licensing a vehicle for tuning?
- How do you find a stable idle on a cammed LS?
- How is a speed-density tune set up on an LS?
- Is targeting a 14.6:1 air-fuel ratio under all conditions a valid tuning strategy?
- Why does AutoTap show less timing advance than commanded without any knock retard?
- What tune changes are needed to remove the MAF sensor from the system?
- How is an inaccurate speedometer corrected after gear or tire changes?
- What is the best way to disable AFM on a 2017 Silverado?
- How much torque management can a mail-order tuner safely remove without hurting the drivetrain?
- Why does torque management exist, and does removing it hurt emissions or just free up power the engine already makes?
- When does the 6L80's torque converter clutch apply, and how does tow/haul mode change the shift pattern?
- Does a custom or handheld tune lose its gains when you switch to running E85 instead of premium?
- Can one HP Tuners setup or handheld tune multiple trucks, and does the PCM keep an audit trail of flashes?
- How do you tune for a larger drive-by-wire throttle body without an adapter, and which ETC tables need updating?
- What is the right process for tuning a boosted truck, including VE tables, injector flow-rate scaling, and target AFRs?
- How do you set up a 2-bar MAP sensor and an EFI Live custom OS for boost, and can you still do normal AutoVE tuning?
- Does tuning for a turbo differ from tuning for a supercharger, given how differently the two build boost?
- Why would HP Tuners show no transmission or output-shaft speed after a 6L80 swap with mixed E38 and T43 operating systems?
- What does spark retard mean in the tune, and which tables control it?
- What does it take to convert a C5 to a MAF-less speed-density tune, and what are the trade-offs?
- How do you set up a speed-density tune on a C6, and when is it preferable to MAF?
- Why is a wideband O2 sensor recommended for tuning instead of relying on the stock narrow-band sensors?
- Can a proper custom tune - adjusting idle, low-RPM fueling, and throttle response - calm down cam bucking?
- Which helps more against cam surge: adding timing in the low-RPM spark tables, raising minimum idle airflow, or dialing in the VE and MAF tables?
- What size injectors does a 2001 LS1 need to run E85?
- Which year 4L60E should you use for a swap, and what differences matter for tuning?
- Can the PCM fully control a 4L60E in an engine swap, and what wiring or programming does it need?
- What TCC lockup settings should you start with when tuning a 4L60E?
- Why did the factory use vacuum-referenced fuel pressure instead of a fixed pressure, and would a fixed pressure make the ECM easier to tune?
- Do I need a tune after installing long tube headers on an LS?
- Can I drive an LS on the stock tune after adding headers and a full exhaust?
- Can I install a cam in an LS without getting a tune?
- Do I need a retune after a cam swap?
- Do I need a tune for a cold air intake on an LS?
- Do I need a tune if I delete the catalytic converters and rear O2 sensors?
- Do I need a tune to run E85 on an otherwise stock LS?
- Do I need a tune after installing a supercharger on an LS?
- Can I run a turbo LS on the stock ECU tune?
- Should I buy HP Tuners or pay a dyno shop to tune my LS?
- What is the difference between Terminator X and Terminator X Max?
- How many HP Tuners credits does it take to license one vehicle?
- How much does each HP Tuners credit cost?
- Why are my purchased HP Tuners credits not showing up?
- What software options exist for tuning an LS engine?
- How do you disable VATS in HP Tuners VCM Editor?
- Where is the VATS patch on an E38 PCM tune?
- Can I get a pre-tuned PCM for my LS swap instead of tuning it myself?
- Which diagnostic trouble codes should be turned off in an LS swap tune?
- How do you turn off rear O2 sensor and catalytic converter codes?
- How do you correct the speedometer for gears and tire size?
- Do I need a retune after changing rear gears or tire size?
- What is the correct order of operations for a first LS tune?
- Should I tune my LS with MAF, speed density, or a blend of both?
- What are the pros and cons of MAF vs speed density tuning?
- How do you dial in a VE table with a wideband O2 sensor?
- Do I really need a wideband to tune an LS?
- What injector data do I need to enter when installing larger injectors?
- Do I have to rescale the tune when changing injector size?
- Is it safe to drive on a base or startup tune?
- How do you disable AFM/DOD in the tune?
- How do you fix idle surge on a cammed LS?
- What tables need to change after an LS cam swap?
- How do you set base running airflow and IAC counts after a cam swap?
- How do you stop a cammed LS from stalling when coming to a stop?
- Do I need larger injectors with my cam swap?
- How do you add E85 flex fuel capability to a non-flex-fuel LS truck?
- How do you wire a GM flex fuel sensor for an LS swap?
- Where should the flex fuel sensor be mounted in the fuel system?
- Do I need a 2-bar or 3-bar MAP sensor operating system for a boosted LS?
- How do you pull timing for boost on an LS tune?
- What size injectors do I need for E85?
- How much more fuel does E85 need compared to pump gas?
- How do you do a 4L60E-to-4L80E segment swap in HP Tuners?
- How do you firm up shifts on a 4L60E with HP Tuners?
- How do you tune torque converter clutch lockup?
- How do you tune 6L80 torque converter lockup behavior?
- Should torque management be removed or just reduced?
- How much torque management is safe to remove on a stock 4L60E?
- How do you tune a 6L80E transmission?
- Is a mail order tune good enough, or do I need a dyno tune?
- Can a remote or email tune be as good as a dyno tune?
- What is the difference between a street tune and a dyno tune?
- Are there classes or courses for learning LS tuning?
- How do I find a reputable LS tuner near me?
- Can I learn to tune my own truck or should I hire a professional?
Wiring & ECU
- Best LS swap wiring harness
- Stock PCM vs Holley Terminator X for an LS swap
- How do I tune an LS swap? (HP Tuners basics)
- How to make a standalone LS wiring harness
- VATS delete: what it is and how to do it
- Drive-by-wire vs cable throttle for an LS swap
- Is switching from a PSI harness and stock ECU to a Holley Terminator Max worth it?
- Can I simplify the stock GM harness myself instead of buying a custom one for a buggy swap?
- Does a 2004 LS swap with a 99 Z28 gauge cluster need special tach wiring?
- How do I wire a Vintage Air trinary switch into a 3-relay dual electric fan setup with the LS PCM?
- Why does my speedometer stop working after a T56 swap, and how do I fix the VSS signal?
- Why does the LS ECU need a VSS signal if I keep my old mechanical-speedo transmission?
- Does it matter which drive-by-wire pedal I use with an LS DBW throttle body?
- Why does my 6.0L LS swap crank but not start?
- How do you keep the stock cluster and tach working behind an LS/4L60E without cutting the factory harness?
- How does the LS PCM control dual electric fans, and is it enough for an old truck with A/C?
- Are Dakota Digital RTX gauges with the OBD BIM easy to wire on an LS swap?
- Can I put a 2006 6.0 (drive-by-wire) into my 2002 Tahoe that had a cable-throttle 5.3?
- How do you convert a factory 4L60E engine/transmission harness to control a 4L80E when swapping transmissions behind an LS?
- Can a 4L80E swap be tuned in HP Tuners by just selecting 4L80E in the trans type menu, without doing a segment swap?
- How do I wire the A/C compressor to work with the LS ECM on an 87 swap?
- Where should I run a standalone LS harness into the cab of a 72 without drilling new firewall holes?
- Which factory wire do I tap for the ignition feed on a PSI standalone harness in a 1967 C10?
- How do I get a working tach on an aftermarket cluster with an LS swap in a 1972 C10?
- What signal source should feed the neutral safety switch input to the ECM on a 2002 LS1/4L60E swap into a 1975 C3?
- Can I use the old-school gauge cluster with a tach in the middle with an LS swap, and what adapters are needed?
- Which 4x4 VSS wiring is needed for an LS swap keeping the NP241 transfer case?
- Can a 4L80E be controlled by the factory E38 PCM/T42 TCM setup in a truck that originally had a 4L60E?
- How do I wire the ECM-side power for an LS swap correctly so the fuel pump and relays work?
- Why won't an LS2 tach work in an E36 even after PCM reprogramming?
- How do you delete VATS and set the tach signal in one PCM flash?
- How do I hook a reworked 5.3 harness into the ignition switch wiring?
- Which aftermarket swap harness should I buy for a 5.3 swap?
- Does gear position show on Dakota Digital gauges fed from the LS ECM via the BIM module?
- How do you wire neutral safety on an LS/4L60E swap without burning up the range switch?
- Where is the best place to order an LS swap wiring harness for a 5.3/4L60E C10?
- What is needed to incorporate the LS harness into the stock wiring of an older truck?
- How do PSI, Current Performance, and BP Automotive conversion harnesses compare?
- Which standalone harness company should a first-timer use for a 5.3 DBW / 4L60E swap in a 67 stepside?
- How do the GMPP LS3 crate controller, Dakota Digital dash, and Vintage Air wiring tie together?
- What did you LS swap guys do for a working speedometer?
- How many chassis wires does a stripped GM harness need for an E36 LS swap?
- How do you mate a drive-by-wire GTO pedal to the BMW pedal in an E36 LS2 swap?
- How do you wire a 5.3L truck harness into an E30 for a daily driver?
- What GM harness modifications are covered in the E39 LS wiring thread?
- Which electric fans work on a C3 with an LS swap, and will the stock alternator keep up?
- What wiring should I plan for a Holley Terminator X on a C3 LS swap?
- Is Holley Terminator X worth $1,000 over a factory ECM and harness for an LS swap?
- Is there a definitive wiring diagram for making the stock Toyota tach work after an LS conversion?
- What wiring harness and computer options make the most sense for a 6.0 LQ4 LS swap if I don't want to learn tuning myself?
- Where can I find wiring harness pinout information for an LS conversion?
- Is a 90mm throttle body a direct bolt-on for my 2006 5.3?
- What should I expect when upgrading to the GM 90mm (LS7) throttle body on a Silverado?
- What does the BBK 80mm drive-by-wire throttle body offer for 1999-2005 4.8/5.3/6.0 trucks?
- Range AFM disabler review - does it really keep the truck in V8 mode?
- What else is needed to swap a 2012 Denali 6.2/6L80 (AWD donor) into a 2007 Silverado extended cab?
- How should I wire my LS swap — factory harness or aftermarket, and how do I fix a reported misfire?
- What's the best wiring approach for an LM7 LS swap: stripped stock harness with stock ECM and fuse block, full standalone harness, aftermarket harness with stock ECU, or a standalone ECU?
- Should I use an aftermarket ECU or the factory computer for a budget LS swap, and how do I delete VATS cheaply?
- Who can do VATS removal and VSS/speedo correction on an LS PCM for a 5.3 swap?
- Can I DIY a standalone harness from a Gen IV E38 ECU for an LH6 5.3 swap, and how do VATS delete and speedo calibration work?
- How is the JK's factory wiring and computer handled during a MoTech Gen V LS swap — is the Jeep ECM removed?
- Do I need to pull the transmission controller out for a JK LS swap?
- Are 8-pin and 6-pin drive-by-wire throttle bodies interchangeable?
- HP Tuners or EFI Live — which tuning software should I learn?
- How does HP Tuners licensing and credit pricing work?
- What is VE tuning and how is it done?
- Why does a boosted car need a retune immediately?
- How do you bypass VATS with a resistor?
- How do you integrate a Holley Terminator X Max while keeping the factory ECM, gauges, and A/C in an '03-'07 Silverado?
- Should I physically swap a 58x reluctor to 24x, or use a converter box, to run a Gen IV engine on a Gen III PCM/harness?
- Can I run an LS3/L99 swap in a '96 Tahoe on the old 0411 PCM?
- Speed density vs MAF — why go SD, and what are the drivability costs?
- E-fan conversion on a 99-06 — which harness, and why do the Nelson relays keep burning up?
- Can a DBW auto harness be converted for a 5-speed swap (4.8 into an NV3500 truck)?
- How do you wire a DIY e-fan harness on a 99-02 truck, and what PCM pins trigger the relays?
- Can I run a drive-by-wire LS with an older non-electronic transmission like a TH400, and where does the VSS go?
- How do I reuse the stock GM underhood fuse block to make a truck harness standalone for a swap?
- What are my options for the accelerator pedal on a drive-by-wire LS swap?
- Can I delete the range switch on the side of a 4L60E in a square body swap?
- Who can remove VATS and emissions from a stock LS ECU for a swap?
- Does the ECM need a VSS signal to run the engine correctly with a TH350 (no computer trans)?
- Which ECU should I run for a swap that might use drive-by-cable or drive-by-wire?
- Is cruise control easier with drive-by-wire on an LS swap?
- How do I finish wiring cruise control on a DBW LS swap with a PSI harness?
- How do I wire dual electric fans so the LS PCM controls them with low and high speed operation in a third-gen LS swap?
- How do I get the tachometer and speedometer working in a 1990 TPI car after an LS/T56 swap?
- My 1989 Firebird had factory VATS (Pass-Key) - do I need to do anything with the old system when swapping in a 2001 LS1 with a standalone harness and 2001 PCM?
- How do I defeat or bypass the third-gen VATS/Pass-Key system during an LS swap (keeping or removing the stock ECM)?
- Where do I feed the main 12V battery power to wake up the factory interior fuse block when the stock engine harness is gone after an LS swap?
- How do I build my own LS1 swap harness for a third-gen, and can I use a non-LS harness or PCM as the base?
- How do you wire the A/C system when running Holley Terminator X EFI on an LS swap?
Transmissions
- Best transmission for an LS swap
- Best manual transmission for an LS swap
- Will a 4L60E bolt up to a 5.3 or 6.0?
- ZF 8HP70 swap behind an LS
- How much horsepower can a 4L60E handle?
- Will a 4L60E bolt to a small block 350?
- 4L80E swap behind an LS
- 6L80 swap behind an LS
- Why does a 1999–2000 LQ4 need a different flexplate?
- How do you mate a 4L80E to an NP205 transfer case in a 72 K10, and how do you get VSS?
- How do I make a 700R4 survive behind an LS in a square body?
- What stall speed torque converter should I run behind an LS1/LS3/5.3 in an off-road rig with a TH400 or TH350?
- Will a 4L60E bolt up to an LQ4 6.0, and will it survive behind it?
- Should the transmission cooler run through the radiator or separately on an LS swap?
- Should I keep my 700R4 behind a 5.3 LS or switch to a 4L60E?
- What stall torque converter and rear gear ratio should I run with a 5.3 LS for a good highway/street balance?
- How do you hook a 700R4 TV/detent cable to a drive-by-wire LS engine with no throttle linkage?
- Should I regear my high-mileage stock 10-bolt or save for a stronger rear end?
- Can you bolt a manual transmission to a 5.3L Vortec?
- 4L60E to 4L80E swap on a 4x4 truck — complete checklist?
- Which NP241 transfer case gives a VSS signal for the LS computer and a working speedometer?
- When swapping a 4L80E into a 2WD extended cab truck, what yoke/flexplate/converter details need sorting for the driveshaft and converter to fit?
- How high a stall converter can I run in a daily-driver 4L60E without killing gas mileage?
- What do I need to do to a 4L60E so it survives behind a 3600-4000 stall converter?
- How do I find a driveshaft that fits a 5.3/4L60E LS swap in a 60s C10?
- Bolting a 4L80E to a 2005 5.3: do I need a 6.0 flexplate with spacer, or the 5.3 flexplate with spacer?
- What does it take to keep my 4x4 transfer case and cable speedometer with an LS swap?
- What is needed to bolt a TH400 to an LS engine and get a VSS signal to the PCM in a C10?
- What driveshaft works for a 700R4 conversion in a 71/72 C10?
- Can an early ('98) 4L60E with the shallow bellhousing work behind an LS?
- Do I need a spacer to run a 700R4, and how does its length change the swap?
- How do you set up a 700R4 TV cable and converter lockup on a swapped truck?
- Will a TH400 slip yoke work on a 4L80E, and does removing the TBI harness kill the fuse box?
- What is the correct 700R4 TV cable bracket geometry?
- How do you measure for a driveshaft with a 700R4 in a 67-72?
- How should engine position and driveshaft length be handled on a 700R4/LS swap?
- What is involved in swapping a 4L60E for a 4L80E in a GM truck?
- Why don't the torque converter bolts line up with the flexplate on an LS/4L60E swap?
- What part numbers cover flexplates for a 700R4 behind a big block?
- What is involved in converting a TH400 to a 4L80E, and what are the hidden costs?
- Can I mate a T56 to an LM7 that was originally behind an automatic, and will the ECU complain?
- Standalone trans cooler vs radiator cooler: which way keeps an automatic alive?
- What 4-speed manual conversion kit or parts fit behind an LS in a C3 for up to 400 HP?
- In 4LO my GM transmission shifts immediately because the PCM reads vehicle speed from the transmission tailshaft instead of the transfer case. How do I fix 4LO shifting on a Land Cruiser LS swap?
- How hard is a 6L80E swap into a 2008 Silverado 4.8/4L65E 4wd using a 2010 5.3/6L80E donor?
- Corvette servo vs tune line pressure - which firms shifts better?
- Firm shift tune plus Vette servo on a 4L60E - too much?
- What is involved in replacing a 4L60E with a 4L80E in a half-ton truck?
- Build up the 4L60E or swap to a 4L80E when planning a future 6.0?
- 4L60E vs 4L80E for towing — which transmission holds up better?
- Is the Aisin AR5 from a Colorado/Solstice a viable budget manual behind an LS, or is a used T56 better?
- How do you mate any manual transmission to an LS engine, and what about an LT1 T56?
- Will my early-90s Tahoe/Suburban TH350/TH400 or 4L60E bolt up to an LS without grenading, and what adapters are needed?
- What flexplate and spacer do I need to run a TH350 behind a 4.8 LS in a 1972 C10?
- What transmission should go behind an LSX for a $2000 Challenge car, and do piggyback controllers count against budget?
- 700R4 vs 4L60E behind a V8 swap in a YJ - which 4-speed automatic is better?
- Why do stock 10-bolts fail — housing flex or shock loading?
- Junkyard 10-bolt now or save for a 9-inch?
- Do I need to tell my tuner about a shift kit when adding a stall converter?
- How do you keep a 4L60E alive behind a modified LS?
- What breaks first inside a 4L60E?
- What should be upgraded in a 4L60E rebuild?
- When is a stock 4L60E enough, and when is a built one needed?
- Can a 1998 PCM control a 4L80E?
- What parts and wiring do I need to swap a 4L80E in place of a 4L60E in a GMT800 truck?
- Should I rebuild a 4L60E a third time or just swap to a 4L80E?
- How hard is a 4L60-to-6L80 swap on an NNBS truck — what parts are actually needed?
- Radiator options for cooling a 6.0 swap in a truck that runs hot — 27-inch vs 34-inch?
- 4L80E swap — wiring, driveshaft yoke trim, and the mistake that kills thrust bearings?
- What do I add to a 4L60E rebuild kit to reliably hold 450whp?
- What is involved in swapping an LS2 with a 6L80E into a 2001 4.8/4L60E Silverado, including electronics, fitment, and driveshaft changes?
- What is involved in swapping a 5.3/4L60E to a 6.0 LY6/6L90E in an NNBS truck, and what are the common gotchas?
- What are the 4L80E transmission harness variations by year, and can they be mixed?
- How much power can a stock 4L60E handle with just a TransGo shift kit and Corvette servo behind a cammed 5.3 (~390-400 crank HP)?
- What should go into a 700R4 rebuild so it survives behind a modified LS?
- What causes a 700R4 to stack-shift (short-shift through gears and lug)?
- Will a TH350 column shifter work with a 700R4 overdrive transmission?
- Will a Tremec TKX fit the low-hump floor of an '81 C10, and is a mid-shift conversion needed when the powertrain moves forward?
- My 99 LQ4 has the long crank - can I mate it to a 700R4, and what flexplate/spacer setup do I need?
- LM7 5.3 into an '88 Camaro — what's a must-buy, and is a 4L60E enough or should I go 4L80E?
- Can I use a pre-1997 4L60E behind an LS engine, and what do I need?
Engine build
- Which LS engine is best for turbo/boost?
- How much horsepower does a stock 5.3 make?
- How much horsepower can a stock 5.3 handle?
- How much boost can a stock 5.3 handle?
- Junkyard 5.3 turbo build: what do you need?
- Best cam for a 5.3
- What is a truck cam?
- 243 vs 799 vs 706 vs 317 heads
- Best budget LS heads
- Truck intake vs LS6 intake
- What is AFM/DFM, and should I delete it?
- Best cam for an LS3?
- Can a 5.3 be bored to a 5.7, 6.0 or 6.2?
- How much horsepower can a 5.3 make naturally aspirated?
- Best budget LS cam
- Best budget LS intake manifold
- LS firing order vs SBC
- LS head bolt torque specs and sequence
- LS lifter failure: causes and fixes
- Can I put cathedral-port heads on a 6.2 or rectangle-port heads on a 5.3?
- Can I run a carburetor on an LS?
- Will a big cam cause vacuum/brake booster problems in an E36 LS swap?
- My heads/cam LS1 is underperforming — I still have the stock LS1 intake and stock injectors. What's holding it back?
- Does a 5.3 have a timing chain?
- My LS has an intermittent chirp at idle. Is that a lifter, or could it be an exhaust leak?
- How do I tell piston slap, lifter tick, and rod knock apart on an LS I am thinking of buying?
- A truck LS has a tick, a misfire, and the rocker arm on that cylinder is loose. Is it a collapsed lifter, and what does the repair involve?
- The 6.0 I'm looking at already has an aftermarket cam — what do I need to know about its valve springs?
- The seller gave me cam specs like 224/224 .581/.581 112+4 — how do I read them?
- What's a realistic rebuild scope for a used 6.0L before I can trust it?
- ARP head bolts vs GM TTY head bolts on an LS: which for a build?
- Is a FAST 102 intake worth it on an LS3?
- How much does a full AFM/DOD hardware delete cost, and what does it involve?
- Is an LS6 intake swap a good idea on a truck 5.3/6.0?
- 2009 5.3 AFM bad lifter - what cam for the DOD delete?
- How do you check piston-to-valve clearance?
- For a stock-motor daily-driven truck, is a single or twin turbo kit the better value, and what do the kits cost?
- My LS1 developed a valvetrain tick — is it serious?
- My 2000 Corvette LS1 makes a tapping/knocking noise 15-30 seconds after cold start that fades in about a minute — what's wrong?
- What's the best bang-for-buck intake manifold for a stock-motor LS1?
- Is a FAST intake worth it on a bolt-on LS or cammed C6? Vengeance Racing back-to-back dyno results.
- Low oil pressure after a cam swap: the pickup-tube O-ring is the first suspect?
- ARP head bolts on an LS6: do they eliminate the GM stretch procedure, and can heads come off with studs in the car?
- CompCams LS1 trunnion upgrade — any installation problems?
- DOD delete parts guide - what is needed, and what goes wrong after?
- Is a full DOD/AFM delete on a 2015 Sierra 6.2 worth it for reliability?
- 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 DOD lifter replacement - what gaskets and parts do I need?
- Can you do a mechanical DOD delete without the ECM DOD delete?
- Ticking sound increasing with RPM - lifter problem?
- What supporting changes does a cam swap in an LS truck engine need?
- Which budget factory cam wakes up an early 5.3 — LS3 or LS9 cam?
- Truck intake vs LS1/LS6 intake for a budget swap: which is shorter and which makes more power?
- What's the cheapest way to get real power out of a junkyard 4.8 or 5.3 for a Challenge build: heads, cam, manifolds?
- What is the correct way to torque ARP rod bolts?
- How do you pick valve springs for a cam?
- Stock rockers with a trunnion upgrade vs full aftermarket rockers?
- Do I need the Katech valley cover or the CBI plug set for an AFM/DOD delete?
- Y-pipe sizing — is a 3" Y-pipe too much for a 4.8 or 5.3?
- Does a Trailblazer SS / NNBS intake manifold bolt directly onto an older 5.3, what mods are needed, and what are the real gains?
- What has to be modified to install a NNBS/TBSS intake on an NBS truck, and what does it gain?
- Is a carbureted 5.3 swap with a 700R4 a good idea?
- Should I swap in the LS1 from my donor car or trade it for an LQ4/LQ9 6.0L when targeting about 450 rear-wheel horsepower?
- LS3 (hot cam LS376/480) into an '85 IROC — which manual transmission is strong enough, and what LS3-specific swap issues exist?
Cost & planning
- How much does an LS swap cost?
- What is the best budget LS build?
- How much does it cost to LS swap a C10?
- How much does it cost to LS swap a square body?
- How much does it cost to LS swap a OBS Chevy?
- How much does it cost to LS swap a S10?
- How much does it cost to LS swap a Miata?
- How much does it cost to LS swap a G-body?
- How much does it cost to LS swap a 350Z?
- How much does it cost to LS swap a Nova?
- How much does it cost to LS swap a RX-7?
- How much does it cost to LS swap a Tacoma?
- How much does it cost to LS swap a E36?
- How much does it cost to LS swap a Chevelle?
- How much does it cost to LS swap a Datsun 240Z?
- How much does it cost to LS swap a Supra?
- How much does it cost to LS swap a Ford Ranger?
- How much does it cost to LS swap a Jeep Wrangler JK?
- How much does it cost to LS swap a Jeep TJ?
- How much does it cost to LS swap a 240SX?
- How much does it cost to LS swap a Porsche 944?
- How much does it cost to LS swap a C4 Corvette?
- How much does it cost to LS swap a BRZ / FRS?
- How much does it cost to LS swap a G35 / G37?
- How much does it cost to LS swap a boat?
- How do I buy a good used LS engine?
- What does it cost to get a California-legal E36 LS swap through the referee?
- Should I rebuild the 350 or do an LS swap in my square body, and what does an LS swap really cost?
- Does my junkyard 6.0 need machine-shop work before it goes in?
- Any junkyard tricks for finding a real 6.0?
- Can an LS swap into a 71 C10 be done cheaply with a carburetor and manual transmission, and what parts does it take?
- A '71 Chevelle owner with a ticking 350 and a tight budget asks whether a junkyard LS swap is the right move for a reliable cruiser, or whether to stick with the small block.
- Is a $1000 wrecked truck with a 4.8 a good LS donor for a Challenge build?
- What's the budget formula for a 4.8 LS + manual swap into a Challenge car, and are 4.8s still cheap?
- What does a budget heads/cam 346 build sheet look like?
- What is a realistic budget for a complete DIY turbo build on a stock 4.8 truck, and what does the parts list look like?
- Should I keep EFI or put a carb on my 5.3 swap to save money?
Identifying engines
- How do I identify which LS engine I have?
- How do I find my RPO code?
- Which trucks and vehicles came with an LS engine?
- Is the 5.3 an LS engine?
- Is the 6.0 Vortec an LS engine?
- 5.3 vs 6.0: which LS should I swap?
- 6.0 vs 6.2 LS: what's the difference?
- LQ4 vs LQ9: what's the difference?
- LS1 vs LS3: what's the difference?
- Iron block vs aluminum block LS: weight and strength
- Which LS engine is best for a swap?
- LS vs Coyote: size, weight and swap cost
- LS vs 2JZ: which swap is better?
- What vehicles came with the LS1?
- What vehicles came with the LS2?
- What vehicles came with the LS3?
- 5.3 vs 5.7 LS: what's the difference?
- LM7 vs L33: what's the difference?
- L83 vs L86: what's the difference?
- Are all 5.3 blocks the same?
- Which LS engines came supercharged?
- LS vs LT engines: what changed?
- How do I tell a 4.8, 5.3, and 6.0 apart without opening them?
- LY6 vs L96 vs LQ9
- Does the 5.3 have VVT?
- How do I tell an LQ4 from an LQ9?
- How can I tell if this 6.0 is 24x or 58x without tearing it down?
- What actually changed between Gen III and Gen IV LS blocks?
- What year did the LQ4/LQ9 become Gen IV?
- How much power does a stock 5.3L make in an E30 swap?
- Can I bolt a 200R4 behind an LS4 5.3 out of a truck, and is the LS4 the same as an LM7?
- What is the difference between the LQ4 and LQ9?
- Engine swap questions - 24x vs 58x and harness compatibility?
- 2007 reluctor wheel - 24x or 58x?
- Best engine for towing - 5.3 or 6.0?
- During a 4.8-to-6.0 swap, an owner hit a fitment problem at the back of the crank where the flexplate bolts on, and wondered about the crank spacer others mentioned.
- What is the difference between a used LY6 6.0 and an L92 6.2, and why does the L92 cost twice as much?
Cooling
- Best LS swap radiator
- LS steam vent: do I need it?
- My LS is overheating — what should I check first?
- Can I cool an LS swap with a stock-style radiator instead of an expensive LS conversion radiator?
- How should electric fans be wired with a Terminator X / LS swap ECU?
- What hose sizes and routing tips simplify LS radiator plumbing?
- Which water pump should I run for an LS swap: truck pump or Camaro pump?
- Where do I route the LS steam vent line on a square body swap?
- What electric fan setup works best on these trucks, and what radiator/fan combinations are compatible?
- My LS1 is overheating — do I need a new radiator?
- Do I need new head bolts after head-gasket work on a 6.0L?
- What causes P0327 or P0332 knock sensor codes on a Gen 3 LS?
- Where do the knock sensors go on a 6.0L iron block?
- Do I need to plumb the steam ports on an LS swap?
- What radiator should I use for an LS swap in a C3 — budget vs direct-fit?
- Can you keep the old small-block radiator for an LS swap, and which hoses fit with a Camaro water pump?
- Which radiator fittings can serve as the steam port on an LS swap radiator?
- How do I route the LS steam vent tube when the radiator has no steam port?
- Why won't the cooling system fill on first startup of an LS swap?
- How do you wire cooling fans for an E46 LS swap?
- Are oversized radiators a good investment for a C4?
- My 6.0 LS swap runs 210-215 degrees at highway speed despite an upgraded radiator and electric fan. How do I get the cooling temps down?
- Overheating at red lights on a 2011 4.8 - fans not kicking on?
- One big electric fan or two small ones to cool an LS3, and are Taurus junkyard fans any good?
- How do I control electric fans on an LS swap without trusting the driver to flip a switch?
- Why does an F-body run hot at speed but stay cool at idle?
- Mechanical vs electric water pump — which is better?
- Do electric water pumps actually add power?
- Why does my swapped 5.3 run fine idling and crawling but overheat and over-pressurize only under load at speed?
- How should I wire high-draw electric fans so they do not kill the battery or stall the truck?
Oiling & oil pans
- Are all LS oil pans interchangeable?
- Do AFM/DOD engines need a special oil pan?
- Will a 2010–2015 Camaro oil pan work for a swap?
- What oil filter does an LS use?
- What is the LS oil drain plug size?
- Best LS swap oil pan
- LS swap oil pan oil capacity
- Are LS7 lifters a good replacement for noisy stock LS lifters?
- Which O-ring goes on an LS oil pickup tube, and how do I install it without pinching it?
- My LS uses a quart every 500 to 1,000 miles — is it a PCV problem or worn rings?
- How can I tell whether an LS lifter is actually collapsed rather than just noisy?
- Does a lowered truck need a different oil pan, or will the stock truck LS pan work?
- Why do I only have 10 lbs of oil pressure after rebuilding my LS1?
- Which Melling oil pump should I buy: the 10295, the 10296, or the M295?
- Will an LS6 valley cover or a catch can stop my LS from drinking oil through the PCV?
- A seller says a used 6.0L LS just needs heavier oil because the pressure reads low. Should I believe that?
- Does a knock plus dropping oil pressure mean a spun rod bearing?
- Which LS oil pan clears the crossmember on a lowered 67 C10 without hanging too low?
- What is involved in swapping a 5.3 to an F-body oil pan?
- Which Melling oil pump should I use for a cam swap — 10% or 18% over stock pressure?
- How do I mount an oil pressure sending unit on an LS swap using the oil cooler block-off plate location?
- No oil pressure after an LS swap — what should I check?
Fuel
- What size injectors do I need for my LS?
- What fuel pressure does an LS need?
- Best fuel pump for an LS swap
- How do I convert my LS swap to E85?
- What size fuel pump do I need?
- How much more fuel does E85 need?
- What are the real differences between return and returnless LS fuel systems for a swap?
- What fuel tank, pump, and line setup works for an LS swap in a 1972 C10?
- How do you plumb a Corvette filter/regulator into an LS swap fuel system?
- Can I run an external frame-mounted fuel pump for a 5.3 swap instead of in-tank pumps?
- Can I put an in-tank EFI fuel pump in the original in-cab 67-72 tank instead of running an inline pump?
- Can an aftermarket under-bed gas tank work for an LS swap in a 72 C10?
- What fuel pump and tank should I get for a third-gen that sat for 20+ years — and is a 255-lph pump overkill for a stock engine?
- Return or returnless fuel system for an LSX/LS3 swap — which is better and where should the regulator go?
- What's the right fuel plumbing for a budget LS swap: swirl pot with submersible pump, dead-head returnless, or a junkyard surge setup?
- What do I need for fuel delivery on an LS3 swap starting from scratch with a fuel cell: pump, filter, regulator, surge tank?
- Is an in-tank fuel pump really quieter and more reliable than an external one?
- What fuel pump and hose do I need for a 5.3 swap on a budget?
- Is a Walbro 255 lph fuel pump enough for a 440hp fuel-injected build?
General
- What cars can you LS swap?
- How to LS swap: step-by-step overview
- Are LS swaps legal in California?
- Can I swap a 58x Gen IV engine in place of a 24x Gen III engine without changing the ECM?
- What's the deal with the crank spacer on early 6.0s?
- What sensor and wiring differences are there when swapping an LS2 in place of an LS1?
- What does California's smog referee require for an LS or Hemi engine swap in a Jeep, and can it pass the sniffer anyway?
- C2 LS restomod: power brake options when there's no room for a vacuum booster?
- Does a cold air intake actually add power on an LS truck?
- Lifters ticking - fix it or sell the truck?
- Is swapping a 4.8 LS harder than a 5.3, and how hard is the wiring?
- Should I LS-swap my SBC 400 squarebody or keep the 400?
Mounts & fitment
- How to LS swap a C10: parts list and steps
- How to LS swap a boat: parts list and steps
- Do I need new driveshafts when swapping to an overdrive transmission behind an LS?
- Which LS motor mount setup do people use in a 67-72 C10?
- Why does my 4L60E sit too low on the crossmember after an LM7 swap, and how do I fix pinion angle?
- How do you line up the engine mounts and trans crossmember on an LS swap when holes don't line up?
- How much heavier and bigger is an LS than a small-block Chevy when swapping into older GM cars?
- Solid vs polyurethane motor mounts, and is a tubular K-member worth it?
exhaust
- Will LS1 headers fit a 5.3, 6.0 or LS3?
- Are long-tube headers a waste on a bone stock 5.3, or are there real gains over stock manifolds?
- Which header system is best for a 2003 4.8 Silverado 1500, and are shorty headers worth it?
- Are headers worth it on a 5.3 truck, and which should I buy?
- How much power do long-tube headers really add?
- Long tubes vs shorties — which headers should I buy?
- Do shorty headers outflow the stock 2002 manifolds?
Cooling & accessories
- Which way does an LS water pump turn?
- What size radiator hoses does an LS use?
- Will any LS water pump fit a VVT engine?
- How do I tell which LS accessory drive spacing I have?