How to LS swap a C10: parts list and steps

Chevrolet/GMC C10 / K10 "Squarebody" (1973–1987) LS swap: parts and gotchas from our sourced guides.

1973–1987 Chevy/GMC C10 (2WD half-ton trucks/SUVs) LS swap. Speedway recommends the 5.3 Vortec (e.g., LM7) as the default engine; 6.0 for low-end torque; 6.2 L92/L9H/L94 for more NA power.

Engine: 5.3 LM7 (default); 6.0 / 6.2 options

Fuel: Speedway Motors 91012808 Deluxe AN6 GM LS Swap Fuel Filter/Regulator, 58 PSI ($74.99); FiTech C10 LS swap fuel tank with pump and sender ($600) (optional)

Mounts: ICT Billet 5510-KIT003EM LS Swap Engine Mount Kit, 73-87 GM Truck ($260)

Oil pan & oiling: Chevrolet Performance 19212593 LS Swap Muscle Car Oil Pan (LH8-style), LS1/LS3 ($312.79); Holley 302-series LS swap oil pan (302-1/302-2) (optional)

Accessory drive: Bills Hot Rod Co. 200 Series (Mid) LS Accessory Drive Kit (alternator, AC, water pump, PS, brackets) ($1,159.99) (optional)

Cooling: DeWitts 32-6239019A LSX Conversion Radiator, 1973-87 C10 ($1,796.99) (optional)

Wiring/ECU: FiTech 71014 Ultimate LS EFI 750HP system (intake, ECM, harness) ($2,314.79) (optional)

Headers/exhaust: Hedman 69710 Hedders mid-length LS swap headers (optional); Doug's Headers 447D314 Full-length ceramic-coated headers (optional); GM (junkyard) TrailBlazer/Envoy or 2010+ Camaro manifolds Exhaust manifolds (optional)

Transmission adapter: Speedway Motors Gen 3 LS to TH350/700R4/Powerglide Transmission Adapter Kit ($313.99) (optional)

Watch out for: V6 frame stands do NOT work with LS mount adapters; V8 stands required. Don't reuse the original driveshaft; target driveline angles ~2° down at the trans and ~2° up at the pinion. Most stock LS truck pans clear the crossmember but hang several inches below it; use the LH8/"Muscle Car" pan (~0.5 in below) or a Holley 302-series pan (shallower). Forward mount position requires notching the front crossmember for pan clearance (Speedway/search). Vortec truck accessory drives don't fit with the AC compressor; F-body drives fit. Mechanical fan needs a Gen III Vortec water pump, shroud and fan clutch. Stock ECM is recommended unless very high power, but it needs a tune (VATS delete, DTCs); Gen IV engines need a drive-by-wire pedal mount. All LS engines need 58–60 psi constant fuel pressure.

1973–1987 Chevy K10 (4WD, leaf-spring solid front axle) LS swap. Speedway's recipe keeps the original/period transmission (TH350/TH400/700R4) and transfer case to simplify the swap.

Engine: LM7 5.3 (Speedway recipe uses OEM LM7 Vortec harness)

Cooling: Speedway Motors LS Swap Radiator Hose Adapter w/ Steam Port, 1.5–1.25 in ($42.99); Speedway Motors 1966-90 GM A-Body/B-Body/Truck Aluminum Radiator ($303.99) (optional)

Fuel: Aeromotive 18688 Phantom In-Tank Fuel Pump System for EFI swaps ($665.60); Speedway Motors 91012808 Deluxe AN6 GM LS Swap Fuel Filter/Regulator, 58 PSI ($74.99)

Wiring/ECU: Speedway Motors 1999-2003 Vortec V8 Wiring Harness ($612.99); Holley 550-917 Terminator X Max Early Truck Engine MPFI Kit ($1,698.95) (optional)

Mounts: Holley/Hooker BlackHeart dual-position LS swap engine mounts (front or rear bias)

Oil pan & oiling: Speedway Motors LS Swap Conversion Low Profile Oil Pan, OEM filter location ($324.99)

Transmission adapter: Speedway Motors LS1/LS2/LS6/5.3/6.0 to TH350/700R4/4L60 Adapter Flexplate ($247.99); Speedway Motors LS Crankshaft TH350/TH400/700R4 Torque Converter Adapter Sleeve ($30.99)

Accessory drive: Holley 20-190 Premium Mid-Mount LS7 Complete Accessory System ($3,799.95) (optional)

Headers/exhaust: Speedway Motors 2.5 in Dual Exhaust Mandrel Bend Kit ($166.99) (optional); Hooker 8502-HKR LS Swap Cast Iron Exhaust Manifold, 2.5 in ($466.95) (optional); Flowtech 11575FLT Shorty Headers, GM LS Universal ($311.95) (optional)

Watch out for: Pre-1988 trucks (pre-1992 SUVs) must reuse the original transfer case (front driveshaft exits passenger side). Adapting a 4LXX to the old transfer case costs ~$750–900 in kits and needs the tailshaft/housing removed. Old GM trans to LS needs an adapter flexplate plus a crank torque-converter sleeve. Vortec LS pans clear the frame but hit the front axle on 4WD; use a low-profile pan. Stock LS truck manifolds fit K10; stock car manifolds don't (Hooker cast manifolds fit). Low-mount AC compressor on the Vortec truck drive hits the frame rails; delete AC or use a top-mount AC bracket. Stock fuel pump won't work (mechanical pre-1987). Crank reluctor: 24x (black sensor) 1997–2006, 58x (gray sensor) 2006+; ECM/harness must match. Factory V8 radiator is fine with a steam-port hose adapter.

More parts for this vehicle in our catalog (vendor listings, 2026 prices):

• Fuel Pump Module 6AN 535 LPH (Silverado 73-91) (ICT Billet, $500)
• Fuel Pump Module 6AN 340 LPH (Silverado 73-91) (ICT Billet, $350)
• 1973-88 Chevy/GMC Square Body Truck 1 7/8" Mid-Length LS Engine Swap Header with Metallic Ceramic Coating (PerTronix, $1,040.43)
• 1973-91 Chevy Trucks and SUVs 1 3/4" Clippster LS1-LS9 Engine Swap Header with Metallic Ceramic Coating (PerTronix, $801.61)
• 1973-88 Chevy/GMC Square Body Truck 1 7/8" Mid-Length LS Engine Swap Header with Hi-Temp Black Coating (PerTronix, $776.35)
• 1973-1987 Chevy Square Body Truck - LT Swap Engine Mount Kit for 2WD 4WD (ICT Billet, $280)
• LS Swap Engine Mount Kit - 73-87 C/K10 (ICT Billet, $260)
• Doug's Headers SK101 Motor Mount Adapter Plate Kit for LS1/LS6 GM engines into 73-87 C10 Chevy Trucks (PerTronix, $167.41)

See our engine, oil pan, transmission and wiring guides for choosing the rest of the combination.