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Chevrolet/GMC C10 / K10 Squarebody LS swap (1973–1987)
Swap kits verifiedC/K 3rd gen2 sourced swap recipes
1973–1987 Chevy/GMC C10 (2WD half-ton trucks/SUVs) LS swap — moderate
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.
Recommended engine: 5.3 LM7 (default); 6.0 / 6.2 options — compare LS engines & donors
Heads up: some product links on this page may be affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. It never changes which parts we list.
| Part | What | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel system | Speedway Motors Deluxe AN6 GM LS Swap Fuel Filter/Regulator, 58 PSI 91012808 C5 Corvette-style filter-regulator | $74.99 Speedway Motors, 2026-09-28 | Required | |
| Mounts | ICT Billet LS Swap Engine Mount Kit, 73-87 GM Truck 5510-KIT003EM Retains factory SBC crank/bellhousing position (ICT) | $260 Speedway Motors, 2026-09-28 | Required | |
| Oil pan | Chevrolet Performance LS Swap Muscle Car Oil Pan (LH8-style), LS1/LS3 19212593 Hangs ~0.5 in below the crossmember | $312.79 Speedway Motors, 2026-09-28 | Required | |
| Accessory drive | Bills Hot Rod Co. LS Accessory Drive Kit (alternator, AC, water pump, PS, brackets) 200 Series (Mid) Budget complete accessory drive | $1,159.99 Speedway Motors, 2026-09-28 | Optional | |
| Cooling | DeWitts LSX Conversion Radiator, 1973-87 C10 32-6239019A Stock radiator is fine if healthy (unless originally V6) | $1,796.99 Speedway Motors, 2026-09-28 | Optional | |
| Wiring & ECU | FiTech Ultimate LS EFI 750HP system (intake, ECM, harness) 71014 Aftermarket alternative to stock ECM | $2,314.79 Speedway Motors, 2026-09-28 | Optional | |
| Fuel system | FiTech C10 LS swap fuel tank with pump and sender (tank) "A little over $600" (Speedway); approximate | $600 Speedway Motors, 2026-09-28 | Optional | |
| Headers & exhaust | Hedman Hedders mid-length LS swap headers 69710 For lowered trucks / ground clearance | Optional | ||
| Headers & exhaust | Doug's Headers Full-length ceramic-coated headers 447D314 Full-length option | Optional | ||
| Headers & exhaust | GM (junkyard) Exhaust manifolds TrailBlazer/Envoy or 2010+ Camaro manifolds Budget option, good to ~400 hp (Speedway) | Optional | ||
| Oil pan | Holley LS swap oil pan (302-1/302-2) 302-series Alternative: shallower main sump than the Muscle Car pan | Optional | ||
| Transmission adapter | Speedway Motors Gen 3 LS to TH350/700R4/Powerglide Transmission Adapter Kit (not listed) Only if keeping an old-style transmission | $313.99 Speedway Motors, 2026-09-28 | 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 — moderate
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.
Recommended engine: LM7 5.3 (Speedway recipe uses OEM LM7 Vortec harness) — compare LS engines & donors
Heads up: some product links on this page may be affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. It never changes which parts we list.
| Part | What | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cooling | Speedway Motors LS Swap Radiator Hose Adapter w/ Steam Port, 1.5–1.25 in (not listed) For reused factory V8 radiator | $42.99 Speedway Motors, 2026-09-28 | Required | |
| Fuel system | Aeromotive Phantom In-Tank Fuel Pump System for EFI swaps 18688 In-tank preferred | $665.60 Speedway Motors, 2026-09-28 | Required | |
| Fuel system | Speedway Motors Deluxe AN6 GM LS Swap Fuel Filter/Regulator, 58 PSI 91012808 | $74.99 Speedway Motors, 2026-09-28 | Required | |
| Wiring & ECU | Speedway Motors 1999-2003 Vortec V8 Wiring Harness (not listed) Uses engine's original ECM | $612.99 Speedway Motors, 2026-09-28 | Required | |
| Mounts | Holley/Hooker LS swap engine mounts (front or rear bias) BlackHeart dual-position Forward position for 6L80/90 | Required | ||
| Oil pan | Speedway Motors LS Swap Conversion Low Profile Oil Pan, OEM filter location (not listed) 4WD front-axle clearance | $324.99 Speedway Motors, 2026-09-28 | Required | |
| Transmission adapter | Speedway Motors LS1/LS2/LS6/5.3/6.0 to TH350/700R4/4L60 Adapter Flexplate (not listed) Keeps original trans | $247.99 Speedway Motors, 2026-09-28 | Required | |
| Transmission adapter | Speedway Motors LS Crankshaft TH350/TH400/700R4 Torque Converter Adapter Sleeve (not listed) | $30.99 Speedway Motors, 2026-09-28 | Required | |
| Accessory drive | Holley Premium Mid-Mount LS7 Complete Accessory System 20-190 Speedway recipe choice | $3,799.95 Speedway Motors, 2026-09-28 | Optional | |
| Cooling | Speedway Motors 1966-90 GM A-Body/B-Body/Truck Aluminum Radiator (not listed) Upgrade option | $303.99 Speedway Motors, 2026-09-28 | Optional | |
| Wiring & ECU | Holley Terminator X Max Early Truck Engine MPFI Kit 550-917 If no OEM ECM or advanced needs | $1,698.95 Speedway Motors, 2026-09-28 | Optional | |
| Headers & exhaust | Speedway Motors 2.5 in Dual Exhaust Mandrel Bend Kit (not listed) | $166.99 Speedway Motors, 2026-09-28 | Optional | |
| Headers & exhaust | Hooker LS Swap Cast Iron Exhaust Manifold, 2.5 in 8502-HKR Stock car manifolds don't fit; truck manifolds do | $466.95 Speedway Motors, 2026-09-28 | Optional | |
| Headers & exhaust | Flowtech Shorty Headers, GM LS Universal 11575FLT | $311.95 Speedway Motors, 2026-09-28 | 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.
Required parts we've priced so far: $2,648.32 (parts only, not a full budget — engine, trans, wiring and labor are extra. Try the swap cost estimator.)
LS swap parts listed for the C10 / K10 Squarebody
Vendor catalog listings matched to this vehicle by product title. Prices as last checked; confirm fitment with the vendor.
| Type | Product | Vendor | Price | Stock | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel system | Fuel Pump Module 6AN 535 LPH (Silverado 73-91) | ICT Billet | $500 | In stock | View |
| Fuel system | Fuel Pump Module 6AN 340 LPH (Silverado 73-91) | ICT Billet | $350 | In stock | View |
| Headers Exhaust | 1973-88 Chevy/GMC Square Body Truck 1 7/8" Mid-Length LS Engine Swap Header with Metallic Ceramic Coating | PerTronix | $1,040.43 | In stock | View |
| Headers Exhaust | 1973-91 Chevy Trucks and SUVs 1 3/4" Clippster LS1-LS9 Engine Swap Header with Metallic Ceramic Coating | PerTronix | $801.61 | In stock | View |
| Headers Exhaust | 1973-88 Chevy/GMC Square Body Truck 1 7/8" Mid-Length LS Engine Swap Header with Hi-Temp Black Coating | PerTronix | $776.35 | In stock | View |
| Headers Exhaust | 1973-91 Chevy Trucks and SUVs 1 3/4" Clippster LS1-LS9 Engine Swap Header with Hi-Temp Black Coating | PerTronix | $499 | In stock | View |
| Mounts | 1973-1987 Chevy Square Body Truck - LT Swap Engine Mount Kit for 2WD 4WD | ICT Billet | $280 | In stock | View |
| Mounts | LS Swap Engine Mount Kit - 73-87 C/K10 | ICT Billet | $260 | In stock | View |
| Mounts | Doug's Headers SK101 Motor Mount Adapter Plate Kit for LS1/LS6 GM engines into 73-87 C10 Chevy Trucks | PerTronix | $167.41 | In stock | View |
| Cooling | Frostbite - LS Swap Radiator for 73-87 C10 Trucks | ICT Billet | $850 | Out of stock | View |
| Cooling | Frostbite - 73-87 C10 Dual Fan and Shroud Kit | ICT Billet | $585 | Out of stock | View |
| Fuel system | LS Swap Fuel Tank - 73-87 C10 | ICT Billet | $250 | Out of stock | View |
| Headers Exhaust | 1973-87 Chevy C10 Trucks LS1/LS6 Swap 1 3/4" Clippster Header | PerTronix | $485.88 | Out of stock | View |
Swap kit evidence
- 1973-1987 Chevy Square Body Truck - LS Swap Engine Mount Kit for 2WD 4WD LS1 LS3 — ICT Billet (kit-verified)
Questions about this swap
- How much does it cost to LS swap a C10?
- How to LS swap a C10: parts list and steps
- How much does it cost to LS swap a square body?
- How to LS swap a square body: parts list and steps
Every LS swap also needs
An oil pan that clears
Compare GM LS pans by sump position and depth.
Accessory drive spacing
F-body, car, truck and Corvette offsets.
Fuel system sizing
Injector and pump sizing for your power goal.
A transmission
4L60E to 8HP70 behind an LS.
Sources
- Squarebody LS Swap Guide | 73-87 C10 Parts List — Speedway Motors
- Squarebody LS Swap Guide | 73-87 K10 Parts List — Speedway Motors