LS3 or Cummins 2.8

LS3 or Cummins 2.8

  • Total voters
    89

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tclark said:
The one I linked is actually the newest version--it's basically an LS 5.3 minus 2 cylinders and makes 285hp/305lbs tq. The older ones are basically a 5.7/350 minus 2 cylinders; if built right they seem to make around 250hp/300lbs tq. I know the old ones are good engines, I've logged several hundred thousand trouble free miles on one. The new one has all the new features of the LS engines, is all aluminum, direct injected, etc--with the electronics to go with it(you can buy stripped down harnesses and such though). They're getting mid-20's mpg out of them in full size pickups; my old version topped out in low 20's. I think it'd be a great option for a dd/weekend camping type rig; good mpg and plenty of power for the avg guy(and not enough to worry about taxing the rest of the drivetrain). But you'll be ostracized on here for not going V8! :flipoff2:
Click to expand...

Maybe I'll get a project truck and do this swap. I may do it just to spite everyone. LOL
 
Dave Pugh said:
I've owned my truck for 23 years and love it but the power from the drivetrain is ...well a bummer. Know that I'll never sell it as long as I'm alive, so whether it's worth more or less based on this conversion isn't important. My plan is to continue to use the truck as a daily driver to work, hauling mountain bikes, dogs and getting groceries.
Click to expand...

LS (x) version would be more than enough based on what your plans are for this here rig.....me thinks....
 
GM gas engine with matching GM auto transmission
 
I’d rather blow black smoke than burn black rubber... I’d go diesel
 
The Connect and Cruise package is a great way to go if it is in your budget. Take your time with the install and do not cut corners on fuel system or cooling.

In many cases, only the top speed and burning rubber aspects of having 430 HP and similar torque under the hood are mentioned when discussing an LS3 swap. My personal favorite are the people wanting to keep their 2F or 3FE for whatever reason and they state "I like taking the slow route and seeing the countryside". I'll whisper so as not to offend......you can slow down and pace your buddy in his 3FE powered truck any time you choose.

The real difference comes in every day driving. Instead of having to almost floor it through the gears just to keep up in light to light traffic you simply lightly roll into the throttle and the abundant torque moves you with seemingly no effort at all. The power also allows you to be at traffic speed at the end of the interstate on ramp. You can merge with the flow of traffic rather than being a moving pic for the next mile or so as you slowly climb to speed. While on that same interstate you can gentle push the throttle and pass that guy in front of you that keeps roaming between 65 and 75 MPH and you don't have to plan it for a down hill run.

Good luck with your swap, post up a build thread when you get started.

A little inspiration :)

18836002_1538702212827331_376067191113151148_n.jpg
 
NCFJ said:
The Connect and Cruise package is a great way to go if it is in your budget. Take your time with the install and do not cut corners on fuel system or cooling.

In many cases, only the top speed and burning rubber aspects of having 430 HP and similar torque under the hood are mentioned when discussing an LS3 swap. My personal favorite are the people wanting to keep their 2F or 3FE for whatever reason and they state "I like taking the slow route and seeing the countryside". I'll whisper so as not to offend......you can slow down and pace your buddy in his 3FE powered truck any time you choose.

The real difference comes in every day driving. Instead of having to almost floor it through the gears just to keep up in light to light traffic you simply lightly roll into the throttle and the abundant torque moves you with seemingly no effort at all. The power also allows you to be at traffic speed at the end of the interstate on ramp. You can merge with the flow of traffic rather than being a moving pic for the next mile or so as you slowly climb to speed. While on that same interstate you can gentle push the throttle and pass that guy in front of you that keeps roaming between 65 and 75 MPH and you don't have to plan it for a down hill run.

Good luck with your swap, post up a build thread when you get started.

A little inspiration :)

18836002_1538702212827331_376067191113151148_n.jpg
Click to expand...

Are you seeing those oem style airboxes becoming a choking point for LSs?
 
NCFJ said:
The Connect and Cruise package is a great way to go if it is in your budget. Take your time with the install and do not cut corners on fuel system or cooling.

In many cases, only the top speed and burning rubber aspects of having 430 HP and similar torque under the hood are mentioned when discussing an LS3 swap. My personal favorite are the people wanting to keep their 2F or 3FE for whatever reason and they state "I like taking the slow route and seeing the countryside". I'll whisper so as not to offend......you can slow down and pace your buddy in his 3FE powered truck any time you choose.

The real difference comes in every day driving. Instead of having to almost floor it through the gears just to keep up in light to light traffic you simply lightly roll into the throttle and the abundant torque moves you with seemingly no effort at all. The power also allows you to be at traffic speed at the end of the interstate on ramp. You can merge with the flow of traffic rather than being a moving pic for the next mile or so as you slowly climb to speed. While on that same interstate you can gentle push the throttle and pass that guy in front of you that keeps roaming between 65 and 75 MPH and you don't have to plan it for a down hill run.

Good luck with your swap, post up a build thread when you get started.

A little inspiration :)

18836002_1538702212827331_376067191113151148_n.jpg
Click to expand...
 
TonyP said:
Are you seeing those oem style airboxes becoming a choking point for LSs?
Click to expand...

I've not had a problem nor have I heard any negative feed back from customers. Perhaps if you were tuning to get every last bit of power out of the motor it could be an issue but that is a pretty large air box with a big filter.
 
NCFJ said:
I've not had a problem nor have I heard any negative feed back from customers. Perhaps if you were tuning to get every last bit of power out of the motor it could be an issue but that is a pretty large air box with a big filter.
Click to expand...

Glad to hear that from a legit source. Some 80 series guys who have done the swap claim the stock LC box robs power. Guess save some scratch and stick with the OEM one. Thanks!
 
Wow, I didn't think it would be this close of a vote! I get 20+ mpg in my R2.8, and have 15k miles on it so far. My rear wheels on a dyno put out 414 ft/lb torque, and that makes me happy ;-) With my LS3 and 6L80e I got 10mpg and with less torque at the wheels...
 
torfab said:
Wow, I didn't think it would be this close of a vote! I get 20+ mpg in my R2.8, and have 15k miles on it so far. My rear wheels on a dyno put out 414 ft/lb torque, and that makes me happy ;) With my LS3 and 6L80e I got 10mpg and with less torque at the wheels...
Click to expand...
The Chevy engines are a great set up and tried and true at this point. Cummins is new and pricey and not legal everywhere. I love a diesel and would love the range that 20mpg would give me over gas. However I love the 5.3 and would hate to give it up at this point. If that Cummins comes down a bit n price or gets some more long term reliability feedback and gets approved in all 48 or 50 states then it really is going to make the choice harder and harder. Of course if they make a slightly larger Cummins as rumored to be on the way the water may get even murkier
 
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