I have a LS swap planned for my truck. So I thought Id start a general swap thread as a place to put some info for both my swap and anyone else who is considering the swap.

Some General info on the LS series motors:

Same basic size as the SBC. They have the same general dimensions as the Ranger 4.0L v6, except the length as with any v8 the extra 2 cylinders is a couple inches longer. The Ranger engine bay has no problem accommodating the increased length.



Year Ranges:

First year for the LS series was 1997, this was the start of the GenIII Small Block Chevy engine.

Gen III: 1997-2007

Gen IV: 2005-present

Two different types of motors. Car and Truck/SUV.

The main difference between the two styles of motors is the Intake style. Truck/SUV motors have a taller style intake made to produce more torque while the car intakes are made for low clearance applications.

All the car style engines utilize a Aluminum block and save about 100lbs per motor.

Trucks you get a mixed bag or Iron and aluminum blocks depending on the model. The most common truck engines are iron, but harder to find engines like my 2011 Silverado's 6.2L L92 have an aluminum block.

The most common engines to use are the 5.3L, 5.7L, 6.0L and 6.2L.

With many variations of each available depending on the year made.

Cable vs Electric Throttle:

The LS series uses both Cable drive throttles and "Drive by Wire" throttle pedal setups. These can be swapped between engines as long as you have the correct throttle body and pedal setup.

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RR

For my specific swap, I will be using a 5.3L LM7. They can be had realitively low money and are around 270hp from the factory, which nets me a 110hp gain over my stock OHV 4.0L. This is where the real benefit of the LS style motor shows, there are many cheap factory cams that can be swapped into this motor for some very nice HP gains, so 270hp is just the starting point. The 5.3L ranges from 270-325hp depending on the version and what it was in.

As far as finding a motor, ebay is actually a pretty good reference. They have tons of motors with warranties floating around.

I happen to find a local Salvage yard that has alot of the 5.3L's for reasonable prices and they are all verified to be running with no noises or smoke.

East Coast Auto Salvage inc.
ecautosalvage.com/

The first thing to look at it with actually mounting an LS style motor into your truck would be the engine mounts. No one makes a Ranger specfic LS mount that I know of, but for my application thats not a big deal as I will be rebuilding my frame from the cab forward to fit my specific needs due to axle and suspension clearance.

There are multiple universal mounts out for the LS style block. Since the block uses a rectangular engine mount bolt pattern, mounts can be made for cheap or purchased for reasonable prices as well.

These are two examples, one budget set of mounts and one set of a little bit nicer style. There are tons of different mounts out there from mild to wild. Ive seen everything from simple steel to billet aluminum, it all depends on your budget.


http://patparts.com/product_info.php?products_id=32


http://www.diybeadlocks.com/ProductD...ductCode=mount

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RR

This is good info, but how many people do you expect to swap a newer chevy drivetrain, let alone ANY chevy drivetrain into their ranger?

Love the build bro! Keep it up. The more info we get on here, the more people we can steal from other forums

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1993 Ford Ranger Ext. Cab | stepside | 4x4 | 4.0L | Lifted | 35" BFG KM2s | MT Classic IIs | Dana 35/Disc 8.8 with 4.56's | Duals | Etc

RIP JASON

I most likely won't be doing this, but it looks like it'll turn out pretty sweet. Will definitely be following this.

Sent from my HD7 using Board Express

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1994 Ford Ranger 4x4 extended cab 4.0 OHV
4" Rough Country lift
3" PA Body Lift
33x12.50x15 Goodyear Duratracs
15x8 Black MB 72 wheels
Red LED Interior
Throttle Mod
Stainless Brake Lines
Build Thread
SOLD

Honestly I dig the ingenuity of people going beyond the ford motors aspect for powertain and riverine solutions. Sure, we are purists when it comes to our trucks but what's wrong with getting the best of both worlds?

Good luck with the build.

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2001 Ford Ranger Supercab (4dr), Oxford White, 4.0 Sohc, 4x4, Manual trans (hurst equipped), 4:10's, 3" body lift.

^What he said! Damn truck will be unstoppable with those 47's too lol

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1993 Ford Ranger Ext. Cab | stepside | 4x4 | 4.0L | Lifted | 35" BFG KM2s | MT Classic IIs | Dana 35/Disc 8.8 with 4.56's | Duals | Etc

RIP JASON

I'm not what one would call a purist or brand loyal. I pick the best parts for my application. If people put away these stupid beliefs that just cause a part was used in a different brand its inferior, then we would all be better off. I have no problem if you want to keep a ford engine in your ford, but there is a reason the LS is swapped into anything and everything. Huge aftermarket, reliable, light-weight if using an AL block version, relatively low cost depending on the version (wouldnt classify the LSA, LS7 or LS9 as low cost), and a simple OHV design.

I didn't want a 5.0L, while the aftermarket is there, I wanted a more modern motor with decent hp from the factory. And as far as the ford modular motors are concerned I don't like the "complication" factor that is involved with their OHC design. Plus they just aren't as compact as I would like.

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RR

that's exactly why i want to do this with my ranger when i blow the motor, and you can get way more power out of an LS then you can out of a 5.0 and the aftermarket keeps growing with new crap for the LS...I'm looking into getting one and a transmission by this summer just to build it up, but the only problem i seem to be finding is getting a 5 spd trans out of a truck

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01 Ranger XLT 4.0 Auto stepside 4wd
MODS: K&N drop in with silencer removed, throttle cable mod, HID 6000k, dual exhaust, euro tails, stock rims with 265/75r16 Enduro runway M/Ts (winter tires), bucket seats, center console, and black plastic inside, white gauges, 2 P.Miller 12s with 2 800 watt Pioneer amps, Kenwood deck and Kicker 6x8 in front and pioneer 6x8s in the rear(soon to match the front)

Im going to run a similar engine mount setup to what I currently have. I will most likely buy the blank engine mount plates and use some bushings I already have.

This is my current setup on my OHV.

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RR

Exactly my friend. That's all that can be said. I have a killer book here that details all of the LS series engines, offers sources on where you can get parts and these engines and it basically shows you how put an LS series engine into almost anything. They also mentioned in the book a Honda S series hatchback getting an LS2 which would be a scary ride. If you can wait for a little while, I'll snap a photo of it and post it up. I've got to wait for the camera to charge though.

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I like the LH8 myself. I think it would be a perfect fit for a ranger. It's already configured for tight spaces, super fuel friendly and has plenty of power to get the job done.

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SOLD: 2004 Ford Ranger Edge 3.0 V6 5 speed



www.knightmare1015.blogspot.com

As promissed here is the book I got a few years ago:



It gives every bit of info on every GM LS series engines. I recomend this book it's very good. You can find it in automotive/transportation section at Books A Million or where ever books are sold. He's got several other books out too that cover every engine you can think about.

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SOLD: 2004 Ford Ranger Edge 3.0 V6 5 speed



www.knightmare1015.blogspot.com

to go with that Honda S with an LS motor Hot Rod mag did a story on LS fest they had some weird combos such as a Geo Tracker with a Ls1 or mustangs with ls7s and more import cars with Ls series engines then you can shake a stick at

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i know from experience that thos how to book are very good, used one help get more power out of my brother 350

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01 Ranger XLT 4.0 Auto stepside 4wd
MODS: K&N drop in with silencer removed, throttle cable mod, HID 6000k, dual exhaust, euro tails, stock rims with 265/75r16 Enduro runway M/Ts (winter tires), bucket seats, center console, and black plastic inside, white gauges, 2 P.Miller 12s with 2 800 watt Pioneer amps, Kenwood deck and Kicker 6x8 in front and pioneer 6x8s in the rear(soon to match the front)

I wanna do an LS1 swap into my miata... Then race it against my Corvette.... That'll be interesting....

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Don't just talk about it, do it damn it

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01 Ranger XLT 4.0 Auto stepside 4wd
MODS: K&N drop in with silencer removed, throttle cable mod, HID 6000k, dual exhaust, euro tails, stock rims with 265/75r16 Enduro runway M/Ts (winter tires), bucket seats, center console, and black plastic inside, white gauges, 2 P.Miller 12s with 2 800 watt Pioneer amps, Kenwood deck and Kicker 6x8 in front and pioneer 6x8s in the rear(soon to match the front)

I dont have the time to do a swap that serious... But I'd gladly pay a shop to have it done...

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