Hey guys Im thinking about buying my son a conversion van (moto x racer) and I was wondering what year they came out with the LS series motors in them. I would really like to get one with a 5.3 in it.

Thanks
John

 

They do come with the LS series 4.8 5.3 and 6.0. You can even get one with the diesel but it has a 4L80 not the allison 6 spped.

The company I worked for a couple of years back had the 4.3 "10 mpg" Express vans so avoid these like the plague. Horrable gas mileage and slow as all hell.

They later got some 5.3's and a few 4.8's. Much much better and the fuel mileage wasn't bad either considering they were loaded up all the time. I usually averaged about 15 mpg on the highway with 4 ladders on top, and 750 pounds worth of stuff. Get the 5.3 as the Express is pretty big and the extra torque would help.

Take off the ladders add a few bolt-ons and I don't see why it wouldn't avaerage 20-22 mpg highway.

 

What he said.
And as far as years. LSX engines I believe cam out in trucks starting 99. so start there.

 

No, the Vortec 5.0/5.7 Gen I small block continued in the vans through 2002. (TPI Camaro guys love it because you can update the OS to newer OBDII stuff). Go with a 2003 or newer if you want the Gen III engines (and trust me, you do) and the same brake upgrades that the trucks got. There's actually a lot that will interchange with the trucks and I've always loved Vans (My first vehicle was a 1986 G20 hand-me-down) for hauling and towing.

 

why did they wait so long to update the vans I wonder?

 

use up old parts,
its a van man!

 

I thought I read that starting in 04 all the 2500 series vans got the 6.0.

My son wants one too, (a motorcycle flattracker), he has an Astro now and it's not big enough.

 

The G vans got the new Gen III engines when the body was restyled for 2003.

They have been an option since '04, the 4.8 is the standard motor for the 2500's........

 

Thanks for the replys. I was really hoping that they had the LS motors starting in 99 because I know the older 5.0 and 5.7s suck on gas.

 

I'd like to know if the 6-lug 14 bolt SF out of the vans would bolt in our trucks.