Although the vast majority of LS swaps use an EFI system, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t still plenty of cars where using a tried and true carb just makes perfect sense. Take Joe Yukon’s 1965 2-door Biscayne post for example. From the stock beige paint to the dog dish hubcaps – this grandpa-fresh hotrod just oozes with old-school toughness on the exterior. In our opinion, it’s only fitting that the same to-the-point attitude be exuded when the hood gets lifted.

Yukon has always been a fan of early and mid-60’s post cars. “I’ve always had something of an addiction to them,” he tells us. “They were always the cheapest model that people on a budget would buy, but in reality they were the best ones for drag racing because of the rigidity the post added to the body.” So when he had the chance to add this ultra-straight, rust free, 26,000 original miles, two-owner Biscayne to his collection he quickly jumped at the chance.

The Biscayne gets its stance from a set of 2" drop spindles in front, and a full RideTech Air Ride Suspension. The wheels are a set of steelies from Wheel Vintiques, in 15 x 7 in front and 15 x 8 in the rear.

The car was in great shape overall, so most of Yukon’s early efforts were spent sprucing up the interior, cutting and buffing the paint job, and adding a full Air Ride suspension from RideTech for that killer stance. The car was coming together just the way he had planned, but by his own admission he was still unhappy with the somewhat uncivilized big-block that was powering the Biscayne. Yukon was already aware of what a great option LS engines are for swaps like his, and he started to explore the idea of making a swap in his Biscayne in more in depth.

Yukon then attended the Goodguys Show in Columbus, Ohio, this past summer and came into contact with our good friend Kelley Longwish, from LaFontaine Performance Center. As you know, the guys at LaFontaine are one of the leading suppliers of Chevrolet Performance Parts (especially LS Crate Engines), so it wasn’t long before Longwish and Yukon were elbow deep in possible plans for the LS-ification of the Biscayne. Yukon tells us, “I had a lot of questions about the swap, and Kelley had all the answers. He promised that he would be there to help me through whole process. So I went for it.”

A few short weeks later, a big plywood box showed up at Yukon’s house containing a Chevrolet Performance Parts LS 376/515 crate engine direct from LaFontaine. The 376/515 is essentially the familiar LS3 we all know and love, with a Hot Cam and a carb intake manifold that pushes power output to right around 515 horsepower at the crank. The LS 376/515 utilizes an easy to wire MSD 6LS ignition box to fire the coil-on-plug ignition, with several programmable timing curves. “I like the 376/515 because I wanted the new technology of the LS engines – the 6 bolt mains, the high flow cylinder heads –  but I liked the idea of still being able to tune my own carburetor.” says Yukon.

With the behemoth iron headed big block finally out of the way, the LS was ready to drop in place. But as every engine swapper knows, the devils in the details. Yukon planned to keep the TH-350 that was already in the car since he’d already gone through the trouble of outfitting it with a Gear Vendors Overdrive unit. So, he had to keep the transmission and driveshaft in the same location. Thankfully, a set of Holley’s Stock Location adapter plates were just the ticket.

Unfortunately, finding the proper oil pan for the Biscayne proved to be one of the biggest challenges. After numerous trial and error sessions with several different LS oil pans, it would again be Holley to save the day – this time with one of their LS oil pans specifically for swaps. Finishing out the swap vitals are a set of Sanderson shortie headers with 1-3/4 primaries that won’t be scraping on every speed bump.

Yukon has had the Biscayne on the road for the last few months, thoroughly enjoying the new LS 376/515. “Totally different animal from the big block I had in it,” says Yukon. “I dropped 400 pounds off the front of the car with the all-aluminum LS, and the power is unbelievable. Once you get your hands on one of these LS engines, and you see the way they are put together, you’ll never want to work on any of the old engines again.”

If you’re in the market for an LS crate engine, give the guys at LaFontaine Performance Center a call at 248-714-1126, and see how they can hook up your ride with some modern LS power.