Only truly nice swap is a LS Chevy motor complete with factory fuel injection, but you will want to do an automatic trans and will need a donor vehicle for computer/wiring/accessories like a pre-2006 Silverado or Avalanche and will obviously need custom programming. These engine swaps are not cheap, nor are they for the faint of heart or the inexperienced. Getting the second generation vehicle systems to be compatible with the PCM used is a concern. Lots of S10/Blazer swaps get started and never finished. Don't be one of them. there is a member that did one and posted in the builds - ou should read that. His started as a manual trans 2WD.

Are you sure that 200 hp isn't good enough?

 

 

I've been researching the vortec 350 swaps, those seem like they'd be the easiest

 

 

I thought about that for my build but decided against it. I would no longer be able to close the hood.

 

LS Swaps are fairly easy. Most pull outs are left with everything plugged in still.
Give me a shout. I’ve got a good dozen of these swaps under my belt.
if you can swap out your 350, you can install an LS.

 

I have decided to go with the 4.8, 5.3 or 6.0. Was going to go the 350 vortec swap but decided against it, as I won't be saving that much money.
Sure the 350 vortec is cheaper, but considering rebuilding the 350 AND buying a new spider injector for $450, I'd rather go with the 4.8 (280hp). Sure the wiring harness is a big expense, but it's offset by the cost of the spider injector for the 350.

I may hit you up for some advice before I start the process this spring.

 

How about something really different; a Mazda rotary engine from an RX-7! You'd sure be different.

 

And the Rotary engine is one of the reasons why I have a 88 RX7 with a 350 small block Chevy under the hood and a 86 RX7 built into a 4X4 with a 4.3 and GMC Jimmy running gear .....