looking for the easiest way to go. would like to have the swap done in a weekend. not looking to do any programing myself, so would a ls1 be better 4 me cuz it has a ecm or would a mail order chip be the way to go. price and time, with no tuning needed are important to me

 

carbed 383, everyone will tell you much easier.

 

If you're going EFI then don't expect an even remotely high horsepower application without tunning. I'd say the LS1 is the better idea since there are now plug and play harness' that anyone with even basic electrical knowledge can install and the remainder of the swap is pretty much bolt in once you have the k member. The LS1 will be much more driveable and better on gas than the 383, plus it is very upgradable in the future. To run an even compareable system on the 383 you would need to spend big money on a stand alone engine management system.

 

What are you looking to do with this vehicle after the swap? If you are starting a 383 fresh build and are looking for high horsepower, you are going to lay down some coin. The LSx swap will cost more unless you can get the original purchase of the engine cheap, but alot of peeps like em. There is no way to not tune either of those selections, no two engines are alike... there are just to many variables. Unless you know someone with a dyno.