LS1 Estimates

[wellsheit]

With college about over I've started rollin around this idea of an ls1 in the truck. No way in hell I can put it in, but I'm trying to start figuring out the realistic cost of this. (I apologize if this is posted every week, but i looked, searched, and couldnt find any threads).

My truck is a 00 2.2 5 speed xtreme. Say I get an LS1 and tranny (which for a good one I know is going to be around 6-8k, correct me if wrong), how much will I need for everything else. I'm guessing labor will be somewhere in the 2-3k range, but don't really know as I've never bit into this big of a project before. What will I have to do with my stock suspension? That zq8 suspension won't hold all that extra motor up front will it?

Thanks for any info.

Brad

[Yogi]

I don't know how much the whole project will cost, but 6-8k for motor and tranny is real high, unless you were going to buy brand new. Here is an LS1 long block for $1700 (negotiable). You should be able to get the remaining parts for $800. For $1500 you can get a complete LQ4 iron block with harness, pcm and all truck accessories (Would need F body or Corvette accessory mounts). The LQ4 only weighs about 80 lbs more than a LS1.

I know someone who bought a T56 for $750. That was a great deal but they should be available for 1-1.5k.

Good luck!

[wellsheit]

i wouldnt mind having a new one. ive been looking at random crate motors and all that. hardest thing for me would be figurin out everything i'd have to have. that'd be the good side to buying one somebody had pulled out of a vette or t/a or something.... ???

[SoLowXtreme]

U will need Truck or Vette Acc. for the swap....

COMPLETE LS1 6spd Drop outs go for anywhere around 4-6k depending on the mileage

[bitchin sonoma]

it all depends on where you can get all theparts at a good price.

[72RATCAMARO]

I will just work you a trade on my truck......already swapped and ready to go your truck and 5500 for mine.

[RedSpeck_09]

you can buy mine.

[chevyDime98]

aside from the drive train cost, how much (roughly est.) should be saved to do a lsx swap?

[RedSpeck_09]

it all depends on how wild you're going to go with the swap. I'm a little out of date with the current prices but if you search around you can find them. Aside from the engine and tranny, you're going to need a wiring harness (built by Jared, don't skimp out here. Have him build you one), possibly radiator, fans, corvette accessories, motor mounts, exhaust, ac system if you want it. Depending on the truck you might have to make changes to the driveshaft. if you're ever even thinking about heads/cam, i reccomend doing it up front because its not fun changing them once the engine is in. You'll need to upgrade your fuel system as well. I'm probably forgetting some things. Its been about 5 years now since I started mine. Some of these other guys can jump in with some prices and such for you.

[jnoehl]

if possible i would have 10k ready to go when you want to do the swap, that should cover everything from motor/tranny to nuts and bolts. and more than likely you'll have some of that left over, but its better to have too much money than not enough. this is for a ls1/t56 combo, you can do a 5.3/4l60e cheaper since you can pick up a 5.3/4l60e for next to nothing

[wellsheit]

Quote: Originally Posted by jnoehl

if possible i would have 10k ready to go when you want to do the swap, that should cover everything from motor/tranny to nuts and bolts. and more than likely you'll have some of that left over, but its better to have too much money than not enough. this is for a ls1/t56 combo, you can do a 5.3/4l60e cheaper since you can pick up a 5.3/4l60e for next to nothing

I'm not above the automatic, but my truck is a 5 speed already, so I'd prefer to stick with that. There's a guy in fayetteville Tn i found that has put these into several s-10's. I don't have the time to put into doing all the work, or it'd take me a year. I would like to get the motor and put a descent cam in it before I send it off.

Anybody know a good place to find sale adds besides ls1tech?

Thanks for all the info guys. Good stuff.

Brad

[RedSpeck_09]

ebay and ls1tech are the best places you're going to find deals. The person you're talking about in fayetteville is v8power here on the boards. he has built some awesome trucks.

[s10-den]

X2 on v8Power!!very good swapper/builder...others as well on here,but dont know if they are doing it for the pulic.

[born2fly]

Quote: Originally Posted by s10-den

X2 on v8Power!!very good swapper/builder...others as well on here,but dont know if they are doing it for the pulic.

X10 on V8Power!!! He's currently working on my S10 swap.

[lilsonoma]

A complete swap has been done for $2700-2800, while most fall in the range of 5-7k for just the motor. Do not underestimate all the nickel and dime shit. That should be the 12th commandment for auto enthusiasts, right after the 11th "Overkill never left ya stranded".

Do it right the first time, then enjoy your build for 100k+ miles.

[lilsonoma]

Quote: Originally Posted by wellsheit

Anybody know a good place to find sale adds besides ls1tech?

eBay, LS1tech, craigslist and good sales going on at low-price sites.

If you're looking for certain parts just ask where to get them the cheapest. That low buck swap I referred to in my previous post is a full out carbureted 5.3L swap done right as a budget build just to see if I could do it. All parts found at the cheapest places available.

LS1tech had most of my stuff.

[comgtsom]

car-part.com

[wellsheit]

well i dont have the time or the know how to do it myself. the way i see it, if i buy a truck its going to be a 2 year old 2500 hd... thats going to run me 35k+ for a good one..... why not spend 10-11k and keep the truck ive been driving for 5 years in the family. she's been a good one.

when v8power does the swap, do you have to get him the motor, or does he come up with everything on his own? im fine with a corevette dropout, but i think i'd like to puta heavier cam in it.

Brad

[NateZQ8]

Quote: Originally Posted by born2fly

X10 on V8Power!!! He's currently working on my S10 swap.

Doing a T-56 or an auto?