New to the v8 swap

[chevy power]

I know there are a lot of people who know a lot about swaps. I dont know much, I feel like I did when I first was into bagging the truck. I have a lot of research to do but the price is what will be holding me back for a while. I wont be able to do this until next winter because this summer is going to be out of the question.

How much did your guys swap cost you? I have a 4.3 in my truck, I could either rebuild my current trans for more power it has 120k on it now or get one with the motor. Which is more cost effective?

[PPI Typhoon]

Quote: Originally Posted by chevy power

I know there are a lot of people who know a lot about swaps. I dont know much, I feel like I did when I first was into bagging the truck. I have a lot of research to do but the price is what will be holding me back for a while. I wont be able to do this until next winter because this summer is going to be out of the question.

How much did your guys swap cost you? I have a 4.3 in my truck, I could either rebuild my current trans for more power it has 120k on it now or get one with the motor. Which is more cost effective?

Well, how much it costs varies greatly. I have about 85% of what I need to buy purchased, including the 6.0L engine, mounts, computer, harness, custom oil pan, custom crossmember for 4L80E transmission, custom input shaft for transfercase (for the 4L80E), ZQ8 steering box, new steering shaft, LS6 intake, corvette accessories.

I'm sitting at about $5200 and I have yet to buy the actual 4L80E, turbo, and fab up my exhaust.

Here's a link to my swap diary. http://www.syty.net/forums/showthread.php?t=52967

All said and done, I should be around $10k when everything is purchased.

Is your trans auto or stick? If auto, I recommend going to the 4L80E, as they are quite stout and will last you a long time even in the stock form.

[chevy power]

I would like to go a cheaper route but I have a lot more research to do. This truck was my daily until last month. Its bagged but needs a v8 to help finish her off.

[jnoehl]

if your looking to go to the lsx route, depending on what you do i would say budget should be 5-8k at a minimum i would play it safe and sit on the better part of 10, its not the big stuff thats expensive its all the little stuff that adds up... a/c, mounting asscs, exhaust, cam, heads, tune, wiring, etc.

just do a search this has been discussed plenty of times before, and others have more detailed lists out there

[Xtremechubs]

I'm in the middle of doing my swap its turned out to be pretty expensive.
- Computer tuning, wiring harness, and coated headers ................$1650
- LS motor 4.8, 5.3, 6.0, LS1, LS2 any of those are going to cost anywhere from $500 if you find a steal up to $5k
- motor mount relocation brakets with the 2.8 fram mounts ...........$100
- the accsesory drive for a corvette LS1 or LS2 ..........................$1000
- the oil pan issues are a big deal i went with an LS2 pan .............$400
thats with a 20% discount from GM being that your truck is
slammed probably your best bet for clearance
- then probably another $1500 or so for what else i am curently forgeting
so grand total of any where from $5k on up.

[PPI Typhoon]

Quote: Originally Posted by chevy power

I would like to go a cheaper route

That right there tells me you're not ready to do this type of swap. Even going cheap, you're going to be well into 5-7k and then put another 2k in fixing all the cheap stuff you put into it. If you get into a high mileage motor to get cheaper...........then you end up rebuilding soon. If you go with a cheap exhaust.........you end up upgrading it or fixing all the broken welds later on. Trust me........it adds up.

Do what I did...........don't start the swap until you have almost everything. I spent 5 grand and didn't even have the truck torn down yet. It makes it an easier pill to swallow when it's that much money over time and the truck isn't sitting in pieces while you wait for your next paycheck.

[chevy power]

I want to go cheaper but not sacrifice things, I definitely want a lower miles motor less than 40k. I still use my truck to tow, but wont in the future when I can afford a nice newer truck, right now I have the truck parked and I bought a civic for better gas millage. I want to do the things I can this winter to prepare me for the motor swap next year, mostly finish getting the truck to lay out, I also want to start some interior work (which is a lot cheaper than a motor swap0. The motor in the truck has 120k on it, its got a lot of life left in it (from experience with the 4.3). I can do 5k but It might not be next winter, I will do this someday but I know I have a lot more research to do.

Is getting the corvette accessories completely necessary? Notching the frame and cutting to make room is what I am used to. I have helped friends body drop a truck and bagged 2 truck. I love to cut and weld.

[jnoehl]

Quote: Originally Posted by chevy power

Notching the frame and cutting to make room is what I am used to.

actually you can use the new 5.3 pan from the hummer h3 alpha, and i don't think you have to notch the k member, i'm switching to that pan since i have my motor out and am doing some work. but i wouldn't try getting off too cheap, just do it right the first time its way cheaper in the long run

[sparkinak]

Just remember if your using that H3 pan with a drop don't forget it hangs down an inch at the most. mostly being the drain plug...

[duwty1]

unless your dead set on fuel injection you might consider going with a carbed 350
i had a 96 2.2 5-speed and swaped it out for a 355 crate w/ 350 turbo
everything was very clean
got rid of abs box, computer, overflow, and every wire that could be taken out while still allowing everything to work (headlights, parklights, signals etc.)
spent around $4000
but thats finding deals here and there
used all new parts except trans
pm me if i could help ya out

[chevy power]

Is there a pan that clears the bottom of the frame? I am pretty dead set on going fuel injected. For some reason the it appeals more, If I had an older truck I like the the idea of going carbed.

[91sonomast]

there are pans that clear the frame, but u have to cut. as far as cheap probably gonna be happening, might wanna look at carbed or SAVE money, because i say at the least ur gonna be out 7k and thats u rebuilding the tranny urself

[chevy power]

Cut the pan or cut the frame? I can weld alluminum, so its just something I have to look into more. 7k seems like a lot of money, but I know how easy it is to not account for the little things that bring the price way up. I am very motivated however. It also seems like less money when you dont just drop it all at once I have easily 3-4k in my truck on top of what I paid but it doesnt seem that way, suspension parts add up quick.

[sparkinak]

LS2 pan, and cut the frame. Thats the only way to go if your bagged/static dropped.