inda_bebe

hey, guys. my brain is spinning right now. so much info in one site.

i have a 68 tempest automatic trans w/ a 400 4bbl motor that im considering in turning into my manual transmission daily driver. not interested in 1/4 mile times or anything, just milage. im thinking of getting rid of the whole drive train and start looking into a LS. im on a budget of $3K.

how should i start? search for a iron block camaro, look for a cheap 5.3L truck motor? i want a cheap but reliable route. saw the $1500 budget build not sure if thats the way to go.

would i find everything i need from a V8 camaro? what about a V6?

any positive or negative feedback will help educate me. thanks everyone.

ramairetransam

iTrader: (18)

get a truck 4.8 or 5.3 , or even a 6.0 , the trans will cost some money to do a t56 , then dont forget headers . i think 3k will be not enough , maybe 4-5 . then a tune or just do a frost tune to be simple .

1976CamaroGuy

iTrader: (8)

I'm not sure if a Truck intake will fit under that hood of your car, me personally I would spend the extra $$$ and get a true LS engine out of a Camaro or Firebird, along with the pulley system

I bought a 5.3 engine, and by the time I swapped over the pully system, intake and components to Fbody to work with my Camaro...I could have bought a LS1

As others have stated take your budget and double it, that's usually what it will cost for everything

inda_bebe

lol, that budget is so true. i usualy forget about all the small things that i often dont think about.

so i should be looking for a 98 camaro engine w/ t56 trans? what year range should i be looking for including the iron block? could i use the peddles off of the same car and put it into my pontiac?

1976CamaroGuy

iTrader: (8)

I think all Camaro and corvette LS engines are aluminum blocks / heads. The truck engines use cast iron blocks

If I'm not mistaken the Fbody LS engines were cable driven throttle bodies, which means you can use your stock gas pedal.

Not sure about the clutch, seems like you would have to do some fabbing or maybe a kit?? Again not sure about that.

fbrown540

I would think a trunk intake would clear. There is plenty of room above my LS3 car intake.

Look at my build tread, page 3 a few pictures down.

http://forums.performanceyears.com/f...=584076&page=3

a 4.8 trunk engine should be really cheap since most people don't want them. Expect about 300HP flywheel and mid to upper 20's gas mileage with stock engine.

1976CamaroGuy

iTrader: (8)

That's what I would do if the truck intake clears, I paid like $800 for my 5.3 with the computer and harness

LS1 pwrd NOVA

iTrader: (2)

If I recall correctly ls1/t56 swaps are about $3000 +or- still. They aren't cheap and that's if they don't have a lot of miles. 4.8 are dirt cheap usually under $500 for a complete swap minus tranny and 5.3 are about $600 here in so Texas, even cheaper.

$1500 swap thread I have read and is doable but not with a t56 setup in my opinion. You can get lucky sometimes like I did and trade a complete lt1/t56 swap for an ls1/t56 but that's rare. Or find a t56 cheap.

inda_bebe

i just took a quick look at your build. im gonna spend time reading a learning the build. thanks a lot.

inda_bebe

so whats a reliable manual trans that would go well w/ the 4.3 at a good price? id like to add a cam to it to to give it that raspy throaty sound. could i swap out the truck manifold for a car mani?

sorry if i sound ignorant at the moment. but give me time and i will start to understand better as i search and slowly figure it out.

superdave84

Just want to add that truck blocks switched to aluminum at some point. I think it was 2003 or 2004. Anything before that from a truck will be iron.

74modified

IMO the best budget swap is a complete truck drivetrain with the overdrive automatic. 4.8/5.3s can be found resonably. You could even use the old transmission, but for the trouble I would go with overdrive. A manual will cost more. If you can frabricate and do a lot of your own work it can be cheap.

https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...get-build.html

inda_bebe

Im thinking of going that route. I called and for a complete 5.3 motor, trans, computer and harness was $1800. Is this a good price? I can replace the mani with a car type, right?

74modified

Price depends on condition/miles, and what the going rate is in your area. That may be a good price. If the truck manifold doesn't fit, or you just don't like the looks, pick up a LS1 manifold that some Camaro guy is upgrading from. It has the same 3 bolt pattern and you can use the truck throttle body. The truck water pump outlet is close, but you can add a throttle body spacer, or remove the outlet, plug it, and drill and tap the front of the water pump for a threaded outlet. Some have just ground the throttle body or dented the outlet. If you do some searches you can find just about any question answered. Do a lot of research before you start, it will save you from buying parts that won't work.

garys 68

iTrader: (1)

Pretty unlikely you can do an engine and T56 swap for that price. If you have a low rear end 3.08, 2.73, etc, you could even keep the TH400. Keep in mind the T56 has a 0.5 OD, so unless you have a 3.72 or above rear, 6th will be useless.
I did 5.3 Olds 442 my swap on a budget, it came with a 4 speed muncie. Here's a realistic budget.
05 5.3L L56 (LM7) 50k miles $900
I changed LS1 intake intake/ aftermarket fuel rail (not necessary) $150
CTS-V oil pan (not necessary, but good for ground clearance) $140
Sachs 1050 flwheel/11" 10 spline clutch/621 bell housing/etc $350
Fans/controller $60
F body exhaust/flanges $110 (still need mufler shop to make downpipes)
ECU reprogram $75
VSS $35
96 Caprice tank, pump, regulator, fuel lines, etc $350
1" setback mounts $60
Misc, wiring connectors, fittings, etc $100
So about $2500 for the engine swap, and you could probably do it under $2k.

LS1 pwrd NOVA

iTrader: (2)

$1800 seems a little high to me, but depends on several things, area, miles, condition, is it still in a vehicle, what all does it come with and what year? If your in a big area that has plenty of engines it can be found cheaper.
For $1800 you could get an ls1/a4 for that price here in so tx. It will have over 100k miles though. I have a 99 ls1/a4 in a salvaged title car with 80k miles. I think the drivetrain is worth $2-2500 for a complete swap with radiator etc.
Ive bought most of my 5.3 complete engine swaps for around $500. An auto tranny lsx style is almost the same price. These engines have right at 100k miles or under.
I bought an 02 2500 truck wrecked for $800 running with 98k miles. 6.0/4l80e, after i parted the wrecked truck out. I have $400 in it. I couldve got it for free after waiting to sell more of the parts but i wanted the truck gone as i had another 6.0 truck to get but lost it because i had no room... Damit.... $1300 wrecked truck with less miles.

71monte-carlo

GaryS 68 is right on the spot. I kept my rebuilt th350 and its a beast for about 2k, just under it

inda_bebe

Isthere anything you needed to make the th350 work with the 5.3? And what pan are you using?

inda_bebe

today: i just picked up a complete '04 suburban 5.3l w/ 4l60e for $1300 delivered. what should i do about fuel tank and headers? is the truck harness pretty difficult to mod? i found a guy to reprogram the computer.

Spec134

iTrader: (5)

The cheapest fuel option I've seen has been the B-Body tank another cheap option is an external fuel pump and regulator setup.

If your looking for a cheap option keep the truck manifolds. I've seen most use Hooker or Doug's for headers. If you do plan to use any brands set of headers its is probably your best bet to also use there adapters too.

I personally used the Dirty Dingo Alternator/PS Pump relocation bracket in my setup but have read many threads where people have easily mod the truck bracket with success.

Your also going to need to modify the harness unless you plan to buy an aftermarket harness.

Good luck!