Steve T

Everyone says you can pick up used ls engines for under a g-note.
I can't seem to find even a 5.3 for less than $1200 and that's with 185k on it. If you even mention you want an ls from a camaro or vette the price miraculously shoots to around $2500 again we are talking high mileage engines.
Is there any boneyards that will ship from say, the south that aren't gonna rape me on the price?
I'm starting to think this whole ls transplant thing isn't worth it.
Any help or input here would be greatly appreciated
Is it because I live in CT and everything costs more?

N20zuki

I got mine from a salvage yard for 500$ with 140k on it in PA off Ebay and I picked it up. Salvage yards have them on ebay have you looked in your area on there?

Steve T

Yep, and they are all trying to crook me.ime I said, averaging around $1200 for a 5.3 and starting around $2k for a 5.7......around here at least.
If I'm willing to travel 5 hrs. I can find them much cheaper but WTF! These things should be a dime a dozen and I should be able to find them around every corner.

Like I said, I really want to try this ls thing but I'm finding it difficult to get an engine for reasonable money. I can build all kinds of power with a gen1 for what it looks like I'm gonna pay for an Ls with around 100k on it.

So I pose this question,,,,, am I being unreasonable?
Don't be afraid to hurt my feelings, I'm a big boy, I can take it.

I don't mind spending $1200 if it's got less than 100k but if it's got 150- 200 thousand on it I think it's nuts to pay more than five or six hundred for it. Also, for that kind of coin I don't expect a 5.3 . It better be at least a 5.7 or 6.0

N20zuki

Where are you located?

jakemussman

iTrader: (1)

I know how you feel. People around here seem to think their high mileage LS is a gold mine as well.

badformulaLS1

iTrader: (1)

Same crap in my area too. The ones that pop up in the classifieds on here aren't cheap either unless they need a rebuild or are missing a ton of stuff... I'll stick with my LS1. This $500 dollar complete junkyard motor stuff is a myth to me. Never actually seen one that price and don't personally know anyone whos found one near that cheap.

KCS

iTrader: (20)

****, I've bought two 5.3L engines now for about $400 a pop, complete from throttle body to oil pan. Only thing missing were accessories and harness. Keep and eye on craigslist or go looking in the auto salvage yards, especially the ones specializing in truck salvages.

spordee1

iTrader: (22)

When you complete everything, the cost will be the same. I could sell you my toys and save you some time.

N20zuki

Dude there is a ton of them in the CT area from salvage yards on Ebay alone. This was literally 2 minutes of searching...

176k mile motor 550$
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Engine-00-SIERRA-SILVERADO-1500-2500-SUBURBAN-TAHOE-YUKON-5-3L-8TH-VIN-DIGIT-T-/151206508777?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item23349c38e9&vxp=mtr
100k mile motor 825$
http://www.ebay.com/itm/05-06-07-SILVERADO-1500-ENGINE-5-3L-VIN-T-8TH-DIGIT-OPT-LM7-296614-/151202773630?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2334633a7e&vxp=mtr
121k mile motor 475$
http://www.ebay.com/itm/02-SILVERADO-1500-ENGINE-5-3L-VIN-T-OR-VIN-Z-8TH-DIGIT-/160974045659?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item257acd01db&vxp=mtr

Steve T

Holy crap! How did I miss those?!
I'll shut up and retreat to my corner now

murphinator

iTrader: (2)

I sold a 120k 5.3 for $300 recently full accesories intake to oil pan , lots of broken frames on half tons up here whole trucks for around what your getting quoted

murphinator

iTrader: (2)

I thought of you when I saw this listing for a complete 5.3 full accesories with harness and pcm 2002 5.3 with 104k for $600 obo

http://nh.craigslist.org/pts/4307656220.html

t_raven

iTrader: (12)

The truck salvage yard in my area told me $850 for a complete pull out 5.3 with accessories, harness, pcm, etc. They don't show up on car-part.com but other yards in the area that do list 5.3s well under $1,000 though I don't know how much that includes. I've recently bought a 5.3 off cl for $300 no acc, no harness/pcm, but with intake, coils, pan, and exhaust manifolds. Bought a 6.0 with accessories and harness, intake, etc for $300 with a spun rod bearing. Bought a used crank from a member here and I'll be putting that one back together soon. Bought a complete 98 Camaro 6 speed car with a broken rod for $1800 and the guy delivered it. I wanted it for the t56 and got the whole car for what people want for a t56. Tons of after market parts on it. I've sold $1200 worth of parts off it, still have most of the car and a complete though damaged LS1, and the t56.

On the other hand there's a 2001 vette LS1, engine with accessories, no harness or pcm mentioned in the ad. The guy wants $3500. I think he's about $2000 too high for that.

Some people expect too much, but there are deals out there if you look.