LS Swaps Are a LOT More Expensive Than You Think!!!
LS swaps can obviously be cheaper… but here’s how much it REALLY costs to do a premium build with all new parts. (LS3 Roadmaster Wagon Project | Part 9)
LS swaps carry with them many truths and many myths. The world loves them because LS engines are compact and plentiful, which means — for someone who already has the tools and equipment ready to go — it’s relatively cheap and easy to pull a junkyard motor and slap it into just about anything. (Key word is relatively.)
On the other end of the pricing spectrum, we have builds created with all new parts. That’s where the LS1Tech LS3-swapped Roadmaster lived. And, thanks to some amazing partnerships (parts’ners?) from companies like Guaranty Chevrolet, Holley, Magnaflow, Michelin, Eaton, Dakota Digital, Wilwood, and Chemical Guys, installed a fresh crate motor, remanufactured transmission, all-new wiring, suspension, cooling, gauges, fuel system, and a boatload of Holley accessories. Every single part included was our first choice and is working very well some 1,800 miles later.
(For a full list of articles and videos in this build series, scroll all the way down.)
Clearly, all-new-parts isn’t the ONLY way to do an LS Swap. And, if we did things again, we’d probably skip some of the more expensive items like the coilovers and Chevy Performance intake. We probably could have kept our OEM gauges too. And we could have probably gotten a cheaper exhaust than what’s quoted. But we wanted to make sure we shared the reality of a premium build project for anyone who might be considering a similar (or divergent path).
But such is life, an ever-evolving learning experience.
A Quick Disclaimer
Before we dive into parts, labor, and tools, all of the prices included in today’s post are from December 2022 & January 2023. When this project began, in 2021, almost every part on this list was cheaper by tens, hundreds, or even thousands of dollars. Since then, inflation and ongoing supply chain woes have changed things dramatically. As such, recreating this project would cost more for you than it did for us.
Most of these prices come courtesy of our friends at Summit Racing, who offered us a discount on a few of our major purchases. That disclosure aside, we routinely shop at Summit because of its fast shipping and great customer service.
Also, in places where we tabulated miscellaneous items, there are a few estimations in this section. So those prices might be a touch higher (but also likely counterbalance little oddball things I probably missed).
Lastly, these prices do NOT include SALES TAX, as those vary by region.
Drivetrain – $25,195.00
| Part | Part Number | 12/2022 Pricing | Labor Costs |
| LS3 E-ROD Connect & Cruise with the 4L65E (LS3 E-ROD w/ headers & cats, 4L65E transmission, Engine & Trans computers, Torque converter & attachment kit | CPSLS34L65E | $17,100-17,600.00 | |
| Holley Premium Black Mid-Mount Accessories | 20-180BK | $3,215.00 | |
| Holley LS Swap Oil Pain | 302-2 | $400.00 | |
| F-Body GM Genuine Engine Crankshaft Oil Deflector | 12558253 | $50.00 | |
| Holley Oil Pan Baffle Kit | 302-11 | $270.00 | |
| GM Genuine Parts Oil Pan Gasket | 12612350 | $30.00 | |
| ICT Billet LS Oil Pan Bolts | 551680 | $35.00 | |
| Holley LS Dispstick & Tube | 302-15 | $55.00 | |
| TCI Trans Dipstick & Tube | 282743865 | $45.00 | |
| GM Genuine LS3 Starter | 19418859 | $155.00 | |
| ICT Billet starter bolts | 551681 | $20.00 | |
| Chevrolet Performance Air Intake Kit | 19301246 | $580.00 | |
| BRP Hot Rods 91-93 Mount & Cross Member Kit | LSX5 | $530.00 | |
| Driveshaft Rebuild (including parts) | Drivelines Inc | $390.00 | |
| Eaton TruTrac Differential | 913A481 | $605.00 | |
| 3.42 rear gears, install kit, oil | $200.00 | ||
| LABOR | Frank @ SouthBay 4×4 in Hawthorne, CA | $800.00 | |
| (3) AC Delco Oil Filters | PF48 | $15.00 | |
| (18) Quarts 5W-30 Mobile 1 Oil | $140.00 | ||
| Dexron VI Transmission Fluid | $60.00 |
Fuel System – $410
| Part | Part Number | 12/2022 Pricing | Labor |
| Walbro 255 lph in-tank fuel pump kit | 797-5CA400HP | $135.00 | |
| Earls Performance Vapor Guard Hose & AN Fittings | $200.00 | ||
| ACDelco Gold Fuel Filter | GF822 | $75.00 |
Guages – $1,195
| Part | Part Number | 12/2022 Pricing | Labor |
| Dakota Digital Universal Guage Cluster | VHX-1023 | $895.00 | |
| Body Control Module | BIM-01-02 | $110.00 | |
| Misc Wires, Connectors, tape, tools & loom | $150.00 | ||
| Earl’s Performance Seals-It Firewall Grommets | 29G008ERL | $40.00 |
Cooling & HVAC – $1,870
| Part | Part Number | 12/2022 Pricing | Labor |
| Champion Cooling 3-Core Aluminum Radiator | 1517 | $275.00 | |
| 1996 Impala Dual Electric Fans | eBay | $185.00 | |
| Holley / NOS 2-Stage WOT/RPM Activated Window Switch (turns off A/C @ 4K RPM) | 15982NOS | $210.00 | |
| Dakota Digital Fan Controller | PAC-2800-BT | $145.00 | |
| GM Genuine Coolant Recovery Reservoir | 12528777 | $130.00 | |
| LABOR: Custom A/C Installation with hoses & wiring | EARL @ Budget A/C in Lawndale, CA | $300.00 | |
| Vintage Air Trinary Switch | VTA-24678-VUS | $60.00 | |
| Mr Gasket -6 Trans Cooler Lines & AN Fittings | $100.00 | ||
| Mr Gasket -10 Oil Cooler Lines & AN Fittings | $130.00 | ||
| Earl’s LS Oil Cooler Adapter | LS0012ERL | $125.00 | |
| Upper & Lower Radiator Hoses | Gates & Continental | $50.00 | |
| Misc Heater Hose, T-Fitting, & Clamps | $100.00 | ||
| Peak Universal 50/50 Coolant | $60.00 |
Custom Exhaust – $4,450
| Part | Part Number | 12/2022 Pricing | Labor |
| Magnaflow 2.5″ Universal Builder Parts | $900.00 | ||
| (2) Magnaflow Universal xMod Mufflers (2.5″) | 14006 | $1,050.00 | |
| ESTIMATED LABOR | Magnaflow | $1,000.00 | |
| LABOR & PARTS (Flex joints, Noise Chambers, Active Valves) | Luis @ 3C Performance in Los Angeles, CA | $1,300.00 | |
| DEI Heat Shielding & Tape & Wrap | Various | $200.00 |
Suspension, Wheels, Tires, & Brakes – $8,870
| Part | Part Number | 12/2022 Pricing | Labor |
| 18×9.5 American Racing Wheels | VN507 Rodder (Discontinued) | $1,060.00 | |
| Michelin Pilot Sport All-Season Tires | 255/45-ZR18 | $900.00 | |
| LABOR: mount and balance | Local Shop | $100.00 | |
| Wilwood D52 Front Caliper Kit | 140-11291-R | $440.00 | |
| Dot 4 Brake Fluid | Prestone | $25.00 | |
| Custom Stainless Steel Brake Lines | Orme Brothers | $85.00 | |
| PowerStop Brake Rotors | AR8235XPR | $280.00 | |
| QA1 Front Sway Bar | 52862 | $325.00 | |
| Hotchkis Rear Sway Bar | 2206R | $340.00 | |
| QA1 Upper Control Arms | 52718 | $570.00 | |
| QA1 Lower Control Arms | 52720 | $780.00 | |
| QA1 Front Coilovers | GS507-10450C | $665.00 | |
| QA1 Rear Coilovers | RCK52384 | $795.00 | |
| QA1 Boxed Lower Trailing Arms | 5203 | $335.00 | |
| QA1 Adjustable Upper Control Arms | QA1-5254 | $315.00 | |
| Borgenson 12.7:1 Universal Steering Box | 800130 | $470.00 | |
| Power Steering Hoses | Custom | $200.00 | |
| AC Delco Powersteering Fluid | Amazon | $20.00 | |
| Power Steering Cooler | Amazon | $35.00 | |
| Hotchkis Steering Rebuild Kit | 34070010 | $295.00 | |
| Hotchkis Tie Rod Sleeves | 1612 | $85.00 | |
| LABOR: alignment, corner balance, & upper trailing arm install | Johnson’s Alignment in Torrance, CA | $750.00 |
Partial List of Tools – $1,635
| Part | Part Number | 12/2022 Pricing | Labor |
| 2-Ton Engine Hoist | Harbor Freight | $320.00 | |
| Load Leveler | Harbor Freight | $45.00 | |
| RIGID 1/2″ Impact Gun & Battery | $460.00 | ||
| Duralast Sockets & Wrenches (Got the $100 kit & bought extras) | AutoZone | $200.00 | |
| Impact Sockets | NEIKO | $120.00 | |
| (2) Duralast Torque Wrenches | AutoZone | $85.00 | |
| Duralast 3 ton Jack & 4 jack stands | $300.00 | ||
| LS hub installer/puller | Amazon | $10.00 | |
| Ball Joint Separator | $25.00 | ||
| Pry Bars & Picks | Harbor Freight | $20.00 | |
| Dremel | $50.00 | ||
| You will also need a DRILL & grinding wheel but I had a drill and borrowed a grinder from my neighbor |
TOTAL: $43,625 (Plus Taxes & a Car) — Is It Worth It?
Make sure to watch the above video to see me discuss this in detail, but the biggest question that comes to mind when looking at this number (which to be fair, is more than we had to spend because we were ahead of the inflation curve) —
Is it worth it?
If you’re looking to buy a clean Roadmaster Wagon and then swap it, you’re looking at probably another $5,000-$7,000, and we didn’t include sales tax or shipping in any of the above numbers. So if you started today, bought a Roadmaster, and started from a tools deficit, you’d easily be looking at a $50,000 car all-in if you did everything on this list.
From a purely numbers sense, no, it’s probably not worth the money. An LS3-Swapped Roadmaster Wagon built by an LS1Tech forum member recently sold on Bring-A-Trailer for $40,000. And although that build didn’t have quite as many upgrades, it was really well done and the wagon itself was VERY clean inside and out.
Would the LS1T project Roadmaster bring an extra $10 grand? Maybe, but probably not. And that would just be for breaking even. So this type of project is probably a money loser versus, say, building a C10 truck or any type of square body or a third-gen Camaro. The Roadmaster collector market just doesn’t exist in the same way.
However…
Making money isn’t the primary reason for building a car. There’s the learning experience. The joy of DIYing something and tinkering. Time with friends and family. And the fact that 430 horsepower naturally aspirated V8 rear-wheel drive wagons aren’t really a thing one can buy new from a dealership.
You could consider vehicles like the Dodge Magnum, Cadillac CTS-V Wagon, and a couple options from Audi and Mercedes, but most of those will probably cost MORE than building your own B-Body (especially if one skips a few of the more expensive parts, or lives in an area where the E-ROD motor isn’t necessary for SMOG reasons).
In short, if you’re in it for the experience. For owning a classic car. And to build something to enjoy for many years to come, it might be worth investing more money than what you’ll get back if/when you sell.
Or not. But that’s up to you.
Next Up…
We’ve got some great tips for anyone thinking about doing their first LS swap…
LS3 Roadmaster Wagon Project EPISODES
Part 1
Parts & Project GoalsPart 2
Michelin Tires, American Racing Wheels, Eaton TrueTrac, & Sway BarsPart 3
Wilwood D52 Disc BrakesPart 4
Coilovers & Control ArmsPart 5
Goodbye TBI, Hellow Earl’s Vaporguard Fuel SystemRacingJunk.com Bonus
Everything You Need to START a Chevy Performance Connect & Cruise System
(LS and LT Engines)Part 6
Installing an LS3 E-ROD & Holley Accessories in a Roadmaster Wagon!!!Part 7
This Magnaflow xMod Exhaust Made My LS3-Swapped Wagon Sound INSANE!Part 8
Dakota Digital: LS Swap Gauges & Wiring Made Easy! (Plus Guaranty Chevy & Chemical Guys!)Part 9
LS Swaps Are a LOT More Expensive Than You Think!!!Part 10
10 Tips for Surviving Your First LS SwapBonus
Every Part You NEED For Your First LS SwapClick HERE to join the LS3 Roadmaster Wagon Project BUILD THREAD!
PARTNERS
- Guaranty Chevrolet: https://www.occhevy.com/
- Holley: https://www.holley.com/
- Magnaflow: https://www.magnaflow.com/
- Chemical Guys: https://www.chemicalguys.com/
- Dakota Digital: https://www.dakotadigital.com/
- Michelin: https://www.michelin.com/
- Wilwood Brakes: https://www.wilwood.com/
- Eaton: https://www.eaton.com/
- Sony: https://electronics.sony.com/
DISCOUNTS PROVIDED
- Summit Racing: https://www.summitracing.com/
- Muscle Rods aka BRP HotRods: http://www.brphotrods.com/
- Sikky Manufacturing: https://www.sikky.com/
- American Racing Wheels: https://www.americanracing.com/
