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I have a 2000 regular cab 2wd s10 with a 4.3 and a automatic. it has 168,000. I want to do this swap on a budget of 3k or so. I was thinking of getting a decent 4.8, 5.3 or 6.0 for $500-$850 and putting some LS heads and intake on it. or a ls1 if I can find a good deal on one. down the road i'll put a turbo on it
also would a 4l80e be able to handle more power then a 4l60e? would a 4l80e bolt up to my s10 with out a bunch of cutting and welding?
I'll give you a partial run down of what it costs.
Motor...6.0 $900-1500 to buy at a salvage yard You can get a 4.8 5.3 for $500-800. Radiator and fans $500 Harness $850 Motor mounts$85, Headers Stainless works long tubes $925 4l80e Trans $500 Crossmember $200, Drive shaft shortened and rebalanced $200. Then you still have to finish the exhaust. It would be a good idea to swap in an 8.8 ford explorer rearend $300 Have axles drilled for your wheels $100.
Then figure out what oil pan you're going to run and figure a couple hundred for all the little things you'll end buying.
If you're really cheap and search out the real deals and do the wiring yourself you can probably do it for $2000-$2500 or so but that's not going to be easy
Right now I'm at around $8,000 into my build and still have another $2,000-$3000 to finish it and I pretty much got the motor/trans for free. It's not really a budget build. Mine is a 2000 S10 Xtreme with a 2008 LY6 6.0 and LSA supercharger/ Ls9 Cam/ Pac Valve Springs and 4l80e. Wiring and ecu will be Holley Dominator EFI.
I stripped the front to the frame rails so I can rebuild the front suspension and paint everything before it goes back together.
Last edited by LLLosingit; 02-13-2016 at 02:36 AM.
also would a 4l80e be able to handle more power then a 4l60e? would a 4l80e bolt up to my s10 with out a bunch of cutting and welding?
4l80e is much stronger than the 60e and it will bolt right up the engine but you will have to buy/modify the crossmember and the driveshaft will need work. The stock 4.3 4l60 won't work without adapters.
you paid $925 for headers? i will get the $200 headers off ebay. i know i'll have to get electric fans an a new radiator. the motor mounts on it should bolt up but if not i can get some. i wasn't going to use the 4l60e that's in it. i'll get a 4l80e or 4l80 depending on the ECU. i'll do cheap 3" dual exhaust with some hollowed out catalytic converters and $50 mufflers. i'll get a new crossmember for the 4l80e. i'll get the drive shaft shortened. i can get a pcm flash and harness for $650. http://www.ebay.com/itm/1998-2000-S1...dU3jxv&vxp=mtr
im probably not going to mess with the suspension unless i have to. besides new shocks.
then another $400-$500 on small stuff. i think its doable for 3k
you paid $925 for headers? i will get the $200 headers off ebay.
then another $400-$500 on small stuff. i think its doable for 3k
Yes, I know $900 is expensive but they are 1 7/8" diameter stainless long tube headers. I bought a set of the $200 ebay headers and they are decent for the price but honestly they are not much better than stock type manifolds, The pipes are 1 5/8" diameter. I decided to spend the extra money when I went with the supercharger. My original plan was just to use an LS3 intake and ebay headers but with a supercharger I needed a better flowing header.
I do think 3k is possible but the little things will add up fast, You can get by with just a flash on the computer if you only change the headers, If you change the cam or injectors it will likely need a tune.
When you test fit your headers keep an eye on the upper control arms, My ebay headers were real close and might have needed a little trimming but I didn't know for sure because I didn't have the trans bolted up. I know my long tubes needed tubular upper control arms for extra clearance.
I haven't figured out what I'm doing for a crossmember yet but I have looked into it, I haven't found anyone who make a crossmember for a 4l80e in an s-10 but I did read that a crossmember for a t56 works with a little modification.
On swap its easy to spend a $1,000 on miscellaneous stuff, belts, hoses, and fluids. I always budget at least $1k extra for all the things that will nickle and dime to you death.
The headers most likely wont fit, The headers I bought are a tight fit and made for certain motor mounts even. Just to many variables to hope they will fit. The Ebay shorties do fit just fine and will be ok for a stock type swap.
The 4l60e would be easier to make it fit and as long as you don't beat on it to much it should hold up just fine. I haven't checked to see if the Camaro trans is the same length or not but if it is that would probably be strong enough. Just look for one that came with the LS series engine.
The Explorer 8.8 rear is as close to a drop in replacement as you're going to find and they hold big power and they are cheap. Most came with 3.73 gears and posi but ratios available were; 3.08, 3.27, 3.31, 3.55, 3.73 & 4.10
They have a tag on the rear and If I remember correctly you'll look for a code like (373L) = 3.73 Locker.
If you do a search or head over to the S10 forums you'll find more S10 LS swap specific information.
If you are going to purchase long tube headers, then you should buy them from a supplier who also makes the engine mounts for the truck. There are so many variables in this small engine bay that "buying" anyone's headers will just be more work.
This is a good example. copy and paste
02-13-2016, 12:04 AM
2000 s10 4.3 to LS swap 
