View Poll Results: Easiest Conversion Route for Newbies?
Donor car
16
48.48%
Engine/Transmission pullout
17
51.52%
New Engine/Transmission
0
0%
Voters: 33. You may not vote on this poll
Best way to do a conversion for newbies?
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 177
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Best way to do a conversion for newbies? I need advice from those of you who have done conversions. I have a 67 camaro that needs an lsx conversion but I am not sure on which route to go. Do you guys think that it would be easier to take an engine/transmission pullout or purchase a complete donor car that is mechanically sound and do the swap? The pros of doing a pullout is cheaper but there is a looming question as to the engine/transmission maybe bad. Donor car seems like it would be expensive but you would know the condition of the parts because you can drive it before hand. Any help is much appreciated. Thanks.
donor car...you get everything you need and can sell tons of stuff to fund your project, just dont spend a fortune on the donor...
second choice would be a pullout if you know what to look for so you don't get ripped off buying broken junk
second choice would be a pullout if you know what to look for so you don't get ripped off buying broken junk
Donor car - if you find one that's fairly complete & is a decent deal (& has the engine you want). Lots of little "pieces/parts" that can make the swap easier.
I wasn't able to go that route, since I knew that I wanted an engine that was at least a 6L... (and few of the truck parts will work in my 'bird...)
Good luck, post pics.
I wasn't able to go that route, since I knew that I wanted an engine that was at least a 6L... (and few of the truck parts will work in my 'bird...)
Good luck, post pics.
I used a junkyard conversion package. But make sure you know what your getting. I ended up getting a 00 LS1 w/4L60e, harness and PCm for 2800 bucks out the door. Opened the eng and trans and everything looked good. But because I wasn't to up on everything, I ended up with a Harness for a 6 speed and a PCM for a 98. Can't use the PCM unless you repin it to 99and up and had to adapt the harness for the 4L60e.
If you can get a donor car for under 3500 bucks it might be worth it, but I would prefer to have the extra time and money for working on my conversion.
If you can get a donor car for under 3500 bucks it might be worth it, but I would prefer to have the extra time and money for working on my conversion.
like ssduane said, unless you can get a donor car for 3500.00 or less just go with an engine/trans combo. just do a little homework for what extra you might need. ie.. (data link) i got my very complete setup from cleveland-pic-a-part. try them first!
I would get a pullout with everything that you need, as long as you know where the motor is coming from. I would highly recommend buying an aftermarket harness to go with it. It makes the overall process easier IMO.
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Verdad Gallardo I like the stock harness also, It made me do a lot of figuring what stuff was for and how stuff should be and why it needs to be wired that way.
Donor car is definately the "easiest", if you have the space (and zoning?) to store the carcass of the donor car while you scavenge parts from it. If you get a reasonable deal and don't mind the trouble of selling stuff on Ebay that you don't use from it, it's probably the cheapest route too.
The route I went was buying a used engine/trans pullout from Ebay. The guy selling it had bought the car to part out, didn't know any history, and flat out lied to me about the condition (said the T56 worked fine... but seeing as how there were NO 1-2 SLIDER KEYS LEFT, I don't see how it EVER shifted into 1st or 2nd for him without grinding hard). Of course, it wasn't until 6 months later that I figured out that the trans was bad. I tracked down the seller and he offered to split the cost of the rebuild, but then never came through with any cash.
The route I went was buying a used engine/trans pullout from Ebay. The guy selling it had bought the car to part out, didn't know any history, and flat out lied to me about the condition (said the T56 worked fine... but seeing as how there were NO 1-2 SLIDER KEYS LEFT, I don't see how it EVER shifted into 1st or 2nd for him without grinding hard). Of course, it wasn't until 6 months later that I figured out that the trans was bad. I tracked down the seller and he offered to split the cost of the rebuild, but then never came through with any cash.
NO QUESTION get a donor car.
I've gotten two and by the time you part out what's left of the donor car you don't have much at all in the engine swap.
Gee I wish more people like you lived close to me. I would make even more money parting these out at those kind of prices!
I've gotten two and by the time you part out what's left of the donor car you don't have much at all in the engine swap.
unless you can get a donor car for 3500.00
I ended up getting a 00 LS1 w/4L60e, harness and PCm for 2800 bucks out the door
NO QUESTION get a donor car.
I've gotten two and by the time you part out what's left of the donor car you don't have much at all in the engine swap.
Gee I wish more people like you lived close to me. I would make even more money parting these out at those kind of prices!
I've gotten two and by the time you part out what's left of the donor car you don't have much at all in the engine swap.
Gee I wish more people like you lived close to me. I would make even more money parting these out at those kind of prices!
Depends on how mechanically inclined you are,how trusting you are,how good a salesman/barter you are.You are still going to have lots of $ in adapting your cooling system,fuel system,exhaust,intake and electrical to the new drivetrain.Also are you going to be happy with the engine/trans combo you are getting?Are you ok with spending $2-3k for someone elses used engine trans?My 200R4 bolted right to my LQ4,so I did not need a trans.I got my LQ4 for $100 with a spun bearing and built it for another $1100,but I have at least twice that into the harness,tuning software,headers,intake etc....my 2 cents.
Depends on what your time is worth to you.
Donor cars have all the advantages mentioned above, but parting those things out is a time consuming process. Dead beat buyers and impatient wives/neighbors/home owner associations don't help either.
Donor cars have all the advantages mentioned above, but parting those things out is a time consuming process. Dead beat buyers and impatient wives/neighbors/home owner associations don't help either.
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From: ocala,fl--- forest-ocklawaha
i pulled 6.0/4l80e comp/harness out of friends wrecked truck for $1500,, fired right up.. it was rolled over..u can get 5.3's for like 350-400 cash, complete..depends if u want to go with carb..or efi..
Rule #1: BE PATIENT!
It took me 4 months to finally get my engine & trans because i looked for the absolute best deal. I now have a 2005 5.3l and a T56 and have less than $1000 into the pair.
It took me 4 months to finally get my engine & trans because i looked for the absolute best deal. I now have a 2005 5.3l and a T56 and have less than $1000 into the pair.