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My Budget LS Engine Swap Guide <$1500
#201
Staging Lane
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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I'm looking into doing a swap in my 71 impala. I've been reading up and found this engine on ebay. Does this seem like a good deal? Thanks for the help.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...K%3AMEWAX%3AIT
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...K%3AMEWAX%3AIT
#204
On The Tree
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Few things that are amusing, "I have done about 18" yeah, no big deal, i do like one every week! NOT! and I wish i had some junkyards around me with motors that size laying around in them! It's rice-burn city where im from!
#206
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Mr. Mean Yellow Z, I have a 5.3 and want to use the low profile intake from a car. My question is what other mods will I have to do to make this work. i.e. change the water pump? thanks in advance.
#207
Teching In
Join Date: Jan 2011
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This is such an inspiring tread, My car was a 454 and I was thinking 283 6 speed. By the time I rebuild the 283 and add a 6 speed Ill have 4k in it. I have a 4l60e in my s10 that i could use. I heard the trouble with 65-70 fiull size is the stearing box manifold clearence. Any info? Thanks in advance.
#209
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Good info MeanYellowZ. I want to do a LS swap in my 79 camaro and I was wondering if you could give me some pointers on the best parts to go with and things like that. My first LS swap so I figured I would pop my cherry on the camaro and see how it goes.
#211
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I have seen alot of ppl on here say they got a complete motor with accessories wiring harness and pedal, is the pedal needed for some reason or can you do without?
If I do this swap it would go in a 85 monte carlo ss, and I would do a 5.3 and convert it to a car intake/accessories. Ideally, getting the wiring harness with the motor is key, but if not, speartech a place that everyone says can take the stock harness or make a new one specifically for my application?
And woudl it be better to buy a 5.3 block that is lacking front accessories if I am going to convert to fbody ones, or should I get one with everything incase theres stuff I can still use?
If I do this swap it would go in a 85 monte carlo ss, and I would do a 5.3 and convert it to a car intake/accessories. Ideally, getting the wiring harness with the motor is key, but if not, speartech a place that everyone says can take the stock harness or make a new one specifically for my application?
And woudl it be better to buy a 5.3 block that is lacking front accessories if I am going to convert to fbody ones, or should I get one with everything incase theres stuff I can still use?
#213
I read through your write up, i have a few questions
Where could you get the adapter for the turbo 350 to mount?
And i wanted to be able to tune and check for codes, what do i need to do to wire this in? Do i need the cab wiring harness? Cab fuse block?
Thanks for the help
Where could you get the adapter for the turbo 350 to mount?
And i wanted to be able to tune and check for codes, what do i need to do to wire this in? Do i need the cab wiring harness? Cab fuse block?
Thanks for the help
#216
Teching In
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Harrisburg PA
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I have seen alot of ppl on here say they got a complete motor with accessories wiring harness and pedal, is the pedal needed for some reason or can you do without?
If I do this swap it would go in a 85 monte carlo ss, and I would do a 5.3 and convert it to a car intake/accessories. Ideally, getting the wiring harness with the motor is key, but if not, speartech a place that everyone says can take the stock harness or make a new one specifically for my application?
And would it be better to buy a 5.3 block that is lacking front accessories if I am going to convert to fbody ones, or should I get one with everything incase theres stuff I can still use?
If I do this swap it would go in a 85 monte carlo ss, and I would do a 5.3 and convert it to a car intake/accessories. Ideally, getting the wiring harness with the motor is key, but if not, speartech a place that everyone says can take the stock harness or make a new one specifically for my application?
And would it be better to buy a 5.3 block that is lacking front accessories if I am going to convert to fbody ones, or should I get one with everything incase theres stuff I can still use?
If you're planning on making this a "budget" swap (if you're reading the $1500 swap thread, this might be you), it's penny wise and pound foolish to start with a 5.3 unless you can use the truck stuff or switch over to a carb or something.
This is from experience. Don't make the mistakes I made. It's only working out for me because I'm going to use the $450 Mast swap pan to enable me to relocate the engine and use of ALL of the truck items but otherwise it seems like a savings up front and it's really not in the end. And if you throw that $450 onto the pricing in this thread (and the fact that some cars won't allow for this reconfiguration of mounting anyway) then it's not a budget swap anymore.
I think this is a great thread and I'm not bashing it but I think it motivates a lot of people who are DIY but not necessarily "fab shop" guys to get involved in something that may end up costing quite a bit more than $1500, or even $2500 - $4000. The OP is a seasoned professional with access to tools, cheap parts, and years of experience on his side - don't forget that.
just my $.02.
#217
For anyone thinking about going this route, DON'T!!! Seriously, an LS1 is going to cost less than a decent 5.3/6.0, nobody wants to buy your truck take-off stuff, and the F-Body and Vette accessories are all different (so you buy brackets, now you need accessories too.) Then there's intake, rails, possibly injectors depending on what combo you end up with. You'll have more money into your 5.3 than a decent LS1 would have cost.
If you're planning on making this a "budget" swap (if you're reading the $1500 swap thread, this might be you), it's penny wise and pound foolish to start with a 5.3 unless you can use the truck stuff or switch over to a carb or something.
This is from experience. Don't make the mistakes I made. It's only working out for me because I'm going to use the $450 Mast swap pan to enable me to relocate the engine and use of ALL of the truck items but otherwise it seems like a savings up front and it's really not in the end. And if you throw that $450 onto the pricing in this thread (and the fact that some cars won't allow for this reconfiguration of mounting anyway) then it's not a budget swap anymore.
I think this is a great thread and I'm not bashing it but I think it motivates a lot of people who are DIY but not necessarily "fab shop" guys to get involved in something that may end up costing quite a bit more than $1500, or even $2500 - $4000. The OP is a seasoned professional with access to tools, cheap parts, and years of experience on his side - don't forget that.
just my $.02.
If you're planning on making this a "budget" swap (if you're reading the $1500 swap thread, this might be you), it's penny wise and pound foolish to start with a 5.3 unless you can use the truck stuff or switch over to a carb or something.
This is from experience. Don't make the mistakes I made. It's only working out for me because I'm going to use the $450 Mast swap pan to enable me to relocate the engine and use of ALL of the truck items but otherwise it seems like a savings up front and it's really not in the end. And if you throw that $450 onto the pricing in this thread (and the fact that some cars won't allow for this reconfiguration of mounting anyway) then it's not a budget swap anymore.
I think this is a great thread and I'm not bashing it but I think it motivates a lot of people who are DIY but not necessarily "fab shop" guys to get involved in something that may end up costing quite a bit more than $1500, or even $2500 - $4000. The OP is a seasoned professional with access to tools, cheap parts, and years of experience on his side - don't forget that.
just my $.02.
#218
The engine is going into a 79 Camaro, the pan isn't just low but WAY to low, the manifolds don't clear and buying accessory stuff has be EXPENSIVE. I would have been better off going with a LS1 pull out for $2,000 with all my accessories and and F-body oil pan, and I'd then have a manifold and injectors worth a damn to resell, sell my harness, ecu and have a more powerful stock engine.
#219
sikbrik is absolutely correct. I bought a 5.3 from LKQ for $650 and with the intention of going carb so the manifold harness deal didn't bother me.
The engine is going into a 79 Camaro, the pan isn't just low but WAY to low, the manifolds don't clear and buying accessory stuff has be EXPENSIVE. I would have been better off going with a LS1 pull out for $2,000 with all my accessories and and F-body oil pan, and I'd then have a manifold and injectors worth a damn to resell, sell my harness, ecu and have a more powerful stock engine.
The engine is going into a 79 Camaro, the pan isn't just low but WAY to low, the manifolds don't clear and buying accessory stuff has be EXPENSIVE. I would have been better off going with a LS1 pull out for $2,000 with all my accessories and and F-body oil pan, and I'd then have a manifold and injectors worth a damn to resell, sell my harness, ecu and have a more powerful stock engine.
unless there is a fundamental difference other than aluminum vs iron i fail to see how the is the wrong road to head down. sure the engine bay is ugly for a while but i have a nice engine that i can keep improving on slowly. over a couple of years but drive during that time instead of waiting. besides i want a 6.0 and an LS2/3 is more than my total budget for the engine swap and an ls1 would still set me back quite a bit
#220
For anyone thinking about going this route, DON'T!!! Seriously, an LS1 is going to cost less than a decent 5.3/6.0, nobody wants to buy your truck take-off stuff, and the F-Body and Vette accessories are all different (so you buy brackets, now you need accessories too.) Then there's intake, rails, possibly injectors depending on what combo you end up with. You'll have more money into your 5.3 than a decent LS1 would have cost.
If you're planning on making this a "budget" swap (if you're reading the $1500 swap thread, this might be you), it's penny wise and pound foolish to start with a 5.3 unless you can use the truck stuff or switch over to a carb or something.
This is from experience. Don't make the mistakes I made. It's only working out for me because I'm going to use the $450 Mast swap pan to enable me to relocate the engine and use of ALL of the truck items but otherwise it seems like a savings up front and it's really not in the end. And if you throw that $450 onto the pricing in this thread (and the fact that some cars won't allow for this reconfiguration of mounting anyway) then it's not a budget swap anymore.
I think this is a great thread and I'm not bashing it but I think it motivates a lot of people who are DIY but not necessarily "fab shop" guys to get involved in something that may end up costing quite a bit more than $1500, or even $2500 - $4000. The OP is a seasoned professional with access to tools, cheap parts, and years of experience on his side - don't forget that.
just my $.02.
If you're planning on making this a "budget" swap (if you're reading the $1500 swap thread, this might be you), it's penny wise and pound foolish to start with a 5.3 unless you can use the truck stuff or switch over to a carb or something.
This is from experience. Don't make the mistakes I made. It's only working out for me because I'm going to use the $450 Mast swap pan to enable me to relocate the engine and use of ALL of the truck items but otherwise it seems like a savings up front and it's really not in the end. And if you throw that $450 onto the pricing in this thread (and the fact that some cars won't allow for this reconfiguration of mounting anyway) then it's not a budget swap anymore.
I think this is a great thread and I'm not bashing it but I think it motivates a lot of people who are DIY but not necessarily "fab shop" guys to get involved in something that may end up costing quite a bit more than $1500, or even $2500 - $4000. The OP is a seasoned professional with access to tools, cheap parts, and years of experience on his side - don't forget that.
just my $.02.