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My Budget LS Engine Swap Guide <$1500
#221
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Sorry to hear that a lot of guys hit the same stumbling blocks I did.
Here are the issues...you THINK you're going to keep all the truck stuff but if you're swapping into something other than a truck, that's difficult. It requires a lot of compromise. That said, if you want a 6.0 or 6.2, you need to start here. But even then, finding an LS1/2 and selling off that long block later might be cheaper in the long run, especially if you're going T56 and find a decent combo (fparts on ebay has some deals on these.) I just wanted to show the other side and many have chimed in agreeing. Nobody is trashing the idea of a budget truck swap...we're just putting up our hands and saying, "wait...before you leap on a $500 engine because the $4,000 LS1/T56 is too much money..." You're going to spend it before the project is over, UNLESS you can use truck accessories, intake, pan, etc.
My particular case is this:
L33 with harness and ECU and accessories $1000
Mast engine swap pan $450 + 35 for dipstick/tube
Ls1 intake with rails and injectors $300 (cheap!)
ls1 brackets with accessories $850 (never bought them)
You can see I stopped the insanity and compromised on engine placement, etc, to make the truck stuff work. It CAN be done...but will you want to? Especially if it's in a nice car...you're going to pop the hood and show off that truck intake and gnarly coil brackets, bundle of snake wiring, etc.
All I'm saying is know what you're getting yourself into. I believe some people with certain projects can get this done cheaper with the truck engines BUT many can't. I hope the voices of others on this thread save some people money by costing them a little bit more up front.
Mike
87 Volvo 245 wagon daily driver - 5.3 L33 / manual trans swap in progress
Here are the issues...you THINK you're going to keep all the truck stuff but if you're swapping into something other than a truck, that's difficult. It requires a lot of compromise. That said, if you want a 6.0 or 6.2, you need to start here. But even then, finding an LS1/2 and selling off that long block later might be cheaper in the long run, especially if you're going T56 and find a decent combo (fparts on ebay has some deals on these.) I just wanted to show the other side and many have chimed in agreeing. Nobody is trashing the idea of a budget truck swap...we're just putting up our hands and saying, "wait...before you leap on a $500 engine because the $4,000 LS1/T56 is too much money..." You're going to spend it before the project is over, UNLESS you can use truck accessories, intake, pan, etc.
My particular case is this:
L33 with harness and ECU and accessories $1000
Mast engine swap pan $450 + 35 for dipstick/tube
Ls1 intake with rails and injectors $300 (cheap!)
ls1 brackets with accessories $850 (never bought them)
You can see I stopped the insanity and compromised on engine placement, etc, to make the truck stuff work. It CAN be done...but will you want to? Especially if it's in a nice car...you're going to pop the hood and show off that truck intake and gnarly coil brackets, bundle of snake wiring, etc.
All I'm saying is know what you're getting yourself into. I believe some people with certain projects can get this done cheaper with the truck engines BUT many can't. I hope the voices of others on this thread save some people money by costing them a little bit more up front.
Mike
87 Volvo 245 wagon daily driver - 5.3 L33 / manual trans swap in progress
Last edited by sikbrik; 05-17-2011 at 08:56 AM. Reason: my phone likes to make up words...
#222
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Also, to clarify for llorracs93s10, people say the pedal/TAC/harness was obtained with their swap because most of the truck engines that you find (at least with lower miles) are going to be Drive By Wire (dbw) so that's the only way to make it idle and rev. If you convert to cable, you'll need a different ECU and throttle body and maybe more. Lots of threads on here about that conversion.
#223
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Great info, a lot of stuff I have been looking for for my swap.
Could include a small section for transmission compadibility such as the T-56 being the best match for a LS engine, the old T-5 is just not worth it after buying all the special conversion parts.
Could include a small section for transmission compadibility such as the T-56 being the best match for a LS engine, the old T-5 is just not worth it after buying all the special conversion parts.
#226
Do the computer,engine,harness and gas pedal all have to be from the same vehicle?? I am trying to find all of these but can't find them all together!! I'm doing a 5.3 into a 79 scsb chevy k10! I really appreciate the help guy's!
#227
No, they don't all have to be from the same vehicle. Obviously, if they are from the same vehicle that takes the "mix and match" compatability issue out of the equation. Research what works with each other before purchasing. Lots of good info on the subject here and on pro-touring.com
#229
Question on the accesories;
There is a very good sticky that shows the differant varieties of oil pans, are there any posts that have a simular comparison of accesories??? Configuration, distance from block, height, width???
There is a very good sticky that shows the differant varieties of oil pans, are there any posts that have a simular comparison of accesories??? Configuration, distance from block, height, width???
#230
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It's not a measurement site but good layouts and a ton of other info here:
http://www.nookandtranny.com/Info_LS...ontDriveConfig
http://www.nookandtranny.com/Info_LS...ontDriveConfig
#231
Have u done any El Camino I have one now that I did a frame off custom resto and put a 350 normally aspirated engine with a 200r4 trans all custom but I don't like the engine because my wife wants to drive it. I bought an LS! out of a corvette complete with harness. I already have a custom alum dual fan radiator. I only have 645 miles on the car since it was completed 3 years ago, been garaged kept. I would like to possibly sell the exising engine and trans or swap it for the work for the LS1 Conversion.
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#233
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sikbrik is correct about the second part, but if you were asking if it will bolt right up to a t56 from an lt1 car then the answer is no.
The good news is that you can convert your lt1 t56 to ls1 t56 by swapping the input shaft, bellhousing, and front plate (along with using ls style hydraulics, pedals, and clutch kit). I don't remember why the pedals have to be swapped too. I have read several people having issues with keeping their lt1 pedals though. Guess it's the whole push vs. pull clutch arrangements.
All that would be very expensive of course. It's my main hold up on doing a swap into my M6 car.
The good news is that you can convert your lt1 t56 to ls1 t56 by swapping the input shaft, bellhousing, and front plate (along with using ls style hydraulics, pedals, and clutch kit). I don't remember why the pedals have to be swapped too. I have read several people having issues with keeping their lt1 pedals though. Guess it's the whole push vs. pull clutch arrangements.
All that would be very expensive of course. It's my main hold up on doing a swap into my M6 car.
#235
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What's misleading about it? The OP says he does them for that much. Read through the thread, not just the first post, along with the rest of the conversions on the site to get an idea of what your swap will cost.
I believe it "can" be done for 1500 but not many will be able to do this or want to do this. But the intent of the thread was, I believe, to show what a cheap running swap can cost.
I believe it "can" be done for 1500 but not many will be able to do this or want to do this. But the intent of the thread was, I believe, to show what a cheap running swap can cost.
#237
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You mean the Engine mounts?
Look for the LS1 Fbody accessories, they fit better.
I assure you I've swapped a few things enough to have an idea..hence the question.
Look for the LS1 Fbody accessories, they fit better.
What's misleading about it? The OP says he does them for that much. Read through the thread, not just the first post, along with the rest of the conversions on the site to get an idea of what your swap will cost.
I believe it "can" be done for 1500 but not many will be able to do this or want to do this. But the intent of the thread was, I believe, to show what a cheap running swap can cost.
I believe it "can" be done for 1500 but not many will be able to do this or want to do this. But the intent of the thread was, I believe, to show what a cheap running swap can cost.