Is this engine swap worth it?
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From: Corpus Christi, Texas
Is this engine swap worth it? Found an 01 camaro LS1 engine swap with 77000 miles on it but the block has a hole in it. I dont think a rod went through the block as it still cranks over. He wants $1000 for everything from intake to oil pan with all accessorys, harness, computer, radiator and auto tranny. Possibly anything else i may need to do a swap. Even if the short block is junk will it be worth it? I did read the stickies above on the $1500 swap but I also found a 5.3 swap with auto tranny for $1700 running. The 5.3 swap seems kinda high in price though. Well give me your thoughts if you can. The nova wont be getting a swap anytime soon but the 88 Monte carlo ls may get it, but thats besides the point
If you search far and wide it can be done cheap. I found my 57K mile aluminum 5.3L for $700 and the trans (6speed, although needs work now) for $800. Wouldnt bother with any combo with a hole in the block.
If you search far and wide it can be done cheap. I found my 57K mile aluminum 5.3L for $700 and the trans (6speed, although needs work now) for $800. Wouldnt bother with any combo with a hole in the block. A 5.3 iron block can be bored out to the 5.7 dimensions though.
a 6.0L combo from a truck would be best, good heads, cam and intake on a 6.0L should get some nice numbers
a 6.0L combo from a truck would be best, good heads, cam and intake on a 6.0L should get some nice numbers
walk away I'd pass on that "deal". I picked up a running 60K mile LS1/4L60 pullout complete with accessories & wiring harness for under $2000 shipped from a board member here. The deals are out there, you just have to be patient, its all about timing.
Beat my deal, ls1, 6 speed, pedals, clutch master, brake booster and master cylinder, radiator, cooling fans, crossmember with the whole front suspension, pacesetters, y pipe, tan leather seats, driveshaft, 90k miles on everything. Got to start it before buying it, all for a grand total of $2000.
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Teching In
Joined: Apr 2005
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2 grand is about the most id pay for any ls engine other than a 7 or 9...complete with trans wiring and ecm.
yards always have the 5.3 truck variants in stock and you can even get a 6-spd auto now for relatively cheap with it. swap over to camaro/vette accessories for tight applications, and hit up FAST for a new intake plenum for serious power. the truck engines make about 20hp less than an ls1 engine and dont require premium gas. or, you can get a premium tune and make the same power.
rotating assemblies are coming down as well and there are tons of parts on the market. injectors, intakes, pulley kits, nos setups, piston and crank combos, heads....tons of cams...custom headers for just about any setup. you can almost get any engine and make any engine out of it with aftermarket parts.
if you want a 'hot swap' and jsut take what you get and put some decent parts on it and roll...then get an engine with about 50k on it. these engines are good for about 150 easy with routine maintenance. keep oil changed, coolant clean, and change the belts and you're good.
yards always have the 5.3 truck variants in stock and you can even get a 6-spd auto now for relatively cheap with it. swap over to camaro/vette accessories for tight applications, and hit up FAST for a new intake plenum for serious power. the truck engines make about 20hp less than an ls1 engine and dont require premium gas. or, you can get a premium tune and make the same power.
rotating assemblies are coming down as well and there are tons of parts on the market. injectors, intakes, pulley kits, nos setups, piston and crank combos, heads....tons of cams...custom headers for just about any setup. you can almost get any engine and make any engine out of it with aftermarket parts.
if you want a 'hot swap' and jsut take what you get and put some decent parts on it and roll...then get an engine with about 50k on it. these engines are good for about 150 easy with routine maintenance. keep oil changed, coolant clean, and change the belts and you're good.
Id grab it and go find a cheap 5.3 to swap long blocks with
Then you've got a Fbody dressed LSx with trans, harness and PCM for under $1500. Sell off the undamaged pieces of the 01 long block to recoup some funds
Of course, this only works if the Fbody pieces are what you need for your swap. I deal with 3rd gens and an offer like that would have been pay dirt for my swap because all the truck stuff has to be swapped for Fbody
Then you've got a Fbody dressed LSx with trans, harness and PCM for under $1500. Sell off the undamaged pieces of the 01 long block to recoup some funds
Of course, this only works if the Fbody pieces are what you need for your swap. I deal with 3rd gens and an offer like that would have been pay dirt for my swap because all the truck stuff has to be swapped for Fbody
2 grand is about the most id pay for any ls engine other than a 7 or 9...complete with trans wiring and ecm.
Besides, the engine itself is the cheap part. The dressings are what makes it expensive. Ever priced out a set of Fbody/Vette pieces? Plus a pan ($200+). Car style intake/rails/injectors/tb? (01 comes with LS6 intake)
Stuff adds up
I picked up this 58k mile 2004 LQ4 complete dressed with harness, PCM, TAC module and pedal for $1150 this weekend. I already pulled the harness off.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...#ht_500wt_1182
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...#ht_500wt_1182
