Conversions & Swaps LSX Engines in Non-LSX Vehicles
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ls into a Ford E250 van

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Old Jan 25, 2011 | 09:13 PM
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Default ls into a Ford E250 van

Have a 96 E250 work van. The inline 6 is about to go out with 250K. Van is in great shape so i would like to keep it but do not want to keep the inline 6.
Was thinking about do a swap with a truck or car engine.
Has anyone here have done or have an idea what it would take.
engine,trans auto,harness,???????
Thanks,
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Old Jan 25, 2011 | 11:31 PM
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By the time you're done, you could have bought a newer, lower-mileage van. Replace the engine as-is, or sell and start over, in my opinion.
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Old Jan 26, 2011 | 04:59 AM
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Originally Posted by Earl Filter
By the time you're done, you could have bought a newer, lower-mileage van. Replace the engine as-is, or sell and start over, in my opinion.
I bet someone who has done a couple swaps/has the experience could do it on the cheap, but for the first timer it's going to nickel and dime you to death. Plus all the extra down time. I agree with him^^^
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Old Jan 26, 2011 | 02:57 PM
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Right, a used chevy or gmc with atleast 100k miles sell for little over 8 grand.
Thinking about 4 grand for a complete motor,trans,harness.
What would be the hardest thing to get it running.
Will existing full pump and lines work?
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Old Jan 26, 2011 | 04:31 PM
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Originally Posted by bmxmon
...but for the first timer it's going to nickel and dime you to death.
These are the operative terms. You'll be up to 6 or 7 grand before you know it with 4k in the eng/trans/factory harness. Then you still have a van with 250k on the body, interior, suspension, steering, etc.
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Old Jan 26, 2011 | 07:12 PM
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I hate to agree with the nay-sayers but it isn't a job for the faint of heart. I'm not saying it can't be done on a shoestring budget, but that is for someone with years of fabrication and engine swapping experience. If you're asking "what would it take..." I guarantee you are not taking a lot of important or expensive things into account.

For the good news, the sticky at the top of the forum labeled "budget LS Engine swap guide..." by MeanYellowZ is a very good place to start. Randy gives a quick rundown of expected costs, pitfalls and what to purchase that is fairly close to realistic. His guide is written on the assumption that you have successfully done engine swaps before so prices don't include time, tools you may need, wiring diagrams or the occasional odd bolt, hose or clamp. Again, this is written with the idea of you doing ALL the work yourself and only farming out something like PCM programming.

HTH
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Old Jan 26, 2011 | 07:25 PM
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What? Did somebody say van!?
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Old Jan 28, 2011 | 09:22 AM
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Yes one of the reasons I wanted to keep it is because its been well maintain.
Looks like i will be looking for a good used chevy van. Will park my existing one and start working little at a time.
Thanks to all who replied.
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Old Jan 28, 2011 | 10:15 AM
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Sorry to be a party pooper, but I'd rather be that than see someone have a frustrating mess on their hands. I see these swaps - and I'm talking daily drivers or weekend warriors, not necessarily the sky-is-the-limit show cars and such, as either a) someone that wants power in a car that didn't originally come with much, and have plenty of time to work out the logistics, and the bugs that come along with it, b) someone that wants to re-power a classic to enjoy modern power, driveability and reliability, or c) someone with a lot of know-how and resources to get things done on the cheap. I'm personally a combination of a and c.
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Old Jan 28, 2011 | 05:51 PM
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I agree with the first 10 people. Take their advice. Even if you swapped the whole power train. You still need the all the sensors to talk to your gages. Thats the most work of all.
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