I have looking around on hear for some time trying to make up my mine to do s swap on a 1968 Chevelle that me and my son are doing for him. Well time has come to get my but into gear. I did a search and found some motors a ton of 5.3 from $400-800 but I also found a 2000 Pontiac firebird with 89k miles on it for $1600. I think I would like to have the firebird due to having the intake and pulleys. Now should I get the wire harness or just go aftermarket on that? I know that I need the computer. What else do you think I should get if I do go get it?
This is my problem 5.3 truck motor around $600 or firebird for $1600 and has almost all I need plus this is going to be a 16 year olds car so how much do I dump into it? I know its only money

 

a donor car will usually come out cheaper, because you'll have to run down far fewer little pieces. i'd definitely go that route for that cheap. i guess i am assuming that its a v8, and not hit in the front or rolled over or anything.

 

Well I put that in wrong I meet that I found a motor out of a 2000 Pontiac firebird for $1600,I wish I could get the hole car that would make it easier on me

 

I am doing a 6.0 in my chevelle and have pieced it all together using f-body acc, muscle car pan (which I don't recommend for the chevelle, it hangs to far down, especially for a 16yr old), brp style mounts, ls6 intake and gt2-3 cam. I am also using a factory engine harness out of an 02 SS that I modified myself to be standalone. All that said (and I'm sure I forgot some stuff) I have spent bout $2000 but I was also able to sell my old engine and trans for $3500. Something else to think about is your trans I am using a t56 which is general a bit more expensive and not included in that $2000.

 

Buy it as complete as possible if you are going to keep it stock because small things add up quickly. If it is a first car I'd dump as little as possible into it while you get the kinks worked out, then if you/ he hang(s) on to it for a while it will be easy to upgrade later to something cooler.