Swap cost?!?! Share your experience..
i am trying to do my second swap (1989 jeep grand wagoneer) on an absolute shoestring budget.
maybe i'm lucky, but i bought a wrecked tahoe for $800 that had a rebuild transmission, and so far i've kept the stuff i need (engine, trans, fuse panel, harness, computer, etc), and gotten $1100 back out of the tahoe. Seems to me that if you're patient and select a good donor, anyone can do this. A lot depends on where you live and how available donors and parts are.
the most expensive part of that swap will be, i assume, custom exhaust and custom driveshafts. kind of unavoidable. my last swap i think was 550 for the drive shaft and 350 for the custom exhaust. this one has two driveshafts so maybe a little more, or maybe not.
maybe i'm lucky, but i bought a wrecked tahoe for $800 that had a rebuild transmission, and so far i've kept the stuff i need (engine, trans, fuse panel, harness, computer, etc), and gotten $1100 back out of the tahoe. Seems to me that if you're patient and select a good donor, anyone can do this. A lot depends on where you live and how available donors and parts are.
the most expensive part of that swap will be, i assume, custom exhaust and custom driveshafts. kind of unavoidable. my last swap i think was 550 for the drive shaft and 350 for the custom exhaust. this one has two driveshafts so maybe a little more, or maybe not.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 1,708
Likes: 601
From: Louisiana
I think you guys are comparing apples to oranges, stock 5.3 junkyard motor builds compared to fully built motor/trans builds are not comparing. The op has already listed a few parts he has purchased so it's obviously not a junkyard low end build but yes it definitely can be done but it takes someone who knows how to do everything themselves in which I don't think that's what is on the table here. Notice op said he may attempt to do this himself.
On The Tree
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 180
Likes: 16
Wouldn't it be the easiest way to have a pro shop build/tune your engine (so you know it is done well, if you are not able to), and then do the swap yourself?
Swapping a stock LS1 for a 402 LS1 is not difficult, especially keeping the same trans, then you can do the rear suspension yourself later on.
Probably cheaper way, that also allows you to spread the expenses...
Swapping a stock LS1 for a 402 LS1 is not difficult, especially keeping the same trans, then you can do the rear suspension yourself later on.
Probably cheaper way, that also allows you to spread the expenses...
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 28
Likes: 2
I think you guys are comparing apples to oranges, stock 5.3 junkyard motor builds compared to fully built motor/trans builds are not comparing. The op has already listed a few parts he has purchased so it's obviously not a junkyard low end build but yes it definitely can be done but it takes someone who knows how to do everything themselves in which I don't think that's what is on the table here. Notice op said he may attempt to do this himself.
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,855
Likes: 1,110
From: Grand Rapids, Michigan
I'm doing all of my work myself, not a high end build by any means, and I'm already up to almost $15K in parts! That's not even including everything I WANT to do, just what it's going to take to get it together and running. It's definitely not a cheap endeavor.
On The Tree
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 113
Likes: 78
From: Walton NY
I was very budget conscious of my swap and the engine part itself ended up a couple grand. But my Blazer that fits all the truck stuff easy I'm pretty sure I can do it under $1000 total. It's easier when your swap vehicle starts off RWD...haha