MaxFubar

What's the most cost effective(read as: bang for the buck), LS1 conversion? I'm looking to get into a project with a carb'd LSX motor. So what's the best buy? 5.3L? standard LS1/6? 6.0L? LS2? I'm also debating on the recipient. Either a Monte Carlo G-body, or a later model C3 'vette.

67rsss

iTrader: (4)

If you are thinking the 6.0, look in the May CarCraft for a budget build that yeilds 550hp!

Grr

iTrader: (2)

if you want cheap, the 5.3 is the way to go, you can get a complete pullout with 4l60 for $1000 or so. i havent seen any 6.0l withthe 4l80 for less than 2500. BUT you can find a 6.0 motor only for around 1500, and 5.3 motor only for about $800. A g body is pretty easy to convert also.
Gary

MaxFubar

Do the carb kits work on the 5.3L?

jeepinpete

The carb kits should work with any of the Gen III engines. Consider the 4.8l too, even cheaper than the 5.3 if you are patient enough...

MaxFubar

Being a shoestring budget, I think I'm going to opt for the 5.3L or a LS1/6 if I can get on cheap enough.

datboibrad

iTrader: (1)

if your building off a budget your already setting up for failure.

take the cost you have in your head and double that.

Gen3Benz

iTrader: (4)

LS2 with L92 heads and GMPP intake(PN 25534401) with carb....and best recipient of all.....your plymouth.
But in all seriousness 5.3 with 4L60 truck pullout.

67rsss

iTrader: (4)

The most cost effective approach would be to find a donor vehicle that you can buy cheap. Maybe at an automotive recycler (repairables dealer), insurance auction, or even in your local adverts? Buying the whole system at once will generally be cheaper, and you can sell any left over bits of the donor. That helps out many people and cars, and also gives you a slightly smaller hit in the wallet. This route is not for the impatient though. Don't even think of finding a decent GTO for a donor, cost is WAY high. Camaro/Firebirds are starting to get a bit pricey as repariables too. 5.3L are in literally millions of vehicles, so they should be a bit easier for you to find. What will be involved in the swap will really depend on what you are going to put it in, and if anyone has ever done it before. If you have good fab skills, this isn't an issue, but if your welding is anything like mine, you really want to be able to buy the hard bits (crossmembers, mount plates and such). I don't know about the cooling fan on the truck motors, you may be able to set up in your recipient to use it. Also, the induction track on the trucks is tall, though the Vortech cover is cool (at least on an 02). F-bodies, G-bodies and A-bodies have been done many times, so there will be plenty of advice. If you wanted to do something really cool, and have tons of room, look at a 60's B-Body. The Impala has a TON of room in the bay and undercariage. It would make it really easy to swap in original components, and there is some decent hood height. I am partial to 68's myself...

9540x

if you are building on even a slight budget (which I seriously hope you are, emphasis on 'slight'), the 5.3s are the way to go. My project is going with a 5.3. the nice thing about this is that you can bore the block out to accept 5.7 rods and pistons, effectively giving you an iron block ls1 that will produce about equal power, and maybe more if you opt for flat-top pistons. My motor is going to have forged rods and pistons, but that is not necessary for a decent build, I just figured that since I had the money, Why not? Anyway, the above estimates are correct. A complete 5.3 engine + 4l60e = ~1000 bucks (give or take a hundred or two. ) Also, the abundance of 5.3s are absurd in a good way.

Skele4door

iTrader: (1)

If you are really building on a budget then why switch to a carb? You will already have an intake/TB/injectors/etc with your pullout and it'll most likely cost more to switch over to a carb.

67rsss

iTrader: (4)

Depending on the budget, you may be better off just building up the motor in whatever car you decide to build. A good rebuild on a 350 isn't too expensive, and you could easily upgrade the induction system, exhaust, and dress up the bay for a lot less than the cost of a decent swap. We aren't doing anything fancy, and $10k came and went a long time ago...

hpmotorsports

iTrader: (5)

5.3 carb is cheap and easy less than 1600 i would say in the whole thing,if you buy smart, I bought my 5.3 for 600.00,comp cam 350.00, intake 300.00, ls1 intake valves 80.00, cut seats 24.00,surface 50.00.head gaskets 40.00,valve springs 150.00, I already had a carb and maid my own timing control with a 98 pcm, turbo 350 trans, car made 350 rwhp

MaxFubar

I'm well aware of costs on building ANY motor going completely off-scale in terms of budget. I'm not looking for an 8-second street/strip car. I'm looking for something I can build up on a reasonable amount of money. Run 12's and drive daily. Granted, I could just get a LS1 equipped vehicle and do this with some bolt-ons, but I love working on vehicles and I love the idea of utilizing modern technology on an older vehicle for better performance and reliability. I want to go with a carb because I know how to work with them. As for the Roadrunner getting an LS2..............

Gen3Benz

iTrader: (4)

I thought you would say that ......gotta try anyways.
A guy named fat albert rolled up to my shop in a purple 68 charger, popped the hood and had a nice purple 8.0l viper motor....very clean.

get a 5.3 or LQ4 6.0 and bore either out.

LS1GMCTruck

iTrader: (2)

Have to agree... And upgrades, which are tempting as you build, add even more. If its your primary transportation, also consider the cost of what other vehicle you will be driving while you are doing the swap.

MaxFubar

I have a very reliable DD. My truck is a trooper. This "shoestring" budget simply refers to the fact that I don't want to spend $10K on a motor. I was looking more in the neighborhood of $10K for the whole project.

67rsss

iTrader: (4)

For that budget, I would really start thinking about a cool Chevy II or Nova 5.3L swap. Should be plenty doable within that range if you are careful. That would be a fun car!

G-Body

iTrader: (4)

For 10K you should be able to do a G-Body 5.3L or 6.0L swap without a problem as long as you do the work yourself.

I did everything myself except for the computer tune and after I added all the receipts up for everything it was ~2600 including the engine and trans. I already owned the car so that wasn`t counted in the 2600.

MaxFubar

I have access to a G-body and I also fully plan on doing the work/fabrication myself, so I think $10K is a reasonable amount