BigBas83

First, if I have posted this in the wrong forum, please move it. I couldn't determine which forum (if any) would be a better choice.

Generally speaking, how hard is it to swap an LS2 from a GTO into an otherwise stock Trans Am, A4? Do I have to pick up a slew of new parts to make it work, or are they mostly compatible?

Basically, I'm just looking for a stock replacement for my aging LS1 that is somewhat more powerful. I do not race the car, which is my daily driver, so i want an engine that can provide a decent amount of power but also be reliable and street friendly. That said, would you say the upgrade is worthwhile, or would I be better off looking elsewhere?

night ghost

for the reasons that you just stated, this swap wouldn't imo be cost effective. you could easily and cheaply install intake exhaust headers and so forth and maybe gears and be in the same range. you could even istall a baby cam and a good set of heads. this will not make your car unreliable at any point.

thanks,
michael

nrmustang

iTrader: (5)

An LS2 swap is not too difficult, but there are a few mods that are needed to make it work, I believe in the Gen III sections there is some info on this swap if you look for it.

But since your motors a little tired you can get an assembled LS1 style long block that will bolt right in or if you really like the idea of an LS2 TA check out GMPP's LS2 crate motor, I believe it goes for a little less than 6 Grand.

Sharpe

iTrader: (7)

Much better off getting a budget LS1 short or long block with stage 1 or 2 cam and budget heads. Check out the sponsors like SDPC. 800-456-0211. Patrioot carries stock-like 243 castings that are real cheap. Maybe check out their package deal for their 224 cam and heads. It's like, $1,200 I think, and will destroy an LS2. If you're not racing, no need to get the supporting mods that just stair step up the cost ("Well, if you're getting a whole new engine, you might as well get headers, too!"). Stock manifolds are great. How much did PatG make with them? 400 rwhp?

However, it's really hard to just wear out an LS1. Do you have over 150K on it? Might just need a really, really good tune up. Check out the Sea Foam sticky in the General Maint. Forum. Fuel and air filters, O2 sensors, injectors, plugs and wires, etc.

If you take it to a shop and ask for a compression test (or do it yourself), and all the cylinders check out fine, then your engine's probably not too tired.

BigBas83

Mileage on my car is not at 150k yet; it is about 85k miles. Nonetheless, I feel as if it is getting older. I have done a tune up about 10k miles ago and should probably do another. I have not done a FULL tune up, as described, just the plug/wires, air filter, and fuel filter.

I don't think I can just outright modify my engine without a rebuild. To me at least, it doesn't make sense to modify an engine that is older, with no guarantees of durability or reliability. Also, as far as mods are concerned, I often feel like a fish out of water. There is just so much going on and I admit that I have a tough time following it. For example, oftentimes when changing one part out, another complementary part needs to be changed.

I guess the reason I figured an LS2 would be perfect was that it was assembled from the factory, it is a factory spec engine (meaning it has to be reliable, and shouldn't have the design flaws something I put together would have), and it has the extra power to boot.

Also, between ebay and this forum, I often find low mile LS2 going for the $4k range. I'm not sure a prebuilt modded package will be much cheaper at all!

Am I off base in any of my beliefs? Obviously, I'm not an expert, and I am here to learn.

LS1W66

I think your headed in the right direction.
People will argue the merits of a modified LS1 over an LS2 all day long but in reality the LS2 is a better engine. And it is a solid foundation to start modding.

z28bryan02

I believe the ls2 gtos use a diffrent tranny then the 4l60e, but i could be wrong.

J E T

iTrader: (5)

Why would you want to swap out a stock 350 hp engine for a stock 400 hp engine? That seems like a waste of money to me to just gain 50 hp.

3fingas

iTrader: (16)

Ls2 all the way. Throw on a L76/ L92 intake head combo with a cam and 150 shot and youl'l be faster than most.

Hot94Z28

If he gets a LS2 cheap why not?

180ls1

iTrader: (4)

there is a guy around here that has a heads and cam ls1 with over 150k on the clock and he sprays it with a 150 shot and his engine still has good compression and passes smog.

The Black Mamba

Cam specs, because I highly doubt he passes smog/emissions.

brianfromhawaii

iTrader: (3)

The ls2 is a better engine, sure, but with 85k on there you should jsut change your transmission fluid and get a dyno tune and ull be rockin

BigBas83

I understand that the situation with my current engine is not dire yet. I should have a good number of miles left on it. But, I also do want more power! (Nothing crazy, as I don't race it, but I wouldn't mind being around 400-425). This is where I have the dilemma. Although I feel that my engine could last normally, I'm not sure how much longer it could last IF I modify it at all. Moreover, being my daily driver, I don't want to have to worry about getting home at night if anything were to go wrong. If you guys have a recommendation to achieve these two goals in a cheaper manner than swapping in an LS2, I'd be more than happy to hear your suggestions.

Also, one of my questions hasn't really been answered: how difficult of a swap is it? Aside from the cost of the engine itself, how much should I anticipate paying for parts/labor?

Thanks.

staringback05

iTrader: (8)

theres a couple different small things involved like the harness and tb just to start you really need to look into the differences....the process can be anywhere from 14 hours to a couple days...

brianfromhawaii

iTrader: (3)

the swap really isnt that bad, they are almost the same engine. i dont know costs but if you arent gonna do it yourself dont do it, if you want 400-425 i suggest you put new gears in your rear end, that will make it come alive, put a nice intake, exhaust, and a cam. i have seen 500 hp with cam/heads stock bottom end.

desertLS1

iTrader: (8)

Yeah I agree with most of the responses you have gotten so far, the fact of the matter is that the LS1 has proven its self time and time again. The aftermarket for these engines is huge. People run heads and cam daily drivers all the time with no problems at all. It just has to be done right.
You sound like a cam only candidate to me either way good luck.

FireSilverLullaby

iTrader: (5)

yeah ive also been thinking about putting an ls2 in my car but not till it gets a way over 100k. its almost got 70 on it now but i drive alot.

Sharpe

iTrader: (7)

In combination with my last post, I'll add: a lot more than makes it worth it.

People arguning for it, especially with your comment on $4,000 on eBay, are just adding costs from Web pages. Things always cost more. They say doube the price of a project's cost on paper like that. In reality, it will cost more to drop a pull-a-part LS2 than getting a budget 346 shortblock with budget heads and dropping it down in there. You'll make a lot more power with the head/cam LS1, and have better peace of mind with an un-used engine with a basic warantee.

But, don't take my word for it. Call a sponsor near you. Ask 'em how much for a bare-bones budget longblock with a street cam (w/o intake).

BigBas83

That right there is what I am most afraid of: human error (specifically MY error).

Nonetheless, I am going to look into a heads/cam upgrade and see if that is a better option for me.

On a side note, a member recommended doing a compression test. What exactly does that entail, and what specifically would that tell me about my engine?