Generation III Internal Engine 1997-2006 LS1 | LS6
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Share you NA build cost $$$

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 24, 2019 | 03:29 PM
  #1  
ddnspider's Avatar
Thread Starter
10 Second Club
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (26)
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 14,628
Likes: 1,778
From: FL
Default Share you NA build cost $$$

I don't see much info on this. From stock cubes to 454, home built to purchased. For those who've built an LS/LQ/LM anything and chose to stay NA, how much did your longblock cost + intake + headers. I see alot of high $$ heads and expensive valvetrain so it might be useful for comparisons sake what the total bill was. No labor, no drivetrain, no judgement!

Last edited by ddnspider; Jan 24, 2019 at 06:31 PM.
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2019 | 03:53 PM
  #2  
Mavn's Avatar
"I MAID THEESE"
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,757
Likes: 701
From: Houston
Default

416ci shortblock was $2800. I has used parts laying around off other builds etc..

$1800 Prc heads

$600 in a cam kit

$1300 in MSD intake

$600 in exhaust

$275 in my ram air intake

$1000 for other little odds and ends over the last few years
plugs
Wires
Oil
Filters
Etc ..

Now this is just the motor.
Not the clutch, trans, 19 10 bolts i shattered and the 9' thats in it .
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2019 | 04:02 PM
  #3  
Jtm2085's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,219
Likes: 15
Default

Mavn, how did you get prc247's for 1800?
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2019 | 04:44 PM
  #4  
ddnspider's Avatar
Thread Starter
10 Second Club
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (26)
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 14,628
Likes: 1,778
From: FL
Default

Good numbers, and agree no trans clutch rear numbers needed. Just motor money for those that dare.
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2019 | 05:02 PM
  #5  
jaxcam02's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
15 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,642
Likes: 19
From: Jacksonville, Fl
Default

This is my entire build list

Reply
Old Jan 24, 2019 | 05:22 PM
  #6  
ddnspider's Avatar
Thread Starter
10 Second Club
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (26)
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 14,628
Likes: 1,778
From: FL
Default

^^dang Excel spreadsheet, that's dedication. Nice addition!
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2019 | 05:36 PM
  #7  
JakeFusion's Avatar
Super Hulk Smash
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 11,258
Likes: 146
From: Pace, FL
Default

I do spreadsheets for everything.

I have different build combos for everything.

But the spent tab... I have spent a lot on this car. Much more than it's worth. When you add up every gasket. Bolt. Bottle of fluid. And all the parts that are not go fast, it adds up real quick. But a lot of the cost was on stuff to make it handle, the stereo, fixing the millions of problems the car has had. Whee...

But it looks like most of my NA 400cid builds would fall in the $12-15k range with everything. Going to a Dart SHP 427 LLR pushes $20k...
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2019 | 05:42 PM
  #8  
jaxcam02's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
15 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,642
Likes: 19
From: Jacksonville, Fl
Default

Originally Posted by ddnspider
^^dang Excel spreadsheet, that's dedication. Nice addition!
Thanks lol. Keep in mind I did all the work myself or ask friends for help and buy them lunch. I could only imagine the labor costs I saved.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-8

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jan 24, 2019 | 05:53 PM
  #9  
ddnspider's Avatar
Thread Starter
10 Second Club
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (26)
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 14,628
Likes: 1,778
From: FL
Default

Yeah no labor for install either. Just motor motor motor Dolla Dolla Dolla.
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2019 | 05:59 PM
  #10  
SoFla01SSLookinstok's Avatar
11 Second Club
 
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,541
Likes: 15
From: South Florida
Default

For say just the simple complete engine, short block, heads/cam kit, intake/exhaust, etc, the 383 was right around 10k. Def adds up quick.
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2019 | 05:59 PM
  #11  
JakeFusion's Avatar
Super Hulk Smash
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 11,258
Likes: 146
From: Pace, FL
Default

I can't imagine the cost of labor on these things factored into what I've done. Good grief.
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2019 | 06:27 PM
  #12  
ddnspider's Avatar
Thread Starter
10 Second Club
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (26)
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 14,628
Likes: 1,778
From: FL
Default

I'll update the 1st post to make sure it's clear, no labor unless what is built in to the motor you purchased from someone.
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2019 | 08:13 PM
  #13  
99 Black Bird T/A's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,638
Likes: 1,501
Default

02 Z28 - LS2 365 or 402 (spare parts)
build 2019 -
Cost to date $2,220

90mm snout LS6, radical Peak Speed Shop porting $750
Speed Engineering 1 7/8 headers, Kook's Y pipe, 3 inch cut out, SLP Dual /Dual - sold surplus parts, cost $20
LS2 Block - sold surplus parts, cost $150
Reher-Morrison 236/244 .625/.6xx lift 114 LSA , used in my 416 briefly, re-polished - $100
LS1 crank & rods from the old junkyard motor mentioned below
GMPP/LPE 243 CNC'd heads, BTR platinum springs $1,200
Still collecting parts...

​​​​​

99 TA - LSA 416 NA
$12,000 - Long Block, intake, exhaust
(excluding new injectors, coil packs, etc). Build date 2016-2017

$14,500 - turn key engine with new everything, professionally assembled.

ERL LSA 416 short block $5,160


Reher-Morrison top end package $2,700
Two new LS3 heads, CNC porting matched to my application Manley dual valve springs, titanium retainers, Darin Morgan custom spec'd cam, rocker stands, LS7 lifters

Vengeance Racing ported Fast 102 Intake - long runner $1,000
Kook's 1 7/8 Headers, Holley BlackHeart True Dual $1,700

Fbody oil pan, pick up, windage tray, front cover, valley cover, rear cover, lifter trays, BTR trunnion upgraded LS3 rockers, Holley valve covers, Mellings high pressure oil pump, new timing set, all new sensors, LSA new coil packs, MSD plug wires, TR-55 plugs, gaskets, coil pack harness, LSA 58# fuel injectors, push rods, coolant lines, new radiator hoses, 100 mm MAF, 102 NW TB, Fast Toys 100mm lid, new 100mm silicone hoses etc, new water pump, new idler pulley, new belt tensioner, bolts etc- $3,500

From memory, had it all in full detail in Excel sheet.
Deleted all of it when the car was stolen. Missed deleting a screen shot of the ERL short block only because it was on my phone.

91 RS - 383 LS1
$12,250 (engine, intake, exhaust)
Build date 2003-2016

$14,500 (engine, intake, exhaust, labor & machine work)
​​​​​In 2002, junkyard LS1 & 4L60e with 32k miles $2,500 = $1,800 engine $700 transmission. Turned out to be a trashed drive line required rebuild.

Callies Dragonslayer - New crank turned .010 under & too much heavy metal wrong for the customers pistons due to shop error $1,000 (2003)
Balance crank (95% removing **** ton of heavy metal) $250
Callies rods $700 (2008)
Wiseco stroker pistons $750 (2008)
Used Jesel SS roller rockers $600 (2002)
Used Morgan Motorsports 229v2.1 cam 229/229 .578/.578 lift 114 LSA (2002) $150
Machine work on block, distress, deck, line hone, hone etc $1,000 by shop that built GM's ASA racing engines (in 2008)

TEA LS6 Stage 2.5 "Judson" version hand finished by Brian Tooley, NOS exhaust port & valve, dual springs, titanium retainers $3,000 (in 2003)

Machine heads for 3/8 push rods & push rods $250
Comp Cams 2x Roller timing set $225
Katech Ported LS2 Oil pump $150
LS7 lifters $125
Gaskets, bolts etc $500

$1,150 - Used LS6 intake 90mm snout with radical port by Peak Performance. Replaced the $1,100 LSXRT with horrible drive ability. The overpriced tweaked LS6 made more horsepower and torque through the rpm range on this 383.

Hawks Motorsports 3rd Gen LS swap headers 1 7/8, Y pipe, twin electric cut outs, SLP Dual /Dual. $1,750

$1,000 - engine assembly by outstanding friend, SAM graduate, Nascar engine builder & now engineer for McClaren. (2008)

Took 14 years to get engine built and swapped in my 91 RS Camaro.


99 TA - LS1 Heads, Cam & Intake package & goodness
$5225 -
build date 2001-2002

$1,800 - TEA Stage 2 5.3 heads, 2.02 intake 1.6 exhaust, 987 dual
springs (2002)
$400 - Comp Cams custom 224/224 XER .581/
581 lift 113 LSA
LS6 intake $405 (2001 - got it at dealer cost from dealer)
Katech ported LS6 oil pump $135
Roll Master 2x Jwis timing set $90
10% UD ATI balancer $465
Gaskets & bolts $125
Jet Hot coated Hooker LT's 1.3/4 $750
Mufflex 3 inch Y to 4 inch out $350
3 inch cut out $35
SLP Dual /Dual exhaust $570
LPE ported LS1 throttle body $100

Last edited by 99 Black Bird T/A; Jan 24, 2019 at 09:49 PM.
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2019 | 08:14 PM
  #14  
z-maro's Avatar
12 Second Club
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
iTrader: (18)
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,287
Likes: 22
From: MN
Default

Here is my list for my HCI build. AI 232 heads, Mamo 102, EPS cam, Johnson lifters, Manton pushrods, Melling oil pump, hex-a-just timing set, trick flow timing chain damper... No numbers or track times to show for it yet, but I hope to get some this spring now that I added a twin disc clutch.
The prices are from me shopping around for parts; used, un-used off the classifieds here, and black friday deals. I also have been able to sell stock parts I removed for ~$850.

In hindsight I would seriously consider doing a crate LS3, or procharger instead.



And the build thread for any interested: https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...-eps-mamo.html
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2019 | 08:41 PM
  #15  
Darth_V8r's Avatar
Moderator
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 10,450
Likes: 1,873
From: My own internal universe
Default

I could add up both my motors, but I have this medical condition called - I dont want to know
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2019 | 09:06 PM
  #16  
01CamaroSSTx's Avatar
11 Second Club
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 6,014
Likes: 2,294
From: Conroe, Texas
Default

Originally Posted by ddnspider
I don't see much info on this. From stock cubes to 454, home built to purchased. For those who've built an LS/LQ/LM anything and chose to stay NA, how much did your longblock cost + intake + headers. I see alot of high $$ heads and expensive valvetrain so it might be useful for comparisons sake what the total bill was. No labor, no drivetrain, no judgement!
My project build started back in 2009 and took nearly seven years to get everything to build the car. I don't feel like going through all of the receipts for the long block so I'll just run it down quickly.

LSX Block: $2600
Machine work to block by LME Houston: $1000
TSP PRC LS7 6 bolt heads: $3100
Balanced rotating assembly: $3200 Callies dragonslayer crank, Callies H-beam, Wiseco pistons, HD wrist pins

To have my engine assembled by LME would have set me back another $3000 which would have been worth it but I saved the $$ by doing it myself and put what i would have spent into other large purchases.
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2019 | 10:08 PM
  #17  
G Atsma's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 22,303
Likes: 3,619
From: Central Cal.
Default

This is one hobby where IF you kept track of a project's costs, you would be in the loony bin before you could enjoy its use... lol
Reply
Old Jan 25, 2019 | 07:11 AM
  #18  
ddnspider's Avatar
Thread Starter
10 Second Club
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (26)
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 14,628
Likes: 1,778
From: FL
Default

Originally Posted by G Atsma
This is one hobby where IF you kept track of a project's costs, you would be in the loony bin before you could enjoy its use... lol
Hey, there's no shame in the game. People spend obnoxious amounts of money on other hobbies far worse than cars. Others spend thousands of hours on bolton setups. Translate those hours to a labor rate and they're way more than the motors in here. People just rarely post up what they spent for a motor, so I thought it would be neat to get a big list with details particular to each setup.
Reply
Old Jan 25, 2019 | 07:25 AM
  #19  
Ls7colorado's Avatar
TECH Addict
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,119
Likes: 610
From: Henderson, TN
Default

I got my Lq4 for free, one ov the valve seats had fallen down and dug into one piston a little.
Got another piston $50
243 heads $450
Gaskets $350
Head bolts $50
Cam used ms3 $200
pushrods $70
TSP springs $250
Headers $110
Misc $200
Total Engine $1730

Mine is going into a 72 Trans am so Ill be running a single plane and a carb

850 carb, Vicjr intake, and MSD6014 $1150
Swap mounts and transmission adapter plate $150
Fuel system $350
Belts hoses ect to finish swap $250
3" dual exhaust with Xpipe and bullet mufflers $400
4000 stall $300
MISC $300

TOTAL SWAP PARTS $2900

TOTAL $ 4630 + or - $1000
Reply
Old Jan 25, 2019 | 08:00 AM
  #20  
Darth_V8r's Avatar
Moderator
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 10,450
Likes: 1,873
From: My own internal universe
Default

A lot of these prices are from memory, so might be 100 or so off here or there, but close enough to get the idea

Max Effort 346:
*Mamo220's worked over, set up, ready to install - $3200
*YT 10-mm upgraded Rockers - $800
*Johnson 2126ST lifters - $950
*Ported fast 102 - $1300
*Manton 11/32 pushrods - $300
*SE Headers - $450
*Gaskets and fluids - $400
*NW 102 TB - $400
*ARP Hardware - $300(?)


Then the revision surgeries:
*LLSR kit - $900
*Gaskets and Fluids (again) - $400
*GZ vacuum pump kit - $900
*Kooks duals - $1400
*RPS Clutch - $2200
*Ported MSD - $1500
*FIC 42lb injectors - $600
*Burkhart Chassis Manual Steering Conversion - $700


I'm not sure it's fair to not include the drivetrain, since the 346 completely destroyed my drivetrain, forcing me to upgrade. I probably spent more on the drivetrain and chassis than the motor. But I'll stick to the rules. Also, I wasn't sure about exhaust counting, and some of the ancillary bolt ons (like the lighter clutch or steering conversion), but I figure I used them for power gains, so may as well count them, but likely not the spirit of what you were after.

428 Build:
*Running, forged short block and LPE heads with ARP hardware - $6500
*LLSR kit - $800
*Holley Sniper - $600
*Manton 3/8 pushrods - $250
*Gaskets and Fluids - $400
*Pantera EFI 60lb injectors - $600
*Pantera EFI redline coils and brackets - I honestly can't remember, but likely in the $600 range
*Custom Wires - $200
LPE conversion kit 58-24 - $300
*Fuel system upgrades - $800

*Thankfully, most of the remaining bolt-ons transferred over
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:13 AM.

story-0
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-1
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-3
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-5
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-8
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-9
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE