What Do You REGRET Most About Your LS Swap?
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LS1Tech Editor
Joined: Mar 2020
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What Do You REGRET Most About Your LS Swap? Hey, folks, I was cruising the old interwebs yesterday and came upon this video here --
And it got me thinking that there are probably a lot of things we wish we could have done differently or hard lessons learned about the swap process. So, if you'd like to share, what do you regret most about your build? Or what would you do differently the next time / what do you plan to fix/upgrade in the future?
Cheers!
And it got me thinking that there are probably a lot of things we wish we could have done differently or hard lessons learned about the swap process. So, if you'd like to share, what do you regret most about your build? Or what would you do differently the next time / what do you plan to fix/upgrade in the future?
Cheers!
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
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From: Central Cal.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,661
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That the cost of rust free projects are out of hand cost wise for a LS swap at least in MN IMO.
I hate to say it but my current project may be my last LS swap. 80 Camaro. 2012 L92 dressed like a LS3 with a 4L60E. Zero rust car no hit car. I'm the second owner.
I've had my 98 Wrangler LS6/4L60E swap for 15 years. When I built it many used Rubicon parts were cheap on CL. Not so much any more.
No regrets on any of my LS swaps.
I hate to say it but my current project may be my last LS swap. 80 Camaro. 2012 L92 dressed like a LS3 with a 4L60E. Zero rust car no hit car. I'm the second owner.
I've had my 98 Wrangler LS6/4L60E swap for 15 years. When I built it many used Rubicon parts were cheap on CL. Not so much any more.
No regrets on any of my LS swaps.
Launching!
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 255
Likes: 58
From: Portugal
I did 2 swaps:
1st was a Trans Am and used a EROD LS3 crate motor with TKO. I should have changed the pan from the F pan they supplied to a no-name swap pan. Ending up chasing driveline vibrations for a bit (should have used a front CV joint drive shaft. Regret not painting the motor Pontiac blue.
2nd is a 1971 Lemans. I used a L84 5.3 Gen V DI crate motor - a path very untrod. It has a TKX but given the nature of the car a TH400 or even TH350 with the 2.93's may have been a better choice. Also, a Gen 4 5.3 build may have been better with VVT and a far superior/cheaper aftermarket.
1st was a Trans Am and used a EROD LS3 crate motor with TKO. I should have changed the pan from the F pan they supplied to a no-name swap pan. Ending up chasing driveline vibrations for a bit (should have used a front CV joint drive shaft. Regret not painting the motor Pontiac blue.
2nd is a 1971 Lemans. I used a L84 5.3 Gen V DI crate motor - a path very untrod. It has a TKX but given the nature of the car a TH400 or even TH350 with the 2.93's may have been a better choice. Also, a Gen 4 5.3 build may have been better with VVT and a far superior/cheaper aftermarket.
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TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2019
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eh, i dont regret much. that said i WISH that i had not blown up the LS1 in my volvo wagon, but i blew it up drag racing my dad so really can't complain. Most of the other stuff along the way, though, was learning, and i would not be where i am am today without having made a lot of mistakes.
also, i'm pretty sure that i pinched the pickup tube o ring every single time i've installed a pickup tube.
okay, i changed my mind - spent ~ $1k on air conditioning for the volvo wagon, which lasted a grand total of 4 days and then the compressor puked its guts out. i regret buying a reman compressor for that system.
also, i'm pretty sure that i pinched the pickup tube o ring every single time i've installed a pickup tube.
okay, i changed my mind - spent ~ $1k on air conditioning for the volvo wagon, which lasted a grand total of 4 days and then the compressor puked its guts out. i regret buying a reman compressor for that system.
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My only real regret is using the factory PCM. It was great to get started for free with TunerPro RT and PCM Hammer, to take out VATS and set the fan temps and do other simple things. But then I bought HP Tuners and just couldn't figure it out. I watched a ton of videos, and even bought the books from The Tuning School, but I just can't get the tune right. Recently I've been talking with some local guys who use the Holley Terminator stuff, and it seems like that is much easier and gets you a good tune much quicker. I modified the factory harness on all my swaps, and it looks like I can modify it again to add in the Terminator connectors, so I'll probably try that eventually.
What I *really* regret is my VW Type 4 engine build for the bus project. I spent a lot time and money and effort, chasing parts and learning things, and at the end of it I just had a crappy air cooled engine with dual carburetors.
What I *really* regret is my VW Type 4 engine build for the bus project. I spent a lot time and money and effort, chasing parts and learning things, and at the end of it I just had a crappy air cooled engine with dual carburetors.
TECH Regular
Joined: Dec 2020
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From: Ohio
Contrary to this, when I first did mine, I was in college and think I did everything including the car for 11,000$. I didn't have a lot of money to even eat and it is interesting seeing that a few years after all the knock off parts hit the market that really would have helped me not stretch my money so much.
I had name brand Edelbrock intake that was 300$ and the Holley 302-2 pan which I think was also 300 or 400$. The knock offs in China are half the cost
I had name brand Edelbrock intake that was 300$ and the Holley 302-2 pan which I think was also 300 or 400$. The knock offs in China are half the cost
My biggest regret is not trying to make money on them at the very start. Did my first swap almost 24 years ago now, if I had somehow figured out a way to make a job of it, I would probably be retired by now...
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 313
Likes: 127
From: Austin area
Not painting the engine.
Not swapping the factory valve covers from the beginning.
Not mocking up all the wiring before it was painted.
Buying Holley headers (waited 6 months and ended up never getting them)
Lokar e-shifter
Not narrowing the rear end (still fits big tires, but wish I had more lips on the rims)
I'm sure there's more.
Not swapping the factory valve covers from the beginning.
Not mocking up all the wiring before it was painted.
Buying Holley headers (waited 6 months and ended up never getting them)
Lokar e-shifter
Not narrowing the rear end (still fits big tires, but wish I had more lips on the rims)
I'm sure there's more.
I only have one regret. I used a wiring kit/harness for my lights and in hindsight I could have just ran that to my relay board that I'm using with my Holley Dominator. I'll eventually redo the wiring and do a much nicer more compact job.
On The Tree
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 120
Likes: 16
my biggest regret is not knowing what I didn't know!! I would have got a GenII/GenIII engine instead of getting my very PITA Gen IV (dod/afm crap)! 
The next regret is not getting a aftermarket harness!! - trying to use the factory harness & fuse box. my initial thought was to make as stock as possible as this is a daily driver & emissions compliant. 
The next regret is not getting a aftermarket harness!! - trying to use the factory harness & fuse box. my initial thought was to make as stock as possible as this is a daily driver & emissions compliant. I can't say that I really have any glaring regrets.
If I had to pick knits, it would be to stop being a cheap *** and stick with or pony up the extra money for aluminum blocks.
Even my C5 Corvette build has an Iron block which is sacrilege. I don't have deep pockets so a thousands bucks extra to buy an aluminum block over iron is a tough pill to swallow.
and before anyone says Oh you should just get one at the junkyard or marketplace for 250 bucks. Yeah, that **** don't happen around here unless you truly know someone.
If I had to pick knits, it would be to stop being a cheap *** and stick with or pony up the extra money for aluminum blocks.
Even my C5 Corvette build has an Iron block which is sacrilege. I don't have deep pockets so a thousands bucks extra to buy an aluminum block over iron is a tough pill to swallow.
and before anyone says Oh you should just get one at the junkyard or marketplace for 250 bucks. Yeah, that **** don't happen around here unless you truly know someone.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,310
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If I had to pick knits, it would be to stop being a cheap *** and stick with or pony up the extra money for aluminum blocks.
Even my C5 Corvette build has an Iron block which is sacrilege. I don't have deep pockets so a thousands bucks extra to buy an aluminum block over iron is a tough pill to swallow.
and before anyone says Oh you should just get one at the junkyard or marketplace for 250 bucks. Yeah, that **** don't happen around here unless you truly know someone.
Even my C5 Corvette build has an Iron block which is sacrilege. I don't have deep pockets so a thousands bucks extra to buy an aluminum block over iron is a tough pill to swallow.
and before anyone says Oh you should just get one at the junkyard or marketplace for 250 bucks. Yeah, that **** don't happen around here unless you truly know someone.