LS Swap Cheaper Then SBC Build?

[SierraMtns]

I am looking in to doing a LS swap in my 67. Currently I have a built 283 with MSD dist, weiand intake, rebuilt q-jet carb, ect. At first my plan was to keep most of the accessories and get a 350/ 700r4 trans but after looking around it looks like I could do a LS swap cheaper. But maybe not. Things I would have to figure out, dash gauges, computer, motor harness.

Is it possible?

I have a Boyd tank already but would still need a intake fuel pump.

Thanks

[bs46488]

I just did a "budget" swap on my '70 Nova with an LS engine and it wasn't cheap. There were a lot of extra parts I had to buy.

At one point, I said to myself I should have just bought a Jegs 350 crate motor and have been done with it. However, turning the key and having it fire right up and idle is pretty cool. I haven't driven the car yet, but I heard once you do it will be worth it!

What is the issue that you are looking for a new engine combo?

[aod92]

I agree that the small stuff will nickel and dime you. My swap is almost complete but it seemed like every time I was close something else came up

[MalibuSSwagon]

My cost for swap parts was around 800. minus 250 for clutch/flywheel/bolts if youre using an auto. Then plus 140 for dorman nylon fuel lines, fittings, filter and tool. The 800 included tune up parts and new gaskets. This is assuming your engine/trans is free, mine was after selling all the parts off the donor truck. I have a complete spreadsheet with everything on it, I need to re-compile and organize it before I release it.

[SierraMtns]

Originally Posted by bs46488

I just did a "budget" swap on my '70 Nova with an LS engine and it wasn't cheap. There were a lot of extra parts I had to buy.

At one point, I said to myself I should have just bought a Jegs 350 crate motor and have been done with it. However, turning the key and having it fire right up and idle is pretty cool. I haven't driven the car yet, but I heard once you do it will be worth it!

What is the issue that you are looking for a new engine combo?

No issues with the 283 other then it doesn't have enough power...

I would like to go to an auto trans and at the same time switch out the engine. I can find a Vortex motor cheap in my area and build one like this.

http://www.powerblocktv.com/episode/...d#.VkzSJnuvOHg

LS motors around here run $2,500 for LQ4 with trans. Then there is still all the little stuff. I would think a 5.3 might be a little cheaper.

[SierraMtns]

Originally Posted by bs46488

I just did a "budget" swap on my '70 Nova with an LS engine and it wasn't cheap. There were a lot of extra parts I had to buy.

At one point, I said to myself I should have just bought a Jegs 350 crate motor and have been done with it. However, turning the key and having it fire right up and idle is pretty cool. I haven't driven the car yet, but I heard once you do it will be worth it!

What is the issue that you are looking for a new engine combo?

Originally Posted by MalibuSSwagon

My cost for swap parts was around 800. minus 250 for clutch/flywheel/bolts if youre using an auto. Then plus 140 for dorman nylon fuel lines, fittings, filter and tool. The 800 included tune up parts and new gaskets. This is assuming your engine/trans is free, mine was after selling all the parts off the donor truck. I have a complete spreadsheet with everything on it, I need to re-compile and organize it before I release it.

I would like to see that list when you release it.

[homemade87]

After I did my first ls swap I was hooked . There is no comparison . I sold every 1st gen stuff I had . I had no regrets . It does cost some up front . I did like malibuss . I got a truck and parted it out and came out pretty good . If you are willing to work at it this is a good way to go and you have the vehicle for some of the stuff that nickel and dimes you to death .

[aod92]

Don't do it like I did. I bought a long block with no accessories, pcm, or harness. All that little stuff added up real fast.

[Aruba1]

Sierra, what do you call cheap? Cheap for me is $1000, for someone else it can be $5000.

[SierraMtns]

Originally Posted by Aruba1

Sierra, what do you call cheap? Cheap for me is $1000, for someone else it can be $5000.

Good point.

I can get a 96-99 Vortex motor and clean it up and run all my accessories from the 283. And then back it with a 400/700r4 trans and be back on the road. I have been finding the trans for $400-600. I think I would be in to the whole thing for $1,200-1,400.

I have found a couple early 2000's 5.3 for $1,000-1,200 with 130k-180k miles on them. I would need to have the harness cut down, computer figured out and get a in tank fuel pump, fuel lines, and dash gauges.

So to answer your question I would say cheap would be $1,000-1,500

Build something like this but run a q-jet.

http://www.powerblocktv.com/episode/...d#.VkzSJnuvOHg

[Jon01]

If you're paying more than 700 for a complete 5.3 pullout you're paying too much.

That being said, you won't be $ ahead doing the swap. You will, however, be significant amount of enjoyment ahead of where the old SBC will get you.

[SierraMtns]

Originally Posted by Aruba1

Sierra, what do you call cheap? Cheap for me is $1000, for someone else it can be $5000.

Originally Posted by Jon01

If you're paying more than 700 for a complete 5.3 pullout you're paying too much.

That being said, you won't be $ ahead doing the swap. You will, however, be significant amount of enjoyment ahead of where the old SBC will get you.

Is a complete pull out with harness, computer, pedal and trans?

[aod92]

Originally Posted by Jon01

If you're paying more than 700 for a complete 5.3 pullout you're paying too much.

That being said, you won't be $ ahead doing the swap. You will, however, be significant amount of enjoyment ahead of where the old SBC will get you.

$700 seems on the cheap side. When I was looking everything complete was over $1000

[SierraMtns]

Here is what I see a lot in our area.

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/pts/5317112883.html

[CarterD2015]

I bought a 2013 6.2L with a 6l80e complete with an uncut harness, computer, pedal and all the accessories for $3200. The truck had just a tick over 15k miles on it. I found it at a small local salvage yard and told them everything I wanted off the truck before they pulled it. It is just sitting waiting for a project.

[SierraMtns]

Originally Posted by CarterD2015

I bought a 2013 6.2L with a 6l80e complete with an uncut harness, computer, pedal and all the accessories for $3200. The truck had just a tick over 15k miles on it. I found it at a small local salvage yard and told them everything I wanted off the truck before they pulled it. It is just sitting waiting for a project.

Wow...seems like a great deal.

[SierraMtns]

Are there any LS motors to stay away from?

I am amazed the power they get out of this little 4.8

http://powernationtv.com/episode/EP2...ls-tech-part-1

http://powernationtv.com/episode/EP2...ls-tech-part-2

[BR3W CITY]

Avoid the 99-00 truck motors with iron heads unless you just want it as a base to build. The iron heads are traaaash.

I'd also avoid 97-98 LS's (vette and fbody) as there were some 1year only ECM controls and oddities that got straightened out later on,.

[SierraMtns]

Originally Posted by CarterD2015

I bought a 2013 6.2L with a 6l80e complete with an uncut harness, computer, pedal and all the accessories for $3200. The truck had just a tick over 15k miles on it. I found it at a small local salvage yard and told them everything I wanted off the truck before they pulled it. It is just sitting waiting for a project.

Originally Posted by SierraMtns

Are there any LS motors to stay away from?

I am amazed the power they get out of this little 4.8

http://powernationtv.com/episode/EP2...ls-tech-part-1

http://powernationtv.com/episode/EP2...ls-tech-part-2

I wonder what a 5.3 would make with the same build.

Originally Posted by BR3W CITY

Avoid the 99-00 truck motors with iron heads unless you just want it as a base to build. The iron heads are traaaash.

I'd also avoid 97-98 LS's (vette and fbody) as there were some 1year only ECM controls and oddities that got straightened out later on,.

Thanks

[SierraMtns]

So this might be a good deal? Also should I look for a motor and trans combo? Or would it be fine to look for a trans later?

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/pts/5283439962.html

[ls1nova71]

Originally Posted by SierraMtns

So this might be a good deal? Also should I look for a motor and trans combo? Or would it be fine to look for a trans later?

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/pts/5283439962.html

As long as the miles are legit, that seems like a pretty good buy to me. You can find a transmission later, doesn't need to be from the same truck, just get one that is for an LS engine and you'll be fine.

[SierraMtns]

Originally Posted by ls1nova71

As long as the miles are legit, that seems like a pretty good buy to me. You can find a transmission later, doesn't need to be from the same truck, just get one that is for an LS engine and you'll be fine.

Is a 180,000 miles a lot for an LS? $1,300 seems a little high for that many miles.

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/pts/5317112883.html

[BR3W CITY]

In a stock truck it would still be an ok motor, but like any vehicle at 180k, it would need thorough maintenance first. In a performance vehicle, I'd only get that motor if I were planning on at least taking the oil pan off, doing the oil pump, checking the cylinder bores etc.

try other sources besides CL. Most of the time, people try to milk them on CL since they are popular for swaps.

[MalibuSSwagon]

I always say buy a whole parts truck if you can. Then you get everything you need and can sell the rest off to make money back. I ended up coming out even on my engine. Around here 4.8/5.3 parts trucks are worth 500 to 800. I paid 800 for the 5.3L truck with 140k miles and I gave 400 for a 99 4.8L extended cab with 200k. The 4.8L is going into a buddies suburban, and we aren't too worried about the mileage as there are LS trucks running around with 250k to 400k miles on the original engines.

[foamypirate]

Originally Posted by MalibuSSwagon

I always say buy a whole parts truck if you can. Then you get everything you need and can sell the rest off to make money back. I ended up coming out even on my engine. Around here 4.8/5.3 parts trucks are worth 500 to 800. I paid 800 for the 5.3L truck with 140k miles and I gave 400 for a 99 4.8L extended cab with 200k. The 4.8L is going into a buddies suburban, and we aren't too worried about the mileage as there are LS trucks running around with 250k to 400k miles on the original engines.

Yeah, these things will run forever. When I was searching for my engine, I came across several in vans with over 450K miles.