LS Swap kits

[Tomo]

Has anyone bought a LS swap kit from Mars Auto in Ohio?

https://lsswap.parts/product/lm7-5-3l-swap-kit/

[First c10]

I can't speak for them but I think you are just paying for someone else to do the leg work 3K minimum for an older 5.3L is no deal maybe its convenience you are after. I went to my local wrecking yard and bought a complete setup from a 2003 Denali an LQ9 w/4L60 with 150K package deal for 600$.

[mongocanfly]

Kinda pricey...like c10 says..it can be done much cheaper unless your just wanting convenience...but it least it comes with a pallet that's good for a bonfire...

[Tomo]

Junkyard engine is still an option. Im making this complicated because I want an nv4500 trans. Piecing it together will get very expensive. Ideally I will find a 2000-2007 3/4 ton truck (wrecked, rusted, whatever) with the manual trans & swap engine/trans + as much as I can from the truck. Having a hard time finding trucks with manual transmissions!

[First c10]

The NV trans run up to 2K$ in good or rebuilt condition. They are cool. I think that is why most that want a manual end up with something like the Tremec 500/600. But when talking like this its $$$$.

[Tomo]

Originally Posted by First c10

The NV trans run up to 2K$ in good or rebuilt condition. They are cool. I think that is why most that want a manual end up with something like the Tremec 500/600. But when talking like this its $$$$.

2wd would make this easier too but this is for a k5 so I think the nv trans will be the most cost effective route to take for a manual/overdrive 4x4 trans.

[mongocanfly]

I've got 2 nv4500/LS setups...I never could find a donor manual truck...wound up using advance adapters for both...its not a cheap setup but I really like my manuals

[Tomo]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

I've got 2 nv4500/LS setups...I never could find a donor manual truck...wound up using advance adapters for both...its not a cheap setup but I really like my manuals

Thats the problem I’m having and wonder if it will be more cost effective to buy the swap kit in my original post. What do you think about the price?

It’s only a couple hundred $ difference between 5.3 & 6.0. From my email conversation with them: I kinda like the idea of a 6.0 with the original trans that it came with. 5.3 would be peiced together from them.

What transfer case are you using with your nv4500s?

[First c10]

Originally Posted by Tomo

2wd would make this easier too but this is for a k5 so I think the nv trans will be the most cost effective route to take for a manual/overdrive 4x4 trans.

thanks why is said $$$$$$$

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

I've got 2 nv4500/LS setups...I never could find a donor manual truck...wound up using advance adapters for both...its not a cheap setup but I really like my manuals

2??? Sick!

[mongocanfly]

Tomo..1 is 2wd, the other 4wd with divorced t-case
2500 is a little rich for just a engine..around here...in your area it may be a deal..
I didnt look at the option list before..but...1750 for a nv4500 is not a bad deal...if it comes with everything you need...but I'd want to know the history of it before I bought it...
If your gonna spend that much a couple hu dred more for the 6.0 isn't bad...but I didnt see a 6.0 upgrade

[swissarmychainsaw]

Originally Posted by Tomo

Has anyone bought a LS swap kit from Mars Auto in Ohio?

https://lsswap.parts/product/lm7-5-3l-swap-kit/

I have not, but I have seen some of their videos.
There are a few LS specialists out there:
Tilden Motorsports ~3,500$ (california)
http://bdturnkeyengines.com/ (reno, nv) ~3,500$

I think the advantage of these is that they go through the motors and make sure they are in good shape, each company should tell you what they do.
Also, they modify the harness for folks like us who want to just bolt them in and do burnouts in the highschool parking lot (*I grew up in Anderson).

Mars seems reasonable, but I'd call them up and ask them what they do.
They are kinda on the low end, so I'm guessing they "get them running"
on a stand, which probably means they are modding the wiring harness.

Good luck, Hoosier! :-)

[prodjay10]

Originally Posted by First c10

I can't speak for them but I think you are just paying for someone else to do the leg work 3K minimum for an older 5.3L is no deal maybe its convenience you are after. I went to my local wrecking yard and bought a complete setup from a 2003 Denali an LQ9 w/4L60 with 150K package deal for 600$.

Did you pull it for that price? How long did that take? Thinking of doing this myself. I'm just not too sure about it. I usually take longer doing stuff than most...

I can also get a 5.3 with 4l60e with 6 month warranty for $1000 already pulled.

[Tomo]

Originally Posted by prodjay10

Did you pull it for that price? How long did that take? Thinking of doing this myself. I'm just not too sure about it. I usually take longer doing stuff than most...

I can also get a 5.3 with 4l60e with 6 month warranty for $1000 already pulled.

My opinion for what it’s worth...you can buy an entire Silverado for around that money and be sure you get everything you need. Then sell what’s left. My original plan was 5.3/auto but then I got hung up on keeping my k5 manual. Buying an entire truck has always been my goal - I’ve heard all the little pieces really start adding up when doing an LS swap. I figure having a donor truck to scavenge could help. Anyone with experience please correct me if I’m wrong!

[prodjay10]

Originally Posted by Tomo

My opinion for what it’s worth...you can buy an entire Silverado for around that money and be sure you get everything you need. Then sell what’s left. My original plan was 5.3/auto but then I got hung up on keeping my k5 manual. Buying an entire truck has always been my goal - I’ve heard all the little pieces really start adding up when doing an LS swap. I figure having a donor truck to scavenge could help. Anyone with experience please correct me if I’m wrong!

I haven’t found a running truck for that price. Everything I’ve seen is $3k or so.
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[87chevy.com]

Originally Posted by prodjay10

I haven’t found a running truck for that price. Everything I’ve seen is $3k or so.
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Dont see what all the fuss is about buying a while truck for just the drivetrain unless it's stupid cheap and you have room to store a chassis to sell or scrap.. motor transmission, ecu and accessories if it fits the chassis.. harness meh.. best to buy a new harness from painless or make/have made a harness for the application..your wanting LS for reliability and you wiggle in 14yr old harness to fit..
what adds up is the odds and ends like driveshaft. Fuel lines, trans line, cooling, exhaust, and pretty much that it.. most of those cant be sourced from the donor... maybe interior upgrades??

Plus the kits I've see and rework are also mediocre... dont even run fan wires. just chops off unused sections vs de pinning ang plugging the ecu connector and to top of that they use a 13$ Ebay non water proof fuse box..

[First c10]

Originally Posted by prodjay10

Did you pull it for that price? How long did that take? Thinking of doing this myself. I'm just not too sure about it. I usually take longer doing stuff than most...

I can also get a 5.3 with 4l60e with 6 month warranty for $1000 already pulled.

No they pulled it in one piece and had it ready for me to put on my pallet. I was able to pull the few extra things like the pedal harness bcm etc.
I am not sure what to do with it but for that price I will think of something.

[Tomo]

Originally Posted by 87chevy.com

Dont see what all the fuss is about buying a while truck for just the drivetrain unless it's stupid cheap and you have room to store a chassis to sell or scrap.. motor transmission, ecu and accessories if it fits the chassis.. harness meh.. best to buy a new harness from painless or make/have made a harness for the application..your wanting LS for reliability and you wiggle in 14yr old harness to fit..
what adds up is the odds and ends like driveshaft. Fuel lines, trans line, cooling, exhaust, and pretty much that it.. most of those cant be sourced from the donor... maybe interior upgrades??

Plus the kits I've see and rework are also mediocre... dont even run fan wires. just chops off unused sections vs de pinning ang plugging the ecu connector and to top of that they use a 13$ Ebay non water proof fuse box..

You make some great points here! Thanks for sharing your experience - this is probably what I needed to hear to keep this simple!!

[87chevy.com]

Big thing is planning and pricing things out. That away the poject doesn't get away from you and deter you from finishing and giving up.