pondering before i get in over my head! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

dmartin1 · 10-02-2011, 04:14 PM

so ive been reading a lot on the lsx engine swaps and mpg threads lately.

i bought an 82 shortbed stepside lowered.

im really aiming to the 15-20 mpg range.

the lsx swap seems to be a good swap for power and fuel economy.Except ive been reading people have spent 5k+ on doing the swap!

If i were to do it,id just want a BONE STOCK 4.8 or so with a 700r4 or newer tranny.The engine/trannys go for around 800$ here with around 50-70,000 miles.

could this be done with confidence for under 2000$ including the engfine/tranny cost?

by reading ive found a lot of pre fabbed parts that are needed for the swap, and that if i know a descent amount of mechanics i can do this(me and my dad)...?

**Clyde65** · 10-02-2011, 09:55 PM

Yours could be done cheaper, but... choose the 4.8/5.3 with the 4l60e. if you can find one at $800, then you can be close to $2k, but guess around $3K. you have to buy mounts, plates, headers/manifolds, harness, PCM(tune), exhaust and fuel delivery and drive shaft.

You can do it, but your gonna have to do everything, including the harness.

harness will be around 500.00, PCM tune 1-300.00, fuel around 300.00 ( some use a FI tank), headers around 600.00, mounts/plates around 250.00.

These are guesstimates and maybe lower or higher, also it depends on how you want to do it.
many guys here have done swaps on squares.

dmartin1 · 10-02-2011, 11:07 PM

well here at a local pick-a-part we have a thing called 10$ day.anything is 10$.ANYTHING.including core prices.

as well as 75% off day at another junkyard.so maybe i could be lucky enough to score the electrical at on of them if it aint too cut up.

i would really love the efi and newer engine for all around.

thanks for the response man.i gues its something to think long and hard about,for me anyways!

harnalien · 10-03-2011, 08:43 AM

I may just be a pessimist due to my trials and tribulations, but I'd plan on at least $$3500 by the time it's all said and done.
Posted via Mobile Device

faribran · 10-03-2011, 08:48 AM

harnalien, i call that being a REALIST...

usmcchevy · 10-03-2011, 11:19 AM

Study this, LSx swap cost FAQ: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=473560

If you look at my swap cost, I tried to do it on the cheap and came out at $2700ish
Done for under 2k..........maybe.

**Clyde65** · 10-03-2011, 12:46 PM

The key is how much you get the motor/ trans for and what can you do yourself.

The swap cost FAQ is money for sure. the thing that gets us is looking at others swaps and going, ooooo, I could do that and oh $100 is that much more...stuff like that gets us all in trouble

misternash2 · 10-09-2011, 01:54 PM

send me your number in a PM and when to call, i'll give you all the details on what i did. i did mine as cheap as practical. some things it's just better to spend the money on. i have right at 3k in mine. '04 5.3/4l60e

10-02-2011, 04:14 PM	#1
dmartin1 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: mohave valley,arizona Posts: 1,088	pondering before i get in over my head! so ive been reading a lot on the lsx engine swaps and mpg threads lately. i bought an 82 shortbed stepside lowered. im really aiming to the 15-20 mpg range. the lsx swap seems to be a good swap for power and fuel economy.Except ive been reading people have spent 5k+ on doing the swap! If i were to do it,id just want a BONE STOCK 4.8 or so with a 700r4 or newer tranny.The engine/trannys go for around 800$ here with around 50-70,000 miles. could this be done with confidence for under 2000$ including the engfine/tranny cost? by reading ive found a lot of pre fabbed parts that are needed for the swap, and that if i know a descent amount of mechanics i can do this(me and my dad)...? __________________ 1969 Shortbed in progress 1982 short step, few suspension and motor upgrades.getting a 468 1978 Shortbed fleet side bonanza fully loaded 1978 k20 Silverado loaded.currently engine-less 1989 k10 suburban 9" lift 65 nova And more

10-02-2011, 09:55 PM	#2
Clyde65 1965 Chevy C10, 2005 4.8L/4l60 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: DFW Texas Posts: 8,546	Re: pondering before i get in over my head! Yours could be done cheaper, but... choose the 4.8/5.3 with the 4l60e. if you can find one at $800, then you can be close to $2k, but guess around $3K. you have to buy mounts, plates, headers/manifolds, harness, PCM(tune), exhaust and fuel delivery and drive shaft. You can do it, but your gonna have to do everything, including the harness. harness will be around 500.00, PCM tune 1-300.00, fuel around 300.00 ( some use a FI tank), headers around 600.00, mounts/plates around 250.00. These are guesstimates and maybe lower or higher, also it depends on how you want to do it. many guys here have done swaps on squares. __________________ Clyde65 Rebuild of Clyde http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...84#post8338184 69 Aristocrat Lo Liner build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...84#post7561684 *support our troops!*

10-02-2011, 11:07 PM	#3
dmartin1 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: mohave valley,arizona Posts: 1,088	Re: pondering before i get in over my head! well here at a local pick-a-part we have a thing called 10$ day.anything is 10$.ANYTHING.including core prices. as well as 75% off day at another junkyard.so maybe i could be lucky enough to score the electrical at on of them if it aint too cut up. i would really love the efi and newer engine for all around. thanks for the response man.i gues its something to think long and hard about,for me anyways! __________________ 1969 Shortbed in progress 1982 short step, few suspension and motor upgrades.getting a 468 1978 Shortbed fleet side bonanza fully loaded 1978 k20 Silverado loaded.currently engine-less 1989 k10 suburban 9" lift 65 nova And more

10-03-2011, 08:43 AM	#4
harnalien TruckincrazY Join Date: May 2004 Location: Haslet, TX Posts: 493	Re: pondering before i get in over my head! I may just be a pessimist due to my trials and tribulations, but I'd plan on at least $$3500 by the time it's all said and done. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ My build thread - '84 2wd w/ a 6.0 swap http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=433595

10-03-2011, 08:48 AM	#5
faribran Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: AL Posts: 1,828	Re: pondering before i get in over my head! harnalien, i call that being a REALIST... __________________ "

10-03-2011, 11:19 AM	#6
usmcchevy Has more rust than truck... Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Ivanhoe, MN Posts: 2,421	Re: pondering before i get in over my head! Study this, LSx swap cost FAQ: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=473560 If you look at my swap cost, I tried to do it on the cheap and came out at $2700ish Done for under 2k..........maybe. __________________ 1972 Custom/10 SWB, 4.8/4l80e Build thread LSx Swap FAQ index

10-03-2011, 12:46 PM	#7
Clyde65 1965 Chevy C10, 2005 4.8L/4l60 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: DFW Texas Posts: 8,546	Re: pondering before i get in over my head! The key is how much you get the motor/ trans for and what can you do yourself. The swap cost FAQ is money for sure. the thing that gets us is looking at others swaps and going, ooooo, I could do that and oh $100 is that much more...stuff like that gets us all in trouble __________________ Clyde65 Rebuild of Clyde http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...84#post8338184 69 Aristocrat Lo Liner build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...84#post7561684 *support our troops!*

10-09-2011, 01:54 PM	#8
misternash2 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: monett, mo Posts: 230	Re: pondering before i get in over my head! send me your number in a PM and when to call, i'll give you all the details on what i did. i did mine as cheap as practical. some things it's just better to spend the money on. i have right at 3k in mine. '04 5.3/4l60e



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