LSx Swap cost FAQ

[usmcchevy]

TTT, Keep them coming! I updated my cost breakdown a little

[usmcchevy]

TTT

[vannatta20]

I swapped my engine in phoenix with no probs?? I built my 68 firebird in Phoenix with a 6.0 swap. I didnt have to smog it because of the car is a classic so it was exempt? I registered it there and everything. Also my buddy who has a 79 Z28 swapped a 5.3 in it with no legal issues. I have meet several people in the area that have done the swaps as well in Phoenix. So in AZ so are allowed but maybe your city has different rules.

Originally Posted by tucsonjwt

I think the original question concerned gas mileage, at least in part.
I have owned many 5.3 and 4.8 new GM trucks and SUVs. In those new vehicles, with very careful driving, I got 17 mpg city and 23 mpg highway, whether it was 4.8 or 5.3. Rear axle ratio is important -3.23 best for mpg, 3.73 worst. However, my latest new vehicle was a 2010 GMC Sierra Ext. Cab with 4.8 and 3.23, and that got 15.5 city and 19 highway. If I did more conventional (less stop and go) driving I think I would have gotten 17/23 on that vehicle also. I am very anal about keeping track of mpg, and drive like your grandma (not the one from Pasadena.)
Some practical considerations would rule out the LS swap for me. In AZ you are not allowed to swap engines according to emissions rules, even if the replacement engine produces less emissions. You must have factory original engine and all factory smog components in place. Some say they get through emissions with modified/newer engines, but I always get super inspected when I go to emissions and would never pass - plus I think there are technically fines for this kind of mod.
As stated above, mpg would not improve much for a swap, assuming you are comparing the engines in a lightweight 1/2 ton truck. Most old squares get 10-12 city, 13-15 highway - but I think you can do better with a V6 and open rear end and overdrive transmission - especially highway.
I only drive my truck about 3000 miles per year, but it is a 454/SM465 3/4 ton beast with a dump bed conversion, so it is suited for my limited purpose as is, even if it is only 8-11 mpg city - which is the only place I drive it. It sits idling at stop lights more the it drives down the road.
As most forum members posting here know, the greatest cost in owning these old squares is all of the non-drive train components - over time. All of the electrical/mechanical/interior trim parts add up over time. While this is ultimately true for any vehicle, it really makes more economic sense to buy a newer (or new) vehicle and limit your other expenses. Modern trucks with LS engines in decent shape go for $7-10K and you won't have to put much money in them if you get a good one.

[caja_larga]

I agree with vannatta. I'm in Tucson. They don't even open my hood at emissions.
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[Stanley0910]

I'm getting a local Transmission shop, who is trying to become a complete custom shop, here in West Louisiana to do my swap. He's done 5 swaps so far and has 4 more lined up after me. I'll update on the quality and service once it's done (should be about 4-5 weeks from now). It is a 5.3 with a nv3500 out of a Regency Sport Truck. Here's what I'm paying:
$700 for Modified Harness and reflashed PCM
$1250 for Engine/Transmission
$65 for the mounts
$275 for fuel system
$100 for Misc fittings
$500 for labor
So the swap is $2890 (and I've set aside a couple hundred extra for just in cases, but he says that's accurate)
He does not provide headers/exhaust/AC installation. I bought a set of Pacesetter Ceramic F-body headers for $385 from auto anything (but you can get cheaper headers). I'm also going to modify a camaro/truck pacesetter y-pipe and attach a 3" glasspack with down turn for about $250 total.
So that puts my motor/trans swap total to $3,525.

He's also rebuilding my 12 bolt with 3.42's and a Detroit Locker TrueTrac system for $875. (I'm installing a blazer tank before I take it to the shop, so he's running the lines all the way to the rear.)

Anymore questions just ask.

Shane

[Beetle]

For a complete beginner with wiring, how hard is this really? And I want to be at $2500, that is motor in, running down the road with an LSx/4L60E combo. I bet it can be done, cause I ain't worried bout power too much. I want a nice reliable truck.


Damn I shoulda never stepped in here. I was convincing myself that I should just rebuild the '75 350 I have and find a trans but after all that with motor mounts and exhaust I am gonna be near $1400 what is another $1000 and I have a LSx

[6.0 1955]

The key to how much this swap costs is how much your initial investment in the motor and tranny was. I've bought a 4.8 with a cracked head for $125 and I've paid $1200 for a 6.0. There are deals to be had just set back and watch for them. Right now in my 69 c10 I have:
4.8-$125
4.8/5.3 head-$40
head gasket and bolts-$60
edelbrock ls1 box bought used-$100
used 224/228 580 cam-$125
used comp 918's-$60
carb intake from eBay-$115
swap plates eBay-$28
s10 swap headers from eBay-$150
factory pulleys and brackets-$50
Hughes crank spacer from jegs-$45
edelbrock carb- free I had
fuel pump-$60
so for a total of $958 I have a 4.8 in my 69 c10. I'm sure there's other costs like oil, filter and other items but they should be close to the same for any engine installation.
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[solidaxel]

Originally Posted by caja_larga

I agree with vannatta. I'm in Tucson. They don't even open my hood at emissions.
Posted via Mobile Device

Which emission station do you go to and what year truck are you running through emissions?
What are they checking for on your vehicle in Tucson?

[stevenbear72]

Originally Posted by raticl511

The LS swap into my 4X4 got put off to build my daughters 72 nova. I ended up installing a 5.3 and a 700r4 into her car first. I contacted a company called Wait4me performance for the wiring. http://www.wait4meperformance.com/.
At $360 was by far the best deal on the computer tune and harness modification I found. I sent them the computer and the stock harness and they trimmed the unneeded wires and tuned the pc to my setup, ie: cam, intake, trans ...
I sent off nearly every wire under the dash and in the engine compartment from the doner truck and when I got it back, the harness I was to use was seperated from the rest with easy to read labels. That 18 months ago and I just checked his website and it looks like his price hasn't changed. @ $360 nobody else comes close.

That sounds like a really good deal. I may have to go their route and have them re-work the harness I already have. Thanks for the info bud

[Clyde65]

I know it isnt cheaper but it sure is better IMO, I went with Nelson Performance in San Antonio. great customer service and you can keep sending the PCM back when you add stuff to the truck for a retune.

[littlevictories]

I estimated the swap to run $3k and I'll probably come in a grand or more over that, due to impatience and some upgrades to my original plan.
I hoped to find a complete donor vehicle, but the 99-03 trucks are really popular work rigs for small business owners around here so the used parts market is very competitive. I decided to pop on this motor I could verify compression and oil condition on. Fingers still crossed on that one.

900 for an L59 with all accessories, intake and harness
100 for core trans
850+core trans for a proper rebuild 4L60e
330 for a spectra efi tank
75 to replace bullsh*t spectra pump
75 for brendan to flash vats/emissions out
30 for wiring harness parts & supplies (relays, fuse blocks, obdii port)
300 roughly for AN fittings, hose, filter and hard line for fuel system

2660 is where I'm at so far.

still needed: headers, mounts, radiator as the big ticket items at around 800-1000

and probably another 1000 in incidentals, last minute express shipping of parts etc...

one thing I will add is that my amazon prime account has saved me probably $500 so far. Not just fast free shipping, but crazy deals on simple stuff like gaskets, wire, grade 10.9 bolts etc...

[Billett]

I paid for a dyno tune and new harness. Dyno tune is ALWAYS better, but not always necessary. As far as the harness goes, I didn't want to spend $400 to still have a 10 year old harness. I paid a little more upfront for something brand new with connections I don't need to worry about for a long time.

[Billett]

I had a $3k goal also, but ended up closer to $6k.

X2 on amazon though. Not always the greatest for everything if you can wait for standard shipping, but car parts are almost always cheaper.

[dukkie]

I have both sitting in the driveway:

running/driving 72 C20
and
running driving 00 Silverado 5.3l


what would i need to buy that i do not already have in order to swap the motor trans from the 00 into the 72 ?

[solidaxel]

Originally Posted by faribran

the route i have chosen to to NOT KEEP UP WITH TOTALS...... :-)

YES, that is the way I went.
Using many years of experience and buying what was needed to change the engine and transmission. Job complete wallet lighter!

[aggie91]

Originally Posted by dukkie

I have both sitting in the driveway:

running/driving 72 C20
and
running driving 00 Silverado 5.3l


what would i need to buy that i do not already have in order to swap the motor trans from the 00 into the 72 ?

Very little. The motor mounts are one item that you would need for sure. The rest, depending on how much work you are willing to do and what you want the end result to look, you have everything you need. The fuel system is most likely your biggest hurdle to get over. You can reuse the tank and pump assembly from your 2000 model, but I don't know where you could mount the tank in the '72 (besides just putting it in the bed). The PCM would need to be reflashed to remove the VATS, but that can be done by shipping it off for about $75.

Look at lt1swap.com, Branden has put together a great deal of info on the harnesses and the PCM. I followed his stuff to the T and had the PCM reflashed and it fired right up first try.

[mattcrp1]

I am not running yet but so far:
Complete 4.8l engine 4l60e trans with harness and pcm $1000.00
Dirty dingo mounts $130
fuel tank $120
Fuel sender/hanger $60
Fuel pump FREE
used air box and degas bottle $ 80
Trailblazer SS exhaust manifolds $25
Exhaust manifold gaskets $30
Power steering lines $40
Fuel lines @ $100

Still need radiator, pcm flash(most likely using lt1 swaps), Cats (to meet emission and get a California sticker), and drive shaft.

[Roz]

Please see attached PDF. I'm not quite finished yet.

I'm just under $6k with some major components left to buy. But the components are not neccessities.

Ya gotta pay to play!

[truckdude239]

im at about 3200nwith mine still need tires and exhaust

[pwradder]

after selling the 350 that came out of my truck for $400 on cl, I've got just about $600 into the 5.3 swap in my 80 c10-with working a/c! i also used my existing trans though. i could have gotten away with it cheaper if the engine i bought came with the maf, alt bracket and power steering pump-this added about $260 to the total. i also did all the work myself including the tuning. the swap was totally worth it in every way and regardless of what others may think about a swap like this, it CAN be done on a reasonable budget if you are willing do the work!

[dukkie]

I have just started parting out the 99

[Nitis]

I'm looking at maybe diving into this come winter. Problem is sourcing an engine for a reasonable price.

Bowauto on eBay is actually less money than me getting one local at the wreckers. And that's without a trans. Fortunately my th350 is basically brand new.

[kidd79]

Donor Truck: $1500
2009 3/4 ton 4x4 Single cab long bed 6.0 w/6l90E Trans 88,000 miles.

Motor Mounts $130
Dirty Dingo Black crinkle finish

Dakota Digital Gauges: $980
White Face w/ interface module

Total $2610. Haven't even test fired the motor in the donor truck yet. Just getting started. Will probably test fire next week sometime.

[MalibuSSwagon]

Originally Posted by kidd79

Donor Truck: $1500
2009 3/4 ton 4x4 Single cab long bed 6.0 w/6l90E Trans 88,000 miles.

Motor Mounts $130
Dirty Dingo Black crinkle finish

Dakota Digital Gauges: $980
White Face w/ interface module

Total $2610. Haven't even test fired the motor in the donor truck yet. Just getting started. Will probably test fire next week sometime.

Wow where did you find that deal? I'd love to come into a LY6 6.0L for my Oldsmobile.

Right now I'm about $100 into the 5.3L I have in my truck, after selling off and scrapping the donor truck. Still have some less popular parts left so I will likely be ahead at some point.

[kidd79]

Originally Posted by MalibuSSwagon

Wow where did you find that deal? I'd love to come into a LY6 6.0L for my Oldsmobile.

Right now I'm about $100 into the 5.3L I have in my truck, after selling off and scrapping the donor truck. Still have some less popular parts left so I will likely be ahead at some point.

I got some friends at the local paint and body shop. They got the truck from an insurance auction, with intentions of pulling some parts off of it to fix the owner of the body shop's truck, but never actually did anything to either truck. It sat around for 6-8 months, and they got tired of me bugging them to buy it.