Ls Motor swap cost?
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 459
Likes: 1
From: Lindenhurst, Long Island, New York
My swap should cost me about $8.5k when I'm all said and done, and most of everything is bought. With that said, I'm doing it myself, the Junkyard LS1/T56 complete drop out is in there and I didn't cut too many corners for a mild swap. I also can't weld, but have done a lot of metal work (adapters, plates, brackets, etc.) myself. If I needed welding done, I had a local shop do it for me.
There are a hundred ways to skin this cat. Check the LSx swap thread in the tech area of this forum, check the conversions and Hybrids section of LS1tech and just do as much research as possible. That's how you will make the right choices and save some coin.
If you want someone that's done it a few times, Josh at Custom Image is a good guy. He's helped me with a few aspects and also modified my water pump (necessary for the swap). His contact info should be here somewhere. If not, he's really big over on DC.
But if you have more money than you know what to do with, simply figure out what you want and cut the check for some guy to do it.
There are a hundred ways to skin this cat. Check the LSx swap thread in the tech area of this forum, check the conversions and Hybrids section of LS1tech and just do as much research as possible. That's how you will make the right choices and save some coin.
If you want someone that's done it a few times, Josh at Custom Image is a good guy. He's helped me with a few aspects and also modified my water pump (necessary for the swap). His contact info should be here somewhere. If not, he's really big over on DC.
But if you have more money than you know what to do with, simply figure out what you want and cut the check for some guy to do it.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Victoria
You guys need some better tuners down under! 
Seriously I have riden in some real ground pounders that drive way better than any Gen1. Case in point my brother in laws 67 LS7 powered resto mod. Look up 1coolc2 here on the forum for his specs. He just added morepower but I drove it with 530 RWHP and it was very cival in normal traffic but will pin your eyeballs when stepping on the loud pedal. He just redid the motor and now makes 598 RWHP. I am currently building up an LS3 with about 530 flywheel hp and have driven this motor in a newer Vette and the low down torque and high end HP is no match for my current 383 motor with 500 flywheel HP and mine is pretty quick. Cmon over here to the states and see what is happening. In a few weeks there is the LS fest in Bowling Green, this is where the serious guys come to run. 40+ years of technology over a Gen1 is a huge improvement. Nothing like nostalgia of the old motors but for performance the LS motors have it all over the older ones.
Seriously I have riden in some real ground pounders that drive way better than any Gen1. Case in point my brother in laws 67 LS7 powered resto mod. Look up 1coolc2 here on the forum for his specs. He just added morepower but I drove it with 530 RWHP and it was very cival in normal traffic but will pin your eyeballs when stepping on the loud pedal. He just redid the motor and now makes 598 RWHP. I am currently building up an LS3 with about 530 flywheel hp and have driven this motor in a newer Vette and the low down torque and high end HP is no match for my current 383 motor with 500 flywheel HP and mine is pretty quick. Cmon over here to the states and see what is happening. In a few weeks there is the LS fest in Bowling Green, this is where the serious guys come to run. 40+ years of technology over a Gen1 is a huge improvement. Nothing like nostalgia of the old motors but for performance the LS motors have it all over the older ones.
It is impressive how cheaply you can make power from LSs I'll give them that. My buddy's 500hp cost him a bit over $6k, and everything is a lot more expensive down here (I don't know how much he did himself but not much I'm guessing). Up from about 350hp in the stock car. That's an LS2 btw.
Do you have any good links to some dyno sheets where I can check out the torque at various RPMs?
I think with constantly variable valve timing you have to nail the throttle a bit more to let the ECU know you wanna go for it, whereas the older motors just assume that all the time (even when you're trying to save fuel...).
Last edited by Edelrock; Aug 30, 2011 at 10:32 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,071
Likes: 147
From: S Nevada
I truly think some have a little misconception on what an LS engine gives you. Hey it's a great engine in stock form, and from my understanding it took the after market about 5 yrs to come up with an even better head than what GM originally designed.
But, you take a gen 1 or gen2 small block, put on a better head, intake and cam and you will pump up the hp to the same levels that a hot LS gives you.
The best part about an LS engine is that it takes very little work to really push the hp up. A simple cam change and cyl head porting really wake it up. But that isn't to say older engines are obsolete.
I have 5k into my build. That's having it assembled by the shop from new pan to new intake. All forged stroked lower, studded main caps, roller cam, lifters and rockers, new aluminum heads. And it's a drop in. Just try and put an LS into any car that didn't already have an LS in it for that price.
If your goal is to just have an LS damn the cost, great. I'm sure you will be really happy. But myself, I'd rather that I be able to have great performance at a very reasonable price. Plus, it is the original engine.
But, you take a gen 1 or gen2 small block, put on a better head, intake and cam and you will pump up the hp to the same levels that a hot LS gives you.
The best part about an LS engine is that it takes very little work to really push the hp up. A simple cam change and cyl head porting really wake it up. But that isn't to say older engines are obsolete.
I have 5k into my build. That's having it assembled by the shop from new pan to new intake. All forged stroked lower, studded main caps, roller cam, lifters and rockers, new aluminum heads. And it's a drop in. Just try and put an LS into any car that didn't already have an LS in it for that price.
If your goal is to just have an LS damn the cost, great. I'm sure you will be really happy. But myself, I'd rather that I be able to have great performance at a very reasonable price. Plus, it is the original engine.
Last edited by Sunstroked; Aug 30, 2011 at 02:07 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,116
Likes: 5
From: Livonia MI
Obviously you have not driven to many LS equipped cars. The low end grunt plus the high end HP is tremendous. No other motor can provide you the low end grunt and top end HP for the weight and size than an LS motor. The cylinder head design of the LS motors is so far superior to most any Gen1 style head and produces more HP and torque then the Gen1 motor easily. Granted it does not have the old school look of the Gen1 motor but the LS motor outproduces it in any way.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 4
From: Regina Saskatchewan
Used LS1 engine with tranny $5G
Freshen it up $3G
Can't do it yourself ? Add $10G labour.
What you get? An car that'll make you 27 miles/gallon
How about looking around and buying someone elses LS1 - C3 vette. There was one on the forum for sale for $18 not so long ago.
Very nicely done too ! They can be had - you just have to be patient.
My 383 gets 24m/g. LS power is cool , but for 3m/gallon difference - is it worth it? You have to be doing AN AWFULL LOT of mile to make it pay.
Freshen it up $3G
Can't do it yourself ? Add $10G labour.
What you get? An car that'll make you 27 miles/gallon
How about looking around and buying someone elses LS1 - C3 vette. There was one on the forum for sale for $18 not so long ago.
Very nicely done too ! They can be had - you just have to be patient.
My 383 gets 24m/g. LS power is cool , but for 3m/gallon difference - is it worth it? You have to be doing AN AWFULL LOT of mile to make it pay.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Victoria
I'm not with "Edelrock" either, as have owned several LS equipped cars, and LS3's are awesome. Larger cube original small blocks are no sloutch though. Maybe consider a World Products crossbreed block, thats all original SB down low, and modern high flow LS on top. Drops right in and mybe worth looking into.
. Anyway,I think that sort of hybrid is definately the way to go. I'm debating whether it'd be cheaper/produce similar results if I just went forced induction on my old smogger and use the low compression ratio to an advantage. I'd be doing all the new heads and everything.
Where in the US does one search for used performance motors other than ebay? As is being said, it's always cheaper to get one someone else has already done
Last edited by Edelrock; Aug 30, 2011 at 07:33 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 459
Likes: 1
From: Lindenhurst, Long Island, New York
I think where the LS swap starts to really shine is when you want the total package.
You want a hot little SBC with some good power (400hp+)? It can be done cheaper.
You want an OD transmission? It can be done cheaper.
You want fuel injection? It can be done cheaper.
You want all three? Well, now an LSx swap can get you there at a competitive price. And if you really want to build some serious, no-compromises power that can be street driven effortlessly, the case becomes stronger for an LSx swap.
Can you do all three with and SBC or BBC? Yes. Can you do less than all three and still warrant the LS swap? Sure.
It all depends on what you're after and what you want out of the swap; either another Gen I or an LSx.
You want a hot little SBC with some good power (400hp+)? It can be done cheaper.
You want an OD transmission? It can be done cheaper.
You want fuel injection? It can be done cheaper.
You want all three? Well, now an LSx swap can get you there at a competitive price. And if you really want to build some serious, no-compromises power that can be street driven effortlessly, the case becomes stronger for an LSx swap.
Can you do all three with and SBC or BBC? Yes. Can you do less than all three and still warrant the LS swap? Sure.
It all depends on what you're after and what you want out of the swap; either another Gen I or an LSx.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,116
Likes: 5
From: Livonia MI
As my avatar is in " " I assume you think I miss-spelt it? It was meant to be a play on Eagle Rock . Anyway,
I think that sort of hybrid is definately the way to go. I'm debating whether it'd be cheaper/produce similar results if I just went forced induction on my old smogger and use the low compression ratio to an advantage. I'd be doing all the new heads and everything.
Where in the US does one search for used performance motors other than ebay? As is being said, it's always cheaper to get one someone else has already done
. Anyway,I think that sort of hybrid is definately the way to go. I'm debating whether it'd be cheaper/produce similar results if I just went forced induction on my old smogger and use the low compression ratio to an advantage. I'd be doing all the new heads and everything.
Where in the US does one search for used performance motors other than ebay? As is being said, it's always cheaper to get one someone else has already done
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Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 582
Likes: 1
From: Massapequa Park New York
This cam in my friends 04 gto made 378rwhp so just over 400hp at the flywheel, with full bolt ons, EASY TO MAKE ALOT OF POWER
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EDL-2216
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EDL-2216
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Victoria
(from another thread).
