Ls2 Engine Swap
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Check out LS1Tech. It's a great forum that will have all the info you need on a swap like that.
http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/index.php?
http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/index.php?
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I am wanting to do the LS swap in mine. Just not finding what I want for the price I want to pay. Always on the look though. I will find it.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
What's your range Eddie, I see lots of these motors going at good prices. You can PM me your budget, what kind you look for, and if you need a trans with it.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 9,078
Likes: 7
From: DFW TX
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
I guess I was kind of forced into doing mine. I had just grenaded a built 700R4 at the track and was looking at spending another $1000 to rebuild it. I also started losing compression in a couple of cylinders from to many 150 shots of nitrous. At that point, the TPI's best time was mid 13's and it wasn't getting any better. My next step was either a BB or something different. I was looking for a BB and stumbled across this LS1. After watching a few new C-5's put down 300+ hp at the rear tires stock, I told myself this is the way to go. Lite and fast.
Most guys fund their swap by selling off all their Small block parts. I sold my S & P TPI, headers, and heads to fund mine.
Trust me it was a great trade off.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 9,078
Likes: 7
From: DFW TX
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
$1800 for the motor and T-56
$100 Bellhousing
$75 flywheel
$200 for Clutch/Pressure plate
$100 Shifter
$250 Master cylinder and Slave
$100 Pedal Assm.
$200 Alum Driveshaft and cut/balance
$350 Wiring harness work (Had to do that twice)
$100 ECM
$75 LS 1 Fans
$150 Exhaust work
$25 Overflow tank
$300 Misc. bolts and hoses.
Total $3825.
You add in all the trips to junkyards, shipping, etc and you quickly get to $5000. I was lucky and was able to design and build all the brackets, so I saved a few hundred there.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: Gilbert AZ
What is a good price on an LS1/2 and t56? Most of what I see is a lot more expensive than what I think it should be. For an example some guy on craigslist has an ls1 and t56 that he wants 7000 for. I think that is a little bit out of line since you can buy a new ls2 from SDPC for 5495. Do you just call salvage yards or where do you find these deals?
Thanks
Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Mine kinda went like this.
$1800 for the motor and T-56
$100 Bellhousing
$75 flywheel
$200 for Clutch/Pressure plate
$100 Shifter
$250 Master cylinder and Slave
$100 Pedal Assm.
$200 Alum Driveshaft and cut/balance
$350 Wiring harness work (Had to do that twice)
$100 ECM
$75 LS 1 Fans
$150 Exhaust work
$25 Overflow tank
$300 Misc. bolts and hoses.
Total $3825.
You add in all the trips to junkyards, shipping, etc and you quickly get to $5000. I was lucky and was able to design and build all the brackets, so I saved a few hundred there.
$1800 for the motor and T-56
$100 Bellhousing
$75 flywheel
$200 for Clutch/Pressure plate
$100 Shifter
$250 Master cylinder and Slave
$100 Pedal Assm.
$200 Alum Driveshaft and cut/balance
$350 Wiring harness work (Had to do that twice)
$100 ECM
$75 LS 1 Fans
$150 Exhaust work
$25 Overflow tank
$300 Misc. bolts and hoses.
Total $3825.
You add in all the trips to junkyards, shipping, etc and you quickly get to $5000. I was lucky and was able to design and build all the brackets, so I saved a few hundred there.
You lucked out finding a motor and trans that cheap. Most people doing this swap will probably pay three times that.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
DB, guys, that is what holding me back, about 2 grand or so for the engine in decent shape, no prob.....but it has to be complete enuff for me to do all the accessories also, not too concerned with mounts BUT matching up to the olde tyme SBC bellhousing is a MUST....not ditching my tranny over this, yet again....I got the 3rd tranny in this car now since I had it...and really really REALLY DONT WANNA go there again...
but a LS engine is mighty curious to me....wiring harness is no problem, need the computer and some progremming talent to get rid of all the associated BS I"m sure is in there, just run the damn engine, leave the rest outta there, for christsakes....
but a LS engine is mighty curious to me....wiring harness is no problem, need the computer and some progremming talent to get rid of all the associated BS I"m sure is in there, just run the damn engine, leave the rest outta there, for christsakes....
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Gene, I found several complete LS motors, most with harnesses and computers for around $3000. I have not been able to verify this with all of them, but I may end up with a few good solid $3K leads.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Well 3 grand is gettin closer, but does the bellhousing /fly-flex line up?? or is there an adaptor plate type thingy?? tha'ts not cheeeeep....
then there is the engine mounts, I unnersand they are about 80 bux from a guy here on forum...so dooable...
the rest of the plumbing I do....the programming is what got ME stumped though.....
I just recently got this 350 '89 engine running well enuff I can't complain too much, so this project would be off another couple years or so, barring problems....
then there is the engine mounts, I unnersand they are about 80 bux from a guy here on forum...so dooable...
the rest of the plumbing I do....the programming is what got ME stumped though.....
I just recently got this 350 '89 engine running well enuff I can't complain too much, so this project would be off another couple years or so, barring problems....
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
I really know very little about the LS motors and what it takes to swap them in. I'm trying to learn more as it's a question asked here a lot. I just have found a few good prices on '01 or later LS1 motors, which as you know leaves the option for the LS2 and 7 intake manifolds.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
Well 3 grand is gettin closer, but does the bellhousing /fly-flex line up?? or is there an adaptor plate type thingy?? tha'ts not cheeeeep....
then there is the engine mounts, I unnersand they are about 80 bux from a guy here on forum...so dooable...
the rest of the plumbing I do....the programming is what got ME stumped though.....
I just recently got this 350 '89 engine running well enuff I can't complain too much, so this project would be off another couple years or so, barring problems....
then there is the engine mounts, I unnersand they are about 80 bux from a guy here on forum...so dooable...
the rest of the plumbing I do....the programming is what got ME stumped though.....
I just recently got this 350 '89 engine running well enuff I can't complain too much, so this project would be off another couple years or so, barring problems....
Engine mount adapters are available from several sources. I think I paid ~$50.00 for the adapters and bought a new set of standard mounts. Test-fitted the engine a couple of months ago and it drops right in.
The electrical system is very self-contained. Provide power to the computer and engine, water and fuel and a few other details and the engine should run.
You can't change the programming without special gear so it might be more economical to have a shop that knows LS1s program out stuff like CAGS and the VATS.
Rick B.