LS3 Swap pricing???
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 405
Likes: 34
From: Forest Hills, New York
LS3 Swap pricing???
Trying to get an idea of what a typical ls3 swap will cost. im not sure if you guys buy a used ls3 or a new... or maybe build from the the block up. im not sure which way will save me the most. trying to get ideas on pricing and what you guys chose to do?
Last edited by RomanNYC; Feb 4, 2017 at 12:27 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 154
Likes: 35
From: Santa Cruz CA
Building an LS3 is extremely expensive and pointless, because you can get a cheaper, newer and more powerful engine for much less than a rebuild. Costs are going to vary a lot, but for a good used engine I'd expect you to drop $5000-$6000, or $10-$12k if you get a new one.
Installation would probably run you another $1500-2500 depending on the shop. I'm considering an engine swap down the road, but it wont be cheap, since if I bother putting a new engine in my C5, I need to be able to slap on a 427 badge, but that means LS7 and that's not cheap
Installation would probably run you another $1500-2500 depending on the shop. I'm considering an engine swap down the road, but it wont be cheap, since if I bother putting a new engine in my C5, I need to be able to slap on a 427 badge, but that means LS7 and that's not cheap
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 803
Likes: 42
From: Destin Florida
You can get a new LS3 engine with a warranty for 6750 all day from dealers on ebay.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/301991190784...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
http://www.ebay.com/itm/301991190784...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
Last edited by ssrallyred; Feb 4, 2017 at 12:08 PM. Reason: add link
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 405
Likes: 34
From: Forest Hills, New York
well after doing some research i found a new ls3 for 6700. ls7 are really nice but i just dont see the value. its twice as expensive. its worth it if you want to track it and stuff but for me i see i can save more money by just doing an ls3 build with bolt ons and a cam. that would demolish the ls7 in no time
Last edited by RomanNYC; Feb 4, 2017 at 12:11 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 405
Likes: 34
From: Forest Hills, New York
yeah you are right they are around that. another thing is the computers / changing wires all this little stuff... how much should i account for that?
Last edited by RomanNYC; Feb 4, 2017 at 12:09 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 154
Likes: 35
From: Santa Cruz CA
well after doing some research i found a new ls3 for 6700. ls7 are really nice but i just dont see the value. its twice as expensive. its worth it if you want to track it and stuff but for me i see i can save more money by just doing an ls3 build with bolt ons and a cam. that would demolish the ls7 in no time
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 405
Likes: 34
From: Forest Hills, New York
Be careful about making sure that the electrical harness isn't a mess if you're going to buy something ala cart off ebay or whatever. As for the LS7, I'm a car nerd who kind of wants a 427 badge on her corvette. It's also the largest modern chevy block, so you can build the crap out of them, but no it's not cost effective at this time
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 405
Likes: 34
From: Forest Hills, New York
well we determined the ls3 will cost around $6700 (new) and the swap will be around $2000. what about all the other little things like wiring, adapters....
Last edited by RomanNYC; Feb 4, 2017 at 12:50 PM.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 316
Likes: 45
From: Sarasota
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 405
Likes: 34
From: Forest Hills, New York
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 244
Likes: 103
From: Pueblo West CO
I just had a new LS3 put in my '99. We got the brand new LS3 for $6500. Swapped in a lumpy cam. Ported the stock heads. Changed the springs and the trunion bearings. Swapped the water pump, since it came out on the wrong side. Swapped the throttlebody to an LS2, to make the computers happy. Added a box from Lingenfelter to make the computers happy despite the differences in the reluctor wheel. Swapped the master cylinder, slave cylinder and clutch to an LS7 system. Added an A&A blower kit and all the fuel upgrades to go with it. Put it on the dyno and gave it a nice, safe street tune. 708/605 at the wheels. The work was done by a very experienced shop. $22K.
If you did all the work yourself (except the dyno time, I suppose...) you could build the same thing for $15-16K. If you didn't insist on all new everything, you could cut that down some.
If you did all the work yourself (except the dyno time, I suppose...) you could build the same thing for $15-16K. If you didn't insist on all new everything, you could cut that down some.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 803
Likes: 42
From: Destin Florida
My 03Z has 57K on it. Current mods on a 100 shot on a safe tune I'm at 535/525.
A weekend/fun car.
Adding a NX safe system to be able to spray a 200 hit safely currently.
At my age my plan on my C5Z would look like this if my LS6 bit the dust. I've had everything from 1970 AMX 390 Ram Airs, 67-69Z's & SS's and countless F Bodies, Turbo Regals etc.
That being said and the way I just like the way the car "feels". I would buy an LS3 and spend the other 2-2500 to make the car whole again( I do all my own labor so this is complete). The car will stay. Its paid for and it just feels right !
A weekend/fun car.
Adding a NX safe system to be able to spray a 200 hit safely currently.
At my age my plan on my C5Z would look like this if my LS6 bit the dust. I've had everything from 1970 AMX 390 Ram Airs, 67-69Z's & SS's and countless F Bodies, Turbo Regals etc.
That being said and the way I just like the way the car "feels". I would buy an LS3 and spend the other 2-2500 to make the car whole again( I do all my own labor so this is complete). The car will stay. Its paid for and it just feels right !
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 405
Likes: 34
From: Forest Hills, New York
I just had a new LS3 put in my '99. We got the brand new LS3 for $6500. Swapped in a lumpy cam. Ported the stock heads. Changed the springs and the trunion bearings. Swapped the water pump, since it came out on the wrong side. Swapped the throttlebody to an LS2, to make the computers happy. Added a box from Lingenfelter to make the computers happy despite the differences in the reluctor wheel. Swapped the master cylinder, slave cylinder and clutch to an LS7 system. Added an A&A blower kit and all the fuel upgrades to go with it. Put it on the dyno and gave it a nice, safe street tune. 708/605 at the wheels. The work was done by a very experienced shop. $22K.
If you did all the work yourself (except the dyno time, I suppose...) you could build the same thing for $15-16K. If you didn't insist on all new everything, you could cut that down some.
If you did all the work yourself (except the dyno time, I suppose...) you could build the same thing for $15-16K. If you didn't insist on all new everything, you could cut that down some.
can you give me an idea on what the cost was for the electronics/adapters? basically i would like to know what it would cost to just put in a stock ls3 with all the wiring and adapters, tunes if needed.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 244
Likes: 103
From: Pueblo West CO
The dyno tune cost will depend on your local shop. My shop (RMCR in Colorado Springs, CO) charges like $600 to dyno tune one of these things. But repeat tunes are only $200. They had done the tune on it with the LS1, so this was still a repeat and cost me $200.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,473
Likes: 691
From: West Virginia
So, you would spend rather more than the average C5 is worth. And you would still have an old car. Not for me. When mine dies, it will get replaced. IMO, it's just not cost effective to pour boatloads of money into it - and still be in trouble as the parts supply continues to dry up.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 418
Likes: 26
From: Hilton Head, South Carolina
I bought my C5Z already with the swap so I made out like a champ! Somebody else put in the coin. That's what I would do. Look for a swapped one that doesn't need anything. I bought mine from a dodge dealer that had no idea what the car was. To them it was a regular old '02 Corvette. Turns out it was an LS3 C5Z with headers on it. Got a good deal on it ��
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 244
Likes: 103
From: Pueblo West CO
So, you would spend rather more than the average C5 is worth. And you would still have an old car. Not for me. When mine dies, it will get replaced. IMO, it's just not cost effective to pour boatloads of money into it - and still be in trouble as the parts supply continues to dry up.
