New Guy LS swap

[Turbolq4]

I'm pretty mechanically inclined and have skills. And I do have metal fad and welding skill. Starting the budget at 8k my goal is not to race just have a strong reliable classic

You can get a iron block truck based swap done for that kind of money. No shame in them at all, that's what I run. I would look into an aftermarket efi setup. The factory stuff works but is not very user friendly and by the time you have gathered up all the software and modified the harness to work standalone its the same amount of money. These engines are very reliable, make triple the power of the stock engines, and get better mileage. Oh, they are fun and lively too.

 

[BoogieDown 78 cutlass]

You can get a iron block truck based swap done for that kind of money. No shame in them at all, that's what I run. I would look into an aftermarket efi setup. The factory stuff works but is not very user friendly and by the time you have gathered up all the software and modified the harness to work standalone its the same amount of money. These engines are very reliable, make triple the power of the stock engines, and get better mileage. Oh, they are fun and lively too.

Thanks what do you suggest I should get the iron block out of ?

 

[Built6spdMCSS]

Thanks car looks awesome great job

Thanks, there is a ton of info there.

Everybody expects to be spoon fed! The hours all of us that have logged reading and doing LS swaps would be mind blowing. Not to mention documenting it like you, myself and many others have done.

I wouldn't necessarily say spoonfed in this case, he's not asking what mounts and all that like the masses of lazy do.

I'm pretty mechanically inclined and have skills. And I do have metal fad and welding skill. Starting the budget at 8k my goal is not to race just have a strong reliable classic

That budget will get you something decent if you can do you own work.

 

[Built6spdMCSS]

Thanks what do you suggest I should get the iron block out of ?

Just a matter of what you feel like spending. My 6.0l LQ4 came from a 2006 3/4 ton work van. Yes, a van. Tossed a set of LS2 243 Heads on it with a LS6 Intake and a nice healthy Cam, and it's the "budget 500hp"..

 

[fleming442]

he's not asking what mounts and all that like the masses of lazy do

 

[motorheadmike]

See my signature for trials, tribulations, and ideas.

 

[Northernregal]

I'm pretty mechanically inclined and have skills. And I do have metal fad and welding skill. Starting the budget at 8k my goal is not to race just have a strong reliable classic

Ok, you won't find this hard then.

Thanks what do you suggest I should get the iron block out of ?

For what you want, any RWD GM V8 equipped truck or van from 2001 and up.

Look for a cable throttle body, itll be easier.

You want 862 or 706 heads and 5.3 block.

2004 and up are Drive by wire Throttle bodies. No biggie, just find a 01-03 intake and swap. Truck intake is ugly but will make more useable power. The only real difference between the DBW and DBC intake is the cable throttle mount and EGR inlet on the passenger side behind the throttle bodies. you can get a block off plate for the hole so it's not a big deal.

Summit makes cams now and they have stock valvetrain friendly upgrades. Plan a cam swap, plenty of how to videos online. I suggest "The Driveway Engineer" on youtube. Great budget friendly advice.

Plan to buy a swap pan and mounts, you have a couple different options, Holley is the easiest but most expensive. Everyone makes mounts and swap components now so you might have to do some research on what will work on a g body.

You will need an efi fuel pump, pretty easy to hang in the tank with an efi sending unit and wire to a single relay.

Truck power steering bolts right onto our later model metric steering boxes.

The rest is picking a trans and the electronics to run it. And there is lots of info about that online and in forums like HP Tuners.

 

[BoogieDown 78 cutlass]

Thanks, there is a ton of info there.

I wouldn't necessarily say spoonfed in this case, he's not asking what mounts and all that like the masses of lazy do.

That budget will get you something decent if you can do you own work.

Yeah I plan on doing my own work and putting my boys to work as well lol

 

[BoogieDown 78 cutlass]

Ok, you won't find this hard then.



For what you want, any RWD GM V8 equipped truck or van from 2001 and up.

Look for a cable throttle body, itll be easier.

You want 862 or 706 heads and 5.3 block.

2004 and up are Drive by wire Throttle bodies. No biggie, just find a 01-03 intake and swap. Truck intake is ugly but will make more useable power. The only real difference between the DBW and DBC intake is the cable throttle mount and EGR inlet on the passenger side behind the throttle bodies. you can get a block off plate for the hole so it's not a big deal.

Summit makes cams now and they have stock valvetrain friendly upgrades. Plan a cam swap, plenty of how to videos online. I suggest "The Driveway Engineer" on youtube. Great budget friendly advice.

Plan to buy a swap pan and mounts, you have a couple different options, Holley is the easiest but most expensive. Everyone makes mounts and swap components now so you might have to do some research on what will work on a g body.

You will need an efi fuel pump, pretty easy to hang in the tank with an efi sending unit and wire to a single relay.

Truck power steering bolts right onto our later model metric steering boxes.

The rest is picking a trans and the electronics to run it. And there is lots of info about that online and in forums like HP Tuners.

Thanks appreciate all the help really informative

 

[Tom Lambert]

Thanks appreciate all the help really informative

BoogieDown, I'm doing an LS swap in a 78 Cutlass and will be glad to help in any way. I have two Sons that have done this swap several times and they are helping me. Let us know what information you need? I'm using the Holley parts and a crate motor but my Sons use junk yard motors and ebay parts, so we have been down both roads.