What, another LS swap cost thread?

[Texas82GP]

That article came up in my Google "feed" on my phone today (click bait). I clicked on it out of curiosity. $5k for a reman LS3 from AutoZone? I don't think so. You said it best. How not to do it. One would be far better off with a 150k mile 5.3 (that was halfway cared for) and a miled cam for a third or less of the cost.

"miled" cam? Damn obese fingers.

 

[fleming442]

"miled" cam? Damn obese fingers.

Or 268,985 miles cam....

 

[ssn696]

They got the engine for free to promote the 420 Zone. For another $2.3k you can get a brand new crate LS3 from GM with more parts installed.

 

[ssn696]

Here's how not to do it:

Cheap 6.2L LS3 Remanufactured LS Swap Long-Block

AutoZone now has a line of affordable remanufactured LS3 and L99 long-blocks perfect to refresh your worn ride or for an LS swap!

www.hotrod.com

YHPMV

 

[87National]

I don't know about other areas, but in my area no one will sell you a used LS for less than a grand, they rather smelt it below that price. That 1k will only be a long block and "as is." Coils, harness, etc, are sold piece meal in most yards, any LS engines are pre pulled and not carefully thrown into a dumpster to either be sold or smelted. Many of the yards in my area you can still find old SBCs, I still see many TPI F bodies with L98 engines. Overall, prices will vary from region to region.

Around here you can't throw a dead cat without hitting a $500 4.8/5.3. And that is complete with all accessories, ecm, wiring harness. With a little patience and bargaining you can get one for as little as $300.

 

[64nailhead]

Why is't big block Chevy thrown into this just wondering can be found 200-600 $ bolted in cheap

BBC equates to cubic dollars much beyond 5-600HP.

1st and foremost with a BBC - if you don't intend to be doing tear downs on a regular basis because of a 'flat' FT cam, then you need a roller. Lifters, cam and pushrods add at least $600 onto the build. For a rarely run, occasional driver, then fine -- no cam worries for 5000 miles.

2nd, The stock rotating assembly is also limited to the 5-600HP range, so going beyond that gets into $1500+.

3rd, the stock heads just plain stink if you want to get much more than 5-600hp, so add another $1000-2500.


This all adds up in a hurry. The positive side though, is if you're content with 350-400HP, then they are great. And they have the added benefit of low rpm torque that puts any SB or of any generation to shame. Keep in mind that a BBO, BBB, BBP will all do the same - a BOP 455 in stock form is much better of an option than a BBC in stock form IMO for daily cruisers that will truly crucify a set of tires and still get you to ice cream stand with a smile.

This really depends on what you want. The cheapest way out? There isn't an obvious choice until you decide what your goals are. If you're a nostalgic type, then an LS is out of the question. If you want 700+HP from a stock long block, then there is nothing cheaper than an LS - IMO of course. Bear in mind that 'cheap' is $3K +

 

[87National]

Your hypothetical rebuild requires a lot of fancy new parts. There is more than one way to skin a cat here..... for those of us without an unlimited budget, here is another approach:

Here is something other than our usual suspension tech help for you guys to chat about.

Naturally aspirated street build.
So you found a 6.0 and 4L80 for free like the story goes.
You ask yourself... "What is the cost when done?"
After reading online you find you need a decent cam, (one of our favorites .585", 228-/230-degree duration split, and 112-degree LSA). <--- Great for the street btw.
Maybe some mildly worked 243 heads and some valve springs to round the power up a bit.
Installation accessories, motor mounts ($25 ebay motor mount adapter plates), oil pan ($100 fbody ls1 oil pan), exhaust (modified f-body headers, build your own exhaust), front engine accessories brackets (use the brackets/accesories that came with the motor) and all associated seals and gaskets.
Maybe an aftermarket fuel management system (factory ecm), injectors (decapped truck injectors $60 to flow test), trans controller (factory ecm controls trans), radiator (parts store aluminum replacement $100) and fans (JY intrepid, mark 8, or taurus SHO $20)

 

[Clone TIE Pilot]

Around here you can't throw a dead cat without hitting a $500 4.8/5.3. And that is complete with all accessories, ecm, wiring harness. With a little patience and bargaining you can get one for as little as $300.

Around my area, you be hard pressed to find a rebuildable core for $500, yet alone a complete running LS motor. I have heard some of the LS guys complaining that the supply of cheap running used LS motors are drying up in some areas. However, you can get rebuildable SBC cores for $100 in my area.

Also if you live in a strict low emission area, the only legal LS swap will be a Erod crate kit. Even reflashing the PCM is considered emission tampering and someplaces do check for reflashing. Some LS factory front accessory arrangements will not clear G body frames.

 

[ck80]

With a little patience and bargaining you can get one for as little as $300.

Could say the same thing about catching the clap from a stripper. Doesn't mean it's a good idea.

I'll spend more time looking at a greasy leaking smoking 454 in a gbody than a polished ls swap. That said, if you own the car, do what you want with it. I'd actually enjoy having some idiot ls swap a GnX - not because I'd like it, just want to watch heads explode.

 

[DSPbuilt]

Sorry for the size.
This is where I am at on my build. Most of the stuff is "MSRP" but some was bought on sale and such.
Sure it can be done cheaper and it can also be done a lot more expensive.