reiderz iroc

I'm looking to do a ls1 n t56 swap into a 86 camaro been reading the threads it but my real question from someone that has done it correctly not cut corners ..my question is just having the 86 camaro how much for all the bought parts no need exact just roughly i want to do it but not sure I can afford it please help a fellow 3rd gen for life

kmfdm1308

I'm in the same boat as you in regards to cost concerns, but wanting to do the job correctly at the same time. Having attempted this before, though on Nissan Z's, I'll kick in some feedback.

Prior to purchasing my 84 Z28, I used to have a few project Z31 Nissan Z 's that I desperately wanted to replace the worn out stock motors and place in the import scene revered RB26DETT. After pricing everything out, I realized that this was WAY out of my budget. Even if I dropped down to the lesser displacement RB25 and RB20 the cost was still way too much. Roughly I was looking at around a minimum of $5000 for an engine, MT transmission, and an uncut harness + ECU. I know I'm speaking about Nissan's and this is a Camaro board, but a lot of what turned me away at that time is standard across the board when doing engine swaps regardless of import/domestic. Plus the fact that my job didn't pay me enough to spare the kind of cash needed at the time to do this right.

To swap engines you have to remember that you will be placing a more modern engine into a car that wasn't designed for it and ask yourself a few questions.
*First off, will the engine fit?
*If the engine fits, will it bolt up or do I need modified mounts?
*How does the x-member and oil pan line up?
*Will the replacement engines wiring harness fit or does it need to be extended/shortened?
*Will the engine bolt to the existing transmission housing or do I need an adapter?
*If I replace the transmission will it be shorter/longer causing a need to get a custom/replacement length drive shaft?

Those are just a few important points and though they're a bit generic it gives you an idea of generally what to expect. Also, expect the unexpected as you'll run into random issues.

My 2 cents, if this is your first big project I'd recommend doing A LOT of reading and lurking on the threads.

tl;dr -- It's gonna be $$$ to do it right and you'll run into things you didn't expect to run into.

kmfdm1308

Oh and before anyone says it, try using the search function.... https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/ltx-...third-gen.html

punkmaster98

iTrader: (5)

There are plenty of good deals out there to help with the cost. Do some research and look at the different choices in parts. Depending on how involved you want to get will dictate the price. Definitely read the swap guide. swapped my 92 last year and have 17k miles on it since Sept and it's my daily driver. The swap was one of the best things I did with the car.

-=Z28=-

iTrader: (3)

Do a LM7 instead... You can get a complete pull out for under a grand, depending on mileage and year. Cam,intake,injectors and you will have a very reliable engine. There are hundreds of thousands of LM7's out there cause everyone wants a ls or lq4/lq9..

R13_Braz

I'm over 10 grand into my swap, but that's because I'm not doing a straight drop in. I'm also building it towards twin turbo, but that's later.

I'd say I've got roughly 2.5k into the engine (including buying the engine, machine shop, intake, headers, accessories, mounts, cam etc.), with another 1k into the trans (got a helluva deal trading my old T5 for the LT1 T56... then I just swapped LS1 T56 parts over), plus $800 for a Pocket harness (worth every penny). I had to redo all of my suspension, bushings, steering components etc. due to age and mine is a 92.

It adds up, but it's worth it.

punkmaster98

iTrader: (5)

If you search for the right deals you can do it for less than 5

Pocket

iTrader: (24)

If you DIY everything, it can be done for under $2k, but realistically you should expect $6-10k for most builds. Heavy mods and forced induction add quite a bit to that