How much money did you put in to your swap .. engine,little odd pices,every thing to make car turn key .. I'm trying to get a rough estimate how much i should look forward to spend to drop a v8 in my car .. Thanks- John

when i first did the swap i had the engine in and running for under $300 with a free donor car. now i have a lot more then $300 dollers into the swap

its all about if you want mild or wild

More than it would have cost me to go out and buy a running factory V8 car. My neighbor proved that as the V8 engine & tranny were on the hoist in the driveway being cleaned before installation. He paid $100 more for a running '87 350 TPI Formula than I did for my donor car, plus the cost of my receptor car, plus the little things that came up during the swap, plus the 3 months that it took me to get it done.

But, I didn't know about TGO at that time, so I was lacking in learnin'.

And, I had to do an emissions-legal swap.

Transmission 800. new, rebuilt
454 engine 5500 new rebuilt
distributor 20
carb 15 plus rebuilt 25
motor mounts 20
plugs, wires, cap, rotor, coil 100
alt, PS, Brackets 150
new sending units 40
new hoses 25
exhaust 200 (dual 3 inch)

The sound of a Big Block in a Camaro.....Priceless..
The feeling of having one of the best cars in school...Priceless...

The engine itself, about $600 (canadian money)

The 350 was hideous, so the rest has just been things to make it prudiful

ok, I have a little input on this situation. When you prepare to do the swap make sure that you're doing everything correctly! I know it may sound stupid, but it definitely pays off to do tons and tons of research and know exactly what you need to do before you delve into a project.
My car is a work of this mistake
5 distributors, 3 carbs, and 2 intake manifolds later and the car is still not running right.
Do your research.
Good luck
BTW project total so far $2500+ for GM crate 350 w/ edelbrock 1406 and performer intake

AMEN!!
I learned alot of things the hard way... 3 starters, a dipstick, and oil pan, a few pullies.... ugh.... that wasn't fun.

Do all you can to find a complete factory V8 donor car, even if you don't use the engine or transmission from it. It's the little things that will kill you.

350HO crate engine: $2000 at the time
Flywheel and balancer: $175
Intake: $150
Carb: $230
MSD Ready to run distrib.: $230
TH350 from neighbor: $100


Thats the basics, you get nickel and dimed to death for sure.

I have way more than I wanna think about into my motor ...But then again most of this stuff was purchased over a long period of time + I sold a lot of old parts and whatnot.

Shortblock: $1500
Heads + work/parts: $450
Cam/lifters: $100, lifters free
Intake: $175
Carb: $440
Ignition: $280
Headers: $400
Mufflers/Piping: $120
Nuts/Bolts/Gaskets: $100?
Fuel Pump / Fittings / Hose: $150

HOLY CRAP MY LOW BUDGET MOTOR ISNT SO LOW BUDGET AFTERALL

Just finish order all my parts today for the SBC 409 and here its what is include in what I thought was going to be build with $2500.
SBC 400 on a Budget..."Yea Right"

SBC 408 PARTS and PRICES
MANUFACTURE DESCRIPTION PART# PRICE
AFR
Heads 195cc AFR-1036 $1,425.00
Price include
Springs Upgrade part #8033
(setup 130-140 seat 330-350 open)
Steam Holes Drilled part#1062

ARP
Main Studs ARP-234-5501 $51.95
Head Bolts ARP-134-3701 $58.95
Oil Pump Stud ARP-230-7002 $6.50
Oil Pump Shaft ARP-134-7901 $13.95
Fuel Pump Pushrod ARP-134-8701 $14.95
ARP Cam Bolt Kits ARP-134-1001 $3.95

CLEVITE
Main Bearing MS1038H $55.00
Rod Bearing 8-CB663H $55.00

CLOYES
True Roller Timing Chain CLO-9-3100 $60.09

CRANE
Energizer Roller Rocker CRN-11744-16 $132.50

EAGLE
H-Beam 6"Rods CRS6000B3D $335.09

EDELBROCK
Elite Air Cleaner EDL-4207 $49.88
Elite Valve Cover EDL-4249 $69.95

ELGIN Solid Lifters VT1992-16 $50.00

FEDERAL MOGUL
Cam Bearings 1235M $19.00

FEL-PRO
Head Gasket FPP-1014 (2x) $63.90
Intake Gasket FPP-1205 $13.95
Rear Main Seal Align Bored FPP-2909 $18.95
Oil pan Gasket $25.54

HOLLEY
Carburetors 750 Vac Sec HLY-0-3310S $249.95

LUNATI
Flat Tappet Mechanical LUN-280/284F10 $183.71

MILODON
Oil Pump Pick-Up Screen MIL-18311 $34.95
Milodon Street/Strip Oil Pans MIL-30900 $123.49
Diamond Stripper Windage Tray MIL-32250 $74.95
Lifter Valley Screen Kits MIL-23150 $15.95
Oil Pan Baffles MIL-32500 $5.25

MELLING
Oil Pump MEL-M55 $15.95

MR. GASKET
Oil Pump High Press Spring MRG-26 $3.95
Timing Tab $9.87

PIONEER
Brass Freeze Plugs SBC 400 $14.95
Harmonic Balancer PIO-872003 $95.88
Flexplate $34.50

SCAT
4340 Int. Bal. Crank 4-400-3750-6000 $490.00
SUMMIT
Fuel Pressure Guage SUM-800115 $19.95

WISECO
Pro Tru Forged Pistons PT020H4 (0.040) $419.00

PARTS TOTAL COST $$4319.99

Here is the engine machine work that has cost me $635.00
MACHINE SHOP WORK NEEDED PRICE
K&P MACHINE
Deck (.000) $150.00
Align Honed Mains $135.00
Tap Starter Bolt $30.00
Hone Finish Cylinders $60.00
Tap 3 Oil Holes $15.00
Install Deck Plugs $100.00
Bore w/ deck plates (.040) $120.00
Install Cam Bearings $25.00

Machine Shop TOTAL $635.00
Engine Parts: $4319.99
TOTAL COST $4,954.99

Did the clearance myself, now the rotating assembly is getting balanced, and pistons mounted to rods. If I have fogotten any parts to complet this engine please let me know. I MIGHT CAN ASK THE WIFE FOR A LOAN.

I put an LT1 in my 89 iroc, I spent less than $100 on the actual swap, but I sold the old 305 and also made some money selling parts off the donor car. I walked away with the swap and some money. I reused everything I could from the donor car

I'm rebuilding a stock 305 to slap in place of a 2.8L carb, and with machine work, parts, Band-aids, and booze, it's been about 2500. Always check ebay for parts. I got my rods off of a company that was closing down a subsidiary re-manufacturing company, for 35 bucks for the set (should've bought a dozen sets at that price ) I was a manager at Papa John's, and just traded pizzas to have the rods double checked for specs lol.

*edit* 5-26-05, I checked w/Advance Auto to see if they could pull up how much I've spent. Just on warranty stuff, $927.18. Not including the stuff I've bought elsewhere and the nickel and dime parts. Jeez.

The drivers side wiring has every thing you need.

As far as my 2.8 > V8

Nice, self built 350 > 1400
Mounts > 20
Belts, Hoses, etc. > 50
Radiator > 100
Ignition stuff > 50
Built th350 > 600
Fuel Pump > 13
Dress Up Kit > 50
Carb > 200
Oil, fluids, etc > 100
Alternator, starter > 125
Flex Fan > 28
Headers, Ypipe > 180
Exhaust,
ypipe mods > 300

Freebies > Distributor, lots of hose clamps, coil, tach, oil dipstick.

I probably forgot many trips to the hardware or parts store for little piddly things.

This isnt a cheap swap, nor is it real easy. But, its not that hard, and if the car really means something to you, its worth it. My car drove me everywhere for 4 1/2 years, through a bad marriage, kid, college, and everything else. I couldnt just abandon her.

Its like the that old saying about someone asking how much that boat cost you, and the reply is "if you have have to ask about cost then you can not afford it."

The same holds for the cost of a engine swap. Did mine 3yrs ago and stopped counting after 5K.

Picture of car.

I think we are at about $6000-$7000 now.

It's the only way to learn how much it cost and get idea if you want to do it or not......

I asked how much it cost to do my engine swap.......and now i've spent more then anyone has listed on this page...in fact you might be able to add together a few people's swap and still come up short....

People ask questions, to learn and see what are the benefits.......

I know i did, and i won't hesitate to tell anyone if they ask me, however i won't go into detail, only the ones who can afford it ask that......

Interesting topic !

I have only a $100 bucks into my engine & trans , but I've just started. I have a 1 owner 350 & 400 turbo trans I paid 100 for, then drove the doner 350/400 Chevy home.

I still need all the high $$ stuff.....

Mounts
Trans & oil dipstick tubes
Radiator
Dress Up Kit
Headers, Ypipe
I also need the 400 trans adapter & torque arm kit . ($250-400)

I'm just starting on this, but If I knew today that I couldnt get the above stuff for $900, I'd sell the T/A and just buy a V8 Fbody car.

You can buy nice V8 Camaros & Birds fairly cheap around here.

Totalled 93 Camaro: $1k w/ LT1 & T56 122k miles

T56 crossmember - $130 shipped

Hedman Long tubes - $300 coated (haven't bought yet)

Custom chip - PCMS for Less around $150

Fuel Lines - Around $90 shipped from LT1Intake.com

TPI fuel pump - $60 from BMI Carquest

Time - $$

I got one hell of a deal on the donor car, so my swap is still on the cheap.

I should rebuild the engine before dropping it in, but I'm not going to. Hope it doesn't bite me in the ***.

Over 5K in the engine that I'm STILL having problems with, and a little over 2K in trans upgrades to handle the extra torque....

I paid 500 bucks for the rest of the car! :lala:

I dont even want to know how much I spent on my swap. I could have had a perfectly good daily driver car, but ruined it by doing a budget V8 that already needs replaced It is the worst decision I have ever made All the little things really added up. I know I spent more than twice what I paid for the car.

After reading some of these posts about regerts and poorly planned engine swaps, I can say after 3 yrs my engine swap is still running great. No problems with the money I spent.

You can do that in one sitting when you get an LS1 swap.....

And that's keeping the LS1 stock.....

Ha... Thats so true...

If done smart and done right, its not too overly expensive now...

I don't want to add up what my swap is going to cost. Going fast is NOT cheap and I, like many others, can prove it.

I never add reciepts till tax time but have a rough price for everything I spent for my swap
Short block $1000 -Traded some parts so only $500 out of pocket
Heads $1350 plus $80 to have them checked out and flowed
Cam $279
Timing chain/button $110
Oil pan $80
Windage tray $50
Headers $80
Intake $35
Carb $680
2" spacer $49
Disributor/wires. $290-my other MSD stuff failed on me needed new
Radiator$180
Fuel pump $329
Fuel line/filters $925
Rockers $270
Stud girdle $60
Valve covers $90
Tranny $1100
Convertor $825-but donated from the truck after it got rebuilt
1350 Yoke for trans $90
Driveshaft $280
Rearend $2500
Brake lines to plumb new rear $110
No price on nickel and dime stuff like hoses, wire, fluids, clamps, etc....waaay to much to think about and all the trips to the parts store. I know my account statement from Orielly's for the month of the swap was almost $1100 so that gives some insight of the little things

That's just drievtrain related, car has waay more than that in it Then the 3 sets of stickies I'v gone through this yr so it hooks up is another $1200 and all the entry fees to race this yr.....I gotta stop...I'm gettin sickLOL


Speed cost's that for dang sure!!

LS1 w/4l60e ....................................3500
*shipping........................................350
10 bolt 3.42 posi rear end...............150
rear end cover.................................40
aluminum driveshaft 1 ....................150 (guy scammed me)
aluminum driveshaft 2.....................100 (didnt get scammed)
Comp Cam.......................................200
Comp 918 springs...........................100
Valve Spring tool..............................40
Chromolly Pushrods........................100
ASP crank and alt. pullies.................220
ASP serpentine belts.......................50
Conversion Tubular Kmember.........450
Conversion Trans Crossmember
and Motor Mounts..........................284 (selling motor mounts)
Conversion Fuel lines/Regulator.....284
Conversion Wiring Harness............450
155 LPH Fuel Pump.........................100 (wrong size)
255 Walbaro inline..........................200
Kyb AGX adjustable shocks.............400
Eibach prokit lowering springs........285
Brake Proportioning Valve...............48
Head Gaskets..................................75
Head Bolts.......................................46
Crank bolt........................................10
2002 oil pump..................................20
02 timing chain and gears................free
Jba Shortie headers.........................75
Pacesetter Catback..........................325
Custom y-pipe..................................300~
2 Eagle F1's 275 fronts tires.............75
Nittos................................................300
Wet Nos kit .....................................275
15 LB Bottle......................................120
Purge kit...........................................85
A-Arm Bushings................................40 (not even using)
Crossdrilled slotted Rotors...............350
Ceramic Brake Pads.........................100
Rear 4th gen caliprs.........................75
Caliper Mounting plates...................100
Random Bolts...................................100
Cans of paint and underbody...........75
Craftsman Air Compressor................250
Other tools and random things........100
Impact Wrenches.............................100
Brake Lines.......................................2.64
Oil/Gear Oil/Additive/Coolant............40
Renting Hoist 3 times........................140

Total Cost = $10,624.64

Trips To Wendy's/Taco Bell $300.00

Sound of LS1 swap firing up for the first time...



...I, I actaully dont know yet

Help from friends and people on these sites....thats priceless


Did you have to do all of these things...no...but I decided if Im gonig to do it im going to do it right.

Should I be embarrassed?? I'm not going to list everything, and in fact, didn't even do a V6 to V8 swap, just a V8-V8.
Sitting over 15k, and it runs, but doesn't move yet.
Still have to finish a few things, and then the tuning starts, so who knows how much the finished product costs. Funny thing is, I don't really care either. I picked this car cuz I always wanted one, and now I can afford to have it the way I want it.
Having fun and learning at the same time. :hail: Camaros.

LT1 swap, $4500 CAN, converted carb non computer to fuel injection, add rebuilt heads, and headers.

Runs but doesn't move still waiting on little odds and ends to finish.

I see nothing referring to a "poorly planned" engine swap or "regrets" for doing one......at least not in my post. Glad to hear yours is doing good though...

i swapped my stock 305 with a chevy 355.. so far.. i am in $2300+. With a lot of help from friends of course, it's all worth it

Im looking at 10,000+ for my swap, but this is all new parts.

~Nick~

Just for a average cost for a motor swap with a new crate engine and all the parts look at $5000/$7000 to get it running right.
That is average or could be more or less. But I would NOT think about it I had less. My opinion.

305 RS TBI 5 speed

to

355 Z28 TPI 6 speed

Tremec T56 $2200
355 short block $650
StockTPI parts $125
4th gen Rear $120
new rear 4thgen brakes $348
aluminum drive shaft $130
LCA's $90
LCA brackets $65
LT1 fuel pump $100
SLP runners $240
Hooker 2055s $210
3" cat $75
cat back system 3" $150
LS1 injectors $99
ZR1 wheels & Tires $600 (ebay)
adj panhard $85
1LE front brake conv $675
4th gen leather seats $660
hurst shifter $160
autometer guages $130
4th gen console $75
hotchkis STB $180
Chip tuning $180
K&N filters $50
front wheel adapters $100

miscl $400

toal $ 7,567

this is EVERY part i have bought for my car.

but if you want just the amount of the engine parts:

i spent about $1,734 just on the engine parts to swap from the 305TBI to 355TPI

way to many parts to list seperate.LOL

540inch bb w/alum heads/solid roller and nitrous 14,000
custom headers and 4 inch exhaust 2,000
vasco glide and converter/driveshaft 4,000
12 bolt,axles,spool,gears ,girdle 1500
southside lift bars,adjustable panhard,qa1 shocks 1000
fuel pumps regulators and lines 750

tons of small stuff.

est 24,000 in the drivetrain.at least 30,000 in the car total.

runs high 8's over 150mph on 10 inch slicks with full interior and is street legal.

original investment was 1000 for a clean v6 camaro.

Thats cool as hell, but how did you get an 8 second car street legal...do you mean streetable or is it actually legal to drive on the streets, unless its under show car insurance, but still I would think the amplified exhaust and other things would make it illegal?

never said is was everyday car....is it loud....yep...its tagged and inpected with insurance...to some street legal means one thing and to me something else.and of course et or mph has no bearing on being a street car or not.


i am not a young kid who acts a fool on the street.i just cruise around in it and the cops do not bother me.could i get a ticket for being to loud?yes, i am sure if i came across a cop with a bad attitude which we know there are some of them out there.

i also live in a small town.as they are more strict in the bigger cities.

I disagree with you on that one. :nono:

Awesome sounding car though. Got pics or videos?

you live in little new york,,i live in the open range of texas.LOL


i will post a couple pics for you.

another

another before i had the new hood painted.

Only thing I can say to onefast85 is.....

Holy crap dude!! That's one awesome ride!!
:hail:


.....seriously...

That my friends is an awesome build.

thanks guys,it has taken a long time to get where it is at and alot of sweat and busted knuckles.LOL

i paid 400 bucks for my LT1 shortblock, 1,100 for a set of LT4 heads assembled with hotcam springs and bigger valves,
239 for the GMPP carbed intake, 325 for a new 650 double pumper, 700 bucks in MSD ignition..150 for my bigger bumpstick and anothe 2 grand in all the nickel and dime stuff...

i have about 5 grand into it all..so far

and beating a 35,000 03 cobra is worth every penny

HERE HERE!!!! I'll drink to that!!!

I'm not done. I've barely started. I figure that $20k spent will get me a pretty car that will smoke ANYthing this side of a stock Z06.

That is the goal and I'm sticking to it.

L8R

Jason

I've spent too damn much

I haven't done a swap, but I'd be surprised if $20k didn't get you something that would beat a stock viper...