Ive been researching for a couple weeks, and Ive encountered a few issues, that Im sure alot of people have, and there isnt really a clear cut answer. For one, Im starting with an LO3/Auto. Probably the most popular combination. My problem is, I dont want to swap a T56, and the LS at the same time. Yes, some have done it with success. I like to make sure I know what Im dealing with. So, one swap at a time (for money, and time constraint reasons). So, which one first? Ive looked at the swap crossmembers, but there different for auto vs 6 speed. Are they different for LS1 vs LO3 with a T56? I want to swap both, eventually. But I dont have the money for both at the same time. And this is my daily driver, and will be after the swap. I can probably put the car down for a week or two at a time, but not any longer. And I can take a week of vacation to perform a swap, but no longer. I have the means to weld a y-pipe, and make AN fittings, and bend tubing. I also have a 4L60 (for a 1995 f-body) that I had rebuilt for an LT swap that fell thru. And I can handle wiring easily, as long as I have good schematics. So would it be easier to swap a T56 first, then save for the LS1? Or swap the LS1, and use the 4L60, then swap the T56 later (this is what Im thinking is best). Or would I be better off, buying a nice 5 speed, hardtop, and building it at a slower pace? Ive seen a few for around $2500. Im convinced, with my limited resources, I can swap this LS1 for about $3k. Thats start to finish, without "cheating" and buying a whole donor car. And Im not ready to start this thing yet, so as much as Id love to start gathering parts, I have to make sure this can be done, inside my time frame and budget.

Well - a few folks here have done swaps /very/ quickly. I'm of the opinion that it will take longer and cost more than you expect, despite your best predictions. I wouldn't swap a daily driver unless I was dead certain of all the specifics of this swap.

I don't mean to be a pessimist...but this isn't a walk in the park for alot of folks and being without a car isn't fun.

Hmmm. If you can do that, then you are THE FREAKIN' MAN. I guess it could be possible, but I'd be strongly tempted to bet against it, given my experience. I've run into STUPID stuff - having to buy ARP bolts to attach the flywheel to the crank, since I bought the clutch & the flywheel separately. Seems like a hundred different little BS items like that, that stop you cold right when you've gotten a good rhythm going, & all of a sudden you've gotta stop & call around for some stupid freakin' little "nothing" part... Honestly, I'd budget around 50% over that, just to cover yourself.

I guess the best advice I can give would be this - get yourself a pen & a notepad, and go through this forum, as well as the "Conversions & Hybrids" forum on LS1Tech. Make note of all of the stupid little stuff that people run into, & factor that into your budget/plans. There was a fair chunk of stuff that I didn't think about - as well as a LOT of "Well, hell, as long as I have it torn apart this far..." - that's blown up the budget almost like I'm a congresscritter or something...

Best of luck with the swap, make sure to post pics...

Swapping either the engine or transmission first, then following with the other, is not a good idea. You'll be redoing some of the work regardless of which you do first.

The "My Budget LS Engine Swap Guide $1500" sticky in the "Conversions and Hybrids" forum of ls1tech.com cuts a lot of corners that you can't do in a 3rd gen. Plus, it starts with a 5.3, not a 5.7 LS1, and doesn't include the cost of the transmission.

The LT1 T56 will have to be modified to work with an LS1.

I'd recommend holding off on any work until you have saved up enough to do it all at once. Have it all laid out, take a week off of work, have a lot of help lined up. You might make it Friday night to the next Sunday night, especially if you don't do things like notch the crossmember for the LS1 AC compressor.

Thats what I was afraid of. And I was pretty sure the trans would need at least some work, because of the signal speed to the computer. So thats out.
Plus I know the computer would have to be sent off, or replaced, if I went from auto, to manual. More double work.


Well, it was an estimate, but Ive spent alot of time looking and writing up lists. I do have some other "resources", in that I work for an Aviation completion center. We have a considerable amount of tools and fabrication equipment, and hardware, I could use. And while we dont have any high pressure hoses for the AC, or power steering, I do have places that make us hoses to order, for good prices.

I guess, Its going to be just like I thought. Regardless of what swap, or combination, its going to take awhile. I just need to start a complete budget list, for the total car, and start buying parts. Might be a good time to look into a 6.0 liter. I had avoided looking into them for fear the swap combined with the parts gathering to make that engine work would be too much.

Im just so sick of this LO3/auto.