DrummerDad

Ive been searching, and looking for awhile, and its very intimidating the amount of information you have to wade through to get a good idea of cost. Ive had my heart set on an LS1 for several reasons. Weight, and ease of install being the biggest. I could live with one of the iron blocks, if it wasnt for the added headache of interchanging all the parts. And Ill be losing alot of weight over the iron intake, and heads of the L03. I wont go into the T56 swap, but to me it to go in at the same time.

Anyway, to get to my question, Id like all you guys NOT using an F-body (LS1) setup to list costs, as much as possible, to make it work for the 3rd gens. Ive read the threads for months and I know what is needed for the most part. But, the 4.8s, and 5.3s are dirt cheap as in $400 complete, and I just saw a 6.0 for sale locally as a long block for $800 (no Im not getting it, without the accessories and computer Ill pass). My point is, if I can get the parts needed to make it work, Ill live with a 5.3 iron block if its cost is lower.

So, tell us what you have in your 4.8s, 5.3s and 6.0s to make them work.

1ADan

iTrader: (4)

welcome to my world I'm working with a complete 5.3L currently. What needs to change (if you have EVERYTHING from the truck)

-LS1 intake and fuel rails. believe you can use the throttle body from the truck. you can get this stuff usually for about $30-100, depending on who's selling what at the time
-accessories: harmonic balancer, tensioner, idler, alt & power steering brackets. a/c's up to you (not doing it myself). a new kit of these (not including the PS pump or alt) are $400 on ebay, deals for used stuff between $200-400.
-water pump. $100-150
-exhaust minifolds (unless you're doing headers, than disregard)
-oil pan setup (including windage tray, pickup, and dipstick tube). $200-350

I'm hoping to make a few dollars back by selling off the truck specific stuff. i'm sure someone could use a truck pan, accessory setup, and intake. too bad that someone's not a 3rd gen owner

DrummerDad

I had been searching for awhile, but your thread about the tax check pushed me into trying to get more info. I can get some great deals on the smaller, iron engines.

1ADan

iTrader: (4)

Glad I could get some people motivated. I get my bursts of wanting to be productive, so I figured if I post updates, I'll be more likely to keep the ball rolling.

Perfect example: as soon as those photos went up, I felt like the setup had been sitting untouched for too long (since yesterday night) and got to removing the wiring harness and coil assemblies.

Tomorrow will be a hunt for an engine stand....

Pocket

iTrader: (24)

Looking back at my costs, its roughly as much as a F-body dropout for my 5.3, and Im a deal hunter. Not very encouraging

If you can find a LS1 + trans combo with harness, PCM manifolds, intake etc for $2000 or less BUY IT. Piecing a truck combo together will be within $200 of that depending on the deals you find

randomname

speaking of that... can i use fbody exhaust manifolds in the 83? so far my cost is $700 for complete motor 5.3 vortec/no ECU, $450 for complete ls6 intake manifold with throttle body/fuel injectors/rails, $80 bucks on a 99 silverado ECU, $40 on motor mount conversion kit, and still determined wire harness and ecu programming

randomname

forgot to add my alternator/powersteering pump bracket for $287 i got that from kwikperf.com

Pocket

iTrader: (24)

LS1 Fbody manifolds fit 3rd gens great

Good price on the engine

A little high on the intake combo, plug your 5.3 really wont take advantage of the extra flow the LS6 has. A $20 LS1 intake will be within a few HP of the LS6. Something to think on

Not bad for the PCM, it still requires a tune

Mounts are good. Adapter kit or Fbody kit?

Harness can be anywhere from free to $1000+. Read the threads in teh LS1 sticky and decide if thats something you're willing to tackle

Brackets are way high. Brand new from the dealer the brackets are under $100. Used $10-15 each. PS pump is extremely common in JYs, the reservoir is Fbody specific, but only $40ish from a dealer new. Alt, you're on your own

randomname

the only reason i went with the ls6 intake, is because it came with everything. and everytime i search for individual parts, its rediculious prices 150+.

adapter kit to use the old 3 bolt style, and they were 27 bucks not 40 sorry for that.

the bracket again was the cheapest price i have found, the local junkyard wanted to charge me 600 for the whole pully setup, water pump/crank etc. thats just the f-body style. corvett is stupid, our junkyard here is a shady and expencive,

speaking of tuning, any takers?

thanks for letting me know, my buddy has a pair of headers off of his SS hes giving me so thats a couple bucks i wont have to spend.

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

Headers, or factory manifolds?

randomname

stock manifolds, sorry about that

Pocket

iTrader: (24)

Lurk the LS1tech classifieds and wanted ads. Pieces pop up frequently and wanted ads get flooded with several sellers fighting for a sale

Ebay is a decent source when they pop up. Sellers like nook and tranny on there offer complete kits with a little markup. Not the ridiculous JY prices you posted. Dealers arent stupid expensive for LS1 parts so feel free to call and ask them too

DrummerDad

Another point to add:

When buying a drop out, itll be engine and trans, which will cost more. Ive been told I can get an LS1/T56 just about any day for $3k.

When buying a truck motor itll be engine only, usually. Because most will come from automatic vehicles, and I want the 6 spd. So, I would be able to get started with a smaller initial investment. Gradually getting all I needed.

In the long run, it might cost as much, but be spread out further. Its hard to come up with $3k to spend on a car that runs just fine. But $500 isnt so bad.

So it looks like no matter what you do, LS1, LT1, Gen 1,2 or 3, its all the same. The costs vary, depending on what your ultimate goal is, but it all ends up the same. Either spend a large lump sum, and get it all at once, or spend smaller lumps, eventually arriving at the place you want to be, with a larger price altogether. There is no defying the odds.

ShMaCk2004

i got my LS1/T56 drop out for $1800 thats with the wire harness, no ecu, all the accessories, and such.
another $400 - $600 for stuff like the gas tank, fuel lines, radiator, seats, and other goodies.

picked up a 2000 vette ls1 ecu on ebay for $40

thats from a 99 z28

I think i got pretty lucky on that deal

Pocket

iTrader: (24)

You got a great deal

Truck dropouts sometimes come with the trans. 4L60E truck units need a Fbody tailhousing (V6 or V8, same thing, must be 6 bolt style though) or a crossmember mounted TA. For some reason truck trannys are usually around half the price of Fbody ones

Klortho

DrummerDad, send me a PM I have a buddy who parts out 4th gens and he may have a motor or two laying around, or has some contacts that does.

ghettocruiser

iTrader: (4)

Not sure if anyone mentioned it... but if I ever do another swap starting with another motor...Ill be getting a donor car again. I got so many good parts in my donor. All the motor work was done, trans was built, strange rear, all the parts I needed besides exhaust and mounts... I think I paid close to $6k for the car, and sold about $2500 worth of parts off of it. So that's $3500 for built LS1, built T56, Strange 12-bolt, gas tank, wiring, accessories, tons of bits and pieces... Not bad IMO.

I used so many parts from that 4th gen car. And then made a crap ton of money back selling the parts that I couldnt use. I got $650 for the front clip of the 99 Z28, and that was without headlights or foglights. Just someone wanting to do a conversion to his 93-97 camaro. There is good money to be had.

I realize a lot of you dont have the room to have a car sit around while you dismantle it... In which case a drop out is ideal for you. But if you can swing it...I recommend it. There are GREAT deals out there.

J.