Tuttlet

What are some of the best places to find a used LS1 or LS3 for cheap? Would like to do the swapp in a third gen.

majobis

iTrader: (3)

Do a general internet search to see which GM cars had the LS in it and then hit the junkyards. You won't get any cheaper and although you won't get to necessarily see the guts of the engine, a look of how the previous owner kept up the interior should give you signs of which cars to pass on.

UnstableAviator

Dude, there is no "cheap" way to do an LSX.

I've been trying to go cheap for a few months with no luck, so I gave up. I'm going to buy a 2001 LS1 takeout (LS6 intake!) and T56 today. Yeah, its $3500, but damnit I work for a living and don't have time to spend scouring the world to save 500 bucks. Besides, after selling my all of my old school small block stuff I should be just about even.

lunati397

hell I sold one for 1600 computer and all not to long ago I might be selling a LQ4 soon its been torn down to a short block had the heads redone already all the parts are there including the complete wireing harness

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

I would only go to a junkyard in desperation. Some JY's do business on-line, but just to walk in to a local yard - not a good plan. The main advantage is they usually offer a warranty, but the time period starts the day you leave the yard with the engine, not the day you get it running.

Obviously, I favor on-line resources. Various BB's, eBay, craigslist, etc. But, as always, it's "buyer beware". Check out who you're dealing with. Be especially wary of the deal that looks too good to be true.

rickyzZ28

iTrader: (4)

I actually purchased a wrecked 2001 Camaro Z28 from copart.com for 4500. I know that seems high, but I kept a perfect ebony leather interior for me and kept the LS1 engine and 6 speed transmission. I used the front and rear brakes and rear end on my dads car and then basically sold the rest off and so far I have made about 2500 to 3000 from selling parts from the car. Had I not kept things like the interior, brakes, and rear end I really think I could have broke even on the engine and transmission part of the swap. For me this was the best option as I really wanted to update my interior and I wanted a 6 speed for the swap. Hawks sells their 6 speed engine and transmission drop out for around 4500 so I figured this was the best route to go. I did have to drive from Ohio to New York to get my car, but I have a trailer and truck so this was not a problem for me.

Gumby

If you watch them weekend car shows on spike TV they say you can get a whole engine with computer for $1500 but good luck with that local.

Gotta use those website where they got piles of them sitting around and then shipping with get you for another $500+

White'89

iTrader: (8)

I stopped watching those shows when they said that LS series engines use 90psi of fuel pressure. No doubt an oversight but just goes to show you they don't know about everything they preach.

Jim85IROC

iTrader: (2)

Ls1s aren't cheap, but truck motors are. If you're looking for an affordable ls, look for a 5.3 from a truck. A mild cam will make it more powerful than a stock ls1. You'll have to scrounge up a few extra parts if you don't want the truck intake, but it's still a much cheaper swap overall, and can also be done in stages to save on cash up front.
Junk yards are the easiest place to get truck motors, and if you get it installed quick enough, you can get it replaced if it turns out to be a piece of crap.

lunati397

lq4s and lq9s make more than stock ls1s and are cheap too with a cam stock heads and intake are capable of 4-500hp

Tuttlet

Thanks for help.

jbenge

iTrader: (2)

Most of the local junk yards around here wanted a fortune for even a truck motor if they had one at all. I ended up finding my 6.0L block on craigslist. Sometimes you can get lucky and find one there. If you want to stick with a junk yard the smaller ones are your best bet, the big commercialized ones are a lot more expensive.

jackaharmon

i guess im the only lucky person on this forum..when i lived in south fl, i found my LS1 on craigslist for 1500..i even pulled it from the car myself..it included engine, auto trans, engine wiring, computer, dash wiring, body control module, full exhaust, radiator, condensor, fans, driveshaft, fuel tank with fuel pump..so yeah i guess i did luck out..good luck on yours..