BigRoc23

I have a 1990 IROC 5.7 and it’s getting a t56 magnum next week. I was wondering if anyone knew a rough price for ls3 swapping it? Also what would I need? And any tips or pointers? Thanks this means a lot to me I’m still in high school

ShiftyCapone

iTrader: (7)

If the magnum is not for an LSX wait. An LS3 swap is no different than any other LS swap. An LS3 by default will have a higher cost of entry than a truck 6.0 becuase its associated with vettes and camaros. Start with a budget. An LS swap can run from a crude and dirty $2k all the way to $100k. The most overlooked part of an LS swap is the other stuff needed to handle that power. Namely, exhaust, suspension, upgraded brakes, etc etc. My recommendation to you is to read, read some more and then reread everything on this site related to LS swapping. Readind is free and you'll start to formulate what it will take.

BigRoc23

yep I’ve got new wilwoods looking into headers etc I do need suspension but I’m willing to pay extra bucks to get a better engine you know? I’m talking about like wiring harnesses and front accessory kits etc. thanks!

Kingtal0n

I've swapped a variety of vehicles, never a thirdgen but in general the cost for me to even begin to think about doing starts around 20k and that is just in parts, not including labor.
In a recent turbo project the engine was free and the swap is still up to 30k in other parts not including the engine.

I've quoted 60k to 100k for various swaps to be finished including 200+ hours of labor. If you actually want the car to be done properly, quickly, it is very expensive and basically a full time job from start to finish at least 100 hours or more. Trying to piece something together over the course of years is a huge mistake in my opinion; either buy everything one time and perform the swap in a matter of weeks to a couple months, or don't even buy a single part. Plus over time you forget what you've done or what needs to be done and that leads to parts having to come back out to go back and re-do something you should have known or done right the first time.

I only build for daily driver, reliability. You can go much cheaper if you don't need the vehicle to be dependable; but I don't do those kind of swaps.

Kingtal0n

Heres an example list of parts and prices used for a free engine swap, and its not even the complete list only about 3/4 of it.
I keep track of every penny because nobody will believe you spend $10 on some fittings here and there and it adds up to a thousand.


12 gauge wire for fuel pump 8.95
LS1 intake, TB, Rail, injectors 403.001 stock LS1 stuff
Used Sikky kit 1285.83 included driveshaft that I changed yolk on
Turbo and associated order 1484.001 Turbo, blanket, coating, 3" v-band, flange
F-body accessory kit used 450.001
LS 6 valley cover 0 didn’t use it, don't use it
sikky sway bar new 221.18
HP tuners 544.94 to tune the ECU
Q45 differential w axles 568.12 This turned out to be bad, needed another one
Stainless flex section 20.001 important in exhaust
trans cooler 94.001 has a fan
fuel pump strainer 8.45
Tial wastegate 340.001 authentic only
exhaust gaskets & bolts 26.99
EGR blockoff 9.01
map sensor 2-bar 12.84
water pump w thermostat housing 69.99 don’t use this one. Buy a gates pump. I replaced this later.
4l80e flexible dipstick 65.001 don’t let it fold over it will bend and ruined.
transgo shift kit 109.95 Didn't use it
4l80e trans mount 13.001
6an trans cooler fittings 12.001
OEM balancer bolt 9.85
goodyear polyV Serp belt 15.18
10an steel weld bung 5.57 didn’t need it
10an aluminum weld bung 4.25
10an straight hose end 3.21
10an 45degree hose end 6.18
10an 2 feet of hose 6.54
3/8 -6 pushloc hose 3 feet 8.25
4l80e used with 96k miles 674.501
3/8barb to -6an fittings 3x 16.47
aeromotive 13129 from auth. Dealer 118.99 regulator of fuel
Yank converter SS2800 910.08 most important part
10x Automotive relays 12.84
Engine stand bolt kit 8.79
V-band 2.5" 2x also 33.58 didn’t need all these
V-band 2.5" 14.48
4l80e speed sensor wire pigtail 9.98 very important
Exhaust Wrap DEI Titanium 42.99 They sent me another one free
93-97 Altima cooling fans 75.301 best fans
Oil Pump Oring O-ring felpro 5.65
radiator with fans KA24DE aluminum 121.96
steering hose 67.501
AEM wideband 175.99
EV1 injector pigtails 21.19 didn’t need them
Shifter with cable camaro 70.01
Alternator long thick wire/cable 17.25
2x stainless 2.5" V-band male/female 34.98 didn’t use all of these
1"x25' exhaust wrap from china 8.78 didn’t use it yet
100pcs stainless ties 10.301
new 5.3L Starter 54.501 didn’t need it yet (spare)
3x 3" Tbolt clamps chinese $5.46
mishimoto 2.5" to 3" coupler 6.601
Oil pan gasket 15.85
5/16 to 6an Oring fitting 5.29
2.5" Vband male female (another) 17.49
solder for wiring 5.57
heat shrink tube 4.99
1x 90 6an fitting 5.95
1x 90 degree 6an fittings 3.79
5 feet of -6an hose black 14.501
straight 6an fitting 4.67
5 feet of Marine tinned copper wire 4.95
10an male female with 1/8" npt 6.96
waterproof crimps 50x 4.39
2 quarts of Amsoil SVG Gear oil 39.74 wasted it when diff blew
fuse holder and 20pieces ring terminal 2.02
2x 90 6an pushloc fittings 8.02
Harbor freight multi meter 5.29
Rockauto: plugwires, vc gaskets, plugs, injector orings 53.501
Screw extractor 8.55 waste of time
pressure cleaner hose (northern tool) 53.49 used it once
Motor oil and some degreaser autozone 27.501
walmart engine oil 15-40 diesel 17.501
LKQ U-pull-it Engine harness &ecu 155.88
50 cash to the engine dropoff guy 50.001
5.3L high mileage engine free
Head Bolt Kit LSx 29.05
Gasket Kit for 5.3L LSx 44.49
GM LS1 head gasket set 49.95 didn’t use it yet
GM steam pipe 2 into an outlet 30.78
Shift kit installed 145.001 Didn't do it
862 rebuilt heads 299.001
walmart acetone,brakecleen,trans fluid, wd-40 25.64
Harbor freight Drill & bits 29.92
Harbor freight Cut off wheel tool 13.89
4x harbor freight drill bit sets 12.81
walmart oil and filter 25.21
Fuse block holder dorman 7.91
Power steering pulley 44.22 PS pulley is plastic it breaks easy
2x torque wrench, moly, tube brush, gloves harbor freight 43.82
ace hardware m10x1.5 tap 7.94
12 cans of brakecleen 38.52
2 cans brakecleen, 2 fuel injector cleaner, 2 towels 19.26
31x12x3 intercooler 89.001
3" intercooler pipe kit 101.001
exhaust J hangars 13.65 needed 1 or 2 of them
shift cable mount 4l80e 20.21
heater core delete hose 9.99 useless
Ace hardware 1/8npt tap, teflon, plug 14.601
ace hardware 2x allen m8 oil pan bolts 4.65
driveshaft Yolk install 164.33 for 4l80e
Ace hardware M12x1.75 5.26 trans bolts
Ace hardware more M12x1.75 12.38 transmission bolts
lock washers, ace hardware 1.71 for trans
Gas for welder 6.56
Paid 40 to Kiko for oil pan weld 40 <<<
Autozone fuel line (Steam port line) 9.04
paper towels and drinks publix 17.65 remember you need to eat
Angle gauge finder harbor freight 5.29
heat shrink & elec tape harbor frei 9.92
New oil pump melling 59.001 preventative maint
new balancer bolt again 8.77
Sunpro mech oil pressure gauge 15.99
another 10an male female with 1/8" npt 8.15
3.75" to 3" coupler for Throttle body 4.44
2x TWO: 2.5 to 2.5" 45 degree couplers 9.901 didn’t use them
3x 2.5" Straight couplers 10.71 used 1 of them
2x 6an push loc fittings for trans 8.48 didn’t need them
4 more feet of pushloc 6an hose 11.36 used for PS return
Full Race turbo Oil Line feed 76.001
Intake manifold gasket set 19.99
Russell 640853 Adapter for RAIL 9.99
4x 6an straight fittings 9.85 didn’t use them all
6an to o-ring fitting for regulator 4.74
2x 6an hose clamp finisher 3.78 for tank 6an
breeze 63006 hose clamp for fuel 7.91
breeze 3704 hose clamp for fuel 7.46
3" generic air filter temporary 8.31 temp filter
3x wastegate tube, bends 80 only needed 1
Rockauto: neutral safety switch 4l80e 32.701 didn’t need it
Walmart Oil 10w-30 13.13
walmart oil 10W-30 havoline 15.101
HF glasses gloves, gloves 11.201
HF brush set 3.17
Autozone radiator hose 14.3
AdvanceA Front main seal 22.46
HF clamps gloves scissors 16.02
walmart trans oil 2 gallons 24.34
autozone towels and hand cleaner 6.36
autozone compression union for brake 2.96
harbor freight gloves 8.36
3/8" NPT Tap 3.32 for water pump
1/2" NPT tap' 7.51 for water pump
headlight bulbs 3.85
5 feet -6an Braided stainless 8.901
3 feet -6an braided stainless 5.34
3 feet of 3/8" Fire Sleeve 14.701
3/8" Split wire loom 11.99
1/8" Split wire loom 7.49
Design Engineering 010418 Heat Sheath 11.45
Spark plug boot protectors 12.99
10"x20" Sticky Heat Shield 20.97
Russel -6an 644123 fuel rail fitting 14.96
1/0 welding wire for batt relocation 30.49
rubber grommet set 4.99
Mightmaxx battery 33.99 temp battery until I could do relocation
4l80e pan gasket and O-ring 12.87 still have these as spares
2 feet of 3/4" fire sleeve for drain trbo 11.801
1/0 ring terminals and shrink 4x 18.82
Knukoncepts Battery Terminals 1/0 35.48
ARP exhaust manifold hardware 35.98 didn’t use them yet
A/C HVAC Control 27.001
15-40 T5 Engine oil walmart 16.97
harbor freight gloves and blades 14.59
U-pull-it battery cable 13.62
U-pull-it heats hields 23.2
Autozone tubing cutter for brake line 8.55
U-pull-it Neutral safety switch 4l60e 11.77 this is the one I used
Home depot brake booster 3/8 to 1/2 8.33
Aluminum 4l80e dust cover 45 lucky I found one
Nissan headlight/turn switch 31.06
AFE Intake Filter 4" turbo 59.001 use a dry paper filter
Home Depot Soldier roll 11.101
Home depot hole saw 14.28
Rockauto Wheel Studs X10 X10 26.29
Rotella T5 motor oil 17.98
23022 and 21361 NAPA Oil and Fuel Filter 8.801
Heatshrink 328 pieces 4.18
8x new ngk-TR6 4177 spark plugs 16.95
Firewall Metal Grommet 6.99
2 feet of Ground cable battery 5.58
2x Rear Main seal & gasket rockauto 29.85
3" Muffler, walker 36.92
soldering torch 3.99
soldering torch also 4.38
randi's Q45 differential 150 temporary differential
American Muffler exhaust back 190.801
1/2" NPT plug for water pump 5.11
ironton shop wire assortment 59.98 used most of it to relocate S14 fuse box
600 piece rivnut tool assortment 44.95
4l80e TCC solenoid 19.95 didn’t need it
0-gauge fuse holder 200amp 250amp 13.501
ATM-2268 Auto Meter 1/8" NPT Female to 16mm x 1.5 Male Metric Gauge Adapter 13.95
battery terminal shim pair 5.89
Oil change 10-40 Nsyn 27.901
Flexplate 59.92
8.5mm plug wires high temp rockauto 49.89
180* thermostat switch 4x pack 29.95 to flip trans cooler on
4l80e rebuilt front pump complete 279.99 front pump was bad in the 4l80e
4l80/4l60 Kent-Moore J-37789 tool 57.56 tool to change pump
rockauto rear caliper rebuild kit 24.09 didn’t use them just bought new calipers
3/8" Aluminum loom clamps 7.001
1" Billet Hood Vent 9.99 didn’t use it yet
S14 fuel bulkhead 41.001 didn’t need this one long
Randy S14/S15 Bulkhead 20.001 used this one
Soap & vacuum hose from autozone 15.501
Rear brake calipers S14 low miles 47.001
crankshaft sensor 5.3 25.63 thought mine was bad
6an to 1/8npt temp sensor for trans 6.83
oil pressure gauge 26.99
stoptech stainless brake lines 55.001 for Z32 brakes when I get some
Battery from Walmart 81.93 new typical battery for trunk
Duralast Camshaft position sensor lifetime warranty 49.81 thought mine was bad
Intake air temp sensor w pigtail 30.001
fuel injector ev1 clips stealth 12.99 didn’t use them
KYB AGX front shocks and strut mounts 295.85
hard 5/16 fuel line 23.99 relocate fuel system
rockauto wheel bearing, tie rods, ball joints 161.45
home depot work lights 27.701
harbor freight epoxy and sanding paper 19.73
harbor freight epoxy again same day $8.48 ~rough price I forgot
P3 welding wire .030" 2lb roll $18.01 to replace what my friend used
ES front control arm bushings $24.26
5-40 synthetic rotella oil $23.01
pair of 1/2" aluminum plugs $6.09 blocks water pump heater core
6AN 10 feet of fuel hose for line reloc $22.01 used it all
4" Ubend for air cleaner $41.82 no other way
3" electric cutout yay! $55.00 best mod
Tire rack 2x 205/55/16 ZR $137.00 tires
Rockauto water pump, thermostat, belt tensioner $135.30 finally a proper water pump
neochrome lug nuts billet steel $21.22 Neochrome and Steel
Kiko intake/pcv tube $40.00 40
Kiko bypass $80.00 80
ace hardware 10mm studs $13.72 didn’t really need
autozone hose and inj cleaner $13.28 didn’t really need
1/2" tee for pcv $4.85
F525cc high Q Injectors FIC $410.00 Injectors
PAC valvesprings 1218 $135.96
S14 240sx front Tension rods $100.74 thought mine were bad
Dakota digital speedo box SG5E $72.01 to run the speedometer
4an fittings 2x for wg cooling $5.88 to run water to the gate
4an hose for wg and steam port $14.64
6an hose separator $3.18
90* 6an fuel fitting $5.25 finishing up fuel system
1/8 npt hose barb 8mm $1.39
10pcs M6 $2.97
2 pcs M6 not sure of qty coming $1.98
10pcs craft colors m6 $3.10
butane lighters 2x for soldiers $9.99
windproof butane soldier light $6.99
triple torch lighter $2.79
3 titanium dress bolts $4.14
autozone transfluid and oil filter $15.35
home depot 3 switches $12.66
ebay spade connectors and switches $5.00 rough amount
autozone 9 feet of fuel line to use as hose $17.08
black 4mm hose $4.95
STP alignment front & rear 4-21-18 $30.00 debt to stephan
Front tires mount/balance today 5-2-18 $32.13
momentary push button $2.78
brass T's $2.28
3/8 to 1/4 barb $3.39
6an hose finishers 2x $3.38
5/16 to 1/4 brass reducer barb $3.19
1/4" NPT to 5/16 hose barb fitting $3.78
TR7 Iridiums NGK $54.70
4l80e rebuild $1500~
30mm Brakes, calipers, rotors, lines, $600 new
steering wheel & quick release $250
Engine seal alignment tools $200


total ~19000 and not finished
-> Doesn't include a car or engine <-

I'm not saying this is going to be your list of parts, just a heads up on what additional items you may need, check the list and you will realize alot of parts are needed you didn't even think of yet. And some stuff you buy and never use or it wasn't good to begin with.

vorteciroc

Holy $hit!

Kingtal0n

Yeah and that was using the OEM $50 ecu, not a stand-alone 1k holley system (which is still very cheap and affordable considering its capability)
I also wired it myself and tuned it myself of course

I save so much money DIY and still manage to drop 25k 30k without even considering the cost of an engine or the vehicle

You have to keep in mind however that once you buy all the right parts, they basically outlast the vehicle. For example if the engine blows we can get a next free engine (or very low cost) and go again for 5 or 10 more years for no additional cost.

Building the setup is $$$ but maintaining it is extremely cheap, do it right and you can drive forevermore on just the cost of fuel and oil.

ShiftyCapone

iTrader: (7)

There is nothing wrong with buying parts over time and doing the build slowly. Often that's the only way that makes these type of projects "fit" into real life. Plus, you'll have more time to learn along the way. You'll get advice out the wazoo but before you commit to anything keep ready the forums and you'll start to see what people have to go through to make a swap happen. You'll see patterns, common shared obstacles and other tips and tricks to guide you when you finally do take the plunge.

Arctic White 91 RS

As Shifty mentioned it can vary wildly. I've know folks who did LS swaps themselves and did it for $3,500 likewise aware of professional restoration LS restomods that were $200,000+

My 91 RS with 389,500 miles after daily driver duty for 25 years was a professional restoration LS restomod and total cost was $75,000 completed in 2016. I started collecting parts in late 2002. Took approximately 200 hous of labor billed at an average of $70 an hour or $14,000. Today would expect it to cost ~$115 an hour or about $24,000

The $75,000 total included custom building a 383 LS1 ready for a 250 hp shot of NOS, swapped car from auto to manual, rebuild suspension w/upgrades, light weight k member & a-arms, stage 2 T-56, 8.8 rear end, upgrade brakes, new fuel system, SS hood, delete AC, add dual electric cutouts off of headers, fixing body damage, fixing various issues like old weather stripping etc, excellent quality repaint that stripped to the metal, 2nd hand excellent condition interior. There were also a couple of missteps in my decision making that added cost like having a 4L60E rebuild plus 3,200 stall converter then going T56 however over the 14 years of the swap project my wants changed from street strip to crusier. Likewise the NOS wasn't installed.


MY 91 RS is the white one in the middle. This is after LS swap.

Still with stock wheels...but not for much longer...hatch motor broke again and needs replacement...it never ends

383 LS1 w/Jesel Roller rockers etc

The Fikse FM10's just need to have the body shop roll the rear fenders and get tires.

Replacement of wheels & tires will end up being another $5,000 and had to wait for a while.

Now my other 3rd Gen swap, a 91 RS Convertible wasn't going to cost anything close to as much because the car only needed the LS swap and was getting less high performance upgrades. I had a suitable LS1 w/heads & cam from my 99 T/A, the T/A's old 10 bolt w/3.42's and LS1 brakes, plus the above mentioned 4L60E w/3200 stall converter, SLP 2OTL etc new shocks & sway bars, headers & Y pipe plus fuel pump upgrades and AC fittings were needed. Same hop estimated the swap cost plus needed parts at $18,000 to $22,000 in 2018 depending what upgrades I picked. Can't find pictures of convertible at the moment



99 TA w/416, Magnum & 8.8 - provided lot of free parts for 91 RS Convertible's LS swap

416 repaired

$4,500 w/238,000 miles and didn't have to LS swap it. A 4th Gen can be a better deal than swapping.

blackgloves

go to "Auto Detailing and Appearance" section
them Members Camaro
then click on my thread. I have a list of parts and even prices for my LS3 swap.

You don't need the LSXR intake. The stock LS3 intake is pretty hard to beat. Sticking with the stock intake will save you a bundle of cash. I went with it because I'll be showing the car some.

blackgloves

you spent $19,000 for an LS1 swap and that doesn't include the engine?

I'm over half way through an LS3 swap and mine is far less.. i have spent money on stuff I really didnt need to on top of it all. Didn't need an upgraded intake but I did. My T56 is stage III and I didn't need to take it that far. Same for my 103mm TB

Wow

Kingtal0n

I'm at 45,000 miles with 600rwhp using a free engine, the list includes almost every oil/trans fluid change and many tires/consumables along the way.
Look carefully its a few hundreds worth of oil changes and trans fluid.

There is nothing on the list in a turbocharged swap you can avoid buying if you want true reliability with 600 to 700rwhp.
I drive like a normal car, no opening the hood, not even a flat tire, Drive every single day 10kmiles/year.

If the engine breaks, it costs me $0 to replace, much cheaper than LS1 or LS3 but it never breaks because the setup and tune is spot on.
My tune file is in my build thread, my own methodology, I share free.

Most people don't keep track of every $9 fitting they buy and every oil change, tires and oil don't count in the cost to build. Lug nuts $22 for example. Do you count the price of your lugs? Its not just a engine swap list, its a car-build list, every part of the car suspension, struts, shocks, mounts, control arms, bushings, sway bar, etc....

Most people don't put 10kmiles/year on their built vehicle, too many issues or perhaps wrong parts, unreliable selection is common.
My list is for teaching purposes. It is a realistic point of view if you want to completely rebuild a car, not just swap the engine, and then drive 50k miles, soon 100k miles, with over 750bhp and $0 engine

blackgloves

I see now. This is an ongoing build. You're adding everything over the years. Mine is ONE swap from my TPI/700R4 to a LS3/T56

Yes, I'm keeping track of every item

Rob the shadow

I have the same year. 1990 Camaro I Roc-Z Mine is in excellent shape. Never Wrecked. I had gotten mine built in S.C. Hawks Motor Sports, That would run about $50 K The specialize in Camaros and Firebirds
If interested its going up For Sale Has 3 K miles on the engine. Good Luck