I know there are a lot of guys thinking about the LS1 swap out there. Most guys go with used engines and systems out of wrecks. I did that on my first LT1 swap and after I got it all running for a few months the oil pump crapped out and I lost the engine. ALL that time and work lost and I had to build a new one.

For you guys looking for LS1 swaps, I can get you not just the LS1 but the 2002 405hp LS6 for good prices.

Right now GM is listing the LS1 for $8000 and the LS6 for $8600, though prices are about to change.

I can't work miracles, but I can get a 2002 LS6 longblock for $5950 right now. That is with taxes included, with complete GM Goodwrench warranty, shipped.

Not everyone offers the LS6 right now, not everyone can get them readily.

I can also get the LS6 swapper's DREAM. I can get the LS6 production engine. This is the one that GM gets when/if they have to replace an LS6 in the ZO6 Corvettes. Here is a list of what it comes with!

LS6 405hp longblock
LS6 intake
throttle body
LS6 clutch assembly
All engine sensors
exhaust manifolds
fuel rails
injectors
ZO6 red LS6 fuel rail covers with "Corvette" on them
and some small bits of the wiring harness

Now, NO ONE carries these. They are special order. Again, this is all BRAND NEW equipment. The only other parts you would need for the swap would be a T56 from an LS1 car and a wiring harness with PCM.

I can sell the production LS6 with tax already in the price, GM warranty, and shipping for $8800

There is no list price for the production LS6. It is meant to be used by the dealerships. For the price, to get all new parts under warranty, and all the parts mentioned --- this is a serious deal. This would have a list price of easily $13,000 to $14,000 if it wasn't intended for dealer use only.

I know its not for everyone. But if you are looking to buy new, shoot me an e-mail. As you might imagine, availability changes regularly and is fairly limited with these engines. I've already sold one to a fellow that is putting it on a C5 frame under a 1963 split-window Corvette coupe body.

 

Hey man, I just wanted to say that its pretty damn awsome of you to offer fellow thirdgenners a deal like that!

On behalf of everyone here, Thanks!

 

Rob,
No problem. I know what it is to get stuck having to install used parts. When I first started out I know I couldn't afford new, and I guess a lot of guys can't. But for those that can or that want the assurance of new vs out of a wreck, I figure this is a decent deal. I mean, it is still expensive - nothing GM is ever cheap! But compared to prices and availability at most dealers or shops this is hard to beat.
Like I said, my first swap went bust about 3 months after I got it running. It ran like a champ and I was still braking it in. As the swap had gotten close to completion I emptied my checking account on it in hopes of getting it on the road. So when the engine blew I was in misery. Figure $2000 for initial LT1, 4l60e, all parts and wiring, $500 for wiring work, $700 in various PCM programming fees, and probably close to $3500 in various parts, tools, etc for the swap since the first time around I was a novice with cars. Then for the engine to BLOW.....that would have added about $2000 for a factory stock 2-bolt LT1 crate engine, but I opted to build a $7000 engine.

Tally that up and that is a 405hp LS6 production engine, fully installed, with a blower kit!

A lot has changed since then, but if you look at the numbers - and they are conservative - its pretty close to the cost of the LS6. And an LS6 makes 425hp (not the 405 advertised - just as the LS1 makes 360 or so) instead of the 275hp I had with the original LT1 !! If only I had waited another year or so until LS1s were on the market! LOL
In the past few years I've been fielding a LOT of questions, e-mails, posts, even phone calls and abrupt meetings at car shows helping people do the LT1 swaps. I think a lot of guys that I helped out are now helping others and passing it along. Doing these swaps is sort of a "rite of passage" since there is often a LOT more to be done than any of us initially think, even when planning ahead.
I do plan to do an LS6 / T56 swap as my next project. First I have to figure out what it is going into... I have a lot of ideas ranging from a 65 or so Le Mans or GTO, to a 68 or 69 SS, possibly another 3rd gen. I just don't know. I'm not sure if I am ready to tackle a restoration. I think I will want a larger garage before I get to that point!

 

Brand new LS1 motor complete with computer and exhaust manifolds. No core nessesary. $5659.95 www.paceparts.com

GM performance parts, crate engines section.

 

Umm, the engine Brett's selling is the LS6 crate, which is about 100 HP over the LS1 from Jim Pace.

 

if you dont mind me asking,how do you get these deals,i guess you dont have to tell me where,but do you work for a dealer or something? thanx.

 

No, though sometimes they joke about putting me on the clock. Over the past few years I've become good friends with some of the parts guys at the local dealer. My closest friend was just made head of the department and I get price cuts that some local shops can't touch.


As for the Pace parts....they do wholesale while I am just working a price deal. The other difference is that the prices I listed are AFTER taxes and come with FREE shipping...and as Mark pointed out, the prices (listed from Pace) are for the LS1 and not the LS6. And ESPECIALLY not for the production LS6.

The funny thing is that the LS1 and the LS6 crate engines both cost GM **exactly** the same to build and sell to the dealers and distributors. But everyone along the line marks them up. You'll never see LS1 and LS6 marked for the same price from anyone. If you knew exactly how much money different shops, dealers, and distributors made off of marking up these engines you would be sick.

For replacement engine the mark-up is amazing. It is cool to see thought that most of the GMPP engines and parts are NOT as marked up. Their base price is higher and the mark-up is much smaller.

Above I put a word in for the two LS6's. But I can get ANYTHING from GM, GMPP, or Goodwrench at a good discount from list. So for me I could grab a lot of cool engines for low prices. But for popular replacement engines like the LT1, LS1, and especially the LS6 I can work a much better deal.

 

I have an idea what the markup is.

A complete Ford 302 with accessories and wiring in 1996 for service replacement cost Ford about $800. Whats the cheapest crate motor they sell cost, about $1500 for a shortblock? Yea, theres some serious markup going on. Aluminum blocks are a little more expensive but not a whole lot. GM probably has $1500 at best into that engine.

 

*

 

How involved is the engine swap for a LS6? I assume it's similar to the LS1 swap... Let me know. What kind of top end engines can you get for around $3000?

Humvee

 

I personally don't know everything involved in doing an LS1 swap. The LS6 would be the same. The only differences between the engines are all internal.

As far as I know, for an LS1 swap you need whatever automatic or 6-speed you are using to also be off an LS1 car to match the bolt-patterns. For the engine itself I have heard that the engine mounts need to be moved. Beyond that it is a matter of figuring out which way to mount your power accessories. You will of course have to figure out the coolant lines, fuel lines, etc. It doesn't strike me as a tough job, just time consuming. Of course there is the wiring too. If the LS1 or LS6 is going in a late-model car like a 1991 Z28 or something then you'll probably want to have someone do the wiring conversions for you for about $500. There is always DFI, too. But that is a lot more expensive. And given that LT1s and LS1s have the LT1 and LS1 Edit programs why bother unless you're looking at building a 600+ hp blower engine.

And if you're asking in general what I can get from GM for about $3k? I haven't priced out much other than GMPP engines and the LS1 / LS6. Here's a list of what I've looked at with my price after taxes and shipping vs list price with taxes and shipping.

LS1 longblock - $5600 vs $8480
LS6 longblock - $5850 vs $9129 (waiting on new price)
LS6 production - $8300 vs roughly $13,000 if there WERE a list (also waiting on new price)
Ramjet 350 - $5400 vs $6917
Ramjet 502 - $9600 vs $10,913
502/502 - longblock - $6700 vs $8613
- complete - $7600 vs $10,017
- assembled - $7850 vs $10,442
330hp 350 - $2700 vs $3281
ZZ4 355hp - $4150 vs $5313
Fastburn 385hp - $4770 vs $6095 (add the hot cam kit and it is the SAME engine as the ZZ430 making 430hp)

So, like I said before - I get some better prices than list, but my real deals are on the replacement engines as opposed to anything from GMPP. GMPP keeps the list price and the internal prices a lot closer. So my only really GOOD deal is on the LS1s and LS6s. But if anything listed above can help someone out, let me know.

 

how much could you get me a set of complete l31 vortec heads for?

 

I have two separate deals with my local shop. Engines I get a set markup over their cost. Parts I get a 33% discount which is better than the 25% cut that the local shops get, but nothing compared to the prices that some of the discount houses can offer them for. Try looking up SDPC prices in a magazine, they're usually about as rock bottom as you can get.

The best I can do with the Vortec heads is about 570 per set assembled or 540 per set bare. That's after 6% sales tax in Ct. with shipping costs included already as well. So I think SDPC can get away with selling them for about $500 as a pair for the assebmled version. I don't see how they can ship a set of heads for $15 though. Think of the weight! LOL

Actually, I'd be interested to see what the shipping cost would be. If they really can ship across continental US for $15 or if that $500 price is before shipping fees. I'd be curious to see what their final price is with shipping included - just for my own reference.

Edit - had to fix a typo, I had put 570 and 540 EACH! LOL Yeah, what a deal THAT would be!