I have a 1988 firebird formula that I want to put a LS1 and t-56 transmission in. I want to go as cheap as possible. I heard that a guy bought a recked 1999 camaro ss for $2,500 from a website called copart.com. He took the motor and transmission out of it and put it in his third gen. Has anyone ever heard of the website or have any advice about it or about the swap?

 

its been done a million times. and try looking in the LSX/LTX sub forum. there is more info there on this swap you could ever want or need. oh and just to let you know even if you can find a donor car for 2500 its still gunna cost ya a lot more than that.

 

Thanks for the info. Why do you say it will cost me much more for the donor car?

 

He said it's going to cost more then just the donor car. There are a fair number of parts associated with putting a LS motor in a Thirdgen. We have an entire subform dedicated to the LTx/LSx swaps.

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/ltx-lsx/

 

Oh I know that. Im just trying to figure out the cheapest way to get the motor and transmission.

 

just look around in your area for a donor car (thats the best/cheapest way possible that i know of) and then start compiling a list of the other stuff that you will need, like motor mounts, trans x-member, ecm tune/vats disabled, ect. just do your research. there is really no way of telling you what the cheapest way is. just search around on the sub forum and try to figure out what you need. but first and foremost i would set a budget. and you have to think about the labor that goes into the swap. are you able to do the swap? (im not doubting you or putting you down in any way) or are you going to have to pay someone to do it. i personally have never done it but from what i hear and have read, its not exactly a walk in the park, and wiring these things are a nightmare, especially if you dont have much experience with electrical stuff. in mot trying to scare you off BTW, im just trying to give you a heads up on what your in for.

 

1. wiring will be a fun time . read all you can, its gonna be a task if you want to keep the cost down.
2. fuel system's gonna need to be redone. cheapest safe and reliable means braided lines and lots of adapters.
3. exhaust is gonna be custom, whether its manifolds and a y or long tubes and a mini-y
4. if you dont get the donor (and ya should), you're going to want to find a rear that doesn't cry at the sight of 300+ horses, especially if you go t56

you can't rush a project like this and do it right, let alone cheap. i've been sitting by and watching ls1tech for over a year now grabbing good deals on parts as they come up, craigslist is great too.