I have been looking at LS motors lately and I have been astounded at the crate motor prices, which led me to think if I could get one out of a junk car...Would it be possible to find one? I am not looking for an LS1 or LS2...Im talking about a LS3 to LS7...I have no money, but I am planning out what I will have to do when it comes time to swap motors. I was thinking about a 461 Stroker for an engine but was shot down, then I thought about a 427 LSX but that is alot of money too....What would be the right choice? Im trying to make my car kinda into a DD but I want a street car for racing (not on a strip) but Im a total noob at this stuff and I need some help and answers...Help lol

 

Take a peek at this sticky. https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/ltx-...third-gen.html it's not all encompassing but covers about 95% of a swap.

If you're strapped for cash, an L3 or LS7 is probably the wrong engine to start with just based on their initial cost.

 

thats good when i get my engine, but for now that doesnt help much, and i know about the cost, im NOT putting a ls1 in it and def not a 350....i know those are expensive engines but thats what i want

 

2 words... truck engine

get a 6.0 out of a truck

 

The thing with LS motors is the good ones are in cars that junk yards know are worth a pretty penny(or are never sent there in the first place).

 

i was thinking about that....how mant cubic inches is a 6L? are there bigger ones?

 

i figured that, those engines are only in corvettes mainly

 

6.0L is a 364, put a stroker kit in it and you can get it punched to a 408 and still have less money in it than buying a crate motor LS3 or LS7.


Honestly though, if you say you have no money, you may want to stick with a stock 5.3 or 6.0 truck motor because the rest of the swap is going to eat you alive.

 

I kinda want a higher ci engine honestly, i know what i can do, and i know their expensive, but i think ill have to do some more research on those engines...i dont wanna get an engine, mod it up, then get the engine i want then swap them out...and i know exactly what you mean...car builds will eat your pocket alive

 

First thing you need to do is ask yourself how much you're actually willing to spend on just the engine. Then tell us your intentions. Track or street car, and what is your goal hp?

 

im willing to spend a good amount....and in my first post i said i wanna make my car into a street car...goal hp 450 -550

 

You have a few options:



1) spend a lot MORE money on an LS3 and get 450hp with a small cam

2) spend a lot LESS money on a 6.0 and get 450hp with a bigger cam and a little bit of head work


I'm right at 420rwhp with a 6.0 cam-only. Stock heads, LS6 intake, nothing fancy at all.

 

so how much are we talking for option 2? i honestly like that idea...where did u get ur engine

 

Junkyard 6.0's go for typically $600-1000. Depends on where you're at I guess.


A camshaft is around $300...


Buy fbody accessories (power steering, water pump, alt) and oil pan and you're set.

 

wow that sounds GREAT i will def do this...better than spending 15k on a damn ls motor haah...what kinda cars have the 6L? chevy trucks ik do but what year and size of the truck had them? i have to do a total overhaul on my car...it needs alot of underbody work

 

I think Im going against the grain, but stop

Dont worry about swapping whatever into your bird. Keep the stock LO3

This is not something you can just jump into on a whim with no budget and expect anything but disaster

 

whoa there buddy....im not keeping the stock L03...but i never said i didnt have a budget...this new idea i have has got me on a line for the amount i want to spend...no whim, no disaster....im planning this slowly

 

If you have an extra 10k then go for it.

 

When I read this, and see your 18, then consider common truck engines but count out a LS1/2, I see disaster

Save your money, put it towards school and be better off in the long run

 

i am considering a 6.0L engine, you should have read the posts prior to this one....and haha dont worry i have college funds set aside from car funds..

 

A 6.0L is an LS2, essentially. Only difference between my 6.0 and an LS2 6.0 is mine is iron and LS2's are aluminum.

 

Oh, and it's never a good idea to build a car for the sole intention of street racing. There's always bigger fish with deeper pockets and faster cars. Build it the way you want it, but don't expect to be the fastest thing out there.

 

well damn, hah i just dont care for them, all i want is 450 hp. cheap. i like the idea of a 6L though, newer gtos had them and they are really fast.

 

i know that, i just want a nice car i can use for a DD and whoop some ***** *** on the weekends with

 

What don't you like about them, may I ask? A bone stock 6.0 out of a truck will make it wet your pants in comparison to the L03 that's in your Firebird right now...

And actually the newer GTO's are not that fast, because they're heavy pigs. Drop the engine into a 3rd gen and you've got something.

 

i dont like how common they are, that was my sole reason for originally wanting a 461 stroker, who has that? i want something a little more different than everyone else and their 350s and ls1's...i never doubted the 6L for one second, im getting excited because i can get one close to hope cheaper than one online for 10 times the cost...

 

They may be common, but definitely not in a 3rd gen.

 

not the 6L i havent heard of them really just 350s n ls1's....but did the engine just drop in no fitting/modifying needed?

 

I recommend no further posting until you read this from top to bottom:

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/ltx-...third-gen.html

 

This is the part of your planning where you need to do a LOT of reading, starting with the sticky threads at the top of the page in this forum.

 

i read a couple stickies and understand what i need to do, and i have to say THANK GOD my dads an electrician but out of plain curiosity, what did you spend on your car?

 

id say do some research on the blocks. Read other peoples build threads. Ask questions and look into how much you want to spend, and compare them to other peoples builds.
Also try to get an idea of what parts you need.

Agree with blueezee gto's aren't that fast. Unless its got major internal work or a tvs magnacharger on top.

 

ever got to ride in a ls1 based car? stock they'll make you smile. modded they will make you want more. 5.3 for example in the superchevy mags they are making them go from 295 to 450 heads cam intake ext. So befor you start talking trash bout the ls1 or 2 for that matter i think you should really look at your options. you can build a really nice streetable ls1 and not be average. by a junk ls1 block ( when i say junk i mean like dinged up cylnder walls ) take that from for 350$ then sleeve the thing stroke it out to a 377 that is unusual and not to many. put some ported 317's on it, a cam with bout 590 lift maybe 112-113 lsa call it a day. be making 495-510. or buy a 6.0 put a zo6 cam in it and put maybe the 243's on it be making 450 so either way the lsx family is very very providing in the horsepower era. So wether it be a ls1 or the 6.0 heck 427 lsx you are welcomed in the thirdgen lsx family. just be sure to read. take alot to do this swap. lets start with engine.

Engine
you will need to first gather parts such as spohn motors mounts plates for the lsx thirdgen. then you will need either hawks headers or the fbody manifolds pocket said he gonna try the new camaro ones to see if they will work so from this point you have to put the motor in install fbody accessories fourth gen lines for this will work so just go with them and make it easier on yourself. now the fuel is something you can either go the easy way or the easy way. so both ways arent to bad. 1) stay with the stock fuel tank put a walbro 255 and a corvette fuel filter on there bam! done. 2) buy a fourth gen tank rewire stock bulkhead and run lines and bam done!

Tansmission
get ur tranny be it 4l60e or t56 they are not bolt it unless you got the aftermarket crossmember. then yes they are bolt it. t56 i do not no to much bout these as i have not delt with swapping them but cut a hole for the slave, then swap pedals, hook up tranny and go ( ANY BODY THAT CAN PROVIDE INFO ON THIS PLEASE CHIME IN ) auto pretty straight foward.

just think bout it and READ READ READ READ!!!!! never enough of that. any questions feel free to pm

 

I have to agree with Pocket on this one. Disaster waiting to happen. Kid, there is nothing wrong with having dreams and wanting performance, but jumping in feet first without a plan can only spell disaster no matter which end of the pool you jump into. I gave you the link to the sticky, read it understand it and then ask questions. I promise you will have tons of them, even if you think you have it all covered.

I started with a 6.0L truck engine that I paid $450 bucks for. Guess what my final build cost is? Nowhere near $450. I obviously don't know your situation, but generally speaking when an 18 year old says no or low budget it means LOW or NO budget. That being said. Take your time, do your research, ask questions and collect your parts.

I've included my total build tally so far and my swap is 95% complete, which by the way is for my own 18 year old kid. Take a look at it and maybe it will help you understand that there is a TON more to a build than just the engine. Good luck.

 

I have to agree with Pocket and Mille_3. I won't reiterate what they said, but I think you should heed their advice. Everyone here giving you advice has been there and done that as far as the LSx swap is concerned. There is nothing wrong with having big dreams for your car. I think you just need to be realistic about what you want to do at this point. You said you want "kind of a DD", so realistically wouldn't it make more sense to find a junk yard 5.3, 5.7 or 6.0L engine and transmission and just get it in the car so that you can drive it? When you start talking about anything beyond that, you are talking about a project that could end up taking years to complete, financially, which you would probably end up losing interest in.

Also, another aspect to think about for the LSx swap is the power that your stock suspension can handle. Your stock 10 bolt won't be able to handle much more power than a moderately modified 5.7L can dish out. So you are also looking at big bucks to replace the weak differential with a strong 9", 12 bolt or Dana 60 and a stronger driveshaft as well. This could cost you in the neighborhood of three grand new!

So, with that said, seriously consider a 5.3, 5.7 or 6.0L junkyard engine and transmission in good shape that needs minimum to no repair. Put it in the car for as cheap as possible just to get it running. Replace your fuel pump. And then down the road, as money becomes available, plan your upgrades wisely. Starting with the rearend and driveshaft. This is what I am having to do with my swap and I am quite a bit older than you I think in the long run you will like this plan much better since you will actually get to drive the car much soon than you would if you went with some crazy huge LSx. Heck you could always put the crazy huge LSx in there on down the road once you have a good paying job. It would be much easier since you would have already done all of the hard work with the first LSx swap. Just my two cents.

 

I agree with all 3 of you guys. After last night I was thinking about a budget and I think i should generally set it low for now. I AM gonna get a 6L junkyard motor and I WILL be doing just about everything mentioned in this thread. The excel spreadsheet is A LIFESAVER!!!! Gives me ideas of money and what to do. I was never bad mouthing the ls1's or 2's, i just think their too common. Research Time....

 

good deal do research and lots of it cause then youll no how to swap it befor you even get into it. and dont overdue the build just do something youll be happy with then go from there good luck btw!

 

I would love to do an LSx swap too, and will eventually, but after I finish college and save up A LOT of money. As others have said, thats what it will cost.

Don't forget about the cost of tools, there are some special ones you might need.

Oh and if you are worried about the names of the engine "LS1"... put a different intake or cam or anything and call it a 350LSx. Honestly theres a reason why a lot of ppl use LS1's or 2's.

 

Yup!! More the Merrier lol and Thanks

 

Please dont call any LSx engine a 350

 

ya its a 346 not a 350 lol

 

Are you looking to go Auto or Manual? My 5.3 feels like a HUGE upgrade to the LO3 my car originally came with, I overpaid for my 5.3 at $800 but it's only got 20,000 miles. Stick with a junkyard motor, enough to get it running and you can build a badass LSX motor while you enjoy driving your car at the same time

 

im going to swap to a t56 manual...ive been looking over craigslist a little bit for truck motors....but i did fine this http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/pts/2182526592.html ....and that seems pretty cool, its cheap and i could do easy hp but i dont think it would fit.

 

Read over the BBC swap sticky one forum up

The vortec 7.4s like that one arent the best choice. Neither are the newer 8.1's

 

oh i will i was wondering cuz thats good price on a 454

 

I think we are missing a big thing here guys. Are you wanting 450 at the wheels or the flywheel? Both are easy. Why not install a stock motor with a nice nitrous tune and run a 100hp shot? That will be considerable cheaper than building a motor. Everyone knows the lsx motors and their variants love bottles. This way you will have a fast daily driver Qnd a nasty racecar.

 

Read over this

http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/genera...-1l-496-a.html

Both the 7.4 and 8.1 are tall deck BBCs which are more difficult to get into a 3rd gen. AlkyIroc has written quite a few posts on the subject

 

You never said exactly what your budget is but unless you have $10K plus to spent on engine alone, 461 or 427 LSX is not happening. Coming from your L03 I think any LS engine will be too much power for an 18 year old lol!!

You have to realize that you can't just drop in a 427 LSX and expect to be done, you need to think about drivetrain (built trans and rear end), suspension, and brakes to help stop the new found power. All these components add up exponentially!!!

What is your mechanical experience? If I were you, I would start with a simple swap from a donor car and build off that. This way you have something to work with and will be happy to see improvements with whatever additions you make bolt-ons, cam, nitrous, stroker, forced induction... etc.

good luck

 

Gotta chime in myself. I agree 100% with Pocket and Mile. Do yourself a favor and learn about your LO3. Buy some simple mods for it (intake and exhaust) and learn what it takes to "hot rod" a car. When you start to mod your first car you will be amazed at what will confuse you and in the end, will be equally amazed at what you learned. You will be floored when you realize that most mods will cost you 1.5X to 2X what you had planned. Inevitably you will break something, need a certain tool or see that one mod often requires other parts to make it work. Modding your LO3 will not get you to your power goals, but what it will do is give you an idea of how your car works, where the various components go and how the architecture of the car is laid out. That in itself is worth dividends and will help you spend less on your future swap.

 

i realize that this isnt the answer you want, but i would do this.

get a junkyard 5.3, amass all the little stuff (front accessories, oil pan, etc, ) and get that in and running. it'll amaze you how much power you'll gain, and if you shop around, they can be way cheap. get a tuning suite (efilive or hp tuners) and get your feet wet tuning with the cheap 5.3 in there.

then just see how you drive with that in there, more higher rpm (thinking future turbo) or more lo to mid range (future 6.0/6.2) if all the other little issues are handled, then when you go to get more power it'll just drop in there and be ready. don't tie up too much cash right away into the engine, because it will take more time and money than you think. this way you'r eback to running and enjoying the car faster for less cash, and if you want to tune it yourself (why not learn more about that side of it too?) do a ton of research and learn on a 5.3, not a high dollar 600 hp engine. i don't know of any tuners remotely close to here, so i'm definiteyl tuning my own. i guess if you want to pay someone else to do that, thats fine, but make sure its budgeted for.

just some more to think about.