I have a 91 Firebird 5.0 TBI. Was wondering what is the estimated cost from start to finish would be in swapping a lsx... Also where can i get a list of exactly what i will need?


Thanks

 

i'd love to have seen something like this when i started my swap, but there are way too many variables to the swap to give something this detailed.

what you have for time plays into the pricing - if you can wait for deals, you can score some good deals.

if you can find a donor 4th gen you can save some money and part out what you dont need

what you want for a trans will vary the price quite a bit


all we can really suggest is looking at the stickies and reading the build threads. be prepared for some custom work ($$$), be prepared to buy the little things, and be ready to replace almost everything on the car to make it a reliable swap. I'm in about $4k for what I can think of off the top of my head, not including oopses, wrong parts, and the little stuff

 

Heck, I at $5,500 for my LT1/T56 swap. But that includes all of the little stuff no one tells you about. That also includes my brake conversion, GTA wheels, control arms, pan hard bar, Sphon crossmember and torque arm, stage 2 clutch, hurst shifter, magnaflow exhaust, Dyno Don headers, new engine bearings, all new gaskets and seals, etc. It adds up fast.

You will be much more into it cost wise with a T56. If you are on a budget I suggest you stay with a 4L60. That will save you on buying a crossmember, pedal swap, cutting holes, clutch, flywheel, etc.

Like 1Adan said, this can done on the cheap if you are patient and find good deals, or it can be stupid expensive if you get a bad engine or tranny, cause then you will have to rebuild it.

Take what your current budget is and double it. That is what it will cost you.

 

This should give you an idea of what you need and the costs associated with a swap. I didn't go nuts and tried to keep it semi-budget.

 

I say to be safe and if you decide on using new parts or small upgrades as things come closer together expect between 3-6k.You can get donor cars and just swap everything you need.Or have to piece things together and choose to go new or used parts.I heard alot of guys ditching the stock master cylinder due to high rpm shift issues and were upgrading to the tick master.So i bought that from the start,found a used t56..I was sketchy about it being as mint as the seller claimed..so stage 1 rebuild was done right away.Im trying to avoid having something go wrong and have to tear right back down because I was being cheap and rushed to get things done..hence not done yet lol.Its the lil things that bite those final moments before or just after getting it running that suck.Something leaks or missing bolts,bad sensors etc.These are the times when we all get desperate to pay for a part to be delivered right now cause you want the car now! lol

 

if you go with a iron block and auto trans, you will be alot cheaper then my route. i could find a auto trans for $300-$500 but couldnt find a t56 manual for less than $1500. the LS alum block will cost you also over an iron. u could pick up a 5.3 as low as $300 no way for a LS1. its all the crap that you have to track down that add up. swap hoses, mounts, harness, ecu, front acc, starter, sensors, fuel regulator, f-body oil pan, rails, injectors (if u get a truck engine). a complete drop out/donor f-body engine is the way to go! ill b at or above 4k into LS1/T56 with manifold exhaust and buying 90% of everything used offline. itll b worth gettin 20mpg though

 

mine ran me $3500 start to finish but i got a killer deal on a ls1 and t56 for $1800 with only 10000 miles. it would have only been like $3000 if i didnt take so much extra **** from the donor and just what i needed to make it run. i took the driveshaft, dash, cluster, seats, radiator, and a bunch of other **** out of the car and gave the dude back basically just a bare shell. it all depends on what route you want to go and what deals you can find. craigslist is your friend.

 

I just paid $3k for a complete running 1998 z28 with 6 speed. I have been looking for a swap i could afford for about 2 yrs. Finally a week ago I found it. Just keep looking.

 

what ever you spend just add a cam swap price too... all of us do it right after we put these motors in, anyways... might as well do it before....

 

My 6.0 swap is right around $2k, but I deal shop everything and fabricate what I cant find. Wiring, mounts, brackets, exhaust, intake etc all built in-house

 

My convertible swap has a running total of over $15,000 with every single optional perk like longtubes, complete stainless exhaust system, T56 conversion, Tick master cylinder, tubular k member, adjustable torque arm/control arms/panhard rod all with rod ends, and a completely fresh rebuild for the block.


My dads LS1 swap is only around $3,000 after parting out a donor car, going with an automatic and no fancy parts, Pretty much a stock looking swap with 4th gen shorty headers and full exhaust.