ok so i am 16 and am looking for a project over april vacation after my car is painted and everything. i found an lt1 engine for cheap and i have a $900 budget for the swap i could probaby get more money from my dad and work but i found this on craigslist and was wondering if this is a good engine choice an what transmission options do i have. this does include a computer and harness but i would like to get everyones oppinions about it beore i spend half of my money on this.


http://providence.craigslist.org/pts/3571966433.html

 

$900 in addition to the $600 for the engine, or just $900?

You need a lot more than what they're including. You'll need the engine harness and PCM. Maybe more that, can't see what's missing from the front. The best transmission to put behind it, since you currently have a V6 and the V6 transmission won't fit, is one from an LT1 vehicle.

All of your exhaust is going to have to be replaced. That will cost almost as much as your budget if you go with decent headers, less if you find some factory V8 f-body exhaust manifolds and Y-pipe.

It's not that the engine wouldn't be a good place to start, but you're going to need a lot more than your budget can handle.

 

It is 900 for everything as of now I know I need more stuff but I am buying this then a trans and he has a harness and a PCM for a little extra money. I am buying everything now and over April vacation I am going to install it hopefully

 

It will cost a lot more then you think. Look at some of the swap threads here.

Is this your only car? Do you depend on it for transportation to school or work?


that engine scares me. Has the classic Krylon rebuild, or whats now known as the Craigslist rebuild.

Those crazy paint colors make me wonder, and I would not believe this is a 32k engine that is ready to drop in.

At the least have someone that really knows engines look it over well before dropping any cash.

No opti spark on it, that alone will set you back a couple hundred bucks.

 

Ok so I said screw it to that engine and decided that I want an engine trans combo so I did a little searching and I found what I want! A 94 camaro lt1 new seals and water pump etc. it also includes PCM ad wiring harness and stage 3 clutch and clutch master cylinder and he will even throw in a pedal setup! All for a total of $1350! Now correct me if I am wrong but I can barley find a t56 for under a grand. The engine has 84xxx and same with transmission. I am going on vacation this weekend to next and was thinking about leaving an $800 deposit or 900 and getting it when we come back and starting the project pretty soon and working on it after school for a while until it is finished. And just a few q's how long did it take most of you to do you swap in hours and what took the longest and any tips and tricks to doing so. I am trying to keep the budget under $1500 lol it changes and it will change to 2000 or 2500 if I pick up this job! Wish me luck! And he also has a rearend do you think I should pick that up it is a limited slip. Or do you think I should wait and buy the 373 geared posi with disk brakes on Craigslist for $300

 

I'm a broke highschooler wanting to do a motor swap as well. Here is my advice.

First I would suggest giving youself more time . I plan on starting my build in May so that I have plenty of time to find good deals, and not rushed to get the car back together in a week. You will also be able to save more money.

Also I suggest looking into 5.3 motors over an lt1. 5.3's are solid motors and respond very well to mods like other GenIII motors. Many of them are out there and can be found all day ranging from $400-600.

Here is my build list with rough estimates on prices. I plan on buying as many used parts as I can. I am still searching.

5.3 Lsx ..................................$450
22X Cam ...............................$200
Ls1 Accesories including oil pan $300
Ls1 intake .............................$100
Wiring harness, misc parts...... $450
Motor mounts.........................$200
Full exhaust...........................$free
Ram Air intake.......................$free
Total: 1,700

This will hopefully get me 330ish HP. I already have the free parts.

Later down the road
3:73 Posi.... $300
T-56...........$1,300
Ls6 Intske....$300 used?


I am hoping to reach 330hp. Then I can add heads and Ls6 intake etc when I have more money.

You should go for 3.73 gears if your commute isn't too bad, AND you have a 5 or 6 speed trans. 3.43 or 3.23 gears if you are running an Auto OR want good highway mileage. If you can find disc brakes, thats a huge plus.

 

I'm with you I'm a junior in high school and I am going on vacation and I drive/ take a train to fl and I am bringing my laptop and am planning on doing a ton of reading on lt1 swap and that will be my final decision I want a t56 and a t56 with stage 3 clutch and new water pump and all seals in the engine so it is a steal for 1350 and I hope to pick it up when I return from vacation

 

Does your v6 run?

Im in the same boat as you guys 17 in highschool...

I was going to do a 350 swap but once I began reading all of things required for the v6 to v8 swap I was somewhat discouraged and decided to stick with the v6 instead..

But I definitely want to do a 5.3 ls twin turbo in the future..

If you havent already I would suggest reading this entire thread here https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/engi...swap-read.html

Then decide if it is truly worth doing now.

 

i read it over and over and i still belive it is worth it and yes my v6 does run needs a smog pump and timing chain cover gasket.