So I'm shopping, weighing costs. Looking for 98+ LS1 T-56 cars that have been wrecked or in bad shape to use for my swap... Havent found many, and those I do find are over $5,000 and still on the road.

LQ4 truck/van engines (which I actually would prefer) are in the $1500 range for something that doesn't have too many miles on it. Then you need to change intake, injectors, accessories... Easily another grand.

T-56 transmissions... Impossible to find around here in Ontario, and when they do pop up, you're looking at at least $2000 as it's a low supply situation up here with them.

Found an LS1 engine and T-56 with low km, all accessories, harness, computer etc out of the car, ready to swap, but the guy wants nearly $8,000 for it... And it's a totally stock motor (which in it's present state I couldn't hear run before buying).

Being in Canada, I get bent over without lube as soon as something is shipped over the border, especially on something like a $2,800 transmission from Summit... I'd be looking at around $4,000 once it's free and clear of the border.

What would you guys consider being too much for parts? I saw a thread where a guy took a 4.8 truck motor, moved the alt to the A/C side and made up a cheap bracket for it, used the trucks P/S pump and made the water pump clear the car throttle body, and this is what I would consider doing just to get myself set up cheaply for now, until engine mod time comes up and put on a proper f-body set up.

 

I don't know how canadian prices vary on used stuff, but around here LQ4 junk yard motors are in the $750 range. It's getting harder to find low mile motors, but to be honest, as long as it was reasonably well maintained, a higher mile LS will still be in great shape. The LQ9 that I bought had 130k miles on it and looked brand new inside, with the cross-hatch still fully visible on the bores and brand-new looking bearings throughout.

Finding deals on whole cars is really a luck of the draw type of thing. If you're in a hurry, you're a lot less likely to find deals. You've got to wait until somebody wrecks a car and puts it up for sale, or get to be buddies with all of the local tow companies so they can let you know when they pick up a wreck that has what you want so that you can get to the owner before he offloads it to a salvage yard.

 

yea have to agree with the last part be patient and make connections with the tow companies , junkyards, police auctions etc good stuff goes real quick

i was patient and i ran into a good deal by accident.. even tho i want things now ..so dont rush it

$5000 for fbody car is about right tho for a full drop out .. better if you get full car as you can swap brakes interior and rear end and for $5000 is a pretty good deal and you get alot more parts to swap over ie brakes etc

dont be afraid of higher mileage LS Motors alot of guys throw in a Cam around 90-100 miles and have no issue

mines had 110k miles and i still seen crosshatch and bearings look good compression was good but i cant leave stuff alone so of course i added some stuff lol

8k for ls1 t56 is a bit steep mightest well buy a driveable f body to doo the swap lol

 

Where in canada are you?

Can you cross the border?

 

I wouldnt do the swap at all if taxes and markups are that high. Crossing the border seems to be the issue, not the gold digging sellers. We have those down here too. Not sure how $4500-5000 became the norm for dropouts since roadworthy LS1 4th gens are commonly in the $4-6k range

 

i agree and thought the same thing not to long ago browsing online on for engine dropouts ...here and there dropouts for around $3000-3500 occasionally .rarely see them for around $1500... which i think is a good price .. which is overpriced IMO.. as 4th gens are 4-6k like you said ..so alot of people just over inflate the price..and thats the norm that i see locally in CA i cant speak for anywhere else ...and seperatly ive seen long blocks anywhere between 1500-3000k with and with out front pulleys with out intake with some with or with out ecm/ wiring and t56 go for around $2000 and 4l60 for about $600 stock rebuild..

 

I drove to Vermont to pick up my first LS1/t56 dropout. The ask price has always been around 5K for both complete with acc,clutch etc. give or take pending miles/mods.

You can get into an LS reasonably priced if you stay auto but the t56 is going to cost you no matter what. Lots of parts needed and from my eyes theres not much point doing the swap with cheap used clutch or hydraulics and whatnot so the cost gets up there.

 

Don't forget the little things you need are going to run you even more. But don't feel discouraged it's worth it.

 

^ true. I dont know of anyone who has completed a good running swap that doesnt love it. Third gens and LS1's are like peanut butter and jelly made for each other good.

The biggest issue with cost on the 6spd is the very limited amount of LS1 Camaros built so they get harder and harder to find. Ever hear speak of peak oil? Well we have definitely hit or passed peak LS1

 

There is a shop here in town that has a towing business as well that I've already become friendly with (bunch of good country guys that have a seperate shop for personal projects.) and they are aware of what I'm looking for.

Shipping companies charge us extra fees like "brokerage" etc. Then we pay taxes on everything (13%) and the cost of shipping itself. USPS is ok, but most companies in the states won't use them. I can easily add $800 to an order that was 2 or 3 grand.

T-56 is a must. I didn't realise it when I traded my 5 speed Canyon for my Auto ram (first automatic vehicle) how much I would miss shifting gears. Considering I want to DRIVE this car, maybe some autocross/road racing, auto is not an option.

I'm planning on these little things costing me $1000-$1500.

I live in what is like a black hole. I'm hours away from the Toronto area, there is nothing within 2 hours of me other than farms and small towns. Only "close" major population area is Ottawa... And the closest other major city is 6 hours, so I'm willing to drive, even 8-10 hours one way just to get a high dollar part if I need to.

I came across a T-56 last night in my home town actually, but it's from a 97. I can probably get it for a grand... Has me considering LT1 or built SBC, but I really want modern reliability, tunability and the power the LS motors can make.

 

lol i agree i paid around $1400 for complete drop out with gas tank and extra stuff

i have about 5 times that in the swap hopefully the wife doesnt see this post lol

stuff adds up quick ... epecially if you plan to freshen up and take engine to machine shop etc from a known lsx engine builder thats easy $$$$

i agree can save with Auto but OP issue is shipping unless he crosses the boarder and picks it up him self or find one locally

Peanut Butter and Jelly lol

 

So, I think I may take this transmission (LT1 T56) for $1300 (maybe sweet talk the guy down to $1000, I'm pretty sure I know him actually) and if Rockland Standard Gear sells the conversion kit still and it's a decent price, I may just get it and bring it to my transmission buddies here in town and have them swap over the input shaft and all that... Could I do it? probably, but I don't want to mess up with shiming it. If I can get all this together for under $2000 I'll be happy. (Then I need to worry about throwout bearings and hydraulics)

 

Send me a PM, my company has a few locations in canada for LS parts, i will say the 6 speed (LS original that is) is hard to find, as im looking for an mn12 myself and 3 months no luck (for a resonable priced one).

 

i think it would be easy to do but i like taking stuff apart

http://www.gmhightechperformance.com...on_conversion/

heres is about what you would be getting yourself into ..if your comfortable with that then go ahead lol dont fear it ..do it lol... but you have a trans guy if you dont feel comfortable so its all good