Hello all, noobie here but let me introduce myself, I have some car experience but I don`t think it`ll be very useful when it comes to an engine swap. I`m looking for a guide whether it be a video or a text guide with pictures but I`ve tried looking for one without luck of an engine swap to an LS1 engine. This guide would cover everything from start to finish including changing the transmission to a different one like the T56. Also what is the capable of, I`ve heard of people running 12`s with just replacing headers and cams, I want a solid combination of both power and reliability.

 

Welcome aboard thirdgen.org.

I moved this to the LTX and LSX Engine Swap subforum.

There is a sticky in the top section of this forum about LS1 swaps that has most of the information you need. If you need information at the level of "drain the radiator" and need to be shown where the drain plug is, then it won't be much help to you. You will need to be able to do at least a little bit of fabrication, although if you select the right mix of aftermarket parts, you might be able to get away with next to none (exhaust is probably the one area where some level of custom fabrication will be required, but that's something most any competent exhaust shop should be able to handle).

I would say unless you're made of money, this isn't something you should undertake unless you are willing to do most of the work yourself.

 

Even with doing the work yourself it's not exactly a budget swap if you want it to come out looking like it was supposed to be in the car.

Lots of info on this site and LS1 tech. The wiring isn't so bad, but there are lots of little things to learn so read read read. There is a swap guide, it's called "how to swap an LS1 in to anything" or something like that, with lots of general info.

My swap starts in 2 weeks (hopefully) and expect the process to take about 2 weeks if my parts all show up in time! However, I'm doing a few extra things that aren't necessary.

 

How much are we exactly looking at here, depending on the cost of my car I'm guessing mine will be around $9000. Also I'm more looking for like a checklist of the stuff that needs to be done rather than how to do it. I've tried to read up and watch videos but that can only help so much, I still have questions like how about conversion kits, don't I need those? What kind of tools do I need for this job?

 

$8-10k is a reasonable figure for a common swap. You dont need many special tools that wouldnt be found in any mechanics toolbox

Mounts are covered in the sticky

 

TPIS ZZ 450hp 350cid $7900 with tune. I like the thought of having a 4 bolt main block. One thing I appreciated about my forged 347cid in my Twin Turbo Z06 is that the LSx has a 6 bolt main. My stock crank supported 600 rwhp daily driving on 91 octane and 850 rwhp on 100 octane. When I had my 87' IROC the bearings let go with only 80K freeway miles on it, the only mod was cat back exhaust and K&N. When Callaway started turbo charging C4s they replaced the two block mains with four bolt to support the power.