So I have been saving and reading, researching and saving, and searching and planning. I am still not finished with all of that but I have been putting together a fairly comprehensive (I hope) parts list as I plan for an LS Swap into my 92 Camaro RS. Obviously there will be variations but, from what I have read, this should give anyone at least a starting budget. I did not grab part numbers but most prices are for new parts from a local parts store or Hawks. This parts list was comprised from information found on this site - mainly from the LSX LTX Stickies and links within those threads.

 

Lookin pretty good. You forgot a big $$$ - Headers! A few other smaller things - Fuel, it looks like you want to use the 4th gen tank, but you still need connectors and a new level sensor. Should probably add something in the budget for wire for the harness, and you will need some sort of a tune just to get it running. If you get a non traction control 4th gen you should be able to use the TB cable tho.

 

I was planning on using '01+ 4th gen manifolds since they will fit and perform fairly well.

The fuel lines to connect the 4th gen tank is one of the things I'm still reading up on. Seems it should be fairly inexpensive according to a couple threads I have read so far - just a couple compression tees and some 3/8 line.

I have the price for a harness from speartech as an option but it could also be a dyi job. Of course the speartech harness has several options that will vary from project to project... including having the computer tuned (not include in my price though)

 

If you're planning manifolds instead of headers because of cost, then why get a $4700 engine instead of a $550 one? Why waste most of $200 on a '98-'02 Z28 oilpan instead of modifying a truck pan? Why waste more than $200 on a "car" intake when the truck one can be shaved for free? Why spend $90 for mounts when the Trans-Dapts plus new V6 rubber pads can be done for less than 60?
If you're on a tight budget, then put the money where it can do the most good. And the best place to start, even before a tune, is a cam that matches all your other parts. Then when you send the PCM in for VATS unlock and speedometer recalibration, you'll know what cam to tell them, to get a safe baseline tune to get you to a chassis dyno.

 

Well for starters it's called a budget - it's better to over estimate and have money left over than to under estimate and have an unfinished project. For the engine, I plan on buying a vortec hopefully from the local pull a part but otherwise prices are around $800-$1000 for a decent vortec pull out. The $4700 is what I could spend on an f-body donor car and come out roughly the same as a vortec swap. The other items you mentioned I'll have to look into. I'm not on a really tight budget but why pay $800-$1000 for headers when a set of $200 or less oe exhaust manifolds will meet my goals? I would rather save that $600 and put towards a cam or a new rear end. I will definitely look into those other things though. Thanks for the info.

 

Go to my thread in my signature, and on the 2nd post I have a link to my build list. It's pretty close to accurate, although I'm missing little odds and ends from it.

And no need to spend that much on headers. Just get the RIS headers. $300 is hard to beat, and they are pretty good for the money. I have 0 complaints.

 

Best bargains I found were at pick-n-pulls.
I found any electrical connectors I needed, and even some cool extra stuff for wicked deals (interior parts, leather seats from a saturn I made fit etc) and I grabbed a 4th gen plastic tank WITH the pump/sender for like $75-$100. Pump works just fine.

I cant give a full budget on my swap because I did extra things and body work at the same time. But even with shipping and the exchange rate up here, I would be under $5000 Canadian.

I plan on RI headers as well, just not at the moment since I will need a tune if I put them on so I'll wait until I do my heads and cam.