Bought the LS1 killed my budget...
 

Ok everyone, I bought a LS1 crate motor for use in my 87 Camaro. Now that was about $6200, and it killed my budget. So I was wondering how much more I am looking at to get this thing in and running. I haven't had the time to add up prices and what not, so if anyone could tell me a rough cost that would be great!
http://www.jegs.com/cgi-bin/ncommerc...40&prmenbr=361
That is the motor. I am generally pretty busy, so any help would be great, thanks guys!

Isn't that just a stock LS1? I didn't see any performance parts that would warrant a $6k price tag. Since your not getting anything from a parts car, it appears that the engine doesn't have any assessories either, and you still need a different tranny; I would say a safe estimate is you are still $4-6000 away from finishing...

Kevin D.

:doh: i think i have about 3500 in my swap all together, which is a couple of wires away from running. Only differance is that mine has a th-350 which is a cheaper route then the 4l60/t-56

I think your first mistake was buying a crate motor without planning out what you would need first. You're gonna end up spending another 4-6 grand if you continue this trend.

No offence.

You will still need a PCM and wiring harness as well, which can add another couple of thousand on it just for that alone.

:thumbsup:

ahh I did not see that,

still think it's overpriced and will still have a couple of thousand more in it by the time he is done. Could have gotten a LS1/4L60E combo for about 1500-2000 less

I dont see why ya couldnt throw a th-350 behind the LS1 and be done with it.

It wasn't brand new like yours, but I bought off of ebay the engine, tranny, wiring, brackets and accessories for $2500

I bought the crate engine so I would have a brand new motor, garunteed to work , with ZERO miles on it. In the end it will the best bet (In my opinion) I guess I am going to go with a t-56, maybe used, Im not sure....

You will be looking at about 3500 for a T56 for an LS1 (either new or completely rebuilt), and you will have to swap out the harness for a manual harness and have the PCM programmed for the 6-speed instead of the auto.

you shoulda gone to speartech or sdpc for a complete motor.. sdpc sells em brand new with ecm, wiring, etc, for as much as u got that. actually its 200 buz cheaper. but yea used parts are your friend if youre on a budget

It seems whats done is done, so where do you go from here?

Well, the engine already comes with harness and computer, but makes no mention of the accessories. You'll need the brackets, power steering pump, alternator, etc....

Your also going to need motor mounts, because the ones it appears to come with will not work. You need the stock rubber mounts that bolt to the block, then you'll need the conversion mount adapters that bolt to the crossmember.

I don't know if those manifolds will clear the crossmember, so you might need to buy new manifolds or headers.

Hopefully you were going to use an automatic transmission, because the harness and computer it comes with is for an auto. You'll have to do some harness modifications and computer tuning if you decide to go manual.

Your gonna be putting out plenty more money.

I'm still waiting on getting a transmission. I plan on getting a T56, which i've seen ads for ~2200 new. Thats w/ out bellhousing , shifter, cltuch, etc. I got a bellhousing for 100 and a stock hurst shifter for upwards of 100, which i prolly over payed for.

I had a vette motor so i looked into changing my accesories. I just bought a complete LS1 A/C system for 175. Compressor and bracket alone you'll be looking to spend upwards of 100. I should be able to use my other accesories so i didn't look into prices on the others.

IThose look like the vette manifolds, which i was told would not work. I ended up getting a pair of stock f-body manifolds for about $40.

As for the ECU. I'm using a 02 f-body auto ECU, on a 02 vette w/ manual. From what i hear you can either take your computer and get it flashed if that one is setup for an auto, or the route that i'm going, is get HP tuners for $500 and you can make that ECU work a manual. Plus remove codes, scanning, and tuning will be nice.

Motor Mounts: The ones in the picture seem to be the corvette ones. I had them on my engine. You will need the rubber f-body ones so you can use the custom motor mounts. I payed $60 for a new pair of f-body engine mounts off ebay.

Thats just a few things you will find that you will need. I recommend to start religously checking LS1tech.com in the parts for sale section multiple times a day. Thats what i did and thats how i got just about all the parts i needed.

Don't get discouraged, cause i did and was about to sell my motor and get a complete pull out from a wreck. But after finding all the stuff i needed its all worth it .

Good Luck:thumbsup:

painless harness is less then 500 and a ecm is under 200. what else would you need for a wiring harness unless you are doing a complete body harness

You've got a looooonnnng ways to go still........