cost of parts only for bare bones LS swap

[sae]

I'm currently on the fence about going LS-- but it would be NA for now. I just wanted to see if there were any big expenses being left out besides the oil pan, cross member, and motor mounts. I'm not worried about labor or wiring. I'm only looking for costs of hard parts aside from the actual motor and trans.

Are there any manifolds that fit pretty well and would only require a Y pipe or any headers that require little mods?

My 4.3 currently needs a rebuild and if I do it I'd be building to reliably support in the 5-600 HP range to go with my trans, but after looking into that I started thinking that a barebones LS could probably be had for cheaper with the ability to build onto it in the near future. I would be retaining AWD and AC, PS, etc-- it'd still be a daily driver.. (currently driving a 97 thunderbird I picked up for cheap last week, the 2v 4.6 is a turd and a half but it does ride nice )

Downsides to this would be selling my brand new trans, wouldn't have a turbo for a while, but I'm thinking for the cost it might be the right choice to find a nice 6.0 to drive NA for at least winter, probably for a year.

thanks in advance

 

[Norm]

Re: cost of parts only for bare bones LS swap

LS-1 Sonoma headers, I bought 2 sets, cut them up and rewelded them to get them to dump properly. 4l80e transmission with stall convertor, and then a adapter. Stainless exhaust, single with the dump in the same location as stock, Shifter cable, wiring harness for engine. Stock rad worked well with electric fans. Here is my you tube video of it. Just so you can see other things you might be over looking like intake( cold air) etc:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Y1shK_cR3c

 

[sae]

Re: cost of parts only for bare bones LS swap

I've seen a couple of nice e-fan setups for our trucks that are pretty cheap and I think that's the way I'll be going for that. I'll be keeping the 4l60e, probably building it to match my current 700r4 which will be another $3000 :kboom:

I saw a set of swap headers specifically for 4wd blazers that advertise direct fit without any issues or modifications, with use of their oil pan and cross member. I think it was around $1700 for headers, motor mounts, cross member, oil pan.

Then I'd obviously need an engine/trans-- I'd LIKE to go with an LS3+ but those are always much more $$$ but I'm figuring in spending $3-5000 in engine, trans, computer. I'm figuring high because I'm looking at lower mileage engines

Does It sounds reasonable to have this done in under $8,000 covering most odds and ends? That's close to, less even than what I was looking at in a 4.3 with built short block, heads, cam, intake, turbo, machining, downpipe, new misc hardware

Are there any other big expenses I'm leaving out?

 

[sae]

Re: cost of parts only for bare bones LS swap

LS-1 Sonoma headers, I bought 2 sets, cut them up and rewelded them to get them to dump properly. 4l80e transmission with stall convertor, and then a adapter. Stainless exhaust, single with the dump in the same location as stock, Shifter cable, wiring harness for engine. Stock rad worked well with electric fans. Here is my you tube video of it. Just so you can see other things you might be over looking like intake( cold air) etc:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Y1shK_cR3c

How much stall do you need for that set? The truck sounds really good :tup:

 

[Norm]

Re: cost of parts only for bare bones LS swap

I've seen a couple of nice e-fan setups for our trucks that are pretty cheap and I think that's the way I'll be going for that. I'll be keeping the 4l60e, probably building it to match my current 700r4 which will be another $3000 :kboom:

I saw a set of swap headers specifically for 4wd blazers that advertise direct fit without any issues or modifications, with use of their oil pan and cross member. I think it was around $1700 for headers, motor mounts, cross member, oil pan.


I think if I remember about those headers that they were in a 2 inch body lift. But not 100% sure on it. Read up some more before you buy them. Maybe see what they fit on s10 forum. . My stall was 3200.

 

[NWISY]

Re: cost of parts only for bare bones LS swap

I can't post attachments, but here is something you might be interested in.
2005 GTO part out. 400 hp LS2 77K miles $4000.00.
Comes with wiring harness, ecu, accessory drive, & drive by wire gas pedal.
RockFord, IL. Craigslist https://rockford.craigslist.org/pts/5778036274.html
Might be close to you or worth a look at anyway.

 

[NWISY]

Re: cost of parts only for bare bones LS swap

Sorry, it said I can't post attachments, but it seems to have worked by typing it in.

 

[sae]

Re: cost of parts only for bare bones LS swap

Yeah I've looked at it a few times on CL, need to sell my other parts and see what I have to work with-- I think my girlfriend would be pissed off if I told her I bought an engine so the washer and dryer will have to wait a few months LOL. Price seems a hair high, but the miles are low and the LS2 is a good base. L92 heads and a cam and I'd be happy for a while.

And yeah I'm def gonna research it more, don't want to buy anything twice