total ls cost conversion ?

[Vicinity]

Mines a few hairs over $5k.

Low mile LS1, Viper T56, and a few goodies to make the swap require less fab. Nothing really fancy.

EDIT: Damn it, sorry, didn't check the dates.

[MaxHarvard]

I'll be the lone guy here and say $10k is not all that unreasonable.

After you get the front accessories, engine, custom harness, modify the fuel system, upgrade the radiator and add all the fittings, hoses and misc extra stuff... $10k is fairly reasonable.

[6D9 Matt]

I would have to agree ^^^

Things can add up quick... especially if swapping in an LS2/LS3.

[Yenko68]

Maybe I'm too spoiled in America but maybe all the combos McDonalds and every other place offers I would think and hope that someone would offer a kit for conversions. the basic Nugget kids meal with maybe just the headers, pan, and bracket kit. To the super size combo which is everything you need minus the engine or the grand slam which is the engine to Fuel tank. I know I have a 68 Camaro and Complete LQ4 minus harness brain and would like to know what all the junk like pulleys,harness headers, brackets estimated labor hours ETC. Someone jump on this we all are wondering. I hope it is just not me.

[Thumpt]

Originally Posted by Yenko68

Maybe I'm too spoiled in America but maybe all the combos McDonalds and every other place offers I would think and hope that someone would offer a kit for conversions. the basic Nugget kids meal with maybe just the headers, pan, and bracket kit. To the super size combo which is everything you need minus the engine or the grand slam which is the engine to Fuel tank. I know I have a 68 Camaro and Complete LQ4 minus harness brain and would like to know what all the junk like pulleys,harness headers, brackets estimated labor hours ETC. Someone jump on this we all are wondering. I hope it is just not me.

Ok, so further to what you are saying, there must be heaps of build shops and other professionals out there that do these all the time and charge for their services, so they would know pretty accurately what it all costs???

[geberhard]

I think Alm posted a great overview and ballpark on the previous page.

One thing that a lot of people here looking into doing this on a budget are missing out as far as doing this swap is that it can actually be done for almost $0 or no cost out of pocket. How you ask me?

I am just going through the same motions, and so far, out of pocket I am expecting to spend between $400-1000 if I go with very fancy gauges.

Basically my suggestion is to buy a complete runner car, 99 and up Camaro\Firebird, and part out the car. Sure it takes some work, but will put you way ahead. Yu can find them in the $3-4K range or even lower for salvaged or cars that had damage to the body.

In my case I bought a complete Camaro convertible, t56 manual, and parted out the car.



Sure it takes at least a full day to part out the car completely, plus whatever time to take pics, list the stuff on craigslist, etc however you will come way ahead, plus have extra parts you can use on your build, or sell to further offset the swap cost. In my case, I am utilizing the stock radiator and fans, tranny, engine, and the LS1 sized big brakes. Some may even utilize the interior to update their cars, seats, even dashboards and gauges are becoming good swaps on first gens

I parted out the car, sold seats, axle, subframe, interior panels, body parts, and finally body, and passed break even and some funds left, plus still have several parts left I may use, give to friends or sell to further offset the swap cost.

Getting a complete car has several benefits. You are not buying an engine or tranny with more doubtful past than from a yard, can get to hear it run and possibly even drive it, and In a nutshell, if you do not take into consideration the time to part out and sell the parts, what can also be a fun and gratifying experience it can be done for free

Gui

[gchank]

I dont know about the 5 grand number. 1969 camaro swap and I would say much closer to 10k than to the 5k. Lots of little stupid stuff that just adds up and up. This number closer to the 10k mark is nothin majorly fancy but done correctly. Also the extra things you find while doing this swap while not in the lower numbers happens,,,trust me,,,,those extras happen.

[geberhard]

Are you doing the work yourself?

[Ron in SoCal]

Tom Farrington did a pretty good spreadsheet of his costs and came up somewhere in the $14k range. He started w a low mile l92 drop out.

[Tig]

Go pick up Nov 12 issue of Car Craft, it has two very good features with LS swaps on a budget.

I like geberhards idea. If I had the space, thats what I'd do.

I also do agree, the little things add up and fast.