LS swap cost - COMPLETE a-z Drive in, drop it off & pick up tuned and perfect.?

[Jwernatl]

Guys - I know this is loaded question -

BUT - in your opinion, what is a fair cost range to have a reputable shop perform a COMPLETE LS SWAP into my 1987 V10? Keeping my 700R4?? or swap that too?


Let's say…the donor engine has less than 50k miles, perfect running engine - no need for a tear down. (should we at least replace the cam? I'll be pulling a camper (maybe) cross country in next 5years)

I will drive it everyday with cold AC, hot heat, good fuel milage, plenty of power and reliability.

**I would want the shop to supply the donor LS, fuel, harness sensors - etc etc
- COMPLETE A-Z - the whole shooting match.**

Just your opinion -

what is fair cost range at your location? - please list if you will

What is best LS?

What is least expensive LS?

factory exhaust set up - nothing crazy

I have the 700R4 (probably just keep that - if it's possible)

 

[SquareRoot]

LS swap. Woohoo.

 

[82sbshortbed]

More than you wanna spend I bet.

 

[TX87R10]

> I would want the shop to supply the donor LS, fuel, harness sensors - etc etc - COMPLETE A-Z - the whole shooting match.

If you are having a shop do this I would consider how long you can afford to not have your truck when / if something goes wrong.

> What is least expensive LS?

Not a great way to approach a very expensive swap

 

[Jwernatl]

LS swap. Woohoo.

Yes, this is still under consideration - But, I think I would like the reliability and power ease.

I can't find anyone local that is able to do this.

 

[climb-101]

here is my guess

$1500 motor
$1000 fuel setup now lines/fittings/pump
$1000 AC setup
$1000 BP harness/program computer ( wouldn't mess with cutting down an old harness)
$1000 miscellaneous things like fluids motor mounts, charge the AC, ECT.
???? labor - im guessing it would be around $5000 to the shop do the swap

Around $10K im guessing.

i did a 6.0/4l80/NP205 setup in my crew cab and love it.

 

[Jwernatl]

More than you wanna spend I bet.

Me too….

 

[Jwernatl]

here is my guess

$1500 motor
$1000 fuel setup now lines/fittings/pump
$1000 AC setup
$1000 BP harness/program computer ( wouldn't mess with cutting down an old harness)
$1000 miscellaneous things like fluids motor mounts, charge the AC, ECT.
???? labor - im guessing it would be around $5000 to the shop do the swap

Around $10K im guessing.

i did a 6.0/4l80/NP205 setup in my crew cab and love it.

$10k I can do that.

You guys think it would devalue a 'stock' clean V10?

 

[climb-101]

$10k I can do that.

You guys think it would devalue a 'stock' clean V10?

nope, I would think it would help the value, its not some rare truck that originality add to the value

 

[Bextreme04]

You have the best possible donor since it already has the fuel lines and EFI tank. Fuel system is as simple as replacing the TBI fuel pump with an AC Delco EP381 which is <$150. No need to replace any other line. Standalone harness is only $250. You can run an LS and 4L60E(exact same trans as your 700R4 externally) with a 0411 ECU that can be programmed for free with a $60 tool. You can buy them with a factory tune and VATS/rear O2 delete for $150 all-in. For just a simple LQ4/4L60E in an 87, you should be able to be well below $10k if the shop knows what they are doing. You shouldn't have any trouble finding a shop that specializes in LS swaps in GA.... or anywhere in the south really.

 

[TPISly-C10]

mine cost me (include re-sale old diesel engine and trans, part ect..) $1500...done all by myself so save a lot on labor

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[Doublenaughtspy]

Yes, this is still under consideration - But, I think I would like the reliability and power ease.

I can't find anyone local that is able to do this.

There is a shop in Marietta, GA that will do the swap. With a 5.3L donor (including the pedal and ECM), headers, wire harness, fuel system, mounts, tuning...it'll be around $7-8k. Generally a 5.3L at around 100k miles is an easy find. You CAN use the 700r, but if you have a later model drive by wire donor, a method of hooking the TV cable for your transmission to the accelerator position will be tough (read that "cost more to figure out"). Better to go with the 4L60E or make sure you get an early 5.3L that is cable operated throttle. BUT that means more likely a higher mileage donor motor and that TV cable is very sensitive to proper adjustment. A 4.8L would likely be a little bit cheaper, but I wouldn't cut that corner on such a big expense. Yet another consideration is to find a 5.3L with the original transmission for the swap. That opens another can of worms on whether you want the 6L80 or 8L80 transmissions that we've heard so much trouble from......not at all an easy question.

 

[Craig Nedrow]

Bought a LQ4 with a 4l80e out of a 1999 2500 pickup for 1500 bucks. Has an 896 controller, which I will use, complete un cut harness. The 411 controller has more memory? than the 896, but the HP MP3 tuner works excellent on the 99 Camaro with the 496 controller. Parts for the motor

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[77 K20]

Check out Tilden Motorsports. They offer take out engines that are tested with a 1 year warranty, a pre-flashed ECM and a custom wiring harness, fuse block, all accessories.

$2,200 for the 4.8L
$3,000 for the 5.3L
$3,950 for the 8.1L

Other engines available. 6.0, 6.2...

http://tildenmotorsports.com/products/take-out-engines.html

 

[TubeTruck]

It depends if you have friends, how long you want to wait for your truck, etc. I paid $800 for a 126k mile LQ9 with no accessories and an LS3 oil pan, found a guy on marketplace selling accessories, LQ4 oil pan, LQ4 pistons and rods, and a pile of other parts for $100. I'm sure I'll make $3-400 back on the extra stuff I got. Reworked the factory harness, my buddy sent me a 6106 pcm so I could use the factory a/c. Using a 4l80e I pulled with a 7400, which after sales from the truck was basically free. Once I sell the engine and transmission from my truck I'll be into this LS swap for a grand or less.

I never use a shop so I couldn't tell you about that but if you gather all the parts it will be considerably cheaper.