Best place for buying a complete LS drivetrain? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

07SSSC · 10-14-2012, 11:53 PM

Where are you guys finding the best prices and general best places for a complete swap setup? I've got a '93 K2500 that lost 3rd and 4th gear yesterday (long time coming), well the engine is very worn out too (190,000 miles worth of worn, plus it hasn't led a very easy life, the P.O. wasn't kind to it). I initaially thought of rebuilding and beefing up the stock trans and likewise building a stroker out of the engine, but for the price of that whole mess I may as well swap it all over and be that much further ahead. And by swap I mean engine, trans AND t-case plus all the wiring, PCM, etc, of course.

I'd like to run a 6.0/4L80E setup since the '93 is used mostly for hauling, but definitely not opposed to the standard 5.3/4L60E since they were put into everything and even that would be a huge step ahead of the 350 TBI it has. The few yards I've checked so far are ridiculous (one quoted $4500!) but yet I've seen some screaming deals you guys have gotten on here. So where are you getting those deals? I would gladly drive a fair distance for the right deal even. I'm not even opposed to buying a complete totalled truck and pulling it all myself, not to mention I could resell the left over parts to recoup some fundage. Thanks.

BigDan3131 · 10-15-2012, 03:10 AM

Have you tried Spauldings in Spokane, WA. I hear most people get their great buys off of Craigslist but, you have to jump on it fast if you want it.

07SSSC · 10-15-2012, 02:28 PM

Not many great buys to be had around here unfortunately. Most want too much for too little if there's any LS listed at all.

79shortbed · 10-15-2012, 09:25 PM

Down here, I was quoted for $1250 for 4.8/5.3 with 4l60e, all engine accessories, harness and ECU. Just a local salvage yard. Don't ask me what's keeping me from getting one.... I'm going nuts deciding between it and Gen I.

Mr. 250r · 10-15-2012, 09:45 PM

Ebay, carpart.com, craigslist, mostly carpart though

Bustedup · 10-16-2012, 09:19 AM

Check out Copart.com, most were running fine right up to the scene of the accident.

71chevystep4x4 · 10-16-2012, 08:39 PM

I'm not sure what part of the state your in, but theres a body shop in Nampa ID that had a lot of nice deals always coming up that he was putting on Craigslist, usually listed on the Boise one. I was watching him for a long time and considering driving over there from Central OR to pick one up, but scored a great deal on Ebay. He always had Vortec 5.3's and 6.0's he was selling.

71chevystep4x4 · 10-16-2012, 08:42 PM

I'm sorry, it was Caldwell ID, not Nampa. close though

10-14-2012, 11:53 PM	#1
07SSSC Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Buhl, ID Posts: 288	Best place for buying a complete LS drivetrain? Where are you guys finding the best prices and general best places for a complete swap setup? I've got a '93 K2500 that lost 3rd and 4th gear yesterday (long time coming), well the engine is very worn out too (190,000 miles worth of worn, plus it hasn't led a very easy life, the P.O. wasn't kind to it). I initaially thought of rebuilding and beefing up the stock trans and likewise building a stroker out of the engine, but for the price of that whole mess I may as well swap it all over and be that much further ahead. And by swap I mean engine, trans AND t-case plus all the wiring, PCM, etc, of course. I'd like to run a 6.0/4L80E setup since the '93 is used mostly for hauling, but definitely not opposed to the standard 5.3/4L60E since they were put into everything and even that would be a huge step ahead of the 350 TBI it has. The few yards I've checked so far are ridiculous (one quoted $4500!) but yet I've seen some screaming deals you guys have gotten on here. So where are you getting those deals? I would gladly drive a fair distance for the right deal even. I'm not even opposed to buying a complete totalled truck and pulling it all myself, not to mention I could resell the left over parts to recoup some fundage. Thanks. __________________ '69 Chevy C/10-under reconstruction -- '68 C20 Camper 50th Anniversary-runs, but sorely needs a resto -- '07 Cobalt SS/SC-very fun DD -- '93 Chevy K2500-LQ4/4L80E swap -- '84 Trans Am-awaiting (LS) drivetrain -- '00 Trans Am-road tripper -- '06 Z06-577 WHP beast

10-15-2012, 03:10 AM	#2
BigDan3131 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Maple Valley, WA Posts: 1,913	Re: Best place for buying a complete LS drivetrain? Have you tried Spauldings in Spokane, WA. I hear most people get their great buys off of Craigslist but, you have to jump on it fast if you want it. __________________ Custom Painter/Restoration Specialist 1965 GMC 3/4 Ton LB SOLD? 1964 Chevy El Camino in full restoration 1991 Chevy S10 288K+ miles 2nd Owner SOLD 2020 RAM 1500 Warlock

10-15-2012, 02:28 PM	#3
07SSSC Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Buhl, ID Posts: 288	Re: Best place for buying a complete LS drivetrain? Not many great buys to be had around here unfortunately. Most want too much for too little if there's any LS listed at all. __________________ '69 Chevy C/10-under reconstruction -- '68 C20 Camper 50th Anniversary-runs, but sorely needs a resto -- '07 Cobalt SS/SC-very fun DD -- '93 Chevy K2500-LQ4/4L80E swap -- '84 Trans Am-awaiting (LS) drivetrain -- '00 Trans Am-road tripper -- '06 Z06-577 WHP beast

10-15-2012, 09:25 PM	#4
79shortbed Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Troy, AL Posts: 189	Re: Best place for buying a complete LS drivetrain? Down here, I was quoted for $1250 for 4.8/5.3 with 4l60e, all engine accessories, harness and ECU. Just a local salvage yard. Don't ask me what's keeping me from getting one.... I'm going nuts deciding between it and Gen I. __________________ 1979 Custom Deluxe C10 SWB Fleetside Help encourage me in my build. LS 5.3 swap in progress!

10-15-2012, 09:45 PM	#5
Mr. 250r Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: freeburg, illinois Posts: 885	Re: Best place for buying a complete LS drivetrain? Ebay, carpart.com, craigslist, mostly carpart though __________________ 1987 Chevy V30 - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=573854 1988 IROC-Z Camaro - 305/T5 T-Top 1989 GMC V35 - Marbolo Express http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=596850 1991 V2500 Suburban Silverado - Sold 1991 V2500 Suburban Scottsdale - Big Nasty http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=497423 2001 Ram 3500 5.9 H.O NV56 EC DRW - Sold 2003 1500 Silverado 2004 Ram 3500 5.9 H.O NV56 CC DRW - Sold 2005 Silverado 2500HD 6.6/ZF6 CC LWB

10-16-2012, 09:19 AM	#6
Bustedup Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Kent, Wash Posts: 53	Re: Best place for buying a complete LS drivetrain? Check out Copart.com, most were running fine right up to the scene of the accident.

10-16-2012, 08:39 PM	#7
71chevystep4x4 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Milwaukie OR Posts: 135	Re: Best place for buying a complete LS drivetrain? I'm not sure what part of the state your in, but theres a body shop in Nampa ID that had a lot of nice deals always coming up that he was putting on Craigslist, usually listed on the Boise one. I was watching him for a long time and considering driving over there from Central OR to pick one up, but scored a great deal on Ebay. He always had Vortec 5.3's and 6.0's he was selling.

10-16-2012, 08:42 PM	#8
71chevystep4x4 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Milwaukie OR Posts: 135	Re: Best place for buying a complete LS drivetrain? I'm sorry, it was Caldwell ID, not Nampa. close though



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