How much $$ do you have in your ls motor swap?

[cochino12]

I've been considering pulling the 454 out of my K5 and putting in my K20 since I will be buying a new work truck soon. I thought it would be cool to do a 6.0 swap but before I do that I was curious to know how much money I could expect to pay in conversion parts, necessary tunes... not necessarily the cost of the motor/tranny. I can handle most of the basic install like dropping it in, exhaust etc.

I've looked through some of the build threads but I can seemt to find any price lists.

Thanks

[STOCKISH]

So far I have about $2000 in mine. I bought the engine, trans, harness, ecu, driveshaft yoke, fuel tanks, pumps, filters, level senders, high psi. switching valve, and engine mount adapter plates. But then I sold my 350/350 combo that was in the truck for $1500 so I actually have around $500 invested. Thankfully I had almost that much in Summit gift cards from Christmas so I guess about $50 out of pocket so far. I think going rate is usually around $3500-$4500 total though.

[Thealien]

In the thread in my signature there are a couple of builds done on the cheap, around $2000 +-. I do see many in the $4-5000 range.

[cochino12]

Originally Posted by 1972SuperCheyenne

So far I have about $2000 in mine. I bought the engine, trans, harness, ecu, driveshaft yoke, fuel tanks, pumps, filters, level senders, high psi. switching valve, and engine mount adapter plates. But then I sold my 350/350 combo that was in the truck for $1500 so I actually have around $500 invested. Thankfully I had almost that much in Summit gift cards from Christmas so I guess about $50 out of pocket so far. I think going rate is usually around $3500-$4500 total though.

I just read your build thread, good luck with the build and thanks for the info

Originally Posted by Thealien

In the thread in my signature there are a couple of builds done on the cheap, around $2000 +-. I do see many in the $4-5000 range.

I completely forgot about the engine forume duh!! Thanks, that is a huge help

[78-5.3]

2001 5.3 engine harness ecu $450
1998 4l60e trans $300
harness rework $212
engine plate adaptors $50
fuels lines tahoe $50
fuel pump $75
drive shaft mods $55
truck headers $153
K/N filter (used) $75
power steering line $45
exhaust hook up about $80
trans flywheel adaptor $40

total $1585
add approx $200 in MISC
$1785
CHEAP PERFORMANCE UPDATE!!!

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by 78-5.3

2001 5.3 engine harness ecu $450
1998 4l60e trans $300
harness rework $212
engine plate adaptors $50
fuels lines tahoe $50
fuel pump $75
drive shaft mods $55
truck headers $153
K/N filter (used) $75
power steering line $45
exhaust hook up about $80
trans flywheel adaptor $40

total $1585
add approx $200 in MISC
$1785
CHEAP PERFORMANCE UPDATE!!!

what did you have to do to your tranny to make it work with the 2001 pcm? btw, $300 is super cheap for a tranny! I have been looking for a while now.

[glock35ipsc]

Adam - I copied this from my build thread:

Just the basic parts needed to do the swap including the 37° flare tool and both new gas tanks was about $1479. So total with engine/trans package (w/shipping) is $3679.

That includes things like replacing both gas tanks with new ones, two new fuel pumps, all new fuel lines, new tank switch valve, electronic speedo and cluster, PCM scanner tool, etc. I bought a lot of new parts that could have been bought used, but that's just me. That price also includes the 2006 low mileage engine and trans. My next one will be far cheaper, because I won't have the need/desire to have everything new. The biggest expense will obviously be the engine and trans.

There are lots of places to save money on these:

* Make the motor mount adapter plates yourself. Use the right ones and you won't need to do anything to the driveshaft or shift linkage.
* Use the manifolds that come with the 5.3, and use exhaust bends (like J- and U-bends) to hook up to the exhaust.
* Rework the harness yourself. The PCM programming is only $75.
* If it has power steering now, you can use the fitting on your existing pump on the new pump and reuse the existing pressure hose.
* Use the radiator hoses from the donor vehicle.
* Use the donors air intake setup.
* Drill and tap the head for the temp sensor instead of using an adapter
And on and on and on......

If you decide to do it, let me know. There is a lot that I learned that can be done at no cost. Or at very little cost. It all depends on how far you want to take it.