Long story short, I've been building and swapping LS's for 15 years and it can be done cheap. My formula ? Cheap engine running off a carb and scrounging the junk yards. I picked up a Gen 4 2009 LY2, 4.8L on a trade for an old MSD 6A box I had from another project. Bolted on a BW T5 World Class behind it with a stock hydraulic throw out bearing. Cut an inch off the stock oil pan and pickup and welded it back together, cut the outlets off the stock exhaust manifolds, reclocked and tucked them and dropped the engine into a '88 S10. Used the stock TBI fuel pump and tank and added a bypass fuel regulator to feed the carb. Intake was picked off Ebay for $200 and had to buy a MSD 6LS box to fire the ignition. An F-Body donated the radiator and fans and the accessory drive was completed with a idler kit from ICT Billet and a LS3 tensioner. I downloaded the blueprints for the engine adaptor plates and a friend with a machine shop built them for me for a 30 of Labatt Blue. Basically it all came together for a little over $1600. It will peel the hides for an 1/8th mile and it handles better than you would think. Tons of smiles per mile, cheap.
UA-cam is an EXCELLENT source of howto information. It's how I learned how to unlock the anti theft in the computer and figure out the wiring that looks like a nightmare but is simple.
1500 bucks for a 6.0/ 4L80e 62 GMC. I bought a 06 Silverado with a 6.0 and 4L80 that had hit a cemment support for a drainage culvert and bent the frame for 1k. Pulled the 105,000 mile engine and trans and all the wiring and electric accelerator pedal and put it in a 62 short wide GMC truck. Put the computer in an 04 Silverado and got the anti theft to unlock and put it back in the old GMC. I made my own motor mounts and did my own wiring and trans cross member. A friend gave me an aluminum radiator that I made fit, and I ran the stock plastic water pump driven fan on it. I currently have the 06 Silverado fuel tank in the bed to run it. The first long drive was 90 miles to get the computer worked at a tuner place. It did fine in limp mode but got horrible mileage. Drove back at 20 mpg. It's got a 2.78 12 bolt under it, and at 85 mph, it's only turning 1800. Drives up hills with the converter locked up just fine. Will annihilate the tires so bad I had to put 500 pounds in the back to drive around in the rain, lol. I've got about 1500 bucks in it, including the 62 GMC truck, and it is my daily driver now. It is one of my best projects. I just wish I could find another doner truck to get another 6.0 out of as cheap as I did that one.
5.3 Was the route I was going 2 go several years ago but I went 1986 casting block carbureted 4 barrel 700r4 T top monte I'm happy it's dependable, reliable runs good and alot of fun and complements I went for the handling and traveling ability of the car
It’s cool that you guys are where you are; there’s not many, if any at all 2WD up here in the NE. Important Q: cheapest rock-bottom way to delete VATS?
Im trial fitting the stock manifolds tomorrow on the 67 malibu. I thought of cutting and welding them if necessary. Got lots of cast rod. Try my first cast weld.
Right! I wish I had a ly6 but I got lq4 gen 3 6.0 block rebuilt with ly6 rods and .030 position. Ls3 heads . The ly6 comes with LS rec port heads just a tad bit bigger combustion chambers I think 72 cc vs 68cc LS 3 heads
@@davidjaime6407 I'm looking to do a similar project. I have a LQ4 with a LS1 intake and throttle body. Going L92 heads with a LS3 intake and 92mm throttle body. I want to run a Holley Terminator X system with a Summit stage 3 LS3 cam.
I got a Silverado 1500 5.3 1999. Looking for a 4L60E transmission. Anyone know where I could get one for a good price ? Any suggestions ? I'm in Central Alabama will pick up if necessary.
sound like he said find a complete Ls donor and install it in your car. I wish they explained exactly what how and the difference between ls and a normal bbc/sbc install lol
I have a 5.3 Silverado I’m willing to do a transplant on soon… It’s got some frame rot 230k miles.. I would love to find a late model RX-7 or something small like that to swap into..
I’m interested in knowing how to keep my signal and brake lights I can’t afford Term x yet what would you recommend a plug 🔌 in play type or stand alone harness
Hey great work I have a question would Clay consider doing one for me in my 1978 Oldsmobile Cutlass do you have any idea how much give or take he would charge and where you guys located by
@@CarGuyV8 OK awesome if you ever considers it please let me know. I am in no rush with no timeframe really just want a good nice cheap swap. Don’t need to be all overboard and everything just something reliable and of course that sounds good. Thank you for the quick response I appreciate it.
Found a 2001 Silverado 2500/6.0/4l80/4x4/4.10 with 290k miles, running driving with slight lifter or knocking noise. Would it be a good donor for a Jeep Comanche LS SWAP? The milage and the engine noise is kinda scary but the noise goes away after it warms up. Should I buy it as a good donor for a swap?
I have a v6 Mustang I want to LS swap it and I want to achieve 890 to 980whp, I know trying to buy a GT will run my 30k plus that just for the car and even more to modify it. Any tips?
The ZF6? the SBC and LS have the same bellhousing pattern so I’m sure others must have used it before. Might have to research the clutch and flywheel situation though.
I’m trying to LS Swap a LS1 into a 5th Gen Camaro SS, could anyone help me figure out what I’m going to need? For context, I’m a 19 yr old and lucked my way into a Camaro shell with just about everything but engine and Trans, and I have a family member who’s willing to sell me a LS1, and new to a lot of this stuff
Sounds like a cool project. Probably best to ask a forum this question. You’ll probably have to run a different intake at the least because the throttle setups will be different. It’ll have a different reluctor wheel than an LS3 too.
Good jod brother thad one look new want can help me want to buy Chevrolet Silverado to work delivery and the city got sontime heavy thing what year thing big good and gas to work like 6 h day m to Friday got to buy something 2000 to 2007 thas it can you let me now what year motor best good gas any ok i now my brother got s much big motor 😂 let me now thank g blessings you
Nonsense! I literally just got my classic jeep cherokee ls swapped and running for under $500. I charge customers that much but if a guy is skilled in wrenching, fabricating and haggling it is pretty easy on just about any make or model. Just gotta have the time.
BS,,, Remember the anemic SS Monte Carlo from mid 80's ? After purchasing it wrecked ,, and stripping it down to running / rolling chassis it's now a 55 Nomad wagon with tilt cruise , AC & power seats and shows very well at car shows ,, all done on the cheap , sprayed with PPG Omni
You are either completely ignorant of the LS series,or you are confused and are thinking of the LS1, all 99+ Silverado’s,tahoes,suburbans, avalances and their gmc counterparts have an LS , 4.8,5.3,6.0,6.2, the last traditional sbc after the TBI motors ,was the 96-98 350(5.7) vortec ,which continued only in the vans until 02 I believe,every other vortec was an LS motor other than the 4200 vortec which was a inline 6 ,4.2 liter in the trailblazers, the only other motor you could’ve got in a 99 or newer Chevy truck was the 4.3 or the duramax ,and since they aren’t v6’s or a diesel please tell me what those 2 motors are? Either you know nothing about engines , or you thought you knew a little bit about one vehicle that you’ve owned ,and are mistakenly making assumptions
Long story short, I've been building and swapping LS's for 15 years and it can be done cheap. My formula ? Cheap engine running off a carb and scrounging the junk yards. I picked up a Gen 4 2009 LY2, 4.8L on a trade for an old MSD 6A box I had from another project. Bolted on a BW T5 World Class behind it with a stock hydraulic throw out bearing. Cut an inch off the stock oil pan and pickup and welded it back together, cut the outlets off the stock exhaust manifolds, reclocked and tucked them and dropped the engine into a '88 S10. Used the stock TBI fuel pump and tank and added a bypass fuel regulator to feed the carb. Intake was picked off Ebay for $200 and had to buy a MSD 6LS box to fire the ignition. An F-Body donated the radiator and fans and the accessory drive was completed with a idler kit from ICT Billet and a LS3 tensioner. I downloaded the blueprints for the engine adaptor plates and a friend with a machine shop built them for me for a 30 of Labatt Blue. Basically it all came together for a little over $1600. It will peel the hides for an 1/8th mile and it handles better than you would think. Tons of smiles per mile, cheap.
I bet that truck is a lot of fun to drive! Thanks for watching.
Where are you located
Where are you located
Thanks for another great video. I have a 79 cutlass. Do you do the LS swaps for people. Let me know.
@@J-DoGG909 Thanks for watching. Currently I only work on my own vehicles.
Essentially:
-get your hands dirty
-have friends
-dont be a dick
Ls swap and old school 350 still faster
You confuse me unless your speaking of fuel injection
Won’t be cheap without a person with hands on experience and knowledge doing it himself
UA-cam is an EXCELLENT source of howto information. It's how I learned how to unlock the anti theft in the computer and figure out the wiring that looks like a nightmare but is simple.
So get your hands dirty my guy.
Isn't 5.3 a silvarado engine?
@@user-ov7kc5bt7gI think so
@@user-ov7kc5bt7gno the 5.3 comes in the expedition, the 4.8 comes in the silverado
TOTALLY AWSOME VIDEO AND EDUCATION. THANKS FOR SHARING. I LEARNED SO MUCH.
I’m happy we could help.
1. BUY A GREAT DONOR CAR OR TRUCK.
2. BE A GREAT FRIEND IN THE CAR CULTURE.
Great video, short and to the point.
Thanks for watching.
I like these guys. Thanks for the video 😊❤
Thanks! Stay tuned because we’ve got a cool budget Fox Body that I’m making a video on soon!
Wish I had a friend like this guy
Good people are hard to find, but there’s a lot of them still out there.
This is a great idea to make cheap LS swaps!
1500 bucks for a 6.0/ 4L80e 62 GMC.
I bought a 06 Silverado with a 6.0 and 4L80 that had hit a cemment support for a drainage culvert and bent the frame for 1k. Pulled the 105,000 mile engine and trans and all the wiring and electric accelerator pedal and put it in a 62 short wide GMC truck. Put the computer in an 04 Silverado and got the anti theft to unlock and put it back in the old GMC. I made my own motor mounts and did my own wiring and trans cross member. A friend gave me an aluminum radiator that I made fit, and I ran the stock plastic water pump driven fan on it. I currently have the 06 Silverado fuel tank in the bed to run it. The first long drive was 90 miles to get the computer worked at a tuner place. It did fine in limp mode but got horrible mileage. Drove back at 20 mpg. It's got a 2.78 12 bolt under it, and at 85 mph, it's only turning 1800. Drives up hills with the converter locked up just fine. Will annihilate the tires so bad I had to put 500 pounds in the back to drive around in the rain, lol. I've got about 1500 bucks in it, including the 62 GMC truck, and it is my daily driver now. It is one of my best projects. I just wish I could find another doner truck to get another 6.0 out of as cheap as I did that one.
Thanks for sharing. Budget hotrodding is what it’s all about.
Great info and Tips 💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾🔧 ing..
I've seen some great builds that started out as a budget build. My current build is a budget build.
5.3
Was the route I was going 2 go several years ago but I went 1986 casting block carbureted 4 barrel 700r4 T top monte I'm happy it's dependable, reliable runs good and alot of fun and complements I went for the handling and traveling ability of the car
Facts
Thanks!
If u get the Escalade with the 6.0 your definitely can get a bang for ur buck💪🏾💯
It’s cool that you guys are where you are; there’s not many, if any at all 2WD up here in the NE.
Important Q: cheapest rock-bottom way to delete VATS?
Great decision on the Tahoe. Gd sh#t
Im dealing with the same story. 2006 envoy Denali from a side street auction. Now 2 years later Imma do a swap. 73 k5 I think
Wow wonderful job... I have a 1983 cutlass and need a swap
Thanks for watching.
Wish you guys were in Georgia
Great Video I have a 02 Firebird 3.8 I wanna do this LS Swap 2.. You make it look easy You got a Shop?
No we don’t have a shop. With how many people are asking it sounds like we’d have a lot of business if we did lol.
What would help = recommend the l.s that has the most aftermarket conversion kits ..take Ford mustang for instance..
Where you located? I need some help, lol....anyways, great video!
Im trial fitting the stock manifolds tomorrow on the 67 malibu.
I thought of cutting and welding them if necessary.
Got lots of cast rod.
Try my first cast weld.
That’s sounds like a cool project. Thanks for watching.
Gave you the sub !
Thank you!
LY6 with some LS3 heads must be the best bang for buck and can make good power.
Right! I wish I had a ly6 but I got lq4 gen 3 6.0 block rebuilt with ly6 rods and .030 position. Ls3 heads . The ly6 comes with LS rec port heads just a tad bit bigger combustion chambers I think 72 cc vs 68cc LS 3 heads
@@davidjaime6407 I'm looking to do a similar project. I have a LQ4 with a LS1 intake and throttle body. Going L92 heads with a LS3 intake and 92mm throttle body. I want to run a Holley Terminator X system with a Summit stage 3 LS3 cam.
@@crw3673 Beautiful!
@@crw3673 we should be getting close if not to 500 HP with cam and rec port heads. I'ma run a Holly or the new Edelbrock carburetor.
Great job I need a swap did location please
I got a Silverado 1500 5.3 1999. Looking for a 4L60E transmission. Anyone know where I could get one for a good price ? Any suggestions ? I'm in Central Alabama will pick up if necessary.
sound like he said find a complete Ls donor and install it in your car. I wish they explained exactly what how and the difference between ls and a normal bbc/sbc install lol
I have a 5.3 Silverado I’m willing to do a transplant on soon… It’s got some frame rot 230k miles.. I would love to find a late model RX-7 or something small like that to swap into..
That’d be a fun swap. The lightweight RX-7 would be tons of fun with a stock LS.
for some reason lots of those RX 7 have bad motors, my garage guy has one, customer gave him the car !! Good luck on your project.
@@DanTheManIOM Rotary engine
We’re u located I wud like for u to install mibes
When can you do my 87 cutlass?
What’s this guys info? He seems knowledgeable and I have some work for him!!!
Can u do a video on hemi swaps🙏🏾please
Neither one of us has ever done a hemi swap, but I’m sure the same principles will apply.
Where is this guy located
Were you guys out of
I’m interested in knowing how to keep my signal and brake lights I can’t afford Term x yet what would you recommend a plug 🔌 in play type or stand alone harness
The light harness should be separate from your engine wiring harness.
That is 78 Cutlass that was V8 swapped. The car was a good runner
When i was 16 my first car was a 1979 oldsmobile cutlass supreme brougham man i miss that car 😢😢
They’re really cool cars!
I had an identical 79 Husrt/Olds in my early twenties
Where ya’ll located? KLAY can you take on a project? I own a junkyard!
Hey great work I have a question would Clay consider doing one for me in my 1978 Oldsmobile Cutlass do you have any idea how much give or take he would charge and where you guys located by
Thanks for the inquiry. Right now he just does these swaps as a hobby. It’s a full time job just maintaining his own fleet 😂
@@CarGuyV8 OK awesome if you ever considers it please let me know. I am in no rush with no timeframe really just want a good nice cheap swap. Don’t need to be all overboard and everything just something reliable and of course that sounds good. Thank you for the quick response I appreciate it.
I got a 78 cutlass I want to swap
I wish I lived near mechanics that can do this for me
What about an 2000 Chevy corvette, is that a good engine to start a swap
That’s an LS1. That a really good engine imo. They’re sought after too.
Where you located
Found a 2001 Silverado 2500/6.0/4l80/4x4/4.10 with 290k miles, running driving with slight lifter or knocking noise. Would it be a good donor for a Jeep Comanche LS SWAP? The milage and the engine noise is kinda scary but the noise goes away after it warms up. Should I buy it as a good donor for a swap?
Sounds like the noise might be piston slap, which is quite common. It depends on how much he is asking, but I’d say go for it.
@@CarGuyV8 he’s only asking 1200 for the complete truck but I think I can get them down to 800
@@moejr14 absolutely worth it. More than enough stuff on that truck to make your money back if necessary.
I have a v6 Mustang I want to LS swap it and I want to achieve 890 to 980whp, I know trying to buy a GT will run my 30k plus that just for the car and even more to modify it. Any tips?
I’m no help when it comes to power levels that high. Maybe someone else will chime in.
Go big block
what was the year, make and model of your red truck?
The Tahoe? it’s an 02.
how about those rims. those look good. I would like to buy a set. make and model of the rims?
@@mechanic350 Prime wheels
Just go to a local car meet and take the car that has the engine you would like
Where u guys located your expertise can b used
TX
I'm about to ls swap my 1975 square body I'm building it for SEMA
That’ll be awesome! Good trucks.
Just what I need a high mileage wore out motor in my car.
I want to try and do a ls swap in a 72 chevy truck
Do it
THE LS SWAP IS HOT IN 1983!!!!
Where are you located and what do you charge
We don’t currently do any outside work
I’m looking for a cheap k20a swap if anyone out there has one
SUGGESTION: HOT ROD MAGAZINE. LS SWAPS ANYBODY CAN DO.
Do you Stay any were around Missouri I have a m body and looking too ls swap it
88 Chrysler 5th avenue
No I’m far from there
I need someone to ls swap my van. Can you guys do it?
We don’t do it professionally. Just as a hobby.
The NorthStar Cadillacs have hit rock bottom. LS swap can't be more expensive then the head stud kit and all the since yous' costs. I'm pondering it.
How much would you charge me to do my building
I appreciate the inquiry, I don’t really do outside work though. Best bet is a engine builder that’s close to your location.
Glad he didn’t do the swap that’s a perfectly looking truck
Hi man,
Can we LS swap in 2004 Mercedes C class
I looked it up briefly on Google and it looks like the engine bay might be too tight.
Can you use an L98 6 speed Vette transmission on an LS engine?
The ZF6? the SBC and LS have the same bellhousing pattern so I’m sure others must have used it before. Might have to research the clutch and flywheel situation though.
Are you in Nashville Tennessee
No TX
I need to ls deal my r32 any tips
I don’t have any experience with Nissans. Find yourself a donor LS vehicle and that’ll help.
I thought that was clay. Haven’t seen him in awhile. He’s always got some kind of project going. I’ve got some parts for y’all if you need them.
Thanks for watching! What kind of parts are you getting rid of?
@@CarGuyV8 I’ve got a complete 5.3 in a 08 Chevy truck w 54k miles. Trans, ecu all of it.
@@joeymerrell8585 I appreciate the offer. I’m going to pass on it, but some other person in this comment section might be interested.
I’m trying to LS Swap a LS1 into a 5th Gen Camaro SS, could anyone help me figure out what I’m going to need?
For context, I’m a 19 yr old and lucked my way into a Camaro shell with just about everything but engine and Trans, and I have a family member who’s willing to sell me a LS1, and new to a lot of this stuff
Sounds like a cool project. Probably best to ask a forum this question. You’ll probably have to run a different intake at the least because the throttle setups will be different. It’ll have a different reluctor wheel than an LS3 too.
@@CarGuyV8 any recommendations for a forum to ask?
@@user-hg4hz1lx2h LS1tech.com is the best camaro5.com is good too. Keep us updated on how your project turns out!
Location???
Texas
Did he say that Tahoe was 2wd??
Yes
What the guy number who do the ls swap
All this info and no mention of how much he paid for the motors. That info would have been a good starting point for us to make decisions on a build.
because there is no such thing as a cheap LS engine lol.
@@Runescape. Keep that attitude and leave the cheap swaps to us. It's almost too easy.
Could I LS Swap a 69 Thunderbird?
The LS is small compared to an FE so I’m sure it would be an easy swap
I found a 84 Fleetwood brougham for 800 that I want to put a 5.3 vortec in and I'm also on quite a budget lol
Do it!
His shits are automatic obviously that’s going to be cheap wayyy cheaper
Did he have to replace the computer
Yes with the computer from the donor vehicle
Good jod brother thad one look new want can help me want to buy Chevrolet Silverado to work delivery and the city got sontime heavy thing what year thing big good and gas to work like 6 h day m to Friday got to buy something 2000 to 2007 thas it can you let me now what year motor best good gas any ok i now my brother got s much big motor 😂 let me now thank g blessings you
For everyone looking to do a LS swap in a non GM. Take that $800 out your mind lol. $7k to $15k
Nonsense! I literally just got my classic jeep cherokee ls swapped and running for under $500. I charge customers that much but if a guy is skilled in wrenching, fabricating and haggling it is pretty easy on just about any make or model. Just gotta have the time.
@@fraserfab68 yea, yea sure… for $250 i scored a junkyard motor and for $30 in parts i completed a whole swap everything functional lol
@@dnvr12 You are clearly not a builder. If you were, you would know how to get things done.
@@fraserfab68yeeeeea, suuuuuure.. thaats it lol.. thats just it lol…
BS,,, Remember the anemic SS Monte Carlo from mid 80's ? After purchasing it wrecked ,, and stripping it down to running / rolling chassis it's now a 55 Nomad wagon with tilt cruise , AC & power seats and shows very well at car shows ,, all done on the cheap , sprayed with PPG Omni
Neither of those two engines are LS engines...
You are either completely ignorant of the LS series,or you are confused and are thinking of the LS1, all 99+ Silverado’s,tahoes,suburbans, avalances and their gmc counterparts have an LS , 4.8,5.3,6.0,6.2, the last traditional sbc after the TBI motors ,was the 96-98 350(5.7) vortec ,which continued only in the vans until 02 I believe,every other vortec was an LS motor other than the 4200 vortec which was a inline 6 ,4.2 liter in the trailblazers, the only other motor you could’ve got in a 99 or newer Chevy truck was the 4.3 or the duramax ,and since they aren’t v6’s or a diesel please tell me what those 2 motors are? Either you know nothing about engines , or you thought you knew a little bit about one vehicle that you’ve owned ,and are mistakenly making assumptions
@@user-fs9kl9zv1l Not readin allat
@@epiccowboymemes2042 Needs to swap the cowboy hat for a dunce hat
@@kingnull2697 Proof?
Dayuuum, so much babbling
All I know is.....TRUMP 2024.
I don’t give a piss about both but the tidddeeee
I need somebody to swap out my El Camino where are you guys located at
We actually don’t do public work
@@CarGuyV8 fuck it
Less talk more ahow
How can I contact you carguyV8
You can just contact me by replying to this if you want.