Ok, who's done the cheapest LSx swap?

[Boyd]

LSx donor engines, either new or junkyard pull-outs, seem to be getting cheaper every day, but all of the necessary bits (headers, engine mounts, fuel pumps, fuel lines, wiring harness, ecm, accesory brackets, etc) can make the cost of an lsx swap sky rocket very fast.

I've been thinking of an LSx for my '72 pickup to replace the tired straight-six and was wondering how cheaply it could be done for. Surely there are some folks out there that have "been there, done that" when it comes to a small budget lsx swap - so let's hear what you've got!

[derekf]

Mine isn't complete yet, but I'm definitely going cheap.

ECM and wiring harness came from the donor car with the engine.

Fuel pump is an MSD part - #2225, under 100 bucks from Amazon.

Fuel pressure regulator/filter is the Corvette piece, I believe it was about 25 bucks. Fuel tank is the stocker, but the sender replaced with the GM version that had a return line (about 50 bucks). Fuel line is bulk line from Summit.

Headers will likely be 5.0 Mustang headers adapted to different flanges.

Frame was notched to clear the AC lines, so no bracket change needed.

Engine mounts are made from 1/4" steel plate.

Tranny mount uses the stock trans crossmember (in new holes) and a plate to raise the rear of the tranny somewhere between 1/4" and 3/8" (should have a real number this week).

[Boyd]

Thanks derek, that's exactly the stuff I'm looking for. Appreciate the info.

[WS6]

I can't think of his name on the board here but he had the C3 vette with an LS1 and is now building his late brother's Chevelle up. His actually name is Pat. Anyway, he did his whole swap into a C3 for less than $2000. Mind you he already had a good transmission.

fabbing your own motor swap brackets, using stock exhaust manifolds, and making your own harness save thousands of dollars easily. They are not hard to do in most cases either. I'm sure you can get manifolds to fit your truck. I also believe in getting everything from the donor car is cheaper in the long run than part by part. You'll have to do some swapping and selling along the way sometimes, but the costs work themselves out in the end.

[skeeters65]

not me..