is there a list?

[SkinsandJrfan]

I'm looking to get rid of my 383 stroker in favor of an LS motor. Is there a list of everything that I would need to purchase toile this thing run again? Something that has everything from engine to gas tank to exhaust. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[Rhino]

One could argue this entire site is that list.
Your setup could be a power glide behind a carbed stock 5.3 or it could be a 6 speed behind an LSA. The parts required are even more varied than a traditional small block.

What did you have in mind for the swap? What's your budget?

[badazz81z28]

I'm looking to get rid of my 383 stroker in favor of an LS motor. Is there a list of everything that I would need to purchase toile this thing run again? Something that has everything from engine to gas tank to exhaust. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

What is your overall goal? Honestly...I'm not too impressed with my LS engine for what I have invested into it. It makes a lot of power at 6200 RPMs, but doesn't have the low end grunt of a Chevy Small Block plus was a hell of lot more expensive. Other than cranking right up due to fuel injection, I forget it's under the hood from time to time. If I had to do it all over again, I would make sure the cubes were over 400ci.

[SparkyRnD]

Radiator would be the forward most item needed, and we can help with that ;)

[SkinsandJrfan]

I have a T5 trans. I know I will probably need a new bell housing to bolt to the LS. Looking for an LS3 with a little hopped up cam. Right now I'm running about 485 hp. I believe with an LS3 and a better cam I can be way above that mark. As for budget, well I have a very understanding wife and she says I can get whatever I want. (I love her. Lol) I'm trying to figure out what all I will need so that there are no surprises and perhaps I can get within a few hundred of knowing what I need to be prepared to spend. If I know everything I will need then I can price everything.

[rocketrod]

I have a T5 trans. I know I will probably need a new bell housing to bolt to the LS. Looking for an LS3 with a little hopped up cam. Right now I'm running about 485 hp. I believe with an LS3 and a better cam I can be way above that mark. As for budget, well I have a very understanding wife and she says I can get whatever I want. (I love her. Lol) I'm trying to figure out what all I will need so that there are no surprises and perhaps I can get within a few hundred of knowing what I need to be prepared to spend. If I know everything I will need then I can price everything.

I sent you pm with a link to a spreadsheet I have with a list of parts. IT DOES NOT INCLUDE EVERYTHING, but it should be a good starting point as it has most of the big ticket items included.

[67rally]

Unless you're going to duplicate someone else's setup, then I'm not sure you'll find a list. I'm in the process of swapping a 6.0L LQ9 and 6spd T56 into my '67 right now. My budget has more than doubled, because in the end I realized I wouldn't be happy with a junkyard motor, and I ended up doing Heads/Cam/Intake. There's a lot of good info on ls1tech.com, but unless you find someone swapping an LS3 into '68 Camaro with a T5 trans, then you're going to have to piece together the info. Lot's of good build threads over there though.

Here's a quick list of stuff you may need.

Radiator
Radiator hoses
Electric Fan
Oil pan
Engine mounts
Headers (and exhaust work)
Exhaust gaskets
Modify existing wiring harness (make sure you get the ECU, TAC, Pedal)
or New conversion harness
Accessories (PS, ALT, AC, Starter)
Fuel tank
fuel pump
Fuel lines

If you're going to do a cam, you can do it without pulling the heads on an LS. But if you pull the heads...
Cam
Pushrods
Lifters
Lifter Trays
Head Gaskets
Timing Chain
Timing cover gasket
Intake gasket
Balancer bolt
Oil pump/o-ring?

Will you be happy with the T5? Can it handle the power? If not, add a T56 used or aftermarket...
T56
Bellhousing
Trans crossmember
Trans mount
Clutch/Slave cylinder
Hydraulic clutch conversion
Clutch lines
Driveshaft shortened?
Shifter

Are you going to re-use your old bolts...
Heads
Intake
Exhaust
Bellhousing to engine
Bellhousing to trans
Accessory bolts?

[badazz81z28]

Really? A T-5? I would seriously consider a better trans if your goal is "way" above 485hp. This venture is not going to be cheap unless you have a bud of a bud who knows a bud or just plain lucky to stumble on a deal. For a complete LS3, expect $4-5K minimum or go Iron LQ or LY engine. With a "healthy size" cam swap, I think you will be in the arena of 430-450hp to the wheels.

[SkinsandJrfan]

Well I don't consider 4-5K expensive. I'm expecting it to be in the 10-12k range for a complete swap and I'm ok with that. This trans has been out under some pretty heavy stress but I'm not ruling out a change to a T56. As for way above the 485 mark, I don't really need to be much more over 500. Maybe 525 at the most. I know what I can get a crate LS3, Wiring and ECM for. It's the little things I need to research like fuel cell and radiator (which I just got a price on today) that I'm worried about. Not sure what other little things may pop up.

[badazz81z28]

Well I don't consider 4-5K expensive. I'm expecting it to be in the 10-12k range for a complete swap and I'm ok with that. This trans has been out under some pretty heavy stress but I'm not ruling out a change to a T56. As for way above the 485 mark, I don't really need to be much more over 500. Maybe 525 at the most. I know what I can get a crate LS3, Wiring and ECM for. It's the little things I need to research like fuel cell and radiator (which I just got a price on today) that I'm worried about. Not sure what other little things may pop up.

Brian,


If budget is not an issue, you are set!!! If 500-525 is your goal, you can even go LS1 and get there easily. However I do recommend larger cubes for the lower RPM torque. Used engines on Ebay worry me, if you can swing a new one I would do that. PSI has ready to go swap harnesses, there are quite a few ready to go FI fuel tanks for 1st gens under $800, Good thing about the 1st gens, is that everything is available for a painless drop in swap.

You may run into issues with T5 to LS1 bell housing availability (If it exist) and the clutch linkage

[SkinsandJrfan]

Yeah I was wondering about the T5 matching up. I have contacted an engine supplier and told him my plans and he didn't mention there would be any issues. He sells the same 6 speed that goes in the new camaros for $2700. Might go ahead and do that while I'm at it. I do plan to purchase a new engine with warranty. I don't want any issues. Thanks for all if the advice.

[67rally]

$10-12k won't touch it, it will be to $18-20k with a crate LS3 and a new T56.

If you're doing a crate engine and a new tranny, price out these parts (this should be pretty complete):

LS3 Crate Engine
T56 (or Richmond, etc.)
Radiator
Radiator hoses
Electric Fan
Oil pan
Engine mounts
Long tube Headers (and exhaust work)
Exhaust gaskets
New conversion wiring harness
Computer (ECU, TAC)
Acclerator Pedal
Tuning
Accessories (PS pump, ALT, AC, Starter)
Accessorie brackets
Fuel tank
fuel pump
Fuel lines
Bellhousing
Trans crossmember
Trans mount
Clutch/Slave cylinder
Hydraulic master cylinder conversion
Hydraulic clutch lines
Driveshaft
Shifter
Header bolts
Bellhousing to engine bolts
Bellhousing to trans bolts
Accessory bolts (PS, Alt, AC?)

[SkinsandJrfan]

I wasn't including the transmission in the 10-12k range. But I have been quoted $8950 from a reputable supplier for the following.

525HP LS-3
226/236 .580 LSA 114- CAM , WITH PAC SPRINGS
525 HARNESS
VETTE FRONT BRACKET KIT W AC
STARTER
CTATE & SHIPPING

LSX style radiator complete with dual fans and trans cooler for less than $700.

I know the fuel cell can be as much as $1700.

Not sure about a bell housing to go from T5 to LS3. Will probably go ahead and get a T56.

The only other big item I can think if would be the headers. Still need to price those.

So we will see how it goes. I have a deployment to Afghanistan between now and that motor.

[GeoffP]

Hey Brian I have approximately $7000 in my LS swap before deducting the sale of my old engine and transmission. I'm glad to help you with sourcing parts! Just PM or call me! I should've let you drive my car at the Southern Slam. I think that would've sold you on what an LS can do... You will definitely be pleased with the swap!

[SkinsandJrfan]

Thanks Geoff. I'm sold on the LS. That's the way I'm going. There's no other way about it. The motor I'm selling is really strong and runs great but I'm ready to get with the times like I should have from the start. Live and learn right?

[badazz81z28]

Hey Brian I have approximately $7000 in my LS swap before deducting the sale of my old engine and transmission. I'm glad to help you with sourcing parts! Just PM or call me! I should've let you drive my car at the Southern Slam. I think that would've sold you on what an LS can do... You will definitely be pleased with the swap!

Geoff, What are the specs on your LS1?

[rocketrod]

Don't forget the trans crossmember, driveshaft and possibly a dyno tune...

[SparkyRnD]

don't worry Brian, you'll be in the here and now very soon! Hope to see you in Nashville in a couple more days.

[UNGN]

T-5's break behind 225 Hp motors. If someone gave you one for free, it would be too expensive to put behind a LS motor.

Seriously. Don't waste a dime on a T-5.

Dealers only give $1500-$2500 Trade in for a LS1 F-body unless it is spectacular. If some non enthusiast wants to trade in their driver Z-28 on a new Camaro, its going on Craigslist, cheap. A "non enthusiast" coworker sold his 98 Z28 for $1800 last week to another Coworker, because the dealer only offered $1500 for a car with a straight body and shiny paint. Dealers won't give anything if the body is rough or the check engine light is on. Zero. That guy will take $1500 for his LS1 4th gen. He may ask $4k for it, but he isn't going to get it.

[SkinsandJrfan]

I have a T5 bolted to my 485hp 383 stroker. It has held up to side stepping the clutch at 5000rpm. I have read all of the reviews about how poorly they are built. This trany was built like this when I got the car. Something tells me that is has been gone through and upgraded. Now, Im not the one that did the 5000rpm side stepping. I got the car from my brother and have since done work to the motor a bit.

I dont really know what you are talking about UNGN about an LS1. Noone is talking about buying an LS1.

Rocketrod, thanks for the tips on looking at that stuff. I will price that for sure.