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The LS swap happened in a haphazard way. I had been wanting to swap an LS motor into my car for some time, but the 355 that we had build and installed 12 years ago was rock solid reliable, if a bit quirky. One day after a spirited blast down the highway, the car was sputtering and hardly running.

I ran a compression test, and this was the result.

0 PSI on both 3 and 5.

Popped the head and found this:

well there's your problem!

Picked up a set of 882 heads and had buddy port them, only to pull the passenger head and find this:

Broken ring lands on 4 and 6, the amazing thing is that this motor had 130PSI on both of the cylinders.

Knowing that if i slapped it back together, the next engine failure would be catastrophic, and potentially dangerous, I shelved the project for a while. My wonderful Fiancee and myself are saving for both a house and a wedding and I felt guilty about even spending the money to do the head gaskets. I cleaned up the shop and I loaded parts into the trunk of the car and had an awful feeling. That "this is how project cars sit for 30 years feeling" My Fiancee asked me what was wrong and why I was so downtrodden, I explained and she offered up a solution - I could take the money to cover the purchase of an LS motor from the wedding fund. (seriously the coolest Bride to be ever.)

So I went and found a 6.0L LQ4 from a 2004 Yukon Denali. It was mostly complete, but the harness was cut. Not a big deal because I was planning on doing a Microsquirt harness ( a friend had given me it a while back to maybe do TPI on my small block)

From there it was De-grease, prep and paint




I had bought a holley 302-2 oil pan which required me to install and clearance an F-body oil windage tray

Then I installed an LS3 Cam and valve springs a friend had laying around

I found a Trailblazer SS intake and injectors and ordered some EBAY swap headers


Pulled the old engine and waived bye-bye to it's broken pistons:


This is a great before and after... Amazing what a $5 can of black spray paint can do...



After getting the motor in, ran into an issue where the rear cover bolts were contacting the flange on the dual pattern of the 200-4r. So i grabbed a file and got to clearancing.


Once that was done, I got the headers in

My dad stopped by and helped me get the fuel system and cooling system set up.


Then I made the necessary modifications to the Microsquirt Controller to allow it to run an LS motor.


The headers are a tight, but manageable fit. I'm usually all about buying top quality US made parts, but seeing as I was just sure i was going to have beat on and reshape the headers, I defered to best headers Guangzhou has to offer.



After the headers were installed I hooked up my mechanical oil pressure gauge, sending unit and installed the intake


From here it was just wiring


I had some friends come over to be extra hands to get everything laid out well
Here's the finished product with the wiring




Then it was time to weld up the janky, entirely too small exhaust previously on the car to my new headers with some slip fit reducers because I ran out of money. I'll bet there's 20 hp hiding in this exhaust.


The second to last item was to make a throttle and TV cable bracket


Then the only thing left was to install the intake tube and MAF (not currently using MAF with Microsquirt, but may down the road)


Finally it's all done, my amazing Fiancee's Camaro in the background.


Here's every part i bought and what it cost me, minus beer, pizza and shop supplies.



Category Item # Price Description QTY EXT. Link
Cooling 620160 $87.23 Dual Electric Fan 1 $87.23 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007TXZGAK/
Cooling 22437 $18.08 Gates Lower Radiator Hose (2001 Silverado HD) 1 $18.08 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...KIKX0DER&psc=1
Cooling 22436 $14.08 Gates Upper Radiator Hose (2001 Silverado HD) 1 $14.08 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...KIKX0DER&psc=1
Cooling CSI-970Fitting $3.97 1/8" NPT to 1/4" Barb 1 $3.97 https://www.summitracing.com/parts/csi-970fitting
Cooling System 67532 $5.99 Assorted Bolts and hardware 1 $5.99 https://www.harborfreight.com/240-pi...ent-67532.html
Cooling System 801947/801987 $16.00 Aluminum flat stock - Radiator Fan Brackets 1 $16.00 http://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-...1987/204273937
Electronics 16738 $23.97 Derale Single Stage Fan Controllers 2 $47.94 https://www.summitracing.com/parts/der-16738
Electronics MicroSquirt V3 $369.00 Microsquirt V3 w/8' Harness 1 $369.00 https://www.diyautotune.com/product/...iring-harness/
Electronics 30-4110 $149.99 AEM Electronics Wideband Air/Fuel UEGO Gauge Kit 1 $149.99 https://www.summitracing.com/parts/avm-30-4110
Electronics 3746 $20.71 MS Serial Cable 1 $20.71 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001S7PE2S
Electronics 261683840305 $9.49 TPS Connector Pigtail 1 $9.49 http://www.ebay.com/itm/261683840305
Electronics CB-DB9P $8.99 USB To DB9 Cable 1 $8.99 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IDSM6BW/
Electronics 1.9215E+11 $7.96 EV1 to USCAR Injector Adapters 1 $7.96 http://www.ebay.com/itm/192150052956
Electronics DWK-FPHWK $39.00 DeatschWerks fuel pump Relay Kit 1 $39.00 https://www.summitracing.com/parts/dwk-fphwk
Electronics 271-3.24K-RC $0.13 3.24K OHM 1/4 Watt Resisitors 5 $0.65 http://www.mouser.com/Search/Product...ey271-3.24K-RC
Electronics 660-MF1/4LCT52R102J $0.10 1K OHM 1/4 Watt Resistors 10 $1.00 http://www.mouser.com/Search/Product...%2f4LCT52R102J
Electronics 61527 39.99 wire spools 1 $39.99 https://www.harborfreight.com/400-ft...use-61527.html
Electronics *BP-15600-06-2 12.99 fuse block 1 $12.99 http://www.autozone.com/electrical-a...ries/32322_0_0
Electronics 8.49 fuses 1 $8.49
Electronics 85211 5.99 end connectors 1 $5.99
Electronics 67524 4.99 Heat shrink tubing 1 $4.99
Electronics Multiple 42.73 Wire loom and harness tape and supplies 1 $42.73 Multiple sources
Electronics 16 Ga Stranded wire Kit 34 16 Ga Stranded wire Kit 1 $34.00 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DC5MTFI
Electronics Maxi-fuse holders 11.09 Maxi-fuse holders 1 $11.09 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NQ8F2JW
Electronics Maxi-fuses 5.37 Maxi-fuses 1 $5.37 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00431JGKW
Electronics Heat Shielding 13 Heat Shielding 1 $13.00 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000E267M4
Electronics 5PK relay kit 11.87 5PK relay kit 1 $11.87 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017VDI0GY
Electronics 80a Relay kit 7.99 80a Relay kit 1 $7.99 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01KFKDXOO
Engine 6.0L LQ4 $700.00 GM 6.0L LQ4 1 $700.00 Craigslist
Engine 302-2 $367.95 Holley LS Retrofit oil pan 1 $367.95 https://www.summitracing.com/parts/hly-302-2
Engine TBSS INTAKE $125 TBSS Intake - Rail and Injectors 1 $125.00 Craigslist
Engine 262476178777 $98.98 92MM Throttle Body, TPS and IAC. 1 $98.98 http://www.ebay.com/itm/262476178777
Engine 12499224 $70.90 LS2/LS3 Valve Springs 1 $70.90 https://www.summitracing.com/parts/nal-12499224
Engine 12612350 $29.97 Oil pan Gasket 1 $29.97 https://www.summitracing.com/parts/nal-12612350
Engine 35635 $12.99 Water Pump Gasket 2 $25.98 http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...1381&ppt=C0331
Engine 12558253 $25.97 F-body Windage Tray 1 $25.97 https://www.summitracing.com/parts/nal-12558253
Engine 551511 $22.99 ICT Billet Throttle Body Adapter 3-bolt TB to 4-bolt intake 1 $22.99 https://www.summitracing.com/parts/icb-551511
Engine NGK-3186 $22.89 NGK Spark Plugs - Set of 8 1 $22.89 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PMKOI06/
Engine NAL-12625031 $20.97 LS3 Dipstick Tube 1 $20.97 https://www.summitracing.com/parts/nal-12625031
Engine 12669528 $20.97 LS3 Dipstick 1 $20.97 https://www.summitracing.com/parts/nal-12669528
Engine B32270 $19.99 Camshaft Cover Plate 1 $19.99 https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...erm=cam+gasket
Engine CA-9049 $19.97 Throttle Cable 1 $19.97 https://www.summitracing.com/parts/pio-ca-9049
Engine ICB-551681 $11.99 LS Starter Bolts 1 $11.99 https://www.summitracing.com/parts/icb-551681
Engine PF48E $5.95 Oil filter PF48E 1 $5.95 https://www.summitracing.com/parts/ado-pf48e
Engine 1453658 $4.97 Chevrolet Performance Bellhousing Dowel Pins 1 $4.97 https://www.summitracing.com/parts/nal-1453658
Engine 371697086577 65.99 15 Camaro SS CAI 1 $65.99 http://www.ebay.com/itm/371697086577
Engine 12576410 8.99 Used 15 Camaro MAF 1 $8.99 http://www.ebay.com/itm/322563049655
Engine 262548777720 8.73 MAF Pigtail 1 $8.73 http://www.ebay.com/itm/262548777720
Engine 12623063 $49.10 LS3 Camshaft (Price New 146.50) 1 $49.10 https://www.summitracing.com/parts/nal-12623063
Engine 59214 $5.99 thread sealant 1 $5.99 https://www.summitracing.com/parts/p...hoCRBQQAvD_BwE
Engine Swap HOK-12643HKR $132.00 Hooker Motor Mounts 1 $131.95 https://www.summitracing.com/parts/h...el/monte-carlo
Engine Swap 3-1130G $76.36 Energy Suspension Mounts 1 $76.36 https://www.summitracing.com/parts/ens-3-1130g
Engine Swap 71074 $17.99 Power Steering Line 1 $17.99 https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/m...et/monte-carlo
Exhaust EBAY 209.99 Long Tube Headers 1 $209.99 http://www.ebay.com/itm/332293667554
Exhaust R3025 $28.78 Header Reducers Slip Fit 1 $28.78 https://www.summitracing.com/parts/flo-r3025
Exhaust RK-TAS300 $13.48 3 inch Exhaust Clamps 2 $26.96 https://www.summitracing.com/parts/kok-rk-tas300
Exhaust 979G $17.83 Mr Gasket Header Bolts 1 $17.83 https://www.summitracing.com/parts/mrg-979g
Fuel System GM306C $152.89 EFI Monte Fuel Tank 1 $158.25 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...KIKX0DER&psc=1
Fuel System 11569 $116.97 Aeromotive 340LPH E85 pump 1 $116.97 https://www.summitracing.com/parts/aei-11569
Fuel System FG156A $80.79 Grand National Sending Unit 1 $81.78 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...KIKX0DER&psc=1
Fuel System 33737 $19.99 Filter Regulator 1 $19.99 https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/m...443943?q=33737
Fuel System 644120 $11.04 Russel Fuel Rail to AN adapater 1 $11.04 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...SLZRVYDJ&psc=1
Fuel System 220711 $10.97 Summit Twist-tite 90 degree -6 AN to barb 1 $10.97 https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-220711
Fuel System 800-120 $7.97 5/16th fuel line adapter 1 $7.97 https://www.summitracing.com/parts/RNB-800-120
Fuel System 800-121 $7.97 3/8th Fuel Line adapter 1 $7.97 https://www.summitracing.com/parts/RNB-800-121
Fuel System 640940 $6.57 Quick Disconnect Male to -6 AN 1 $6.57 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...SLZRVYDJ&psc=1
Fuel System G1882 $5.97 Summit P-Clamps 1 $5.97 https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-g1882
Fuel System 260690 $3.97 Summit Twist-tite straight -6 AN to barb 1 $3.97 https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-260690
Gauges 12551708 $24.97 Coolant Temp Sensor - 3 Wire 1 $24.97 https://www.summitracing.com/parts/ado-12551708
Gauges 650320 $37.97 Russel Analog Fuel Pressure Gauge 0-100psi 1 $37.97 https://www.summitracing.com/parts/rus-650320
Gauges 2268 $13.95 Autometer Metric Adapter LS oil pressure to 1/8NPT 1 $13.95 https://www.summitracing.com/parts/atm-2268
Gauges 16775NOS $15.58 NOS Tee Adapter Fitting 1 $15.58 https://www.summitracing.com/parts/nos-16775nos
Gauges 5643PT $7.97 Pico Connector Pigtail 3-pin for Temp Sender/TPS 1 $7.97 https://www.summitracing.com/parts/pco-5643pt
Gauges NS6538 $4.99 ZEX Nitrous Tee Fittings 1 $4.99 https://www.summitracing.com/parts/zex-ns6538
Shipping FedEX Ground 7.99 S+H For Resistors 1 $7.99 www.fedex.com
Transmission SUM-704000 $59.99 Flexplate spacer 1 $59.99 https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-704000
Transmission MTC8501 $42.53 Transmission Cooler Lines 1 $42.53 https://www.summitracing.com/parts/rsd-mtc8501
Transmission CA-1970 $13.97 Long TV cable 1 $13.97 https://www.summitracing.com/parts/pio-ca-1970
Transmission 551652 $9.99 ICT Billet Bellhousing Bolts 1 $9.99 https://www.summitracing.com/parts/icb-551652

It's a little garbled, if anyone wants the excel sheet let me know. All told, about $3500 for a 400+ hp LS swap.