[1965gp]

A friend of mine passed away a few years ago (42- seizures in his sleep) and his wife wants to fix up his old 82 square body work truck. Her brother has her set on a LS conversion. What does this usually cost to have it all done? She has a shop quoting her 10k to drive out with a cammed used 5.3 with 70k on it.

These conversions aren’t my thing- but wanted to ask around- this still seems high to me. I will say that the shop gave her a very nice breakdown of everything she needed and how much it was going to cost.

[camerjeff]

Is she supplying the 5.3? If the shop has to supply everything, do all the work, and get it running well $10,000 is not that bad, remember they have to do all the wiring, Convert it to Fuel Injection, on top of the swap out work. It ads up quick at $100 or so an hour for Labor.

[1965gp]

They are supplying a used 5.3 they are getting for 3000. So basically $7K for additional parts and installation. I don’t think it’s that unreasonable if it’s done in a professional manner. Just curious what others experience was (even though I know most of us aren’t LS swap guys)

[b-man]

Are you able to share the cost breakdown provided by the shop?

That would be very helpful in evaluating the situation.

$3000 for a used 5.3 seems excessive, probably the most common and easiest to find LS engine.

Variety of used 5.3 engines for between $900 and $1300 plus $200 shipping, most available with warranty: https://buyusedengine.com/used_engin...208th%20digit)

[1965gp]

I kind of thought that too. I will read through it and see what all it says

[b-man]

Plenty of new GM crate 350 engines selling for very reasonable prices that will bolt directly in, along with rebuilt engines from many reputable suppliers.

Why complicate it and more than double the cost of getting the truck running with a swap, unless money isn’t an issue.

[Stuart]

What are her goals with the truck? There can be many benefits in doing a swap, but if all she wants is something to cruise around in and if the existing engine is in good condition, I wonder if it will be worth the effort and expense.

[Scarebird]

$3,000 is about right if the engine is 5 years or less old - these would be direct injection motors and put out excellent power (385hp) with good mileage (17-22mpg).

$10k if installed professionally is not a bad deal.

[Sirrotica]

Thing is as many people here that call a LS engine a chevy engine, it isn't, it's a true corporate engine. It's just as difficult to put one in a chevy truck as it is to put one in any A or F body that had a Pontiac, olds or buick. The oil pan usually has to be changed as does the oil pickup. The LS doesn't have the same motor mounts as a V8 chevy does. It just goes on and on, except it does bolt to the Hydramatic transmission that came with the truck.

Then after it's physically in the vehicle the wiring has to be tackled. You can probably buy a plug and play harness, and ECM if you're going to keep the fuel injection, and electric fuel pump, as well as the factory style ignition to convert it to the LS engine. It saves a lot of adaption, but it's not cheap either way.

I know it's the current rage to put an LS engine in everything, but it's not a bolt in, none of the SBC stuff fits, you might as well be putting a ford engine in there. The aftermarket has tons of stuff to do these swaps, but the parts aren't going to come from a wrecking yard, and they aren't cheap to buy everything needed. Ten grand, probably not going to get it done much cheaper if you're paying the parts and labor to have it swapped.....

[marxjunk]

750 for 5.3s dressed around here with 100k for miles..ive bought 10 for friends over the last few years....truth is they arent high mile until about 250k

10k is about right for a conversion..the fuel system is expensive then ya need a harness and a computer..the best bang for the buck on the computer is holley terminatorX..its whats hot on all the swap boards and is very simple..it a grand+ drive in and drive out..10k is about right..at least around here..

[1965gp]

Okay- I’m glad to see the price is I’m line. She wants the truck to remember her late husband and for their four kids to have something to hold on to in his memory. She isn’t going to work on it, or want to mess with anything on it. She is going to want to get in and drive it at a moments notice and will expect it to run like a new car.

The more I think about it the more I think the LS is probably the best route. The shop is willing to warranty it and it looks like it includes everything down to the gauges. If they have a problem they can take it back to them.

Looks like they are willing to spend some $$ on it- they want the LS conversion, new paint and new interior.

[72projectbird]

I put a 5.3 in my 73 K10 for $1000.

I got a complete 5.3 with the original harness and computer. I stripped the factory harness to the bare essentials, and made my own fuse box. The harness cost $20 to make. I had the computer reflashed for standalone operation for $75.

I used the original TH400 NP205 in the truck, which allowed me to retain the stock drive shafts.

I used simple LS swap motor mounts that use the factory frame side clamshells.

I used the radiator from the donor truck the engine came from. Even used the factory hoses.

Used a simple Corvette regulator and Walbro 255 mounted to the frame. Used the stock pickup from the original tank.

The truck ran and drove like a dream. Super reliable, fuel efficient, and made more power than the old sbc.

[FrankieT/A]

I(We) just put one(5.3) in my son's 83 Square body. I paid 750 for a donor truck(2004 1500 pick up) with good 4L60E. Time was a factor so I bought an aftermarket wire harness and computer flash for $850.00 otherwise I would have done this myself and saved the cost but time was a factor.

I bought motor mounts using factory shells but rebuilt them with Polyurethane, total cost $100.00
Stainless headers $289.00 that I connected to existing exhaust that already had Flow Masters and chrome tips.
Oil pan and pick up $250.00
Factory fuel pump and sender for 87 R10 $200.00
I used the mechanical fan and fan clutch from donor. Stock fan shroud and radiator from Square-body(New aluminum radiator but not needed for the swap).
Drive shaft shorten/balance new U joints $250.00.
1991 Suburban gauge cluster $250.00. This because the speedo is on speed sensor instead of cable. 1991 Suburban is the same body style so cluster is the same but uses speed sensor.
Used original lower hose from SQB and upper from donor truck

A/C on SQB worked already so compressor bracket for R4 $200. Plus serpentine belt $40.00 and junk yard serp clutch. No A/C?...Donor belt works fine.

Misc odds and ends stuff of course...and no labor in any prices and done in a week.

A lot of stuff was a bolt in...like trans linkage, P/S pump, fuel pump. Trans cross member was just moved back.

The truck runs and drives like it never did. Even the cruise works....
Worth every penny...

[Chris65LeMans]

Originally Posted by Scarebird

$3,000 is about right if the engine is 5 years or less old - these would be direct injection motors and put out excellent power (385hp) with good mileage (17-22mpg).

$10k if installed professionally is not a bad deal.

I’m shocked to hear that. I know I wouldn’t feel good about spending that on a used engine with $70k miles on it.

Especially now that the economy has hit the skids - as mentioned- I’d throw a crate 350 in it. If FI is what she’s looking for, that can be done, too.

[FrankieT/A]

Originally Posted by Chris65LeMans

I’m shocked to hear that. I know I wouldn’t feel good about spending that on a used engine with $70k miles on it.

Especially now that the economy has hit the skids - as mentioned- I’d throw a crate 350 in it. If FI is what she’s looking for, that can be done, too.

A regular small block pales compared to an LS in every way. And believe it or not 200k miles is nothing on these engines. I have an LS in one of my work trucks that has 345k on it and the valve covers have never been off it. No smoke, quiet as a church mouse. Granted regular oil changes and maintenance. 2 belts, 2 water pumps and 2 radiators.

[TAKerry]

Im not a motor guy, just a consumer but that price for a shop to do that work sounds reasonable (albeit expensive). I had long been contemplating doing a modern swap into my 79 I am working on and have checked with some friends that have done that same thing on f bodies. A couple of the guys are very knowledgable and have kinda become a go to guy with these type of jobs. The draw to me was thinking it would be cheap. I found a decent motor for less than $600. After talking to the posse, by the time I would be all in, they estimated I would be close to $6k, doing most of the work myself. In my 77 I had the 400 built with a bit more h/p, and trans rebuilt for around $3k. The shop did all of the underside stuff, brakes, Pbrakes, fuel lines, fuel tank, exhaust, motor rebuild, trans rebuild, and install. Total price was right around $7k.

[Lee]

I would not bother with an LS swap, if I were not installing the 4Lxx transmission with it. With that, you have to deal with the crossmember, driveshaft, and how to connect to the speedometer. If all of that is included in the $10k price, then it is a better deal - but $10k would be too much, IMHO, if they are connecting to the existing transmission.

If it is a low mileage engine, then it is probably newer - so are going to eliminate the AFM/DoD crap? You mention a cam swap, so maybe they are. Cam, lifters, gaskets, bolts, valvesprings/retainers etc. included in that price is good - IF that is what they are doing. I really doubt it is a direct-injection engine - the cams on those are $500+ MORE than what an LS cam costs.

- Is the A/C going to be converted? If so, what new parts will they provide?

- What sort of fuel system? A new tank with in-tank pump, or just an in-line pump hacked into the existing fuel line?

- Air filter & tubing - properly sized? properly routed?

$10k could be a great deal, or it could be rip-off.