How Much Did It Cost? Complete LS Swap Cost Break Down

[@TheRafguitarist]

Hi, I have 1981 pontiac gonna ls3 swap it. I was wondering what wires should I keep from the oem harness?

[@littlea4353]

Im going to swap it to cuz my Ford Harley slow so why not but I thought it was like 300k+🤦🏽‍♂️😭

[@dava6674]

Why is it so tall?

[@BryanSpear]

What year Camaro is that?

[@jeromeirving4770]

The build for this car disappeared from your page. Or I'm just an idiot

[@SniderTron3000]

Nah, I don't think I ever made a playlist for this car

[@Oregonduck246]

For the power steering and alt brackets did you use the speed engineering truck 551521X-3 or the corvette 551521X-1 ? If you used the truck 551521X-3 did you just use an oem truck water pump? TIA

[@MrCandycaddy88]

Dang. $500 for the engine. There like $1500+ with around 150k on them now

[@rovaunclark149]

Nice video!!

[@jeffrey4547]

i like the budget build i am doing starting with a 79 z28 rs t top full option car i got it free with 2 hard top z28's one has new custom interior and a t-10 4 speed then i picked up a 450 hp 454 with a 02xx 400r turbo which is good to 800 hp stock both had 6,000 miles on them for free all 3 cars are rust free but can build the t top with a perfect body no dings even got a extra lt front clip i got free the 454 has steel crank heavy rods heavy pushrods with high flow heads factory built the 02xx comes with the heavy 8 bolt pump heavy clutches stage one shift kit factory built then i got new in box a fly wheel for the 454 with new 12 inch clutch kit .i have all the parts to go either way a set of rally wheels and a set of centerlines both i got free .have u ever seen a second gen with power trunk power seats power windows and locks light under hood and trunk lid also have the factory louver for back window and the full spoiler kit wiper delay cruise control tilt wheel tach in dash ac all factory parts but i have a better set of seats sitting for it all leather black full movement electric heated seats for it that look perfect condition that is what i have to start with for free. mite be trading some parts for a suspension up grades for it and a set of side pipes new in box . right now i am finishing my 68 chevy pu so far i only have 2000 in it and it is sweet i had offers up to 12000 for it with out final paint.

[@grumpygrant4537]

How much hp and torque will a 3 speed turbo 350 handle. I have a 78 type lt with a 305 sbc and it has the turbo 350

[@gagenelson7941]

What cold air intake is that?

[@Travis7109]

What about the fuel system? Doesn’t that need some sort of modification to supply the proper fulling?

[@ryandowns1507]

If you have the motor already how much would it cost i have the motor harness i just need tye adapter to hook itto my turbo 350 trans aside that what would i need you can make the pan the work and everything else so aside a adapter what would it cost... Do you have to have a tune.. Can you start the motor without removing the vat systwm do you have to have a tune or computer work

[@SniderTron3000]

If you have the motor, all you need is the flexplate setup to bolt them together($80ish), f body pan and pickup (~$150‐200), and motor mounts. You can get adapter plates for like $60, or the dirty dingo mounts for $105. Stock Camaro radiator, truck upper hose, the bottom hose I mention the part number and it was like $25. Getting it in place is fairly cheap.

[@georgiahokie1994]

How did you manage to use a 5.3 and have clearance with the stock hood?

[@SniderTron3000]

LS1 intake has tons of room

[@georgiahokie1994]

@@SniderTron3000 Thanks! Appreciate the response. I'm about to undertake an LS swap on a 72 Camaro in December and there wasn't a ton on the forums about the clearance

[@SniderTron3000]

@@georgiahokie1994 oh right on! I'm 95% sure a truck intake would clear if the motor was mounted lower. But I just used dirty dingo swap mounts and an F body oil pan. The speed engineering headers fit perfect. It was a LOT of fun to drive

[@georgiahokie1994]

@@SniderTron3000 I'm looking forward to it! This is gonna be my first muscle car and I'm building it with a family friend. Decided I'll LS swap instead of sticking with the small block so I can take it on cross-country road trips and get better gas mileage

[@Mikaboi]

what radiator did you go with? also I had the factory 5.3 intake but there is literally no way it would fit a stock hood. I went with a 2 inch cowl and it still hit before I got an Ls1 Intake. Heard you need more like 5 inch cowl to use the truck intake

[@Foundmylsswap]

Does the transmission have to move back relocating the trans cross member? I know you bought one at length but did it have to be done? Thinking of swapping a gen3 into 81Z that has a 700r4 in it that I’d like to use. As always I live the videos!! 👍👊🏼

[@SniderTron3000]

Nope, with the dirty dingo mounts I was able to leave the trans in the stock location and slide the motor to where it needed to be

[@duudiefilms9895]

Great info currently getting ready to drop a ls inside my 88 caprice classic

[@Will502x]

Man I love seeing crate motors in the old school but sweet build regardless!

[@julesbrown7020]

Can I get you to do 1 for me.in my 80s cutlass...and how much?

[@ArlowFarrell]

Can someone clarify if his cost included the actual LS1 block? If that's the case I should be able to get an LS1 dropped in for $7,000 (including labor) is my bet. This seems... cheap.

[@SniderTron3000]

The cost included a 5.3, not an LS1

[@ArlowFarrell]

@@SniderTron3000 thanks, just a habit typing LS1. Chances of getting a written/text version of all the costs you listed off?

[@whitelight1720]

How much was labor?

[@INbassman78]

Great info man. I’m looking at doing an Ls swap and while I’m not super knowledgeable I do know my way around a car pretty good. Watching this makes me believe I can do this. Thanks 👍🏻

[@roxynelson1896]

Can I contact you I want you to last swap a car

[@SniderTron3000]

I'm not your guy lol contact Scott Wright on FB in Imlay City. He's the go to

[@melanodawido]

dude where are you located?

[@chuckstruck69]

Looks Great!! Your getting pretty damn good at the LS swap for the bread and butter!

[@krewpunk]

Idk if i missed it or you didn't day but do you think the stick truck accessories would fit in the second gen f body or did you need a bracket kit to reroute all the front accessories?

[@SniderTron3000]

I think they'll fit. I've seen stock truck intakes fit fine. Only thing you'll really want to change is the oil pan. Everything else from a truck fits fine

[@krewpunk]

@@SniderTron3000 thanks man

[@kevinputthoff2033]

This car is for sale on FB Marketplace right now

[@SniderTron3000]

Yep yep!

[@larrywilliams4786]

I have a 79 firebird with a lq4/4l70 swap in it. Which prior had a 350/350. Would I have to shorten my stock drive shaft to make the new ls swap line up?

[@erickmaldonado9177]

I have a 2 gen matte black camaro that I'm doing a 6.0 and 4l80 swap.

[@stevecoxiscool]

What about the fuel system. I hearing you really need an in-tank set-up. That's 500 right ? People are saying you can't use an electric pump to "suck" the fuel out of the tank. Thanks

[@SniderTron3000]

Did I miss that? I know I wrote it down. The fuel pump is a Walbro 255. Its super common to use that for an inline pump on these swaps. $80

[@stevecoxiscool]

@@SniderTron3000 So you are saying you can hang the pump on the frame somewhere and pull the fuel out of the tank, this seems to work ok. Most videos I watch gloss over the fuel system is all. Thanks for your input.

[@jschibilla]

How much would it cost for you to do an LS swap for me in a 72 Monte Carlo would love to see that in your videos

[@SniderTron3000]

You can email me at [e-mail]

[@carlos_c6411]

I'm going to be ls swapping my 89 gmc sierra's 350sbc to a 5.3 4l60e. The 5.3l is coming from a tahoe that i currently own so i have the complete engine. Harness, pcm everything. My question is do i buy a standalone harness and intergrate that with the 5.3's harness or do I intergrate my tbi harness to the 5.3's harness ?. Any help would be greatly aprreciated !!!

[@SniderTron3000]

I've never personally integrated an LS harness into an OBS harness before. I could be wrong but I think AGearHead4Life has videos on that subject

[@carlos_c6411]

@@SniderTron3000 the mechanical side of things seems pretty straightforward ,but the wiring harness is what confuses me. I've heard that on the 88-96 OBS's i need to get a standalone and just intergrate that with the ls harness ,but im not sure.

[@mcfero1]

Carlos_ C!! Check out 88-98 obs ls swaps group on Facebook.

[@carlos_c6411]

@@mcfero1 yea i just asked on there. Thanks for the recommendation!

[@georgiaboy1579]

Great work Josh! Really enjoyed this build

[@LJimenez0185]

I got my LQ9 for 188.00 at the salvage yard that I hope it work, I love your videos! Thanks for sharing I hope I can be able to do the swap myself your videos has been really helpful for people like me! Thanks again!

[@JZFire84]

I probably speak from a minority, but I HIGHLY HOPE that you have another 2nd gen Camaro project roll in! Love the vids!

[@robertwilkerson1720]

I’m wanting to do an LS swap on my ‘92 Camaro, but I’m no mechanic by any means. U make it sound so easy and affordable that I wanna bring my car to u for a swap!

[@BeigeYeti12345]

What's your transmission guys last name? My guys first name is also ray.

[@SniderTron3000]

Shriver

[@ryanarnold4787]

did you ever happan to figure out what mufflers are on it ?

[@twistedtuned4273]

one wheel peels

[@HenryHoolington]

Is the 2nd gen or 3rd gen better or easier for an ls swap. I've always wanted a 79 z28 but the 80s cars introduced 5 and 6 speed manuals, I think. I also wonder if a 383 stroker would be a better engine to use for a 2nd gen

[@dennisgray7509]

I’m doing this exact same swap! Awesome video

[@enthusiastengineering8237]

Great Video this was very helpful because I recently picked up a 85 Firebird for $800 it's been sitting for 16 years and I've been trying to see what it would cost to do a LS Swap and try and get into the high 10s or low to mid 11s in the 1/4 some time in the future so as far as figuring out how much it would cost to get the engine in and get it running this shows I was not to far off from what I was estimating it would cost and boosted my confidence because now I know I didn't miss any big parts that I will need and gives me hope this car will run sooner then I'm expecting first time doing anything like this so I'll see how it goes but great video

[@williamcruz364]

nice work I just did a 78 trans am ...Judt issue hood clearance I chopd up oem Truck bracket n mde a brace on the right side. Used a 5" longer belt

[@juliocesarmonroy1820]

I have a 78 also What ls did you go with ? About how much did you spend ?

[@claytonhaske]

Where are you finding a ls1 intake for $227?!?! Also, truck intakes won't fit under the hood of 2nd gen camaros. Do you have a video of the rad fan setup you made? Looks like a cooking sheet with ebay fans. Not knocking it, just need details my brother.

[@SniderTron3000]

There's an entire build series on the car. There was a bunch of LS1 intakes on Marketplace for $200-250. The fan shroud is an aluminum baking sheet with tabs welded to it to mount. And I have personally seen with my own eyes a truck intake under a stock 2nd gen hood.

[@fastmaros]

Hell yeah man !! good stuff !!

[@tylerparker3024]

What would an average rough estimated cost of having somebody else tune a car like this?

[@SniderTron3000]

$5-600 is what I was quoted in the past

[@tylerparker3024]

Hmm.. you can buy hp tuners for just a hair more than that I believe. I'll probably learn how to do it and maybe go on to make some side cash tuning for others if I can figure it out haha for some reason I thought it would be cheaper than that..

[@chriskubond6314]

Pretty cool how you broke it down for us. This could really help out the ones who are trying to do something similar. I just got done rebuilding a 5.3 long block and was wondering what all I would need to swap it into a 90ish Camaro. Now I have a good idea. Cant wait to see you start on the next one

[@sr20good36]

Intro was 🔥

[@SniderTron3000]

It was okay, I was having a hard time holding the camera steady haha

[@james10739]

I don't know why he would not have you put in one of those Eaton knock offs in there I assume its like a 10 bolt but maybe the smaller like 8.2 or something vs the 8.6 or something in the late model trucks

[@glennshotrodgarage]

its a 8.5 10 bolt it shouldn't much trouble to find a 3.08 3;23 or 342 limited slip rear axle for that

[@james10739]

@@glennshotrodgarage ok ya that should be the same unit that he put in the truck I'm pretty sure when I was looking the 8.5 and 8.6 were the same and you just re use the ring gear so that should not be a problem I broke my diff on my 04 Silverado and went back with an Eaton but I'd buy the knock off they are like half the price you can get one for under $300

[@wallaceberry5820]

You want to do mine?

[@chinlsx2077]

The fucking intro though 🔥

[@workingmansrestorations7071]

How many hours do you figure the swap took?

[@SniderTron3000]

More than I expected lol

[@workingmansrestorations7071]

@@SniderTron3000 i am getting ready to do a budget swap on my channel... I bought a $600 k5 blazer and have $1400 to go. I plan on buying w whole truck and parting it out to put some budget money back in...

[@SniderTron3000]

Thats the absolute best way to go about it

[@ChatoDaVato96]

Love this channel man , keep it up

[@Suzu92]

Thank You sir,,,noooow Truck stuff just in time for spring!

[@neooneZ1]

Really liked the video. ever since you put the cam in Goldie, I have been "JONSEN" to put one in my 05 Yukon, and do the damn tune myself with a HP tuner. Really like the idea of doing it myself. Thanks for putting out these videos, I look forward to each and every one of them. Please, PLEASE, don't stop!!!

[@andrewpeters5022]

What’s rays contact info?

[@SniderTron3000]

Send me an email [e-mail]

[@c10elite37]

Sick build 👌💯

[@NickTheAverageDad]

Right on. Great video, I've got a 79 350 4 speed I'm thinking of swaping.

[@brandonlast4057]

im swapping my 78 350 4 spd really soon almost same car lol. im swapping for an ls2

[@lancemiller9866]

The build was awesome! Can't wait to see you finish Jack black and goldie

[@richardsumner4214]

ENJOYED !!! GH & JB are WAITING FOR U !! THANKS !~

[@trevordevins1042]

What did you buy and do for the fuel system?

[@SniderTron3000]

Yeah, someone else pointed out that I skipped over that. Stock steel 3/8 fuel line from back to front with a couple small sections of high pressure hose. Corvette filter/regulator and a Walbro 255 inline pump

[@zmlew15]

You ever go out to Milan?

[@adamspitfire]

Those damn 2nd gens are so stylish

[@rangerdoc1029]

This is awesome. Just picked up a 78 roller & want to do a budget build.

[@kingerikthegreatest.ofall.7860]

Great job! It turned out awesome.

[@jerrya27]

just spent over 4k to finish my gbody swap ....i could have done it for next to nothing but fuck that i wanted this thing to look bad ass when u pop the hood or see me rip by you i went Holley for everything

[@thekillercapricorn6334]

Nice work! Great channel.

[@PJTORRES7]

Can you put up the info for the cold air intake that you have? I’m doing the same swap

[@erwingoodwin7986]

Great video, I’m looking to do a LS swap on my ‘73 Malibu. I wish you were closer (I’m in Ca and prices are a lot higher) I definitely use your shop.

[@donteblack7294]

Looks great great job 👊🏽👍🏾🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@dennisphillips60]

Enjoy the videos and watching you and your dad together. I have a 90 454SS OBS, putting a 572 with Edelbrock ProFlo 4 fuel injection. I’m looking for a cold air intake similar to what you used on this. Where did you get it?

[@goodstuffbetterstuff7207]

Learned a few things for my 80 RS swap. Thanks

[@WS6xMASTER]

PSI harness = china ebay harness. Made in the same location.

[@rowdy3837]

If we’re voting for what’s next, how about a c3 corvette? I want to swap my 73 but haven’t found anybody doing them...

[@SniderTron3000]

I wouldn't mind that lol

[@IceRhino44]

I showed my fiancee this series and she and I loved it! Great bonding experience for a car couple, thanks Snider!

[@SniderTron3000]

@Mr. 6 liter I assume everyone does. I strive to make every video uniquely romantic

[@USIRON78]

why does everyone think they need boompa boompa music playing?

[@SniderTron3000]

Because statistically it appeals to the largest number of people

[@splicezone]

Thanks for sharing but add about 25-35% more to the cost for California DIY'res The cost of everything is just so much higher here not too mention shop rates and CA Tax fees etc......

[@FernandezCycles]

R&M intro was a nice touch!

[@johnmangan2095]

Great info. I do appreciate the detail as that is where most of us get surprised. Was the $4K just the parts or was that your labor included?

[@trashbandit2449]

He said parts, including transmission rebuilt

[@dylansoles234]

Love your videos. You should do a Q&A video. Do you work on cars for a living or is it a part time thing?

[@SniderTron3000]

I was actually just thinking yesterday that it's been a while since I've done a Q&A. I might post something tomorrow on here asking for a questions for itlol

[@joshford6064]

I agree with you drop it in stick get it running and driving

[@jeffyjoebob8300]

Dang looks like papatron went muddin in that thing

[@SniderTron3000]

He's love himself some mud

[@shanewright6958]

Great job and Another great video 👍👍🇨🇱

[@Backyardcustom]

That’s not a bad price at all people around me get 1k for a used 5.3 with like 180k so it’s hard to find a good lower mileage motor to swap into something

[@trashbandit2449]

Where are you?

[@joshbrake84]

I’m ready to see y’all LS swap a OBS!!!!!

[@ThePriestlyMan]

comparatively... its easy to do an obs chev

[@threeputtatrvgc]

i would like to say that for a fun factor i would rather slap in a tremec 5 speed as apposed to that power gain. like to rip through the gears is all im sayn

[@SniderTron3000]

I like manuals, they're just expensive to build

[@juanvillanueva526]

I really enjoyed the videos, and I have the same camaro to which I’m going to do a swap to, I have a swap in a box from summit racing and a efi tank conversion, I was wondering would you be able to send me a copy of the item list and/or part numbers and where you got them from....thanks

[@joshford6064]

I get 700 on my 5.3L Ls with a Complete harness all way to obd2 port, ecm and all the engine complete with alternator starter and all. That said I have some good 1s Complete engine for 500. So that's about rite there

[@joshford6064]

To me though, going ahead and going through the motor putting new head gaskets n good bolts in it, even if you're not doing cam swap. It's still good idea to put new oil pump ,pick up tube oring and go ahead Re gasket it all from oil pan up is good idea.

[@joshford6064]

An if i was owner i would have went on got the diff done. Ut will definitely cost him a second at the track, but looks like he's building a daily street driver anyways so do it on a budget lil at a time an enjoy the car while doing it

[@FWTrucker]

I'm ready to see goldy hand jack black his lunch

[@cemetery76]

I just need mine cammed

[@Carlosfreedomadventures]

Brother your editing is fucken mint!!! N your content ofcourse

[@justinleach8025]

Yoooo that intro 🔥🔥🔥

[@robertburton295]

Like the build come out nice ! I really like to see a crazy n/a 5.3 maxed out something like that

[@jaredhardison4420]

my dude i love all your stuff . but what is going on with the auto focus zipping in and out on the car through the whole video.

[@SniderTron3000]

That camera has been so abused lol ita fallen through engine bays off hoods, the lense has welding slag on it, there's some paint over spray, etc. I think its just trying its best lol But it doesn't help when I'm only taking up half the screen because its not sure what the focus is supposed to be on

[@hitmann8420021]

Even the way it's done it's still pretty cheap! Cant wait to see the next video!!

[@travisburch6970]

Just find your channel and subscribed .

[@juiced71]

Nice job! Still need to go back and check them out but I did what the one and that cam sounds nice !!! I hate Ls cams they just sound like the old school I hear it’s because they do the 4/7 swap? But a big block cammed up is gods gift to the car guys haha! These motors are impressive they really make power! Great foundation! The them heads💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻 great info brotha!

[@joshuaavila8317]

Your labor was 3k I'm guessing

[@SniderTron3000]

Pretty much