How to Freshen Up a Junkyard Chevy LS Engine for Cheap!

[@KiyaWarrior]

i like this guy, he seems very knowledgeable and a little goofy and awkward but its very wholesome and humble.

[@knucklestheechidna5718]

That guy's my favorite because he knows a lot about imports and domestics he's just a well-rounded mechanic

[@Meech_50]

This man is truly "High off life"😂 protect this man at all costs🙏🏽

[@doright8734]

😂😂😂

[@TheStroupdog]

Having just finished my LS swap, I can attest to Holley having everything you need, however; you can find almost anything they sell half price elswhere. One example is Bosch O2 sensor 66$ vs 150$ from Holley, Oil pan and sensors the same. Shop around and do your due diligence.

[@motoiq]

Or get your Holley parts from somewhere like Summit or Jegs.

[@TheStroupdog]

@@motoiq Same price yo.

[@motoiq]

A lot of those super cheap parts on EBAY are actually fakes. I got burned by the Bosch O2 sensor for 60 bucks, what I got was a chinese fake. It was a bitch to return too.

[@TheStroupdog]

@motoiq I said nothing of suoer cheap. I said Bosch 02 sensor, the exact same part sold by Holley. Of course theìr are fakes; Be smart don't buy them. I got mine from Rock Auto.

[@thevilinirony]

​@@TheStroupdogrock auto is eBay like..

[@antonylopez5742]

Lm7 stage 2 btr cam ltheaders tbss intake with 91mm throttle body. That’s my daily 05 Silverado. 100 miles a day and I get 20mpg at 75mph . Baby stuff but it’s my first build. I love it

[@hwnwhaler1]

Those are incredible stats. You should do a video. Mileage. Trans. Tuning. Etc…. Mahalo!

[@LamzLamz714]

Bro can u share what uve done to ur motor? Parts list??

[@cooliecrewspeedshop]

Long live the LS Platform

[@sedrickwells8545]

Amen

[@Mike-dn4ju]

Long live Mike. Dude is such a wealth of knowledge, experience, and willingness to share with the rest of us. Thank you! This is some of the best gearhead content ever created.

[@rickhunter6479]

God's platform

[@lordactive6090]

Indeed!

[@enermaxstephens1051]

I think GM already killed it... aren't they on the LT now?

[@kalebstalls4550]

I’m almost 23 years old and ive had a few 5.3 trucks. Cant beat the cheap power and reliability plus upgrades. I’ve been pretty dumb you could say over the years trying to figure life out and blowing money. I’m finally focusing on building myself a mini house and a 20x30 garage setup for now. Cant wait to have room to work on my stuff and buy some junk yard 5.3/6.0s to refresh and cars to swap em into 🤘🏼

[@Second.Nature.Lawn.Michigan]

Figured it out at 23? You're way ahead of most of us. I wish I had a plan at 23.... Or 33. Best of luck to you.

[@PentaRaus]

@@Second.Nature.Lawn.Michigan Over here at 38 getting my act together. Best of luck to both.

[@SOUTHSIDESUPERSTAR]

I like how he has a kool-aid smile from start to finish 😊

[@TyroneShoolaces-f8e]

For my 85 Gbody cutlass swap, I got my complete running 5.3 LM7 for $450 cdn, so that was cheap! BUT thats where the cheapness stopped. Like he said all those parts will nickle and dime ya I spent close to $3500 cdn on extras to finish my swap. New mounts that required extensive modding, rad hoses and adapters, new intake tube and air filter, new PS hoses, a used y pipe, new exhaust, new O2sensor, new electric fans, and relay box/fuse box, new gauges were expensive, actually went thru 4 sets trying to get ones that worked, new temp sensors 2 &3 wire, new throttle cable, new exterior inline fuel filter pump hoses fittings etc, if i had to do it over again i would seriously price out a new refurbsihed 305 and carb or holley efi OR even 300 HP crate engine versus the extra 3000 i spent on all these extras. if you can get a crate engine and holley efi for under 5000 canadain, i would do that cuz it would mostly drop in over a weekend instead of 200 hrs over 2-3 months to fab n fit and ordeer new parts everything else. it was the middle of covid so maybe i couldve saved $1000 bucks waiting to find cheaper parts but then the 3 month build maybe wouldnt have been finished by winter cuz i had to wait an extra 3-4 months.

[@banksta3]

If I'm not mistaken, (I'm fairly new to engine builds) a crate engine is still missing some of those items right?

[@Vntichrist]

Glad I seen this bro. I was thinking about LS swapping my 87 cutty but fuck that, I rather keep it stockish anyways so i’ll just look into getting her stuff rebuilt

[@MOE13576]

​@@VntichristI got a brand new holley kit for sale

[@bwspacity]

Which kit ,if you still have?​@@MOE13576

[@dantrevino4166]

Thanks for tips! I've been thinking about freshening up my 2000 trans am's ls1. I bought a world products ls7-427cui warhawk back in 2007, but it was a mistake jumping into that because I lacked experience and I thought I knew it all 😅 just by reading all the ls books and magazines that came out back then. I am afraid to finish it because I don't want to ruin it and I can't really afford to finish it atm. Your videos have been giving me a little confidence to get back in it and start with my original ls1 first. Thanks.

[@JonTostanoski]

Bro you got this. Take things slow.

[@willypp13]

I feel like upgrading my suburban with parts like that, thank you for the lesson master 👍

[@ronkirkham3410]

The 8.1is a great motor even though stock it's extremely underpowered with not great cylinder heads. It is very strong and is a great balance between old-school big block and newer LS technology

[@travis1572]

I liked the 8.1 I think GM should re design it to make it sea worthy like Ford did with there Gas gorilla motor I think Gm is trying to get to much out of the 6.0

[@chrishansen7004]

8.1 was made to be a mega torque at 2000rpm motor, Never was intended to be a high horse application and in the towing regard it still out performs a lot of newer stuff

[@Joetemalet0]

You’re the only dude I actually trust on this 😅

[@Ben-sv9op]

Only person I know that could smile on talk at the same time 😂

[@dylanbourget9398]

Why’s he always look like he’s about to burst out laughing lol

[@Christopher-kv2ey]

I love watching your videos. The knowledge and your great attitude is unmatched, the man's always got a smile on 😂 how cam you go wrong with that

[@jeffpolsene680]

Cool video, nice looking motor sitting there. I just wish more of these videos that say " on a budget" or doing it the cheap way would include the cost of what they have done. Because I know for a fact that no matter what you do with any LS, its not going to be very cheap. Biut I enjoyed the video.

[@motoiq]

We have LS and EJ pricing videos for your viewing pleasure ;)

[@majmarkmiranda]

When I can't sleep I listen to this man's soothing voice

[@-OokySpooky-]

!!! My fun car is a 350,000 mile LM7 rebuild with a simple pistons, rods, and a torque cam in a 1980 big window notchback Monza! Soon I'm gonna go for cheapo twin turbos!

[@kevanwallace6863]

My favorite smile to learn from.

[@tehllama42]

LM 7 Gang for life.... or at least until I can afford a rotating assembly to make it a 383.

[@taoisttiger4702]

"Even S chassis... Even S chassis..." *me looking over shoulders* "...is, is he talking to me?!?"

[@dubtapes1529]

Excellent, excellent content! Very well done! Learned a lot. Thanks!

[@SoftiesTruck]

It’s true Holley does make it super easy to make hp with the LS platform

[@RatFinkJunky]

Never been so excited over a video!

[@johnbehneman1546]

Thank you Holley Performance.

[@fredc8618]

Beautifully done!

[@NBC_NCO]

My 07 5.3ltr cold start at idle hits about 42 psi. Once warm, it drops t8 about 37 psi. All original.

[@alexfontaine6233]

I’m trying to build my first motor and it’s awesome I came across this. I’m in engineering school right now and I just love how technical motoiq is and also makes me realize I don’t know shit haha. I’m reading about the project on Motoiq right now. I am pretty much watching motoiq videos everyday now. I’m thinking that the LM7 5.3 L willl be a good start.

[@motoiq]

We are going to have a video on building the 5.3 soon.

[@alexfontaine6233]

@@motoiq i cant wait

[@nickm4517]

He mentioned this was a cheap Jeep build. Half the stuff isn’t needed. Cam, lifters, Lifter trays pushrods, and full reseal kit. That’s all a junkyard kit need

[@motoiq]

It's a good idea to do on any junkyard swap. I would have done the oil system dumbell too on an LS. But if your time is cheap, more power too you to just drop things in without checking.

[@nickm4517]

@@motoiq I wasn’t trying to be negative, that would just be my definition of cheap and dealing with common LS issues. I’m jealous that he is going through the whole thing! Haha

[@codycooper3980]

Good solid alternative...while touching the alternator, lol

[@Hellyeahgarage]

If I were to get my hands on a 5.3. Abd for conversation sake had the luck of your friend with how stout the engine was. What can I expect a rebuild/refresh that you just talked about to cost me.

[@westpearson6759]

All that, but not a new cam to wake it up a bit? All the rest I just love!

[@motoiq]

We were thinking about it but its a jeep and needs low end.

[@dakotataylor5069]

😂 dam he straight up called him a cheap ass

[@slfrules1]

How do y'all feel about the stock lifter guides? I don't trust em but i was only messing with GM for a year. Those c-clipped rockers are smart. Hope y'alls friend has a blast with it!

[@hotshtsr20]

“Cheap ass friend” here: I swapped the lifter trays out for new Holley jobs. If the heads are off, replace the lifters and trays. Cheap insurance

[@motoiq]

We replaced the stock parts with the Holley one and I forgot to mention it. It is fine for close to stock or mild performance but for performance engines that are going to be raced I don't trust it.

[@davidortiz173]

Great video brother 🇺🇸

[@johnbehneman1546]

Totally Awesome Build and upgrade

[@reecejewell1018]

Praise be to the Holy LS!!

[@davidestrada7337]

bought a SS ls4 a few months ago with new tranny for 3900 bucks with 90k miles

[@oneproudchump8457]

This would look sweet in an early J-Truck.

[@ronkirkham3410]

You are obviously a genius when it comes to engine and rotating assemblies with her abbe foreign or domestic. Is there any way that you can give me a little input on a GMC gen7 big-block 8.1 L. As I have some raylar parts and looking to make some power but more importantly make it efficient and stay solid and strong

[@confused9525]

Love the content. Keep it up

[@justinelliott293]

I would like to see more videos like this!

[@gmjimmi]

Great video!!!

[@un1b4ll]

Is this an ad for Holley?

[@motoiq]

No it's talking about the cool inexpensive parts Holley has to make swaps easier than no one else has all in one place.

[@fredc8618]

​@@motoiq💯 thank you so much for this amazing information

[@VooDooDaddy46]

I had to watch this video on 1.5 speed to keep from falling asleep. Good info though....

[@Amigafur]

I love the LS but I would never replace that Jeep 4.0. Keeping mine mostly stock so it'll outlive me 😂

[@AarenPho]

God you guys are the goat for knowledge bombing us with this!

[@konglee7284]

I want to put an LS in my 1990 Mazda B2200 but still need to do more research.

[@motoiq]

That would be a cool swap.

[@anthonymanz9355]

My friend was just talking about this

[@seekerofthetruths]

This is the most monotone Holley advertisment I've ever heard.

[@motoiq]

It's talking about the cool inexpensive parts Holley has to make swaps easier than no one else has all in one place, if you don't want or like this information, don't watch it.

[@martinthompson2425]

I think the presentation was great in terms of the information provided. And even though it does seem pretty much like a Holley ad, the presenter didn’t sound like a salesman. He sounded very knowledgeable and down to earth. The monotone is the icing on the cake. It’s the “I’m a real tech guy” approach! Great vid and info!

[@hunniebe6]

Holley is just a foreign investment group and quality is no longer a priority.

[@motoiq]

Actually, Holley is owned by Sentinel Capital Partners, an American private equity group.

[@jaktheapprentice1023]

Looks like he’s about to burst out laughing the whole time haha

[@shadymaint1]

Spent a hunch of money you did not have to. Get a running motor from the junkyard and throw it in. Run it until it blows up and go get another one.

[@motoiq]

Time is money and if your time is cheap, then go for it.

[@Bi6HusodaO6]

Who does that

[@cr500mike]

Good stuff , liked - subscribed commented.

[@collinmcballin]

Good holley commercial!

[@motoiq]

Holley makes a bunch of stuff that makes swaps easier and cheaper so we featured them. Holley does not sponsor us I wish they did.

[@infernoking7504]

I just put cheap used parts till they break and do it again lol

[@motoiq]

That is great as well but if your time is important, it's also good to do it once and forget about it for awhile.

[@johnbean2596]

MotoIQ out here straight up saying "We don't build garbage, but you can if you like."

[@moneyshift8190]

"Being a cheap ass.." 😂👍🏽

[@DesperadoGarageOfficial]

One thing i wanna say if you cam swap do you really need to touch the cam bearings and crank bearings? I have the iron block lm7 in my 00 suburban. I got 239k miles still runs fine except that one lifter tick they usually get. I have all top end parts to rebuild it like pushrods, rocker arms, valve seals, lifters, springs, cam retainer plate, camshaft, plus install cam, new melling water and high volume oil pumps, head gaskets, timing chain set, front and rear covers with new seals, oil galley plug, oil pan gasket, long tube headers and the egr delete plates. All accessory drives and velts were replaced already. Im still running the clutch fan which is new. Do i need anything else to rebuild it or am i good to go? I do also have an extra set of coil packs.

[@motoiq]

Probably not cam bearings, with that many miles it might be good just to rebuild the engine since you are in there.

[@EGEIS9]

hey can you do a breakdown on the 40v audi 4.2 v8 no fsi? recently picked up a b7 s4 and i want to learn as much as possible about the motor. tried doing some research but I didn't yield much results. I would also like learn how to bullet proof that motor as I now have 2(picked one up from the junkyard for pretty cheap). Thanks in advance, have a nice day!

[@motoiq]

So far there is no customer interest in that motor so it's not likely that we will.

[@EGEIS9]

@@motoiq yea that makes sense

[@daedalus_20v]

Are you looking for general information or what? Audiworld, Audizine, and Quattroworld forums are a good place to start, just be aware that an S4 4.2 isn't the same as an RS4 4.2 or R8 4.2 or a D2 S8 4.2 or C5 RS6 4.2 lol. The non-FSI engines are pretty similar and the FSI engines are pretty similar, but the differences between FSI and non-FSI is where you need to pay attention. Re: bulletproofing, the 4.2 itself doesn't have major issues in any/all configurations other than the B6/B7 timing chain stuff, which is only really a problem due to its location on the engine. If you're looking for upgrades/mods then JHM Motorsports used to be (and probably still is) about the only place around that actually was trying to develop the platform, but it's a high-strung NA motor. Not much you can do to make significant power gains on a 4.2 without going forced induction.

[@EGEIS9]

@@daedalus_20v I already have the metal timing guides in, it’s my first car and I love it but I quickly grew bored of the power I’m looking at dowpipes soon to get rid of the double cats and then maybe a jackal tune, I just wanna learn more about the engine before I start modifying it more. I heard rods where the weak link but I want more info like maximum power on stock internals etc

[@A.J.1656]

I wouldn't mind one in my 2009 Frontier. 😆

[@brian_sipe]

LOJ makes swap kits for the Frontier, but it's either based around the manual tranny, or a GM 6L80.

[@A.J.1656]

@@brian_sipe Mine is a manual! LOJ? I'm not familiar with them.

[@brian_sipe]

@@A.J.1656 The joke is that LOJ stands for Lost Our Jobs, but they make swap kits for putting an LS into several different Nissan chassis. Just Google up LOJ conversions and you can see for yourself. Lots of complete kits and piece meal kits to save a buck or two.

[@xerocookieable]

Take a shot every time he mentions holly 😂😂😂

[@Twobarpsi]

Great info!

[@CutlassVibes]

Good info...thank you

[@doubletee4391]

Back to the part where you can find cheap Ls in a junkyard. I've gotta buddy that has looked for years. Is there some sort of secret handshake or something?

[@motoiq]

Yeah if you are looking for something like an LS3 or LS7 sure but these 5.3's are one of the most common cheap V8 engines in junkyards.

[@hotshtsr20]

I bought a whole 2002 suburban for $1500 with waaaay expired registration. Sold off what I didn’t want and ended up net positive $1000 on it I see dozens of Tahoes/Suburbans/Silverados at the Pick a Part

[@racingjunk7024]

Picked up a 6.0 and a 5.3 for 500 had to pull them was pushing my cart out in 4 hours . I have gone to three different states to get them cheap .

[@Marc_Wolfe]

"Cheap" and "Holley" don't go together.

[@danz2509]

Niether does customer service

[@3g2000gt]

Holley comes with a convince fee 😂

[@z32twinturbo13]

You got a 300zx TwinTurbo! Fuck yea what year bro. Let me get a video about that n it’s history.

[@thedelusionisreal]

You're budget LS is $14000, that's a lot of money for most people. Long live cheap, thrifty people.

[@motoiq]

If you want a good engine, you get what you pay for.

[@ChevyARt15]

You don't have to spend thousands to get a good reliable Gen 3/Gen 4 LS style engine.

[@BoxBoxBoxGaming]

would this work for an S14? how difficult would it be? I've been thinking about this video since it first came out and it's a seriously neat idea. there's even a Flexfuel version called the L59 apparently. think an L59 into an S14 could be possible?

[@motoiq]

Yes

[@torque-ej4nu]

Sometimes its not about being cheep. Not everyone is made of money.

[@motoiq]

Probably should have other priorities in life than playing with cars then.

[@JR88EDDIE]

I’m a rotary guy ….Pistons confuse me 😅 too many parts

[@mschumaker1]

Great video but after buying all these parts not sure how cheap it was

[@motoiq]

Around here junkyard parts are almost as much as there new Holley parts.

[@davidrogers9464]

I would like to build my lm7 to make good power in the lower rpm range... i dont like to rev my engines above 5k rpm. Sounds like they are going to explode.. and really dont like the sudden unleashing of all the ponies once it gets to 5,500rpm.. you mash the gas at 2,500rpm and its dog,dog,dog,dog, and suddenly whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! As it gets towards redline... nothing like losing traction at the top of a gear🥴

[@edswrld]

Is that the only single cam v8 built these days?

[@undefined.value.]

So what was the finish price on that refurbish?

[@fraserfab68]

What is the total cost of all the parts used in this "cheap freshening"? If you include labor I'd bet you are halfway to a full rebuild or stock type crate engine

[@motoiq]

not even close

[@fraserfab68]

@@motoiq Care to elaborate?

[@timmyturner4410]

@@motoiqthanks for answering the question. I’ll go somewhere else to find it out

[@seabass_creations3640]

Where’s that fluid harmonic damper at😄

[@motoiq]

Not cheap!

[@alexandrumates88]

Is this a Holly add?

[@motoiq]

It's talking about the cool inexpensive parts Holley has to make swaps easier than no one else has all in one place.

[@Helloboby]

Man I used to ls swap for 300$ and now everybody and there uncle, cousin, nephew, aunt, neighbor, there cousin Leroy’s uncles kids nephews son wants to ls swap and in my area just a stock 5.3 with no harness goes for 1000$ with 150-200k miles.

[@cameracamera1319]

I know. I grab every cheap one i can find. Been buying seized and blown ups and whole vehicles to save. Its sad sometimes on prices.

[@kevinwest3689]

Do y'all think my ARP head bolts- not studs. Will hold up to a low boost pump gas build. Say 8-10lb🤞 or perhaps 12 🤤

[@motoiq]

Should be fine.

[@mason5540]

Do you really need to pull the heads off? Could save some money there

[@DjMagikMusik]

I'm want to put an engine into a 85 Cutlass. What is a good engine to put in for the LS SWAP?

[@motoiq]

If you are cheap the 5.3. If not LS3 or LS7

[@MrSteak-je4gy]

Az 2024 $850 w/ warranty harness and computer

[@DrKushmeister]

I have the l59 engine, is it any good? It's cast iron instead of aluminum and flex fuel with the stainless steel fuel rail

[@motoiq]

It is a good engine to build on.

[@BiGR0B3]

Total cost???

[@Nowayjose-z2r]

It is no where near GM's highest production motors. The SBC is and many of the specific displacements also do.

[@motoiq]

Current production. the SBC was in production for more than 50 years so of course there were a lot made.

[@botmfedr1m291]

There wasn’t anything cheap about this Holly commercial.. 😂

[@motoiq]

Get this stuff from a junkyard, it costs 70% of this new stuff.

[@mega4507]

can you do a budget 2jz build

[@motoiq]

we will sooner or later

[@crestflock]

I have a LS 5.3 from Escalade I’m going to rebuild and install it on a 94 Chevy any advice how to add more bust I willing to spend 2K?

[@motoiq]

Add a cam!

[@crestflock]

@@motoiq that’s hall Just a cam like Chopacabra or Norris? What about a Intek? I'm trying to find a good set up to add boost to that engine including the kit to rebuild with 2000k If you can recommend me a list, I would appreciate it.

[@motoiq]

I mostly use comp, for boost don't go to big and keep the centerline spread.

[@travis1572]

Holley makes great stuff Do your home work It ain't cheap

[@motoiq]

Coming from the racing and serious performance side of things, its very cheap.

[@Corsavette02]

The value of a 5.3 ls engine cannot be understated...you get a proper head and spring/rocker kit on this engine...gonna be an extremely cheap engine to maintain.

[@shookones2216]

Is there a certain year for a good Lm7 engine to get? Looking at getting one for my Nissan D21 swap.

[@motoiq]

2000-2006 has a little more power stock.

[@shookones2216]

Awesome thanks! Would be cool to see some KA24E content to the channel to. I might boost my KA24E first before I do a V8 swap. @@motoiq

[@camaromustangmods3327]

This sounds like a Holley commercial...

[@fastcorey]

Now that’s what you call sponsored content

[@motoiq]

We wish Holley sponsored us, we need budget for more videos!

[@Chris-bn1bn]

You seem to have forgotten where your paycheck comes from( clients) you called him cheap, rather than the correct useage of the English language, because, here we say on a budget. I hope that others notice as well. Some people don't appreciate their beginings, nor their successes.

[@motoiq]

Wat?

[@Mewtwoisabeast]

nice

[@dustinsnider1646]

The way this guy talks is incredibly disarming and I instantly trust him.

[@danielharris4373]

No cam swap?

[@motoiq]

Cheap in a jeep!

[@gbodyguy5298]

This is a Holley commercial

[@jamayajackson5256]

lmao seal centering kits. THE CRANK ALIGNS THE DAMN SEALS!

[@motoiq]

And that's why you shouldn't be building race engines. Like when the block gets aligned bored or at one end of the tolerances.

[@lilpoindexter]

WOW. what a subtle, low key way to sell a bunch of expensive holley shit that nobody actually needs