LS Swap a Caprice: Build Guide - Budget Box Wagon Sleeper!

How do you LS swap a box Caprice wagon without breaking the bank? I think we’ve come up with a pretty good recipe here using stock electronics and only minimal additional parts. Watch along as we repower this tired old Chevy and triple the horsepower! Most of the engine was put together using spare parts here at the MuleTown Speed shop.
Here are the parts used for this build:
Engine
Cam: amzn.to/3AFrIt4
Valve Springs: amzn.to/2FhFohG
Oil Pan: amzn.to/35mmQrg
Lifters: amzn.to/2FjgBd2
Motor Mounts: amzn.to/3Kz6FwW
PCM Mounting Bracket: amzn.to/3Azr54t
Starter: amzn.to/3KHpKgI
Inlet Air Temperature Sensor (thread-in): amzn.to/3B1A2VH
Spark Plugs: amzn.to/3CPoXrY
Oil Pump: amzn.to/3e8IedF
Timing Chain: amzn.to/3pWz2vN
Head Gasket: amzn.to/3PYd4mA
Throttle Cable: amzn.to/3R4wyY3
Valley Cover (DOD-Delete): amzn.to/3Tvhggz
Serpentine Belt: amzn.to/3KxRFj2
Throttle Body Inlet Elbow: amzn.to/3R9jrF8
Front Timing Cover Kit for LS2 / LS3 engines: amzn.to/3KysBbJ
Water pump: amzn.to/3R7DMKX
Heater Hoses (Dayco 80417 and 80418): amzn.to/3Tu64Ro
Accessories
Power Steering / Alternator Bracket Kit: amzn.to/3CNZSxO
High Mount AC Compressor Bracket Kit: amzn.to/3wJUI1Q
Power Steering Pump Pulley: amzn.to/3cuSRqY
Power Steering Pump: amzn.to/3TH15gm
Belt Tensioner: amzn.to/3ToFgBU
AC Compressor: amzn.to/3pWVpky
Fuel System
Fuel Pump: amzn.to/3q1EgGC
Fuel Filter / Regulator: amzn.to/3Q9t7xU
Fuel fittings: amzn.to/3pYIIpr
EFi Fuel Hose: amzn.to/3AzxkoN
Fuel Rail Kit: amzn.to/3cDo2QP
Wagon Fuel Tank Sending Unit: amzn.to/3KDs6gE
Transmission
Trans Cooler Line Adapter Fittings: amzn.to/2toXMCG
4L80e Flexplate: amzn.to/3B3st0O
Transmission Cooler: amzn.to/3KCvA2A
4L80e Slip Yoke: amzn.to/3CHdbQt
Transmission Mount: amzn.to/3B2TiCj
Transmission Cooler Line fittings: amzn.to/3R3USta
Transmission Cooler Line: amzn.to/3RnhaFL
Exhaust
Wideband O2 Sensor: amzn.to/37zoS99
Flowmaster FlowFX Mufflers: amzn.to/3R0W8x0
Weld-In O2 sensor bungs: amzn.to/3AWpeqL

[@TheREALOC1972]

My Gf has been after me for years to build her a Hot Rod and she just inherited her grandmothers 81 Caprice wagon so now she's getting her hotrod, when she brought it home I thought she was kidding but she said this is what she wants me to build for her and she wants to take it on the Hot Rod Power Tour next year. it's in really good shape although the engine could use being rebuilt and needs painted because it's Blue and she hates Blue, the interior is grey and REALLY good shape, so were going to paint it 2 tone Silver and Purple.

[@caseymcclure9231]

As I’m researching a wagon/LS project I see you’re just down the road in Columbia! Stoked to find out about y’all!

[@NORTH_HWD]

To make the motor mount situation easier. You could use factory caprice small block Chevy 305 frame mounts and use the dirty dingo caprice 77-90 adjustable plates. Dirty dingo mounts were like 120$ and factory caprice frame mounts were 20$ a piece at O’reillys they’ve been holding up great on my 79 caprice Ls swap

[@cutlasscrazy6081]

Love this build. That wagon has some decent power and still a great daily. Hell of a job. Great details on a budget build up. 👍

[@MuletownSpeedandDyno]

Thank you. That's a nice thing to say. It was a fun project!

[@sparkys6468]

I love the raw content laid back filming once a year. Thanks for posting

[@metalroofing8643]

I don’t ever comment on videos but much respect to the work you put in. I have a 85 Pontiac Parisienne(owned 17 years) that I’ve been doing homework on trying to see if it’s worth the ls swap. You definitely proved it is. Hands down my favorite video.🤘

[@yng4evr68]

When you started it up at the 2 min mark, that really brought back memories. That is a unique starter sound and it's the same sound my mom's Buick Estate Wagon starter made. Cool video.

[@bradpage8967]

New to your channel, it’s obvious that you have done these before!! Very well done!!

[@MuletownSpeedandDyno]

thanks!

[@davidwood1923]

Hey hey... Good Job

[@MuletownSpeedandDyno]

Thank you sir

[@Mr.boxxchevy]

Thanks this helps alot with my future plans for my ls swap

[@delmondeedbo3111]

Mfa running man great job sounds lovely 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@MuletownSpeedandDyno]

Thanks!

[@jasonzitt6408]

you make it looks so easy! are you guys still in business? you havent posted in a while.

[@MuletownSpeedandDyno]

Yes we are! I've been so busy lately that I haven't posted in some time but more videos are in the works. Thanks for watching.

[@familyoutkast9804]

Hello I'm getting ready to do an ls 5.3 on my wagon thanks for the info I have a doner truck for all my parts that I need so far

[@melvinholcer4756]

How did your build go?

[@familyoutkast9804]

Have not got to it yet still sitting there waiting on me but some life things happened that slow it down but thanks for asking I'll keep up updated

[@familyoutkast9804]

ps. got my motor out the truck working on rebuild now then swap and I have watched this video over and o er thanks again for the great information

[@Canadiancarguy1987]

hey man great job a lot of respect doing it on your own thats mostly how i roll as well

[@musclekingmedia]

Got a sub from me! Doing this but with the 700r4 in a caprice. Good stuff man. And on a budget!🤘🏽

[@MuletownSpeedandDyno]

Awesome thanks bud! I love hearing about others doing similar stuff. Enjoy the project. That's the best part.

[@melvinholcer4756]

Awesome!!!

[@tgmod]

thats cool, a family member has the same car i'm trying to get and do the same swap

[@QZYFOG]

Great video. Subbed immediately! 👍

[@temo5521]

Big respect from KSA Saudi Arabia, awesome job , you’re a legend , I hope one day I take a project like that soon … all the best and another one subscribe right here 🔥🆙👍🏽🪄

[@MuletownSpeedandDyno]

Awesome! Thanks so much.

[@peteg9396]

What is that adapter fitting you used sticking out of your radiator to for the transmission cooler line? It’s silver in color, flared at the end, and about 3” long in your video? It’s very well seen at 24:49 in your video, passenger side of your radiator.

[@benp4355]

Thanks! You make things look relatively simple with the swap. If you still have the Oldsmobile 307 frame mounts, please let me know...I could use a pair of those!

[@Chevyshow]

My Malibu is the same color blue Rusty classic estate

[@toddrichardson9256]

That's too cool ! ❤

[@oldgm8056]

Keep going 🙏

[@MuletownSpeedandDyno]

I plan on it. Still working on ironing out all of the little issues and making it into a bombproof driver. An update video is in the works

[@coyotehater]

Heck yea, been looking forward to another project! Is the El Camino still around? Would love to see an update on it. I’m in Columbia, so always like to see content from other locals.

[@MuletownSpeedandDyno]

it is at the MuleTown Dyno ranch. we can do an update on it.

[@Mandurath]

Glad to see yall are still around, figured you'd faded away. Looks interesting. Though anymore, budget getting harder to find. Old wagons have gone up, my favs the boats, Town Cars, Caprices etc, all gone up. Any updates on the older projects?

[@MuletownSpeedandDyno]

thanks for sticking with us. our businesses have taken most of our fun time away from doing these types of projects but we are hoping to ramp back up and do more including updates on older projects. the olds and S10 are sold.

[@MrSerenityNow]

This was a great video. I’m finishing up a turbo LS swap in my 83’ LeSabre coupe. I love these wagons. I just ordered those heater hoses, some great tips in this video. Look forward to more vids, keep up the good work man!

[@MuletownSpeedandDyno]

Thanks! Good luck with your build.

[@azizcrowell1515]

Love the content man !!!! U made this swap look to easy ! She sound good and I have a 93 chevy caprice wagon 305 tbi.. will my Ls swap be just like this since they both caprices ?

[@MuletownSpeedandDyno]

I think the biggest difference is your 93 is fuel injected whereas mine was carb. That should make the fuel system part a little easier for you

[@jeromeirving4770]

If you run a gauge cluster from a road master or a 9c1 cop car, you'll have all the gauges you'll need

[@yeahididit9054]

1st time viewer ,cool. Were you able to get the hood off yourself? That is impressive

[@lamarmarlon4240]

The video is very informative 👌... What is the name of the ls shop?

[@MuletownSpeedandDyno]

Muletown Speed!

[@Jay-wn6uf]

TN!! Yessir you taking customers? Lol

[@MuletownSpeedandDyno]

I wish. We don't have capacity to do customer swaps. I can barely keep up with the engines!

[@BigCaddydaddy84]

Lol..Im within 20 mins of the shop, I was gonna ask the same thing!

[@171apples171]

What headers did you use? I have the same exact wagon but mines beige/tan interior and exterior. Thanks for this whole video man.

[@MuletownSpeedandDyno]

They were leftovers from another project. Stainless ebay shorties for a 65 a-body

[@171apples171]

@@MuletownSpeedandDyno thank you. This'll be my first swap, my only worries are headers and oil pan clearance. Im gonna run a th350 so i figure get the tail housing on the cross member and go from there. Im gonna make sure im subscribed too lol

[@MuletownSpeedandDyno]

Enjoy the swap. They are very fun. I think the exhaust is pretty easy since that engine bay is massive.

[@Chevyshow]

Just blew the heads on the vortec 355 in my Malibu wagon. I’m thinking 5.3 swap too 😎

[@wisco1225]

Do you think truck intake would help getting weight moving? I have an 85 Buick myself.

[@MuletownSpeedandDyno]

I'm sure it would be fine. I'm using the car intake because I had it laying around and didn't want to mess with hood clearance issues. I've seen plenty of caprice swaps where the truck intake fits fine under the hood though.

[@MrSerenityNow]

My buddy has a truck intake on his regal, so if you have the LeSabre, I think it will fit for sure

[@Squeek_is_back_at_it_again]

What u joint did you use for the slip yoke to the wagon drive shaft? Im using this video for a bunch of info, as i like how you did yours vs other ones

[@MuletownSpeedandDyno]

Honestly I don't know what ujoint I used on the front. I bought the 4l80e slip yoke and brought it with the driveshaft to the driveshaft guy for shortening. I told him I needed to put that yoke to that shaft and shorten to xyz and they had the conversion joint it needed. Most DS shops will have it.

[@Squeek_is_back_at_it_again]

@@MuletownSpeedandDyno ah ok, i thought it was the stock drive shaft lenght. Guess i missed that part

[@MuletownSpeedandDyno]

Yeah the length difference between the 700r4 and 4l80e is significant. Even though I mounted the engine pretty far forward it still needed to be cut.

[@Squeek_is_back_at_it_again]

@@MuletownSpeedandDyno gotcha. Ty!

[@showtime2203]

Good good work I need u n tx

[@odianosae]

Do you install Ls motors for paying customers im in Nashville Tennessee?

[@MuletownSpeedandDyno]

Sorry we don't do customer swaps at this time. I'm swamped with engines and parts for the foreseeable future

[@odianosae]

@@MuletownSpeedandDyno anyone in or near Nashville you refer that’s trustworthy

[@MuletownSpeedandDyno]

Not that I can recommend. Plenty of shops do swaps but I can't speak to any in particular that I know. I'm sure they're out there I just don't know which ones are good.

[@odianosae]

@@MuletownSpeedandDyno I wouldn’t know where to start & look

[@rustyruble4998]

I'm doing a 79 impala wagon ls swap. What headers did you use

[@MuletownSpeedandDyno]

I used a leftover set of a-body swap headers that I got from eBay. They fit great.

[@therrinchisley7600]

WHICH HARNESS U WENT WITH I HAVE A 96 IMPALA

[@MuletownSpeedandDyno]

Factory truck harness that I cut down and rerouted.

[@therrinchisley7600]

@@MuletownSpeedandDyno so u took the impala harness and LS harness and merge them together

[@therrinchisley7600]

This a long shot how much would u charge if u make for people

[@nandojayy7183]

Any updates on this?

[@MuletownSpeedandDyno]

Working on an update video. Slowly ironing out all the little kinks.

[@ramirov4510]

What year is the Caprice

[@ddk56vw]

Cool Car, What year is it?

[@MuletownSpeedandDyno]

1988

[@BaMenace]

450 views? Is the video view counter broken?

[@MuletownSpeedandDyno]

I don't think so. just getting rolling.

[@KenTennKustomz]

🎯💯💪🏼