Post-LS Swap Review: For You Who Have Succeed, I Want to Hear About It.

[88blazerboy]

I have found there is a pretty good chunk of information on the web regarding assistance and completing LS swaps to various vehicles, but there really aren't many post-reviews (e.g., how did it turn out, what sort of problems occurred/ how were they dealt with, if the swap was cost effective, how challenging the swap was, etc.).

Being someone who is presently engaged in an LS swap, I would like to hear some reviews from others who pulled this process off. Here are some basic questions to consider, but feel free to mention other stuff as well:

1. What specifically did you swap, and are you satisfied?
2. Did any part of the swap end up not turning out right? What?
3. Did you manage to stay on budget, or did the swap turn into a money pit?
4. How much working knowledge did you have on the swap before beginning?
5. If you tow, how does the LS set-up perform?
6. Would you do the swap over again if you knew then what you know now?

Thanks in advance for contributing to this post. I think everyone's feedback will be greatly appreciated and helpful.

[Jmac527]

First off....Hang in there buddy, it's all worth the smiles in the end!

1> I swapped in a cammed 5.3 in my '90 RCSS, ummm yes mucho satisfied
2> Yes; I forgot an ignition wire to "wake up" the ECM, and also I'm fighting the speedo currently
3> I waited a LONG time to gather parts and b/c of that I was actually able to stay under budget. I was able to find some used parts that I wasn't expecting, and I traded some labor for others.
4> Before my personal swap I had a good deal of knowledge, I helped a buddy of mine do 4 different swaps into C10's. If you got any motor swap experience, you'll fly right through this.
5> Haven't towed yet....
6> Actually I kick myself in the a$$ for not doing it earlier honestly, one of the best attributes about the truck.

[Chevydillan]

1- heads and cam 5.3 into a 97 2wd, love it.
2- not really. Everything works just as it should and even looks like gm put it there for the most part.
3- didn't really have a "budget" but that said it wasn't bad. I spent extra on all go fast stuff but if I had stayed stock it would have been very affordable.
4- first LS swap but far from first motor swap. I read all I could for weeks and weeks before the swap and did it all in a long weekend.
5- no towing here
6- absolutely. Only way sooner. Glad I didn't go any other route

[Chevy-Art]

1. I did an LS1/4L60E from a 2002 Camaro. I love it, and drive it everyday to work about 50 miles round trip. But that number is going to go up to 80+ next week.
2. The only part that is not 100% are the fans when the A/C comes on. Only the low speed comes on, I leave the a/c on when on the highway or moving, but in traffic I turn it off.
3. I didn't stay on budget, but it wasn't a money pit.
4. Not much, just mainly reading here and other forums. I had no idea what all was involved in doing this swap.
5. No towing for me with this truck.
6. I would do it in a heartbeat. Currently looking for another project, but this time 5.3. I want a mid 70's through 80's GM rear wheel drive car, almost any model.
Also remember, just do your own thing. When this forum first started it was just a bunch of guys doing swaps for fun and knowledge. I did mine to say I did it and for the experience and learning a whole lot about wiring. Don't try and stay with the big boys spending lots of money on their swaps. A cam and stall and full bolt ons will go a long way. And I like Nelson Performance for my tunes, but there are others and you can pick the one you like.

[beertestr]

I have found there is a pretty good chunk of information on the web regarding assistance and completing LS swaps to various vehicles, but there really aren't many post-reviews (e.g., how did it turn out, what sort of problems occurred/ how were they dealt with, if the swap was cost effective, how challenging the swap was, etc.).

Being someone who is presently engaged in an LS swap, I would like to hear some reviews from others who pulled this process off. Here are some basic questions to consider, but feel free to mention other stuff as well:

1. What specifically did you swap, and are you satisfied?
2. Did any part of the swap end up not turning out right? What?
3. Did you manage to stay on budget, or did the swap turn into a money pit?
4. How much working knowledge did you have on the swap before beginning?
5. If you tow, how does the LS set-up perform?
6. Would you do the swap over again if you knew then what you know now?

Thanks in advance for contributing to this post. I think everyone's feedback will be greatly appreciated and helpful.

I've done 2 swaps.
1) 93 2WD Sierra. USed a 2004 4.8L converted to cable TB, used a 99 LS1 2WD trans. Made my own mount brackets and set the motor so the driveshaft didn't need mods. 2004 Exhaust from a SCSB from the heads to tailpipe. Kept the Mech Fan. Towed my 1995 Caprice a few times, no issues with 31" tires and a 3.42 axle. First tie I towed it, I thought the 4.8 was a little weak downshifting on rolling hills. Then I found out my speedo call was off, and I was towing at 80mph not 70mph.. .. Total swap cost was under $1000 not including engine.

2) Pulled that engine and exhaust, put it into a 1994 Z71 SCLB. Made my own mounts again, and located the engine to the original 4L60E. Did not need to move any of the driveline. Stock mech fan, centered in the fan shroud, again manifolds and complete exhaust. Drove like a stock vehicle. I have a build thread, search for my username, it's on here. I also offer my mount brackets to make the swap a drop in option. I drove that truck for 30,000+ miles as my DD, only got rid of it because I traded it for a Harley. I towed with it several times, with the 3.73's and 33" BFG's, it was a little short of torque and liked 3rd gear better than 4th.

To answer your questions.

1) See above
2) If I didn't get the 4.8L practically free and extremely low miles, I'd have done a 5.3L for a DD. Other than that, I would not have changed anything.
3) I was all about figuring out the least expensive way to do it and not cut corners. I spent $$ where it counted for reliability, and made trans cooler lines out of hydraulic hose, and swaged fuel lines off the stock frame lines. Those 4 lines cost me $100, but I knew they were dead nuts reliable. Keeping the mech fan saved a bundle, and I did not have to worry about cooling issues while towing. Not saying there would be with E-fans, but I decided KISS was good (Keep it Simple Stupid).
4) The 93 was my first LS swap in anything. I've done 4 swaps now. The interweb is your friend, the wiring is not all that scary.
5) Tows very good, the 4.8 makes great power, but having the extra 40+ #-ft of torque of a 5.3 would have been nicer. Or... a 6.0 FWIW, the guy that has my 94 Z71 put a 5th wheel hitch in the bed and tows a camper trailer with it. Puts the truck in 3rd and gets 11 mpg towing. He's cooked the 10 bolt from over loading the truck (smoked the new OEM gears I put in the truck), but that kinda happens when you exceed the towing capacity of the axle. Motor and trans held up fine, and he hauls clear across MI from Lake Huron - Lake Michigan (he literally lives 2 miles from Lake Huron and drives to the dunes on Lake MI).... with a 5th wheel trailer, and a 4.8L.. then goes wheeling in the truck after he unhooks the trailer.
6) Do it over???? I did it twice on pickups, then I did my 79 Caprice, I'm helping with a 96 Impala SS this winter, and I've sold over a 100 sets of mounts to others doing LS swaps. If you are looking to decide between repowering an old 305/350 truck with an LS or just rebuild the original motor, I'd go 5.3L LS ANY DAY. It's a little more involved, but the costs are comparable. Figure a stock rebuilt with machine work will run you $1000-1500.. put that into a swap where you can find a good running 5.3L for $500 and spend the rest on the swap. The cost is a little variable depending on things you decide to do while doing the swap, your skill and ability (can you mod your own harness... hint:: YESS!), but there are costs you need to consider. I will tell you that you can do an LS swap for less than $1000+ donor engine cost.

HTH!

[crzy8mnky]

I swapped a 2002 5.3L into a 98 K1500. I reused the original 5.7 wiring harness and added wires when needed. I also kept my original transmission. It's not quite finished, but it's about as close as I'm going to get it for now. The exhaust needs to have a few holes patched up, but I'm not really willing to spend the time to do that for such a little return.

There were numerous things that did not turn out correctly the first time. I ended up making all of the swap brackets to keep my alt and compressor in the same place. That took a bit of machining and it's still not complete. I was also under the impression that my stock exhaust would line up, and in a way it did, but for the effort involved with making it fit the 5.3, it was simpler to simply remove it and replace it. I ended up using the stock exhaust from a 2000, and cutting it up to fit along with pacesetter long tubes.

I didn't really have a budget going in, but I wanted to do everything I could without having to buy things. This meant that I reworked my harness myself, machined and cut my own brackets except for the engine mount brackets. I bought my own tuning software and am learning to use it. I think all in all I am around $1k for the swap, not including the tuning software. I was able to get my engine/ harness/ computer for $180, which was the only reason I actually did the swap.

Before actually doing the swap I had toyed with the idea for around a year. I didn't start buying things until a few months before hand though. I did a ton of research to see what other people had done and ways in which I could improve upon it. This research is what lead me to finding cheaper alternatives to a lot of the parts people were using or allowing me to manufacture my own.

Don't tow.

I mainly did this as a learning experience. I think that if I could find the deal I got on my engine/ computer/ harness then I would definitely attempt the swap again. I would also benefit from having already made some parts that are expensive, and being able to save time and money on them. I'd rather go with a 6.0 over a 5.3 though, just want more power. I wouldn't do this in an attempt to create a race truck or to put a lot of money into it because, to me, at the end of the day it's still a 16 year old rusty truck.

[gagliano7]

1) I put a 2004 5.3 212/218 cam 80000 miles with a 1999 pcm in my 1992 2wd lowered pickup stepside 5 speed.

2)I did mine in a week after doing a ton of research and getting every part I needed. My one mistake was taking a wire off the oil pressure sensor that went to the fuel pump and kept me from getting fuel. I would have had my shoenfeld headers coated before I installed them. I also would have went with a 6.0 from the get go. Next spring that will happen. I also would have went with the muscle car oil pan instead of the truck pan(pan came with motor because it does hang low) even though I have had no problems. Install your cam while you have the motor on the stand.

3) I really didn't have a budget but it cost more than I expected because of the little things that added up.

4)I have only bolted stuff on ls motors before this. I have swapped sbc motors out before on other vehicles.

5) I will be buying a trailer soon but I haven't towed yet. But I have hauled 1200 lbs of concrete in my bed and I had no problems even going up hills.

6)I would definitely do it again. I had a 383 stroker before this but this is much better to drive around in. It doesn't have the torque of the 383 but there is nothing better feeling than turning the key in the morning with no foot on the gas and starts right up every time. Plus it so much nicer to cruise around.

Next spring I will be upgrading to a 6.0.

[shmiet]

Well are you swapping 89-95 or 96-98? There is quite a few differences between each setup. From what I've read and experienced, the 89-95 is easier and there are more people who have done the swap to get info from.


1) I swapped an 04 LM7 bored to 5.7l into a 98 GMC and turboed it. I kept the 4l60e and put in a shift kit, billet servo etc...
TU1 cam, .660" lift trickflo springs, 799 heads etc
LS1 intake swapped on (not worth it at all)
607hp and 638ft*lb = very satisfied

2) -I had my first engine have cracked lands between the piston rings = failed on dyno
-second engine had a weak cylinder wall and blew out to the water jacket
-First tune is critical! My basic tune(to get to the dyno only) wouldn't run at all - turned out it was too lean and i could only get it running by disconnecting the IAT sensor
-The only thing I dont have working is my fuel level gauge - I think its a bad ground but dont care at the moment cuz ive been driving it as much as i can before winter comes.
-My first 2BAR MAP sensor was junk, had to buy a 2.5BAR cobalt one when the truck was on the dyno haha $180!

3) Money Pit for me... $16,000 in swap all together. - I have a spreadsheet available if you want a cost break down
Still truck looks really good and halls ass so I'm happy with it anyways haha

4) I had never done an engine swap prior to this. My first engine building experience, my first wiring harness modification, my first time ever looking at a turbo, my first time ever doing any real major project.

5) NA

6) Yes I would do this again and I plan on it. I also plan on spending alot less cuz i know where I went wrong this time.

Check out my vid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rm_VprOaaAM

My experience with wiring was more difficult than crazy8mnky's I believe due to the fact I eliminated the 98 ecu all together. I also had a bunch of other custom wiring for fans, switches, 340 lph fuel pump etc...

TIPS: lt1swap.com - Brendan is a great guy use his website for wiring diagrams. Would have taken me forever without his help. And everyone on this site is willing to help ls1truck.com is awesome, and lots of great support!

[LS1CMCHE]

1) 1987 Jeep Comanche 4 cylinder four speed to a 2004 LS1, six speed out of a GTO.
2) Everything went well.
3) Went well over budget.
4) Worked on cars through out.
5) No towing.
6) Would do over again, nice challenge.