Good thread on Budget LSx swaps

[bmk]

Bump anyone have any updates on this. Im looking to do a 5.3 or all aluminum 6.0 LS swap.


Has anyone ever done manual brakes?

[Mako18]

Here is what I am using.

Basic key components
GTO LS2 front sump oil pan, still needs to be modified "notched".
Custom engine mounts. Ill make these.
Custom trans crossmember. I will make.
Ls1 "car" water pump
Ls1/Ls7 intake manifold w/fuel injectors and rails (returnless)
Corvette fuel filter and fuel line setup (returnless)
LS1 car harness (manual)

Electronics
aftermarket fuse panel

Transmission choices
T5= crap but technically "work" for how long who knows?
T56= good but expect to pay $900-1500 on average
A variety of autos....not a option for me so I don't know much about this.

I am using a Supra R154/ax-15 gear box and a novak-adapter plate that will bolt the R154 to a gm bellhousing.
I'll use a ls7 clutch and flywheel any lsx clutch would work. I will have to consider the input shaft and spline count I am sorting this out. More details in my soon to be build thread.

Drive shaft custom. Made locally.

Brake options
booster less
remote booster
electro-hydraulic booster -My choice & haven't got this resolved completely. Looking at BMW setup or chevy 2500 van maybe even a ford setup. Depends on cost and integration issues.

Cooling
Custom radiator and efan setup- I want to do it once so this is my choice I am sure there are plenty of options here.

exhaust
stock cast manifolds- my choice for now
shorty headers
custom long tubes

[dkbmxer002]

there is so much variety and availability that there are so many different options that can be both cheap and powerful. haha


the ecu stock can go to very high numbers so i doubt that would be needed to change.

[JoeyBones]

Go for the aluminum 5.3, 5.7, 6.2 engines. The shift lever on a T56 from a Camaro/Firebird fits into the hole in the tunnel like BMW planned for it.

where did the aluminum 5.3 come from? what vehicle?

perhaps we should start a list of required/ideal parts for the budget swap?

block from: years models
Trans from: years models
Intake mani:
accessories:
available mount kits: *cough*garret*cough*
ECU:


anyways, I'm sure with time I could fill much of this out, but lunch break is almost over...

[Mako18]

Great that is what I thought! I guess I took it the other way. I knew better but sometimes you miss the little details and it can change everything.

Auto would be nice for daily but the e30 feels weird to me as a auto. Really I dream of a sequential box mounted to the lsx....$$$$$$ I am sure.

[dkbmxer002]

the issue isn't with the block itself, it's with the intake parts that are taller with the truck/iron blocks. This is where you'll have the issue and need the 'maro/vette intake plenum and accessories...make sense?

exactly, thankfully they are easily swappable.

[JoeyBones]

the issue isn't with the block itself, it's with the intake parts that are taller with the truck/iron blocks. This is where you'll have the issue and need the 'maro/vette intake plenum and accessories...make sense?

[dkbmxer002]

i'll read through more but for what it's worth to some, the 5.3 with a stock bottom end in an rx7 has gone 8's already... with a STOCK BOTTOM END 5.3....


also there are companies that make torque converters that bolt an ls1 up to a th350/th400 etc. i currently have one in my car. the 4l80e comes in the tahoes, suburbans etc is essentially a th400 with an overdrive and can be built to be very strong as well and bolts right up to the ls based motors.



also mako18 the blocks are the same as far as i remember and iron to aluminum won't have issues with clearance or mounting.

[LowR3V'in]

still expensive motors. :-o

[Mako18]

still would like to know the block issue.

[Jean]

Whats different about the cast iron truck block vs the aluminum block that would cause a fitment issue? Aside from the additional weight of the cast iron block, I can't think of any other cons when considering the price difference. I understand the water pump clearance issue and truck intake not being an option both are beyond huge.

Jean do/will you sell any of the items you mentioned? I am looking for a few key components, your estimated prices are better than I have found by a long shot.

Not my stuff, check the link :)

[StereoInstaller1]

The stock 5.7 LS1 puts out about 340hp and 340lbft of torque.

Even without added stickers?

[Mako18]

Whats different about the cast iron truck block vs the aluminum block that would cause a fitment issue? Aside from the additional weight of the cast iron block, I can't think of any other cons when considering the price difference. I understand the water pump clearance issue and truck intake not being an option both are beyond huge.

Jean do/will you sell any of the items you mentioned? I am looking for a few key components, your estimated prices are better than I have found by a long shot.

[garretvs]

Good write-up. A few other points:

The LSx engines all share the same outer block surfaces and mounting points. The Camaro FEAD (Front Engine Accessory Drive) is the most compact and easiest to find. The waterpump sticks out too far, but an LS2/7 waterpump can be made to work with a CTS-V belt tensioner. Don't get a truck block -- cast iron block and the intake will not fit into an E30. Go for the aluminum 5.3, 5.7, 6.2 engines. The shift lever on a T56 from a Camaro/Firebird fits into the hole in the tunnel like BMW planned for it. You have to do a little tunnel hammering here and there. The BMW fuel pump is adequate for a DD.

The stock 5.7 LS1 puts out about 340hp and 340lbft of torque. An Audi S4 has similiar hp, but less torque (and at much higher revs) and weighs 1000lbs more. Its great fun surprising them -- and other M3's! The LS1 has 300lbft of torque at 1800rpm

Watch the "Two Guys Garage" segmant on a very high-end (like $30k or so) E30 M3 with a hopped-up LS3 for inspiration. Note that you can not avoid some work on the brake system -- a HydroBoost fits nicely and works great.

[JoeyBones]

1. this should be stickied....
2. dont forget if you go with the car intake/etc, you may recoup some cost by selling the other stuff...
3. Also, this budget does not include cost of mounts/conversions for power steering and brake boosters should you want to keep that, but we now have complete mounting/conversion kits available, and I'd imagine vorshlag will have something after not too long as well.