I have an option to buy a 5.3 for 400$ with comp and wiring harness. Now my question is how much should I look to spend past that cost? I have decent knowledge of working on stuff so hopefully labor wouldn't cost me much.
5.3 Swap Costs
- Thread starter 72RatCamaro
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RockJock82
Sometimes you have to kick a little A$$
Im figuring 3-4k not including the motor and transmission.. Its best to expect the worst when doing a custom swap IMHO.. Good luck, I am getting geared up to start my 5.3L swap. 
Make sure the computer is set up for a swap. Do a search on LS1 and read some of the build threads. Hear is mine: https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/403256-another-texas-ls1-swap.html
I 2nd RockJock82 estimate, but more towards 4k end of it. Factor in all the little crap you will need. You will be buying hoses, hose clamps, coolant, ect. This is if you do all the work yourself. Getting the drive-line in will be the easy part.
I 2nd RockJock82 estimate, but more towards 4k end of it. Factor in all the little crap you will need. You will be buying hoses, hose clamps, coolant, ect. This is if you do all the work yourself. Getting the drive-line in will be the easy part.
- Thread starter
- #4
Yeah I had an LS6/T56 in a sonoma so I miss the torque these engines offer. Not sure if I am willing to put 4k into it though.
inkpot
SILVER Star
That's a screamin deal on the v8. Are you going to make this into a daily driver? Does it have to be smog legal for you? Add up everything you THINK it will cost, and then figure at least double that for the bottom line. There is a lot of stuff to take into consideration. Personally, If I was going to do a swap in an 80, I would want the torque of something closer to 6 liter displacement for a 3 ton station wagon. John
I put a 6.0 in my 40 and it has no VSS, a simple single exhaust, zero other fancy parts and my hard costs after engine were approx. 3K, that included 800 for comp from Howell, a new flywheel, all the material for mounts, rad shrouds, skid plates etc. I think my entire swap was close to 6K but dam it is a fine set up , I wish I had the coin and time to link the rear and put an auto in but that will be for next time.
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- #7
Would be my DD and doesn't have to be smog legal. I live in a free state (TN). Right now I figure I have about 225 Ft/lbs and should make close to 350 in the 5.3 which still isn't a huge amount but I am not planning on drag racing my 80 I am mainly wanting to do the swap for better MPG. Right now my rig runs great and is getting 14mpg around town so I am not super worried about it. I figured if it was going to be about 2500 to do the swap I would do it being as I don't want to have more invested in the swap than I paid for the rig I can't drop 6k into it.
It would be a nice swap.
I did a 5.7 TBI a few years ago, the motor, adapter and exhaust were the big ticket items, then it was headers that would fit (ram-horns) and getting steering hoses made, engine mounts, coolant hoses that were the next expensive parts. I dont think I was probably at or just under $4k when it rolled out under its own power again.
I would suggest getting a GM trans though, and then an adapter to the toyota t-case, or get a NV4500 and an adapter to the 60 series split case. Then you can go part time 4wd, and have a manual!
I did a 5.7 TBI a few years ago, the motor, adapter and exhaust were the big ticket items, then it was headers that would fit (ram-horns) and getting steering hoses made, engine mounts, coolant hoses that were the next expensive parts. I dont think I was probably at or just under $4k when it rolled out under its own power again.
I would suggest getting a GM trans though, and then an adapter to the toyota t-case, or get a NV4500 and an adapter to the 60 series split case. Then you can go part time 4wd, and have a manual!
I have a 62 tcase, converted to manual, in mine. I wanted part time 4WD. It was cheaper to buy the tcase, have it rebuilt, and then get the adapters, than do a part time in my 80 case.
RockJock82
Sometimes you have to kick a little A$$
Not to hijack your thread, but how does your Cruiser handle with the part time case and fuel mileage? I am also going the fj60 tcase route. `
well, you will gain a bit for mileage, most people say that the steering feels a little lighter. I got my with the cummins in it and swapped to part time with 35's (now 37's). There doesnt seem to be anything easily noticable based on the handling from full time to part time is what Im trying to say.
The biggest benefit is wear on parts, though living in a northern climate with snow or ice on the roads for 6 or 7 months of the year, I would prefer full time, though then it may not be suitable to upgrade to long's in the future.
The biggest benefit is wear on parts, though living in a northern climate with snow or ice on the roads for 6 or 7 months of the year, I would prefer full time, though then it may not be suitable to upgrade to long's in the future.
RockJock82
Sometimes you have to kick a little A$$
I can understand the benifit of running AWD where you live. Where I live we never see snow except on the mountains. Thanks for the info!
It does seem lighter in the front. But I can't remember what it drove like before I did the swap. I would need to drive another AWD. I have not driven it enough to do a MPG study, but it would not be relevant comparison because I have an LS1.
