What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

75 K-5 5.3 LS transplant [with pics]

Not cheap but freakin sweet!

I wish I had the extra money, a buddy of mine offered a duramax diesel with tranny and t case, all associated wiring, intercooler, everything. The combo came out of a 2010 truck with 100 miles on the odo for 6 grand! Now that is a deal I wish I didnt have to pass up!
 
buefchris said:
I'll roughly break it down but it may vary from one person to another.
  1. engine trans and computer$1200
  2. trans rebuild $1100
  3. aftermarket harness and reprogram $850
  4. water pump,starter,alt,fuel reg,belt,t-stat $380
  5. Camaro exh manifolds...freebie
  6. 241 and crossmember plus adapter $400
  7. engine adapters $95
  8. new drivlines $500
  9. countless hose fittings $450
  10. new tank and sending unit plus pump $500
  11. tuning to fix Howell's reprogaming f-k up $650
As of this list, I'm only up to $5355.
I'm not including the wireing, exhaust, regearing,sye kit and rebuild for t-case, oilcoolers, adapters,etc.
Anyone who says they can install a LS for less than $1500 would have to of stole the whole truck to start with.
Click to expand...


i just finished my swap on a very tight budget so i will give you my break down to give u another idea on the possible cost.
  1. engine with pcm and all the accesories minus the alternator $450
  2. for the trans i used my turbo350 and got the flywheel spacer..freebie
  3. purchased a standalone diy conversion fuse block and converted my own harness $ 94.95
  4. Alternator from greenleaf $32
  5. non egr truck manifolds...freebie
  6. dirty dingo engine mounts $84
  7. walbro external 255 pump $119
  8. hose fittings, filters, and hose $80
  9. dakota digital speed sensor $40
  10. Connectors that where chopped off harness $25
  11. Assorted clamps and small things $ 100.00
  12. Pcm reflash for vats and codes.. freebie
total as of now is $1024 and i sold my old 350 that i pulled out for $500
but i plan on doing a 700r 205 and dana 60/14ff in the near future.
Also it was not easy i researched for about two months befor i started and it took about 6 months to complete.
 
texas4x4rebel said:
i just finished my swap on a very tight budget so i will give you my break down to give u another idea on the possible cost.
  1. engine with pcm and all the accesories minus the alternator $450
  2. for the trans i used my turbo350 and got the flywheel spacer..freebie
  3. purchased a standalone diy conversion fuse block and converted my own harness $ 94.95
  4. Alternator from greenleaf $32
  5. non egr truck manifolds...freebie
  6. dirty dingo engine mounts $84
  7. walbro external 255 pump $119
  8. hose fittings, filters, and hose $80
  9. dakota digital speed sensor $40
  10. Connectors that where chopped off harness $25
  11. Assorted clamps and small things $ 100.00
  12. Pcm reflash for vats and codes.. freebie
total as of now is $1024 and i sold my old 350 that i pulled out for $500
but i plan on doing a 700r 205 and dana 60/14ff in the near future.
Also it was not easy i researched for about two months befor i started and it took about 6 months to complete.
Click to expand...

who hooked you up with the pcm flash? did u do it yourself?
 
Yea, the overall price can vary depending on where you are and to what extent you have to rebuild,reconfigure or rewire something, how much you sub out as opposed to your own labor.
This was certianly a learning curve, Do it again...oh yes and it would be cheaper.
 
texas4x4rebel said:
i just finished my swap on a very tight budget so i will give you my break down to give u another idea on the possible cost.
  1. engine with pcm and all the accesories minus the alternator $450
  2. for the trans i used my turbo350 and got the flywheel spacer..freebie
  3. purchased a standalone diy conversion fuse block and converted my own harness $ 94.95
  4. Alternator from greenleaf $32
  5. non egr truck manifolds...freebie
  6. dirty dingo engine mounts $84
  7. walbro external 255 pump $119
  8. hose fittings, filters, and hose $80
  9. dakota digital speed sensor $40
  10. Connectors that where chopped off harness $25
  11. Assorted clamps and small things $ 100.00
  12. Pcm reflash for vats and codes.. freebie
total as of now is $1024 and i sold my old 350 that i pulled out for $500
but i plan on doing a 700r 205 and dana 60/14ff in the near future.
Also it was not easy i researched for about two months befor i started and it took about 6 months to complete.
Click to expand...

hey texas, thats pretty awesome that you were able to swap in an LS for as cheap as you did, but most people probably don't have the resources that you have.

buefchris itemized the work that he did in a real world situation that most of us garage folk can relate with. he also spent the extra coin to not have to do things twice.
 
Last edited:
ChickenRammit said:
buefchris itemized the work that he did in a real world situation that most of us garage folk can relate with. he also spent the extra coin to not have to do things twice.
Click to expand...

Not saying I wouldnt of spent the money if I had it. I spent the money on the things i need to not have to do it again later.
 
So, does anyone know who makes a engine cross member that will clear a LS oil pan? Guess it's time to start looking.
I have a ORD in it now and it's way too tight of a fit.
 
what about the one from twisted engineering?

also, if and when you get a new x-member, you should sell me your old one.:whistle:
 
I know Pacific Fabrication in CA makes one for a first gen, they may have or be able to make something?
 
I emailed PacificFab about this and this is what I got back:

Hey Nick thanks for your inquiry. We do produce a cross member for your application, however, it requires at least a 4” lift kit for proper axle to cross member clearance.
You are correct on there being fitment issues without modifying the existing setup. One of the issues will be oil pan clearance to the webbing on the front axle, even without the cross member in there at all.
You may want to consider a 4” – 6” lift kit from BDS suspension to make this swap go more smoothly. Please feel free to ask any further questions. ----------Kevin



If the springs are providing the clearance will they bottom out before the risk of hitting something?



Also, can't you just use the adapter plates with a 4" lift and be ok? Is the purpose of the new cross member just added strength or am I missing something?


Either way I'm tuned in for the answer.
 
It serves three purposes.strength, oil pan clearance, and crossover steering clearance.
My axle may hit the pan with a 4" lift, if that's the case, I'll have to extend the bump stops.
 
How you making out on the cross member situation? I'm talking to Kert at diy4x about using one of his early blazer members. Their newer design allows the crossbar to come out while leaving the motor mounted and will clear a big block pan as is. Does the LS pan require more clearance than a BB?
 
I could not get Kurts to work. I made my crossmember out of some of his parts though. I used his frame brackets, the plates that bolt to those brackets and his motor mount/bushings. I then welded 1 1/2 inch chrome moly 1/4 wall tubing to those parts to make my crossmember.
 
thealien said:
I could not get Kurts to work. I made my crossmember out of some of his parts though. I used his frame brackets, the plates that bolt to those brackets and his motor mount/bushings. I then welded 1 1/2 inch chrome moly 1/4 wall tubing to those parts to make my crossmember.
Click to expand...

Did you start with his newer or older model? From what I can tell its gone through three revisions.. One piece, three piece and an extended three piece that allows for BBC pan clearance. I've seen the mount you modified but it looked like you started with his older one piece style mounts?
 
IMG_0918.jpg


Here is a picture of how far off his one with the removeable part was.

I sent him a template and he said it would be easier without the flanges so we tried another one using my template and it still hit the front differential.

I finally decided to custom make one using his parts as a starting point. I am still very close to the front diferential.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom