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Denver area LS Swap

yakmastermax

yakmastermax

1/2 ton status
Joined
Feb 4, 2012
Posts
165
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Location
Albuquerqu NM/ Austin TX
Hey everyone. I'm trying to find a shop around Denver that has experience doing LS swaps into full size Chevrolet. I found one called 3D Offroad. I got a quote for around $5500 dollars for everything. I was trying to find some other options.

Thanks for the input!
 
Willie B on KBPI does a show on Saturday mornings called Willie B's Garage. They talk a lot about LS swaps. I know they've had a guy on that does them but can't remember the name. Might try listening in to the show. Or even call in Saturday morning.
 
yakmastermax said:
Hey everyone. I'm trying to find a shop around Denver that has experience doing LS swaps into full size Chevrolet. I found one called 3D Offroad. I got a quote for around $5500 dollars for everything. I was trying to find some other options.

Thanks for the input!
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:eek1::doah::whistle: 5500 bucks . . . what does this get you ? new motor or used ? ls1-2-3- or truck motor ?

wow that's a lot of coin for a swap .
 
sweetk30 said:
:eek1::doah::whistle: 5500 bucks . . . what does this get you ? new motor or used ? ls1-2-3- or truck motor ?

wow that's a lot of coin for a swap .
Click to expand...

I wouldn't be against that if it turned out really nice, and wasn't just a junkyard random. If all features were implemented and it was truly turnkey and looked seamless, the price could be justified. How much does a dealership motor swap cost? I was quoted $1500-2000 for a direct replacement vortec 350, and that was just labor! I laughed and told the guy I would do it myself if I had to.
 
xenomarine said:
I wouldn't be against that if it turned out really nice, and wasn't just a junkyard random. If all features were implemented and it was truly turnkey and looked seamless, the price could be justified. How much does a dealership motor swap cost? I was quoted $1500-2000 for a direct replacement vortec 350, and that was just labor! I laughed and told the guy I would do it myself if I had to.
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5500 isn't a bad price if you're talking a turn-key setup with a good engine. On swaps a lot of times those nickel-and-dime issues can add up quickly. Plus I would assume it comes with some type of warranty or guarantee. Now if that's just labor and you have to provide the engine, that's a bit steep. $1500-2000 for a 350 replacement labor cost? Now that's high, especially in a truck so easy to work on. That's a job that can easily be done in a weekend, by onesself, with frequent work stoppages for beer breaks. It's less than a day's work if you're motivated, but I guess shops have their overhead...
 
The breakdown he gave me was as following

Labor: 2500
Some real nice brand of pre-made harness: 900
ECU tune and calibrate :350
Flywheel and clutch kit adapter (sm465): 600
5.3 vortec with accessories: 1200


I've found 150k mile 5.3 vortecs with ECUs and accessories for $400 to $600 and I know they can be had cheaper from pull-yard
I believe I don't need the entire advance adapters flywheel and clutch kit, just their custom flywheel. My factory clutch (which has less than 3k miles on it and oreilly lifetime warranty) should bolt right up to their flywheel. That should only be $500
Pre-made LS swap harness are all around $600-$900 dollars but I feel that If I'm paying for such a nice harness, then Labor should be a little lower...

$2500 in labor to me should include modification of the factory harness... I can't DIY because I simply don't have the time to commit to the swap.

I'd like to find a place that would use a $500 5.3, the $500 flywheel, $500 in MISC stuff (motor mounts, fuel stuff, bits and pieces) and then maybe $1500 in labor (including modifying the factory harness to work). I don't see why the ECU would need a tune. The factory map should work just fine.
 
Later model ECU's control a ton of stuff.
Usually have to go in and "delete" all the unused options or it won't run correctly.
Bellhousing may need changed; not 100% on the LS1 bolt pattern.
Only part of your harness that will be used (so far as engine) will be the hot ign, and the starter leads.. maybe some gauge feeds.
Fuel system takes some major mods. Higher pressures, inline or intank pump, return lines.
What it "should" cost and what it "actually" costs often times boils down to you paying for someone elses knowledge, time, space and equipment.
 
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