poorboyracing

sup guys,

I just came up on a FD for 2000.00 with a brand new motor (not reman), brand new turbos, and new drivetrains (the previous owner gave me all the reciepts from the local mazda dealer). The FD has minor front end damaged..... and I have all my stock parts from my VR FD to replace it with. I was thinking about doing a regular LS1 conversion (with no mods) and was curious..... how much did you guys spend on the LS1 swap? and what year LS1 is recommended? I tried searching here and torque central but came up empty handed. Let me know..

thanks

poorboyracing

formerpistonluvr

sweet deal!!! generally, the newer the ls1 the better, try to get something 99+. If you get anything newer you might luck out and get an ls6 block. ****, I wish I could find a deal like that....

poorboyracing

Thanks,

I just put in a new battery in right now... the new engine, turbos, and drivetrain was installed at 145k miles on the odometer and the car currently has 146k.

Please let me know how much you guys spend on the whole swap.

thanks

poorboyracing

owen is fat

wow, I dunno how you searched here and TC and came up emptyhanded, thats just amazing. anyhow, a fresh, newer LS1T56 complete dropout is gonna set you back $3000 or more, unless you buy a totalled firbird/camaro and part out the chassis/cabin stuff you dont need then cut up the frame for scrap, going this route gets you a dropout for around $2000 by the end because you can also use the fuel pump, radiator, some exhaust, etc.

I found a deal on a 1998 LS1 for $1500 with harness and computer then a 2000 T56 for $1000 and a Z06 clutch/p.plate for under $200. of course a low mileage '02 LS1T56 would be best, it has the best of the best and newest parts/revised tranny, etc. but even a 1999 LS1T56 will be the same power and possibly much cheaper. most guys say to stay away from 1998 LS1's because the computer/harness is different (unique) so its not as commonly suported, plus the '98 cannot be bored over in case of piston wall damage (thin sleeves). you definitely want a firebird/camaro dropout (f-body) as the corvette accessory layout, oilpan and header design is a bit different and not as "drop in". definitely find a dropout in good running conditon with the wire harness and computer (PCM).

I paid for computer reprogramming, wire harness cleaning up and labelling, those services together were $750 total from www.speartech.com

you'll need a custom driveshaft and the entire LS1FD mount setup which is very complex (sending in your front subframe to be modified) but available thru www.hinsonsupercars.com and its just under $2000 for the mount setup and driveshaft.

some guys reuse their FD exhaust, fuel and cooling systems which does work well if you dont plan on modifying the LS1 at all, with it running around 300-350 rwhp. throw in a cam and heads to get 400-500 rwhp then you should really upgrade fuel, cooling and run a new exhaust too.

how's that?
oh yeah, $2000 is a steal for an FD, even for a rolling chassis.. has that FD been salvage titled?

poorboyracing

Thanks for the great info... I probably used the wrong key words in the search box. did you all the work yourslef? and was it a PITA to install? or did you have a shop do it. btw, my new fd has a clean title.

blackkiller7

i did mine for 13 (i did all my labor so far) including the car and i have a few things extra

poorboyracing

how much excluding your car?

Mdessouki

iTrader: (7)

i got a great link ill post when I get home. It list everything by partand the associated cost. The guys total figure is like 18k but 5k is weels and suspension and anothe 4k in tools and a welder. Check back for it tomorrow. Im sure you can part 4-5k in drivetrain stuff to offset the cost. Im hoping to have less than 10k (thats a very high estimate) including the cost of my car (ls1fd). Mike

blackkiller7

go to torquecentral.com under the v8 rx7 forum and do a advanced searched for the name lowjack name of the thread is "its here".should help you

turbogarrett

iTrader: (1)

Drewman, or wingsfan on this forum had a nice breakdown. I spent ~$10k on the conversion, but added cam/valvetrain, stage 3 clutch/al flywheel, shorty headers,ported tb,pulley etc. Check hinsonsupercars.com for pricing on the conversion parts.

I would recommend a '01+ fbody pullout- it has ls6 intake manifold, better exhaust manifolds, ls6 oil pump and you have a chance that you will get the ls6 block( I got one )

wingsfan

Figure $8K-$10K if you do all the work yourself.

Here's my break down

http://www.torquecentral.com/showthread.php?t=18372

poorboyracing

Is this a stock engine installed? Im asking this because I live in california and would like it to be state ref and will be able to pass smog. For now Im trying to get as much info as i can....

Im dropping the car off on monday for the front end repairs and will be pulling the 13b out after. I need to sell all the 13b stuff before i can start on a new project because i do not have enough room. I have three complete engines/turbos/ trannies to get rid of

Mdessouki

iTrader: (7)

http://www.torquecentral.com/showthread.php?t=18372

SmogSUX

iTrader: (12)

Wait...if it has a brand new engine in it why take it out?
Kick *** find though dude...and in cali too I wish i found one

wingsfan

Nope, my motor is cammed and has an LS6 intake. If you live in Cali you have your own set of issues that you'll have to go through. You should PM Spaceman Spiff over at Torquecentral, as he's spent a lot of time researching exactly what he needs for his car to pass Cali smog.

It sounds like a real PITA, and there's no way I'd have done my swap if I wanted to keep a street legal car in Cali. Of course, if you have a smog guy that will go easy on you, or let a few things slide, things would be easier.

owen is fat

yeah I did mine (LS1FC) all by myself and it was fairly simple work too, nothing really complicated. I would never pay a shop to do it, they would charge an arm and a leg for it but 90% of it you could do yourself, very easily and even alone. there are only a few things where you'd be better off with 2nd person helping out.

wow, killer deal on a FD, nice work.

GsrSol

Spaceman is making his Cali smog legal and it appears to be a handful. There's no way I would have done the swap to make it smog leagl.

payne

Hey, Im spaceman_spiff over on tc. Yes, they can be smog legal, but yes it ads 100% complexity on the swap. If you need any specific questions, shoot me a PM, and Ill give you my telephone number.

Ill have mine in San Jose in April, and will be happy to give you a ride, to see what 350ftlbs of torque is like at 3000 rpm