crazy3rdgen

iTrader: (1)

im in a little decision making right now... not sure to go with a built 350 or an LS1... I wouldnt buy the Ls1 brand new cause thats too expensive.. how hard would it be to find one used , and be able to pull the motor and trans. i am only 16 and dont have the best wallet but do have the time i guess.. please help in my decision so i can start getting swap parts soon. thanks

Ace

iTrader: (2)

a used ls1 isnt cheap either..

350 would be the cheaper bet..

its all what you want outta your car.. dont let other peopel decide for ya

FLYNLOW92rs

iTrader: (53)

16 on a tight wallet and not very much experience

I would do the built 350, the LS1 is not cheap on your wallet.....

Pony Killer

i would go with a 350.. not the ls1

89FormulaLS2

I've got two LS1 swaps going right now, an 89 Firebird Formula and a 91 Camaro RS.

Here is a short list of JUST the major parts you will need to do an LS1 swap:

Engine - $2k to $4k used, price varies per mileage
Tranny - $1200 is a low price on a low mileage 6-speed
Harness - $750, unless you are a wizard at wiring and do it yourself
Other - $2k++ You will either have to buy pre-made motor mounts, or a tubular k-member. You'll need to buy or modify your tranny crossmember. You will also have to custom make at least a y-pipe for the exhaust. Your gas lines will have to be modified because the LS1 is different, and if you need emissions you will have to upgrade to a 4th gen gas tank as well. There are several other things you may or may not have to change, depending on where you live if you need to keep full emissions and streetability. THEN.......... this will get you a STOCK swap into an LS1/6-speed. If you want mods, let the spending BEGIN!!!!!!!!!

The bare minimum you are going to spend on a STOCK LS1 engine/tranny swap is somewhere around $6k-$7k, and that is if you don't pay anyone else for labor.

If you need to keep the $$$ down, building a 350 will probably be cheaper and easier.

HOWEVER, if you can afford it, there is no substitue for an engine that gets over 300 rwhp STOCK, or a 6-speed tranny that gets 25++ mpg on the highway......... even AFTER mods!! :hail:

It's all really dependent on what you want out of your car, how much you want to spend, and how fast you want it finished.

Adam

crazy3rdgen

iTrader: (1)

6-7grand is alot just to be getting 300 rhp..im pretty sure if i built a 350 with 6-7 grand i could almost get close or double 300 hp.. why go through all that money and only get 300 rhp? not saying thats not a good streetable hp but i wouldnt spend all of that just for the 25mpg... maybe if i had the bigger wallet.... theres always time later on for the Ls1 since im only 16.. plus the super charger for one of these ls1's are what 6 grand..holy shat!! do you guys agree with me on the hp difference or am i loosing it.

sean

89FormulaLS2

No, I agree with you.

If all you want is 300 rwhp, putting the LS1 into a 3rd gen is EXPENSIVE compared to other routes. I was just saying that 300rwhp "stock" is a much better place to START than the other route, then add mods and you are styling. If you can afford to go that extra mile with heads, cam, headers, bolt-ons, a good tune, etc., then the LS1 in my opinion is well worth it.

You are correct, the LS1 blowers are NOT cheap. Although when you do all the basic mods and have over 500 hp, then supercharge it and jump up to 700-800 hp, there is obviously a benefit if you are looking for raw power. Like I said, it really depends on how deep your pockets are and what you want out of the car.

You are 16, have plenty of time to build another project car in the future, $$$ is obviously a key factor, and you need to be able to afford LIFE, too. Now, if you had the money to be debating whether to do a 3rd Gen/LS1 hybrid or buy a Vette, I'd be telling you to go with the hybrid LS1 all the way!! :hail: But personally, I'd go with the SBC if I were you.

crazy3rdgen

iTrader: (1)

k thanks... at first i guess i didnt realize all of the money needed to do this ls1 swap. thanks for the info

yamahaguy91

dont forget all the aftermarket parts for a LS1 are very pricey too cams 3-400 intakes 6-900 damm. wait 3-4 more years they will be cheaper.

the only way i would do a LS1 swap is so when you open your hood and people think wow he put some time in too that. (that is if the people know thats not the stock motor) nothing looks tougher then a carb or carbs.......

LS1= MPG
carb=HP for cheaper


P.S dont forget 7grand into a 350 carbed and you can spank almost all LS1's all day long and leave them wondering why

crazy3rdgen

iTrader: (1)

LS1= MPG
carb=HP for cheaper

i totaly agree with that statement.

fattdaddy

LS1

crazy3rdgen

iTrader: (1)

this thread is pretty old.... Already made my choice 350 vortec

fattdaddy

Still


LS1