LS2 Build
05-18-2012, 02:47 PM
#101
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Again (team, i see what you mean),
Chris, and the guys at his shop, are comfortable with doing this knowing where Im at with funds. He would not have told me himself to move the car to his shop if he didnt know what my funds looked like. I promise guys I wanted to wait because I did not believe I was ready. Chris reassured me that it was ok where I was at, and asked me to just do it.
Im sorry it might have seemed too soon to some of you guys, but he WANTS to do this as much as I do i think.
Why do you think it took him such short time to introduce himself? I showed him what some of you guys said, it's definitely obvious he is looking to move forward with this project regardless what any of you guys have said about me or the swap.
-Robert
Last edited by Blackbriar2189; 05-18-2012 at 02:54 PM.
05-18-2012, 02:55 PM
#102
it can be done for much less than $20,000---Lol.
Now if you go out and buy a brank new complete engine and trans --the costs go through the roof. But with 100's of thousands of these engines out there--you dont have to do that
If done well and with a good used drivetrain (and dont go crazy with the horsepower) i am guessing between $7000 to $10000.
Like the OP also said --the shop is very familar with swaps--so the time for the build will be less and time is money.
Now if you go out and buy a brank new complete engine and trans --the costs go through the roof. But with 100's of thousands of these engines out there--you dont have to do that
If done well and with a good used drivetrain (and dont go crazy with the horsepower) i am guessing between $7000 to $10000.
Like the OP also said --the shop is very familar with swaps--so the time for the build will be less and time is money.
05-18-2012, 04:53 PM
#105
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05-18-2012, 04:56 PM
#106
05-18-2012, 05:00 PM
#107
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05-18-2012, 05:13 PM
#109
if done well it could look pretty good IMO... Id rather have a turbo 20b... but im sure a LSx swap would cost half as much.
Im unfamiliar with that 383 build tho I heard it was redneck as hell.
Im unfamiliar with that 383 build tho I heard it was redneck as hell.
05-18-2012, 05:50 PM
#110
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Speaking of living at home. When I was 20 I moved back home. I offered to pay my dad rent while I was back home and looking for a job and then saving money to get an apartment. He basically gave me one of the best life lessons. He told me to keep the rent money and save it for the apartment. I was a bit confused and told him I wanted to pay my way. He said if you pay rent then that means you live here. You are just visiting. Save your money and get on with your life.
LOL...I thought it was a bit harsh at the time and it took many years to really appreciate what he meant.
LOL...I thought it was a bit harsh at the time and it took many years to really appreciate what he meant.
Frankly, I would rather my siblings (thank god I don't have any) pay rent/board as it teaches them something in life (like my parents did), instead of being bludgers.
05-18-2012, 06:12 PM
#111
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Just my 3 cents...YES it can be done.....that is not the issue for me..
It has always has been what type of an abortion of a car do you want in the end?, what do you want "not to work".
For me it is not successful if the transplant takes away any of the cars character, handling, and more importantly features.
Anyone can throw whatever engine (almost) into a body shell and get it to work.
As 'brilliantblackrx8' said, what about the cars Electric Power Steering, factory Speedo Cluster, Heating and Air Conditioner System, Traction and Stability Control/ABS, Immobilizer System, and all the other myriad of black boxes (Air Bags) that all work together through factory ECU (PCM).
Every one of the above just adds $1000's to the job, or you go without, change management system and what do you end up with.....?
Good luck, I hope you have deep pockets.
Whatever happens don't blame the maker..
It has always has been what type of an abortion of a car do you want in the end?, what do you want "not to work".
For me it is not successful if the transplant takes away any of the cars character, handling, and more importantly features.
Anyone can throw whatever engine (almost) into a body shell and get it to work.
As 'brilliantblackrx8' said, what about the cars Electric Power Steering, factory Speedo Cluster, Heating and Air Conditioner System, Traction and Stability Control/ABS, Immobilizer System, and all the other myriad of black boxes (Air Bags) that all work together through factory ECU (PCM).
Every one of the above just adds $1000's to the job, or you go without, change management system and what do you end up with.....?
Good luck, I hope you have deep pockets.
Whatever happens don't blame the maker..
05-18-2012, 08:05 PM
#112
but cant you run those "systems " off the oem pcm and most of the engine stuff off another?
For example --the eps doesnt require the engine data to work, neither does the a/c, air bags, or abs--right?
Now yes the tcs and stability will need the engine data in order to work but isnt that all?
For example --the eps doesnt require the engine data to work, neither does the a/c, air bags, or abs--right?
Now yes the tcs and stability will need the engine data in order to work but isnt that all?
05-18-2012, 11:03 PM
#113
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Ignoring the financial issue, id like to offer some advice for the swap..
Don't put a stock ls2 in. Yes it will be a huge upgrade for an rx8, but the first time you have your *** handed to you by a vette or mildy modded mustang or f-body you are going to be all sad panda face. While the engine is out on a stand it will be far far easier to put in a decent street cam and maybe some heads. Once it is crammed in that rx8 engine bay it will be a huge job to upgrade these things. Not to mention the car will need to be tuned anyway, so you might as well do the mods now or you'll have to retune again later.
You can snag a used cam off ls1tech for $200-$250. I'd recommend something with a 220-235 duration on a 114 lsa. This would still be completely street friendly while giving you more grunt at all rpm. If you want it a bit more aggressive drop to a 112 lsa and/or go for upper 230s duration. Add a set of patriot gold dual valvesprings and some hardened pushrods and the whole cam swap will cost you under $650.
I am personally running the 228r(228/228 .604/.604 112) cam and it is fantastic!
Heads would be a huge help, but they will be a touch more pricey. If you really look you can snag a nice set used for under 1k.
Don't put a stock ls2 in. Yes it will be a huge upgrade for an rx8, but the first time you have your *** handed to you by a vette or mildy modded mustang or f-body you are going to be all sad panda face. While the engine is out on a stand it will be far far easier to put in a decent street cam and maybe some heads. Once it is crammed in that rx8 engine bay it will be a huge job to upgrade these things. Not to mention the car will need to be tuned anyway, so you might as well do the mods now or you'll have to retune again later.
You can snag a used cam off ls1tech for $200-$250. I'd recommend something with a 220-235 duration on a 114 lsa. This would still be completely street friendly while giving you more grunt at all rpm. If you want it a bit more aggressive drop to a 112 lsa and/or go for upper 230s duration. Add a set of patriot gold dual valvesprings and some hardened pushrods and the whole cam swap will cost you under $650.
I am personally running the 228r(228/228 .604/.604 112) cam and it is fantastic!
Heads would be a huge help, but they will be a touch more pricey. If you really look you can snag a nice set used for under 1k.
05-19-2012, 02:37 AM
#114
Ignoring the financial issue, id like to offer some advice for the swap..
Don't put a stock ls2 in. Yes it will be a huge upgrade for an rx8, but the first time you have your *** handed to you by a vette or mildy modded mustang or f-body you are going to be all sad panda face. While the engine is out on a stand it will be far far easier to put in a decent street cam and maybe some heads. Once it is crammed in that rx8 engine bay it will be a huge job to upgrade these things. Not to mention the car will need to be tuned anyway, so you might as well do the mods now or you'll have to retune again later.
You can snag a used cam off ls1tech for $200-$250. I'd recommend something with a 220-235 duration on a 114 lsa. This would still be completely street friendly while giving you more grunt at all rpm. If you want it a bit more aggressive drop to a 112 lsa and/or go for upper 230s duration. Add a set of patriot gold dual valvesprings and some hardened pushrods and the whole cam swap will cost you under $650.
I am personally running the 228r(228/228 .604/.604 112) cam and it is fantastic!
Heads would be a huge help, but they will be a touch more pricey. If you really look you can snag a nice set used for under 1k.
Don't put a stock ls2 in. Yes it will be a huge upgrade for an rx8, but the first time you have your *** handed to you by a vette or mildy modded mustang or f-body you are going to be all sad panda face. While the engine is out on a stand it will be far far easier to put in a decent street cam and maybe some heads. Once it is crammed in that rx8 engine bay it will be a huge job to upgrade these things. Not to mention the car will need to be tuned anyway, so you might as well do the mods now or you'll have to retune again later.
You can snag a used cam off ls1tech for $200-$250. I'd recommend something with a 220-235 duration on a 114 lsa. This would still be completely street friendly while giving you more grunt at all rpm. If you want it a bit more aggressive drop to a 112 lsa and/or go for upper 230s duration. Add a set of patriot gold dual valvesprings and some hardened pushrods and the whole cam swap will cost you under $650.
I am personally running the 228r(228/228 .604/.604 112) cam and it is fantastic!
Heads would be a huge help, but they will be a touch more pricey. If you really look you can snag a nice set used for under 1k.
05-19-2012, 07:18 AM
#115
One of my ebay contacts just sold a fairly low mileage LS6 out of an '01 Z06 last week for $3995 or offer, I think he ended up taking less for it though. That would have been a good start.
05-19-2012, 07:49 AM
#116
like i said --lots of these engines around.
he is on a budget --do the stock swap--enjoy all the TQ. Yall know once a project like this starts --it is never over.
He is also on the oem diff/axles.
Heck I would go with a truck engine first.
Or --hold your breath--- a v/6 engine.
he is on a budget --do the stock swap--enjoy all the TQ. Yall know once a project like this starts --it is never over.
He is also on the oem diff/axles.
Heck I would go with a truck engine first.
Or --hold your breath--- a v/6 engine.
05-19-2012, 08:19 AM
#117
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Thats another issue altogether. The stock diff in a manual rx8 is something like 4.77 ratio isnt it? That flat wont work with an engine with a 6500rpm rev limit and a T56. The gears are going to be rediculously short. Its gonna be like driving a kensworth.....
You can buy an LS6 longblock on LS1tech for like $1500 
Here was a brand new crate Ls6 from an unfinished project for $2900
http://ls1tech.com/forums/parts-clas...longblock.html
Here was a brand new crate Ls6 from an unfinished project for $2900
http://ls1tech.com/forums/parts-clas...longblock.html
Last edited by Mawnee; 05-19-2012 at 08:38 AM.
05-19-2012, 10:29 AM
#118
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here is a average price of any ls swap for any car
ls1-1500-1800
t56-1800-2000
ls2- 4000+
bh factory heads and cam package (includes mls head gasket, arp head studs, ported oil pump, new seals and gaskets, and new plugs and wires)-3800
monster clutch and flywheel-800
ecu-100
harness-600
mounting kit-(inlcudes motor and trans mounts, drive shaft, dash harness integration, ps kit, clutch adaptor kit, radiator hoses and some of them include oil pans)-2000-4000
then i always tell the customer to plan for another 2k for anything that might come up. for example the pretty thing-an lines, valve covers, chrome parts or anything of that nature that might want to be added in the process of the swap. but 90% of the time im handing back the customer money from this fund that we will hardly ever use.
so no its not cheap and no matter what you do it wont be cheap. people dont understand how much is actually involved and its not just "o well all you need is the motor and mounts and bam done." LSX stuff changes every day in price for the very reason of what i call drift tax. And thats just because the demand of ls motors have gone thru the roof in the past few years.
05-19-2012, 10:33 AM
#119
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but cant you run those "systems " off the oem pcm and most of the engine stuff off another?
For example --the eps doesnt require the engine data to work, neither does the a/c, air bags, or abs--right?
Now yes the tcs and stability will need the engine data in order to work but isnt that all?
For example --the eps doesnt require the engine data to work, neither does the a/c, air bags, or abs--right?
Now yes the tcs and stability will need the engine data in order to work but isnt that all?
05-19-2012, 11:15 AM
#123
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from what i understand the diff is sold for around 600hp but its the axles that dont hold. either way the only way to find out is to blow it up and go from there. the z for example has 400 ftlbs of torque and is using the stock diff. we ran it at the track on slicks and the diff never blew but the t56 mainshaft actually split in half!!!
05-19-2012, 11:45 AM
#125
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from what i understand the diff is sold for around 600hp but its the axles that dont hold. either way the only way to find out is to blow it up and go from there. the z for example has 400 ftlbs of torque and is using the stock diff. we ran it at the track on slicks and the diff never blew but the t56 mainshaft actually split in half!!!