How I find FREE or CHEAP LS engines to SWAP
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- Опубликовано: 24 июл 2024
- How I get Ls engines to swap into projects for free or extremely cheap!! This is THE BEST way in my opinion to get LS power for little or no money out of your pocket!
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I found a 2002 Tahoe thanks to your advice the engine is perfect transmission too. The problem is i cant find a single thing wrong with it even the ac blows cold with no rust. Sad to say but the truck is now my daily driver and i still need a ls engine. :(
That's happened to me a few times also. No worries, there's plenty more good donors out there, just keep looking. Congrats on the new daily driver!
Thanks bro
For the big win
That would be me! 😂 I appreciate a nice clean suv I wouldn’t tare it down if it’s a nice clean
LOL
I do HVAC. My boss just gave me 2- 2003 3500 vans! Both run and drive!!
SCORE!!!!!!
@@MohawkMotors yep! Both lq4's. They just sat at the shop. No gear heads work there but me, so the other day I just asked "hey can I have those vans?" Answer: "sure, I'll get the titles for you". One of the coolest things to happen to me ever!
@@kevdaveteran9388 man that's awesome!!!
Great video man! Content is clear audio is clear no shaking cams and no other BS.
Swapped will be going into my Bronco pretty soon.
I ended up finding my donor (05 Yukon 5.3) thru a friend of a my uncle who was tired of fixing it, he had just rebuild the trans and started having issues with it not moving after driving it a few miles, turn out to be the brakes would stayed locked up after driving it, Made it 50 miles before I had to get it towed the last 30 to my house. Pulled engine, trans, t case wiring then sold rest for $500. I was moving so no time to part out anything else. as a thanks my uncle kept the nice wheels n tires and slap his clapped out ones on the donor
Thank you!
That's a good way to find donors "tired of fixing it" come up pretty often for good prices. Hope you swap goes well!!!
Thank you for sharing your knowledge and Taking the time to make these videos, I have recently come across your channel and I am now subscriber again thank you for sharing your knowledge
You're very welcome! Thank you for subscribing!!! Glad to share what I've learned
Thanks for the very clear, smart, sensible LS swap info. My plan is to swap a first gen S10…when time and space allow. Still holding onto a ‘79 El Camino for now!
Glad it was helpful! Ls in an S10 will be a lot of fun!
Definitely needed to see this! Going to start looking into some light duty trucks and SUVs to try getting a decent donor setup!
there you go!!!
Wow you gave me alot of awesome ideas! Thanks for taking the time to make this video! 👍👍
No problem! Glad it was helpful!
I've been seriously mulling over trying an ls swap in my '68 Chevelle. Thanks for the info and motivation. I subscribed too✌️
Thanks for the sub!
Excellent guide to buying cheap engines. Donor vehicles are the way to go, otherwise you end up paying for every little thing. If swapping into an earlier vehicle the harness can be greatly simplified while keeping the stock ECU.
Thank you!! And yes, it's sooooo much easier having the whole vehicle to get every little odd and end that you didn't think of.
Forget the trucks and suvs. Almost all 4wd around here. Go for the rusty one ton vans. 6 liter, probably lq4 and 4l80e. Almost worth what you’ll pay for it after you strip it when you scrap the husk. Good advice on how to buy for sure.
Depends on your local market, there are very rarely vans at a low enough price for this to work around here in MD, but there are plenty of rusted out 4x4's. Vans do make great donors for 2wd projects though if you can get them at the right price!
Shit my 5.3 pretty much fell in my lap I bought a z71 for 800 dollars that had a blow head gasket
Vans are a great idea
I’m not killing running vehicles for an engine that i can easy find in the junkyard. Just go to your local you-pull yard and pile the engine and everything to go with it on a cart. They’ll give you a flat price for a “dressed engine.” Most I’ve paid is $500
none of the donors I take apart are road worthy vehicles. Either frame rust, transmission failure, number of issues that would cost more to fix then the vehicle is worth, or other issues remove all of them from roadworthiness. a you pull it junkyard is not an option for everybody so I put this video out to help other who may not have access to a u-pull it. $500 is decent for an engine, I've profited off of every vehicle I've purchased as an engine donor (yes profit, meaning I end up selling the pieces and parts I don't need, for more than I paid for the entire vehicle) and I still have the engine to use.
Again donors are not road worthy vehicles, I'm not saying go buy someone's daily driver to use as an engine donor. I'm saying find the clapped out POS that someone just wants out of their sight and will sell to you for scrap value or just above, and use the good engine out of it for your project.
The market seems to have stabilized in price. Used your advice and grabbed a 2006 2500HD with 6.0 and 4L80. Was a totaled utility truck. After striking out repeatedly looking for just the motor I saw this video and everything clicked. Looked for the vehicle with the combo I wanted and had it narrowed down in an hour. Thanks man. Great advice. 👍
Yes, market is definitely starting to come back to reasonable. Glad it helped and you found what you needed!!!
How much did you pay?
I somewhat agree that if it sounds ok with lots of miles- it's a go- but- rockers can go at anytime. It's literally impossible to tell unless you pull them and inspect for "looseness "
Yeah the only way to be sure is to check them yourself. I just see soooooo many people that are convinced they need to find an engine with under 100k miles on it in order for it to be worth using, when the reality is, these engines are just as likely to have a failed/noisy lifter at 50k miles as they are at 250k miles, and you can get the higher mileage engines soooooo much cheaper.
I agree with 100 percent I was never into LS motors but recently got a 99 5.3 out of running driving truck that was crashed for 400 bucks and going inside my 93 ford ranger with a th350 I already had
Heck yeah! Thank you!
That 5.3 ranger is probably a beast!
Hell yea I just got 5.3 for my 72 Cutlass running smoothly and quiet for 350 complete 😁. Hope to have it swapped in a week or two.
Heck yeah that's a good price!
What engine and tranny mounts did you go with on your swap? I'm doing the same thing on my 68 Cutlass. 5.3 and 4L60e.
VERY ENCOURAGING! I think I can do this!
I absolutely believe that anybody with basic mechanical skills, and willingness to learn is capable of doing an LS swap and finding themselves a cheap donor to do it with!
Watching this video pumps me up to start looking !!!
Great Video Mahawk M , I'm also in Maryland . i wish i new your location so we can chat about some projects . cheers
I'm in kind of middle/western maryland. Near Frederick
Good advice, subscribed.
Thanks for the sub!
Must be heaven to have so easy to get hold on a donor or just a engine. Not so easy here in Sweden.
It is really nice to have them so easily available. I've heard it can be extremely difficult and expensive to get your hands on them in Sweden and other places as well.
@@MohawkMotors Now I don't know how many LS based cars and trucks that's are around here but in my part of the country we have extremely many American cars but I am quite alone drive a Tahoe, definitely alone with a Victory red one. Do you do any business overseas or just local when you part out the truck's?
A victory red tahoe is definitely and unusual sight, even in my area. I have done a little bit of business in canada on smaller parts, but shipping makes it pretty cost prohibitive to do business outside of mainland US. I'd love to ship overseas but it's soooooo expensive on a small scale and I'm not a big enough operation to ship and entire sea container (the only economical solution I've found) of parts. Maybe someday......
Haha I probably made that jayco rv! Great video!
No kidding? That's awesome!! Thank you!
You can buy these Chevys all day long for 1-2k. Drive them home, sell everything you don't need. Free swap motor and trans most of the time and no need to deal with butchered garbage at the auto wreckers.
Yup, exactly
Personally, my reason for wanting to find a 6.0L LQ4 is that they're usually mated with a 4L80e as opposed to the 4L60e. The 4L60e is just an electronic 700R4 and I can't count the number of 700R4 transmissions I've had go out on me. If I have to, I will go with a 4L60e but if I can I'm getting an engine with the 4L80e.
All solid reasoning, especially based on your experience. Hopefully you can find one, there's still plenty of them out there, tricky part right now is finding them at a good price, the truck market is so insane right now. I my area you cant even buy a rusted out shitbox for less than $3,000 unless you get extremely lucky.
@@MohawkMotors Yeah I've been looking around FB Marketplace in my area and anytime I find something that's $1000 to $1500 its always "parts only - engine and transmission are gone". I may just have to go the Ebay route and pray I don't get screwed.
yeah, you gotta look often and be able to get there fast to get the ones that someone else hasn't already snatched for the same reason
I need to travel to the Northeast. Everyone of these trucks is $5k here. (We don't have rust issues)
Yeah, the rust is a blessing when it comes to finding donors. Unfortunately it's also a curse if you want your vehicles to last more than 10 years.
I have a 2002 Silverado I'm going to use as a donor for my LS S10 swap. Body and frame are rotten but the motor and trans are still strong.
perfect donor!
I’ve been dying to do a V8 S10 for years but I wound up coming across a ‘79 El Camino first. But somewhere in my (near?) future, there’s an LS10!
I hope your swap goes well!
This video provides well-presented valuable info without time-wasting fluff or BS!
2007 Ltz with a vortec 5.3 . The aluminum variety. Motor and transmission work great . 200,000 miles on it . I can buy truck for 2500 bucks . I plan on using lots of the parts on a 65 c10 pickup. Brakes , engine and transmission and whatever else I can do . Any thoughts ? Worth it ? It’s a California vehicle. Zero rust .
I would go for it. In my market you would have to pay at least $2500 just go get your hands on the engine and transmission. You'll have the entire drivetrain and brakes to use on your project and can probably get at least $1500 to $2000 back selling the body panels and bed, not to mention any interior pieces you can sell. I would definitely go for it!
7:00 check your local laws but most states consider a vehicle with a VIN and no title to be stolen goods since you have no way to prove you own it. Also most junk/scrap yards will not take the shell when you are done without the title.
yes, each person should check their local laws because depending on where you live, you're absolutely right.
Awesome advice 👍
Glad it was helpful!
I live in texas so a wrecked truck might be the way to go. No rust down here
yeah, outside of the rust belt wrecks are your best bet
hi jason i was watching your video about the replacement of the center console on a 2007 chevy silverado 1500 crew cab. My console is like the cheap one that gives you a center seat and what i need to know is if you have the hardware for the passenger side of the console and if a separate part from the seat. I bought one but it looks like is missing a part to attach to the two bolts on the passenger seat. That part may help the console suspended about 2 inches from the seat and allow it to be moved up and down. I would really appreciate if you can tell me if i need another part. thanks
Some pictures might help, I'm really having trouble picturing what you're missing. I would just compare what you have and see what's different.
My truck had a 6.0 stock and the oil cooler lines exploded on a mountain pass and it locked up. I wanted to put the same engine back in it but the 5.3 can be had in any junkyard for 400 while 6.0 get picked on arrival and can be had for 1200 at the lowest. Debating on just rebuilding the original motor at this point since 6.0s are a kings ransom. But might see if I can find a LQ4 donor before I go down that road.
If you're not in a hurry, I would bet you can find an entire truck with a good running 6.0 in it, for the same price as most people are asking for just a 6.0. In my area people are asking $900 to $1,500 for a 6.0 that is laying on the ground in their yard. I bought an entire 07 classic 2500HD with a good 6.0 in it for $1,500 last week. The deals are out there, you just have to be patient and find them.
@MohawkMotors I found someone parting out a 2500 burb and got the 6.0 out of it for 500. Is the version with iron heads but that's OK because I have 2 sets of aluminum ls heads laying around.
There ya go! Perfect
Really good info
Thanks!
Also in MD, Central/Northern PA is a goldmine for them.
Yes it is! I don't know exactly what they spread on the roads in PA but it DEVOURS steel. I've gotten quite a few from PA
@@MohawkMotors PA Copart is my go to, routinely get roadworthy silverados for less than $1000 with towing directly to me...
I've been exploring Copart and definitely intend to do some purchasing from them in 2022.
1:40 most likely had at least one trans swap and probably a motor too. dash odometer is not reliable to check motor mileage. could even be a swapped cluster with higher miles.
very true, you never know for sure.
Long story short, lost my 260 on my 1964 Ranchero. I am looking to replace it with a 302. At this point I know I'll have to replace the transmission as well. I'm not looking to race this car just restore and drive around. Would love to hear people's opinions as I am not sure if I should try to get a 302 or 4.8 LS.
It's really about what you prefer. What are you going to enjoy in your Ranchero? I don't know how many differences there are between a 260 and a 302 but I'm sure there are far more differences to go to a 4.8LS, transmission bellhousing pattern and mounts, motor mounts, ignition system, etc. just food for thought. Either way though do what you will enjoy the most.
@@MohawkMotors Agreed. I am going to keep a Ford engine in it. Was looking at the 4.6L. I'm going to see if it fits the Ranchero.
Appreciate you Sir
Thanks! Appreciate you watching!!
Going to look at a 2500 suburban, tomorrow. Hope to get a 6.0 for my 1970 Chevelle 🤘
Heck yeah. If it's the original engine it should be a 6.0, or an 8.1. Good luck! Hope you get a good deal!!!
@@MohawkMotors just bought it $2500. It runs great. Almost too nice to take the engine and scrap the rest... tranny shifts great, 4wd works, cold AC, leather seats, moonroof, rear DVD. Thoughts on what the rest of the truck is worth? The body is really rusty unfortunately...
It'll be slightly dependant on your local market, but near me, the 4l80e transmission would easily sell for $600, assuming it has the push button 246 transfer case that's another $400, if the seats are in good shape and not all torn up they're worth $150 a piece, center consoles are usually $75 to $100 depending on the style and color, differentials usually sell for $150 a piece front and rear, factory cats from the 6.0 trucks are usually worth $300+, and then all the miscellaneous stuff, gauge cluster, interior parts, wheels and tires if they're decent, probably could get another $400 or so. Then scrap whatever left for another $200+
If you have the space to store it and your local market needs the parts, you can easily get $2000 to $2500 back for the stuff you aren't using and get yourself an essentially "free" 6.0 with all the accessories, wiring, and computer.
What are good words to search on the fb market when looking for a ls donor just motor or motor plus 4l80
if you're looking for a motor and a 4l80 search for things like "silverado" or "2500" or "2500hd" "sierra" etc. try thing search for the vehicles that would have what you want in as simple of terms as possible, Usually when people are slling stuff cheap, they don't put a lot of effort into the listing, so it's up to you to know what will have what you're looking for and find it using as little information as possible
how much would you charge to swap a 5.3L into an 85 silverado? Everything has to work, ac, cruise, gauges etc.
My base fee for a swap is $7,000 labor plus all the parts. DM or email me and I can give you a more exact price based on the details of your vehicle.
Love your videos bro I’m doing a LS swap 2000 Silverado donor truck a 2001 I’m going from a 4.3 to a 5.3 taking harness from donor do I need to take computer also yes or no
yes
So do I need to flash and tune it
You'll need to remove VATS
Don’t no what that is lol
the anti theft in the computer
Thanks. . Witch donor car is best to used in a k5 blazer 1979 4x4 . Less effort. Less money .. lol ?
Easiest and cheapest to swap into a 79 4x4 K5 blazer would be a 99 to 2002 4x4 pickup, or suv with a 5.3 engine. You'll need motor mount adapters, and a transfer case adapter to mount your transfer case to the 4l60e, but the transmission output shaft splines will match your transfer case input shaft (assuming your blazer has an automatic transmission) you'll be able to use the throttle cable from the donor truck in your blazer it's a direct fit swap, and the PCM's are super simple so all you'll need to do is remove VATS and add power and ground where needed to run it!
@@MohawkMotors thank you so much for the help. 🙏👍🙏🙏👽
Hey can I buy an LS off you? I’m in Idaho and I’m poor but I’ve saved a little. I need a good one and a good deal. Thanks for your videos I just found them and I’m enjoying them for my swap in my 4th gen fbody.
I'd love to sell you one, but I don't ship engines, sorry Michael
Hey I’m thinking about engine swapping my 2015 Camaro LS v6 automatic to a v8. Any suggestions or advice?
Do a LOT of research. The anti theft systems in the various computer modules and systems are substantially more complex and more integrated into the vehicle in the 2014 and newer vehicles. I'm sure it can be done since GM is still doing platform building, but it's going to be way more complex than these old gen 3 computers.
Is $2000 a good price for a running 156,000 mile 2000 GMC Sierra? The body only has minor dents and the paint is faded from the sun.
It's not terrible. I would try to find something closer to $1000 if you're only after the engine though.
What kind of oil pressure should I be looking for ??? And for how long some truck typically drop after operating temp is reached… I guess the real question is how low is too low ??
I always want at least 30psi of oil pressure at idle with the engine fully warmed up. Until the engine is fully warmed up you can't be sure, if someone dumps thicker oil in it that will make the gauge read higher oil pressure on start up and until the engine gets warm. I wouldn't buy one with less than 20psi of oil pressure at idle fully warmed up.
is there too high pressure mine sits around 60
@@ludlowfilms5183 60 or nearing there can be normal at startup but warm thats not normal lol
@@bobertgregory8540 thanks for your reply, i just drove from nyc to atl, 950 mi, and it was pretty much high 50s the whole time, engine temp was 220 entire trip, any advice what i should look for to get the oil pressure down?
@@ludlowfilms5183 if it goes back down to 25-30 when you stop and idle its working exactly how its supposed to. If it stays at 50 while operating temp at idle then there may be an issue
right i just bought a engine right under 200000 miles, was scared until i seen this video, engine runs
I wouldn't worry about that mileage at all, as long as it runs and has good oil pressure, SEND it
Would one of these engines be good to LS swap a Nissan 300zx? I’m just now seeing this video as I’m looking into swapping one
It could be done. I've seen a few done. An LS4 from an Impala SS or Monte Carlo SS would be your best bet. 300zx is a rear engine rear wheel drive car if I remember correctly, you would need to transverse mount the LS engine and thus need a transverse application transmission (front wheel drive applications in GM vehicles) The LS4 is the only LS engine with a bellhousing bolt pattern to match the transverse 4T60E and 4T80E transmissions. I believe there are manual transmissions that would work also but I don't know the models.
I’m about to do a ls swap in my dads 89 obs I haven’t had time to talk to my mechanic uncle about it yet. If I get the donor can I use the donor computer/gauges/wiring harness without having to get the wiring harness modified?
If you use the computer, gauges, and harnesses from the donor truck, you can probably get them all working with minimal modifications to the harness. But you'll have to modify the dash to hold the cluster, and figure out how to get all the integrated systems working, air conditioning, fuel level, etc.
@@MohawkMotors I think I’m going with the holly. Well depends on what my uncle says. I appreciate it that video was super helpful👍.
Holley makes a great product, very user friendly. Good luck with your swap!
What could I swap into my 97 gmc suburban 5.7 vortex
Depending on your skill level, anything you want. Any gen 3 LS engine would be pretty easy to swap into it. 4.8, 5.3, 6.0, they'll all bolt in with some motor mounts adapters and then you'll just need to do the wiring and plumbing
I'm looking to ls swap my v6 5 speed 2000 camaro what do you suggest?
find a complete engine and transmission harness for a 2000 camaro that came originally with an LS1, and then whatever gen3 Ls engine you prefer.
Why did you but a background beat?
I like it.
Liked & subbed.
Thank you very much! Appreciate the support!!
2:00 as soon as you start getting on an engine with high miles, you're asking for problems.
That hasn't been the case in my experience. So far I've got 5 ls based engine in various projects, all with over 180k miles on them and aside from the parrs I upgraded to performance parts, like cams, and valve springs, the engines are still rocking stock cranks, rods, pistons, and bearings and kicking ass. I have no doubt there are plenty of high mileage engines that have never had the oil changed or were overheated repeatedly or that are making noise and they very well might have issues. But I stand by what I said, if the engine runs smooth, is quiet, and holds good oil pressure, you'll probably never have an issue with it regardless of mileage. As long as you do the regular scheduled maintenance, keep the oil full, and don't exceed the mechanical limits of the engine components it'll continue to run well for a long time.
I live in Waldorf all I can find is capital auction
Yeah I watch capital auction. Not great for finidng donors, but once in a while they come up. Search marketplace, There's usually at least one old tahoe, or yukon, or suburban a week that is being sold for $1000 or less in or around baltimore because the transmission is bad, or the interior is destroyed or it's just rusting away. Use vague search terms like "chevy truck" or "GMC yukon". Typically when people are selling things cheap, they put very little effort into the listing, so you need to find those listings and know what vehicles will have what you're looking for.
Is there a way I can contact you I need advice I just ls swapped my truck
email me
Facebook is somewhat rough to find good deals in california
Yeah, you probably don't have as many rusted out trucks to choose from, I imagine in cali your best bet will bevictims of accidents
@@MohawkMotors exactly 💯
Turn the music up more.
It's a hard balance, some people want louder, some say it's too loud. lol
Would it be possible to put a 6.0 LS into a 1996 Silverado crew cab dually that currently has a 6.5 diesel?
Absolutely, thats a very common swap
I would like to have the gmc
They're out there!
I can't find anything on Craigslist
Craigslist very rarely produces anything for me any more, very few people are still using it. Facebook marketplace has the most listings. Truck market is pretty crazy right now as well but SUV's can still be gotten for $1,000 or less pretty regularly. Just have to sort through until you find what you're looking for.
What would you swap this into?
An LS? Whatever you want. lol Literally thousands of possible vehicles you could swap an LS into.
@@MohawkMotors I think you should swap it into a rat rod :)
It's on my list of projects I'd like to do, just need to find the right starting point at the right price.
All I want is a good ls engine and a reinforced rear axle to do donuts lmaoo
they're out there
Can we please flip it over in my creek first before you pull the engine?
lol, maybe
I'd drive 🚗it
I get a few that are worth fixing up
Lol my 03 Tahoe got 290,000 and run like a soccer player
Heck yeah!
apparently everyone in my area on fb marketplace and craigslist saw this viddy and are now trying to sell their shitty 20yo clapped out gm's for 5k+
lol, it's not just in your area. the market has gone up around me recently too. Trucks that were $600 to $700 pre covid are over $2,000 now. It's pretty ridiculous
@@MohawkMotors yeah i can't even find a dirtbike for a good price but I guess you can always sell while the market is high
Show the swap
I have lot's of swap videos
I'm looking for a detailed video on how to do the Lq4 to 6.2 swap as well. Including xlink and 50x rectifier and seen some used the ctsv or corvette fuel pump
I'm also gonna try the lq4 to lSA swap out of the hybrid. Not using the hybrid part
@@jessejames7140 I haven't done any of those yet unfortunately. I do have plans for a 6.2 soon but it's going in place of a 5.3.
I did use an x-link in my ls1 swapped trailblazer/ascender project. Have to say I would not recommend if you can avoid it, very difficult to get the tune right with it.
Ok that's for the advise. I will keep a look out for your videos
i dont care how many miles if run im gettin it
Me too buddy!
Everybody worried about miles. I've seen engines with 30k miles on them with oil like chocolate pudding and so much sludge you can't even see the rocker arms, I've also seen 300k mile engines that still look brand new inside and are clean as can be. How the engine was maintained and treated are 1000% more important than how many miles are on it.
@@MohawkMotors ive seen 2012 2007 09 70k lifters collapsed .while a 400k tahoe i paid 300 cash ran like a top
Could you purchase one of these and ship me the parts I need like engine transmission brake system differentials front and rear steering column .. I’m in Pakistan !
I would love to help out but I only ship small parts, the big stuff like engines and transmissions is more of a hassle than I'm willing to deal with right now. Thanks for watching!
How much can you pay plus the sea container fees, message me directly
Install my swap I'll pay you lol
Are you local? What am I swapping it into?
@@MohawkMotors I'm in California are you close
I'm in Maryland, unfortunately other side of the country.
You should private the video to stop giving away all the tricks of the trade 😅
Lol, there's plenty to go around, I couldn't get them all even if I tried. Happy to share the knowledge!
@@MohawkMotors yeah but your info is TOO helpful. At least make em work for it. :P
@@MohawkMotors btw subbed for more content like this... Lol
lol, thanks man. I appreciate the Sub and the comments! lol