LS Engine Swap - How Much it Actually Costs | Full Price Breakdown
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ต.ค. 2024
- $5,000? $10,000? $15,000? Can you budget swap an LS? I break down my complete BMW E36 LS1 T56 Magum Swap and explain some ways to save cash and mistakes I made.
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E36 Parts: Site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated
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I’ll spare you guys the time. It cost him $14,577… thank me later
Thank you
I need to screen shot this to all the LS DORKS that say it's cheap and can be done for 5k.....
Dorks have never actually paid for a swap. This video is reality not some fantasy 5k build.
and thats with no labor costs and a cheap engine. Most people can't do the work themselves. So add $5k+ for shop hours haha
Thank you
I am thanking you later
That’s how I did it I bought a 2002 camaro SS with a rebuilt title that was used for Drag racing so it came with good parts. Bought the car for 4500 and sell the rolling chassis for $800 so I finish paying 3700 for the LS1 with some goodies and the T56, took the pcm the driveshaft and pretty much anything I needed for my LS swap. I think I got it all done under 10k but I think is almost impossible to do it for that much now days. I don’t think I could ever sell this 240sx is by far the must fun I have gotten in a car.
If I didn’t already have access to this built motor I think I would have gone that route.
The first rule of engine swapping is to not keep track of cost
I didn't....until this haha.
It's only money and having something in the end that you did all the work on and love is PRICELESS!!! Awesome job and hope to see more on the car soon! Maybe a dry track day or event so we can see it in action.
Thank you, so true! Def looking forward to dry events to really test it out. Should have a ton of grip.
well if you dont have any left besides your ls swapped ride, chances are you signed in for a "bumpy" ride
Never ever ever keep track of the costs. When you compare a complete restoration to the price of a new car the price doesn't feel nearly as bad.
Excellent build...you see so many of these all hacked up/shoe-horned in. Damn nice job!! First class job for a home garage built street machine!! You should be proud.
Don? You know this is your engine right? LOL
@@matt13ross Oh yeah...lol. We'll need more hp in the future!!! Maybe a pair of 35r's? lol!!
No turbos!!!!! LOL
I can definitely see a 10k build like this
"If you clicked on this video you are probably considering LS swapping your car" ...Looks outside at my VW Sportwagen. YES
DO IT! lol
Hey man I just want to say thanks for this video! I love the E30/E36 BMWs and was always curious about LS swapping one. I feel like this gave me the motivation to finally pull the trigger after saving for a while, and helped me get going in the right direction!
Get to wrenching! Not too bad of a swap.
Hrm, I was considering a vortex over building the s52 or going s54, but both of those options may be the cheaper option, and retain the bmw purity plus straight six master race...time to do some thinking.
All solid options!
Ouch! I was able to LS swap my D21 Nissan truck for $2500 and would have been less if I did not need to pay for the driveshaft replacement. That was using an all aluminum 5.3 from the salvage yard.
Sure I could have done it cheaper, but I didn't want to skimp on certain things. I'm very happy with my setup.
@@matt13ross Good. Specially the way you have your car, it looks like you didn't want to be another POS ls swapped that didn't look good. You did it the best way, some just do it the easy way!
Thanks for the info
No problem 👍
still cheaper than maintaining the modern BMW lines like mine (the problematic disaster N62)
Absolutely true!
To do something like this you have to really love the car. 10k is the price for a low miles e38 750iL with a whirling v12.
Those V12s are SLOW!
@@matt13ross I have an e38 (1998 750il) with 25k original miles. I'm thinking about LS2 swapping my e46 (2000 m3)
The part that turns me off from swapping out my small block Chevy out of my classic car for a LS, is that you add a list of things that can possibly can go wrong. a small block Chevy with a carbureted engine are super simple I can fix it with a screwdriver and a pair pliers
True, but at the same time fuel injection is more reliable than a carb. Better starts, better idle, runs cleaner / smoother, etc.
@@matt13ross sounds like snake oil.
I didn’t get into this for mpg’s
But you have no diagnostics. I had a built 383 that grenaded pistons 7&8 because of pre-ignition. $5000 engine trashed. Knock sensors would have caught this and adjusted the timing accordingly.
all that for just a base Ls v8 to have in your car not even boosted not worth it, including the car your prob in it around 20 grand, way better off using the m50 it came w rebuilding that and adding a turbo youd be at double the power for 50 percent less then a LS swap
Base LS? You know the base LS is iron block and 4.8 liters right? lol And there is no reason to add a V8 to these cars if you're going to boost it. Better off boosting the stock S50.
yea i mean just an Ls1 i couldnt justify the spendings on it maybe if it was atleast a ls2 or 3 but even then almost 15k to Ls swap isnt very cost effective
My built LS1 makes 410 whp, way more than any stock LS2 or 3.
Better than any new car.
hey Matt, great video, suck a varied skill set for doing this kind of swap. Any shops that you would recommend to do this kind of swap, since the last time, you stated that you wouldn't do any swaps, which is unusual- since you already have the learning curve. Sure would appreciate your recommendations. thanks,
I think really any fab shop would be happy to do this swap. Especially since there are kits available.
my 92 firebird was 15k too
It’s about 20-30k including cost of donor chassis. But a lot depends on the donor and the quality of build. I’m talking whole build, suspension, interior, exterior, wheels etc. No labor included. Only chumps pay someone to ls swap something
the money you put in that car compare to the pleasure you get fot the time you will use that car is notting, and fot shure whenever you want to sell the car you can get easy 25k or more for it, so just smile drive and enjoy 😜
and please dont scratch it 😄
VERY TRUE!! Give me smiles all the time, driving or just looking at it :). But, DEF NOT SELLING!
i wish you will never need money from that car
U got a bulit ls1 for cheap
How can u think you’d spend less
Thanks for sharing. It looks incredibly clean. How many man hours do you have in it? I spent $15k just on the crate EROD LS3 super magnum kit but it did include harness ,ECU and catalytic converters. Keep the videos coming …
Phew, I can't even count the hours. Definitely a few hundred. That's an awesome engine for you though!
Did you have to do anything to the firewall
The cost of the chassis + $14K for a reliable BMW? 🤔 Money well spent if you ask me.
Haha yes
Hi Matt, Loved the video about the LS swap into your E36. I was just gifted a 2012 X5 with the N55 that has a bad rod knock. Rather than spending a lot of time and money rebuilding the sketchy N55, I'm considering LS swapping it. I can do all the mechanical stuff, but no fabrication or electrical. I checked Pensyltucky and they sell motor/trans mounts only for E36. Do you know of anyone else selling parts that would fit the X5? Is there a way to marry the OEM Body Control Module to either the LS or Holly ECM?
Idk if anyone sells stuff for X5s. That’s a rare swap.
N55 isn’t sketchy? N54 is the unreliable one
could you do something like this without the Holley EFI? like if i got a long block with the ecu, could i do some wiring and get it running with just the stock chevy and bmw components? great vid Matt!
Yup, stock / tuned ECU would work fine. But really, the terminator is better and easier all around.
It cost me about $25k CAD to swap my LS3/4L70E into my Impala.
It adds up soo quickly!
Obviously I don’t know much about ls swaps but what do you mean by a F-body car? What years? What models?
I have a 98 e36 which I’m planning to something cool.
TIA
I have a 325i convertible with basically everything m3 in the rear what did you do for driveshaft ??
Custom driveshaft.
Do you still have the stock rear end and axles?
Yup, just M3 stuff
I just tally’s up my turbo setup in the 36 and it came out to 25k
Built engine? $$$
If its an and ls1 engine how come you got the Ls7 water pump and bolts and not the ls1 water pump and bolts ?
It has a different and better output to fit the E36.
I want to do a LS3 and T56 speed swap on my c4 corvette...but its not just the engine/transmission costs I'm concerned about. From what ive been told, I would have to get new axles, suspension, brakes, ect. $5-10k there alone. But it makes sense. Going from 250hp to 490hp surely would require a beefy system.
Just get big valve ported heads, big cam, high flow intake manifold, headers, and gap every ls3
The cheapest route is to buy a car that has already been LS Swapped and the owner is looking for a new challenge.
If it’s been swapped right. Lots of half a$$ swaps out there.
My guess is 17.5k! Love your videos
Thank you! That was close!
15k
You lost your ass on the driveshaft and the trans. You'd be around your 10k guess without those.
I know. But I’m happy I ended up with the T56 mag. I know I don’t have to worry about that breaking, ever.
But the expensive part is labor‼ When you don’t have the tools and lacking in skills
For sure, you're talking tens of thousands in labor.
@@matt13ross Tell me about it! I’ve been looking for someone for sometime… 😞
Hey buddy awesome car build. I will be getting a E36 soon & I will let u know so that u can do the LS swap for me let me know how much you would charge me to do it
Sorry I won’t be doing this swap for anyone else.
I think when I do mines it’ll be doubled just cuz I live in Hawaii and shipping is mento!
I totally believe that haha
ill stick with my m44. too broke for that
i was thinking it would be cheaper than rebuilding my 52 and turbo but maybe not. im going to start saving and have sikky do my ls swap. the extra money spent to have them do everything with their parts seems like a better long term option for me.
Im not sure what I had into my built S50 turbo setup but I’d imagine it was very very close to this.
@@matt13ross im thinking of just doing a refresh and studs. just want some swooshy noises over power. something to hold me over while i save the 25k for the real power build. end goal is race car.
Stock M50 based engine will hold good power. Just do some good ARP studs and maybe a new HG and you’re set.
Does this work the 328i version of the E36? Not just the M3 version?
Yup!
Whens the e30 coming out?
Probably this winter. But the initial video had no interest so I’m worried it will be irrelevant on TH-cam. Don’t want to waste my time with videos if that’s the case. I am excited to build it though.
Do you want to sell the stock injectors?
Sorry I already did
IDK, the price of a donor car, the wide-body kit, the motor, and all the time and labor would be around $25k-$35k. If you wanted a flared-out sports car with a chevy motor, you could have saved a lot of time and frustration by buying a used Corvette, but it was a cool project if you are a car guy so I get it.
You're absolutely right, but here's where it becomes worth it:
Drive a stock or mildly modified Corvette (which I love) to a car show. Then drive an engine swapped unique car to a car show and see what gathers more attention.
Point is, I like being different. However I will also own a Corvette someday lol.
It would not be 25 to 35k in labor lmao maybe 5-10
@@peytonponder8488 so total would be around 20-25k
Hello Matt. I am considering LS swapping an E36 and making 900-1000whp. My roadblock is the rear-end, I can only throw a few thousand at it. Do you have any suggestions? (Winters/8.8” too expensive)
You can put a 7 series diff in but those are getting very expensive too.
1300 into mine really only plan on spending 3 grand said and done
Must have good hook ups with parts
Will a automatic transmission work
turbo it
NOOOOO lol keeping it s.i.m.p.l.e.
Im 10 bands into mine and doesn’t even run yet lol but I love it
That sounds about right 😂. All the little things add up.
@@matt13ross lol yeah man it’s crazy, I hit you up on Facebook
I’ll check out my messages
LS engine is the easiest way if a person want speed Chevy did a great job
Is there a big difference in weight between a LS1 and a m50/s50 engine? Just wondering if the swap threw off the perfect weight distribution of the e36? Amazing job on it by the way
Thanks! There are documents online with proof but I believe an aluminum block LS is lighter than the M50 engine family.
seeing this expenditure I feel pretty good about mine xD Still, a v8 e36 is very cool and not very common and available right out of the box.
Love my V8!
@@matt13ross it looks very awesome. And given the budget it could have gone much more. This is basically a m3.
"If you clicked on this video your probably thinking about ls swapping your car" no im trying to 3sgte swap my car and im bored
That's fine too!
Would this swap work in a e39 528i? The stock engine is starting to show its age in mine 😅
Yes, you just need E39 swap parts.
is it possible to ls swap a Audi a4 Avant xD?
You can ls swap anything with enough time skill and money.
Did u have to fabricate for the throttle cable to work ??
Nope
Can l do an LS swap to an audi a4 B8 chassis???
You can do anything with enough time and money!
My guess at the start of the video was also 10k.
Close!
@@matt13ross You made a very good point there about starting with a donor car rather than just an engine.
Just blew my n55 motor ready to drop that ls💯👍🏽
Impressive that you blew an N55 lol
My guess would be 5k minimum to do it completely.
Got a question boss
I’m looking to get a e39 540i 6spd m sport
I want to enjoy that car for a good 6 months till I get my hands on a ls9 engine from a c6 zr1 or maybe a LSA
Just for the estimate how much do you think the swap will cost on that
Including labor because I live in nyc and mfers be charging high
Or do you recommend going out of state and get it build?
Honestly that sounds like a $50k swap if done at a shop.
@@matt13ross that’s crazy
Would you recommend getting a ls3 instead and put a tt or SC kit on it later on?
I just don’t know ls3 reliability
LS3 is a great reliable engine. You could get a used one and add a supercharger for a decent price. Or even an LS1 or 2. An LS9 is probably $20K.
@@matt13ross tysm when I start the build I will update you
Might even post a video after finishing it
I’m gonna try my best to make it look like it straight came from factory
I always encourage others to make videos on cool stuff like that!
Yeah I think a turbo e36 cost a little less with a bit more power I change my mind 💀💀
This used to be turboed, it wasn't cheaper and was not reliable either.
Did you have to do anything to the firewall
Nope
I want the 6.0… lets say i found a wrecked Escalade can i use those accessories too?
Yup
Great vid, honest and detailed, you nailed it for the money as well!!
Much appreciated, thanks!
Link to the motor mounts?
Pennsyltucky Performance makes them.
You are making my stomach turn should have just got an old Camro and call it done.
But overall it's what you wanted and you got it 🎉🎉Hope you're happy and it looks great
It needed more power! Engine swaps are fun and unique, that's why I like them.
This is great, love the work. However, a K20 motor and turbo would have been much less expensive and produces more power and is much lighter!
Ew, no terribly sounding honda motors for me!
It’s gorgeous as fuck but damn that’s a lot of schmeckels
Schmeckels? lol
i would say all together 35 k
Hrm I didn’t add up the cost of the car, suspension, wheels, interior, etc.
Please, what is an t56 Gearbox, from which modell? Thanks
T56 mag F. Brand new.
I love that swapping LS❤Thank for your advice about buying a wrecked car
Glad you got some info! Cheers!
I'm guessing plus or minus 12k
Very close!
@@matt13ross love the video and the e36 im hoping to one day make one here in puerto rico
How he get all those low prices? eBay?
How much more would it cost if you put an LS3 6.2L?
At least another $5K.
40,000 grand?
No
Why is all this so complicated. I just want to buy my engine😭😭😭
Ha, not as simple as it seems!
Everyone should try to do an LS swap at some point, don't worry about what other builds costs. Anyone can do it for any budget!
With more time, patience, and fabricating, it is doable to get a really nice finished product for as cheap as you want. I have an American classic with an NA 5.3L with sloppy stage 2 cam, headers, aluminum intake, cut down wiring harness, Aluminum coil covers and a turbo 400 with a 3000 stall converter and a slap shifter built into the factory console and the swap maybe cost me 2K all in? This includes lots of trips to the junkyard, for instance building a driveshaft with a yoke from an escalade and a shaft from a 97 Ford. It includes some fab work like making your own exhaust and trans mounts, and it includes some 3d printing like making poly bushings, spacers, intake ducting/couplers etc. And also selling off everything you don't use, everything.
You could go even cheaper if you wanted. Shave down and paint the truck intake, fabricate your own engine covers, fabricate your own rad hoses, use a factory cam from a newer LS, get a 4.8L etc.
Can always go cheaper, and can always go more expensive. I went about in the middle. Some guys buy a brand new LS engine for 10K plus!
13:00 what is a f body car?
Chassis of GM vehicles. Like late 90s Camaro, Firebird, etc.
I’m probably high but I’m saying 13k
You were very very close!
@@matt13ross honestly I was quite surprised, but all the little stuff does add up
It really does
minus wife...PRICELESS
So did you do all the work? I didn’t hear of any labor cost.
Yea I did it all.
5.7?
looks like a clean install
That was the goal!
What kind of work do you do?
How much cost for engine
It's in the video.
Did u do the m3 rear diff swap
Yup, stock M3 rear stuff for now.
Cool man I've got a long way to go but I've got a 325i and a ls1 and some motivation to make it happen hopefully I can keep it street and track it on the weekends at barbers motorsports
Work on it a little here and there and it'll be done before you know it!
Stock diff?
Stock M3 rear diff and axles. 3.15 LSD
@@matt13ross 🤔 I’m going to need to add the cost of a good LSD for my E46 swap.
LSD is a must!
Which out the friends who can get you amazing deals , your spending $16k-$18k
Factor in headache, wrong parts, mechanics hustling you, inflation, set backs
Lots of people tell me they do it for like $2k lol.
@@matt13ross I don't believe them , I hear people tell me that too.
Siemen Injectors 🤣
Confused
Where did you buy the water hose connections ?
Amazon, eBay, and Rockauto all have them.
Go carburetorated , you would have cut the price iin half
No way. Fuel injection is so much better
@Matt13Ross you're right. Im thinking of buying a cheap E46 and doing the swap. Maybe get a chevy truck and go 5.3 or something
Go with aluminum block
Luckily it’s a Chevy motor or it would blow up with all those eBay parts.
You know eBay sells name brand parts right?
Man, it's not even expensive considering the end result
Thanks! It would be very expensive to pay labor l.
@@matt13ross, true. But i'm going to pay 4 for the swap anyway as i have no time to do it myself. There is no light, powerful and relatively cheap car on the market now. So 30K for a swap seems cheap.
@@matt13ross forgot to say thank u for the video!
Thanks for watching!
Does a/c still function?
Not yet, going to add it back in.
No,
C est trop
Huh?
@@matt13ross your work is Amazing, but you should have put in a BMW V10 or BMW V8 engine .... less work, less cost
What engine and transmission mounts did you get?
Pennsyltucky performance. It’s in the video
@@matt13ross sorry must have missed it. Thanks!