LSX Swaps For Dummies

I think I've settled on finding a 6.2/6 speed to swap into my Monte Carlo. Before I try and learn everything from scratch is there a good place to steal ideas or a kit to simplify this?  

Um, text me?  I could walk you through it pretty easily 

Internet Conventional Wisdom®  would have you believe:

1)  Go to any junkyard and buy LSX for $279 and a taco

2)  Open hood

3)  Insert engine

4)  ???

5)  Burnout!!!11!!!!!

I'd be making a call to Holley. If you want it to drop in, bolt up and plug in like it came there from the factory, they make everything. Mounts, harnesses, retrofit exhaust manifolds and headers and oil pans and accessory drives, and all under one roof.

Oooo 6.2 aren't those significantly more expensive than a none-ls2 6.0? 

One of the sponsors on the forum advertises LS swaps for all vehicles.  Worth a click through at least.

If the ad comes up I'll post it.

I don't know anything useful, but I'm excited about the build thread.

Stock frame clamshells, adapter mounts, F-body-ish pan, headers for a G-body, trans crossmember to fit the trans, BURNOUT after making sure you have enough fuel pump. 

In reply to Ranger50 :

You forgot, exhaust, driveshaft, fuel system (all of it tank to fuel rail), power steering adaptor fittings and hoses, radiator, radiator hoses, body harness/engine harness wiring (depending on how you do it), new ECU if you want it simple, fluids, and more. 

In reply to asphalt_gundam :

No I didn't. Depending on how you do it, those don't cost nearly anything like the rest. Besides don't need ps for burnouts nor a radiator and hoses and exhaust. Of course the 1200$ terminator x is the stupid easy button.

Wally (Forum Supporter) said:

I think I've settled on finding a 6.2/6 speed to swap into my Monte Carlo. Before I try and learn everything from scratch is there a good place to steal ideas or a kit to simplify this?  

Nothing constructive to add but berkeley YEAH!!1! to Wally getting his Monte together!

Pat has helped me figure out a direction to go.  Of course I also found I have some foundation problems on the house to cut into the toy budget but I'm still hoping to put a good dent in it over the winter.  

yupididit said:

Oooo 6.2 aren't those significantly more expensive than a none-ls2 6.0? 

Yes, but at least they are alll aluminum, so compared to an LS2 or gennie LS3 they are not terrible.

I nearly bought a 6.2 Suburban with all sorts of issues for $1500.  I offered double what the trade in would have been.  They traded it in anyway

Yes, I absolutely would have pulled the engine, wiring harness, pedal, and ECM (it wasn't a PCM! Separate TCM) and then scrapped the truck.  Probably would have spray painted the headlights because turnabout is fair play.

Pete. (l33t FS) said:

Probably would have spray painted the headlights because turnabout is fair play.

I suspect this has a straightforward explanation, but I have no idea what it is.

Jesse Ransom said:

Pete. (l33t FS) said:

Probably would have spray painted the headlights because turnabout is fair play.

I suspect this has a straightforward explanation, but I have no idea what it is.

Drive a car that isn't modern gigantic.  Drive a car with trophy wife in the Suburban tailgating you.

Beeerrrrrrrrrrrrrk Suburbans.

(trophy wife is a state of mind... a lot of men are trophy wives too)

In reply to Pete. (l33t FS) :

Okay, that I totally understand. I think I was trying to be too literal about "turnabout" and was wondering who painted your headlights, or what junk yards do, or... In short...

Mr_Asa said:

One of the sponsors on the forum advertises LS swaps for all vehicles.  Worth a click through at least.

If the ad comes up I'll post it.

Stupid ad finally came up.  Here ya go

https://americanpowertrain.com/?utm_source=https%3A%2F%2Fgrassrootsmotorsports.com%2F&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=Grassroots

This is GRM, so maybe you don't want to spend the 25 bucks.

6.2 LS stick Monte sounds great!

I just want to say a 6.2 Gbody Monte Carlo is way more cool than a C8 Vette. 

You can put a LS into a GM product?  I did not know that.  

Ranger50 said:

In reply to asphalt_gundam :

Of course the 1200$ terminator x is the stupid easy button.

Hip Hop DJ that will help swap an engine? Sign me up. 

Use as many GM parts as you can (lots of evidence of Holley results on YouTube).  Realize that there are zillions of iterations of the LS, which includes computers that operate them.  Do not assume non-mechanical interchangeability.  Get the most complete and original swap you can.  LS1Tech is a great info resource, especially when you have specific search terms (problems/goals).

Looking forward to the build, Wally!!

I've been mentally building a project that I hope to start next year (LS swap into a GMT400) and must admit that while everyone's done one, the sheer volume of info out there is overwhelming to a guy who grew up with British cars. 

-Rob

Anyone wanna sell me a 6.0 engine? 

In reply to wheelsmithy (Joe-with-an-L) (Forum Supporter) :

I stumbled onto an Eastwood store this morning and picked it up. 

In reply to rustomatic :

I've been watching auctions for a six speed camaro to take as complete a package as I can get and maybe swap in some other modern bits.