Hot Rod Garage: Low Buck LS-Swapped '79 Camaro

[Adam]

Oh yeah!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyuAXsqaqfA

They have a price list towards the end, which I have posted for convenience and discussion:

ls-camaro.png

They over-spent on the driveshaft, but mentioned they didn't mind stepping it up over the original V6 shaft (diameter) to take future power upgrades. Turbo? The rest of the stuff sounds about right for what someone could expect when swapping an LS into some neglected shell.

I also wonder about why not keep the 4L60E as they are using the stock PCM. Unless with future upgrades they plan on ditching it for something more programmable, in which case it kind of makes sense. Yes the 3-speed is terrible for a street car, but they will take it drag racing so who cares.

[Adam]

Also, keep in mind the parts list does not cover the exhaust, as the car doesn't have that, yet.

[kevm14]

I saw this last night.

They paid like double for the engine. That money should easily buy an LQ9. I probably would spend extra and get an LQ4 + 4L80E though. Which I think would have been possible for what they spent on this LM7 + TH400. That would have also skipped the trans adapter. Could have saved a few bucks on the cooling fan (junkyard) but $75 isn't bad.

Good concept though.

[Adam]

LQ9 + harness + PCM + manifolds + accessories = $1200? Please show references.

Also, they are in southern California, so local salvage prices around there are different that what we see up here in NE.

[Adam]

If they do plan on some non-OEM engine management, I just poked around the Internets and all the 4L60E/4L80E standalone trans controllers seem to run $500+.

[Adam]

LQ9 + harness + PCM + manifolds + accessories = $1200? Please show references.

Also, they are in southern California, so local salvage prices around there are different that what we see up here in NE.

eBay isn't the best source of pricing, but here are some buy-it-now auctions:
$2050 - engine + manifolds + harness + PCM + accessories
http://www.ebay.com/itm/6-0-LITER-ENGIN ... 1488463910

$4899 - above + trans
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2003-LQ9-ENGINE ... 1637626290

LQ4s are a little cheaper:
$1750 - complete engine
http://www.ebay.com/itm/6-0-LITER-ENGIN ... 2019722937

$1900 - complete engine
http://www.ebay.com/itm/6-0-LITER-ENGIN ... 1924671428

[Adam]

The cheapest LM7 I found is $950, but is from a later truck w/electronic throttle.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/5-3-LITER-VORTE ... 1870440253

[bill25]

Also, they are in southern California, so local salvage prices around there are different that what we see up here in NE

I agree. Also, the cars in there aren't rusted to nothing like around here.

[kevm14]

I found them complete for $800 on Car-part.com. Takes some digging. This wasn't exhaustive either.

Doesn't matter if it is cable throttle or DBW, because you can just convert. The PCM side is handled with programming, which is needed anyway.

[kevm14]

Probably the way to do it is the way Sloppy Mechanics did:
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale ... 4597&Log=0

Still looking but 2 grand buys an LQ4 with accessories, harness, PCM, 4L80E, a driveshaft (that you could shorten), a 12 bolt (or 14 bolt?) axle, and anything else you need. Then you scrap the rest. The 79 Camaro build is as sloppy as they come so this formula, with a Trans Go HD2, should hold 600+ rwhp. It is a 2006 so it has the strong rods, too.