lukeg15

im considering swapping a ls motor into my foxbody mustang.
i was just wondering if anybody thats done this swap can help me out.

need to know;
does anything need modified or can i buy everything?
how much would everything i need cost? minus motor.
what tranny is best? i was thinking turbo 400.
any tips and details on the swap would be alot of help.

cost;
planning on getting a junk yard motor around $400-$1000.
cam-$400
intake-250$
carb-??
everything i need to swap the motor in-????

any help would be apreciated. thanks.

boostnut

iTrader: (7)

I'm getting ready to do the same swap on an sn95. Add aprox:

$350 for k-member
$600 for headers
$150 for trans mount (or fab your own)
$400 for wiring harness (for efi setups)
$500 for a good tune (for efi setups)
$700 for a cam swap ($400 for the cam + springs,pushrods,&gaskets)

You may as well add another few hundred bucks for misc. hardware, fluids, cleaners, paint, .......

This is assuming you're going to get a pullout from an f-body. Add a bunch more $$$ if you're getting a truck pullout. You'll need an f-body oil pan, front accessories, and intake. The truck stuff is cheap at first but may not be a bargain in the end compared to a f-body pullout.

Sooo, now that you got that LS1 from an f-body you'll need another 3 grand worth of goodies then you'll need a torque converter since you upgraded the cam (add $400 - $1000). Unless the rearend of the fox has been redone add an additional $200-400, its probably worn out. One thing leads to another, its a chain reaction. Good luck!

lukeg15

just guessing its gonna be around 5 grand for a ls swap. not too horrible.

thanks for the help!! appreciate it.

72Elkytpi

iTrader: (47)

I would just get the car running first and then change everything out. Mine has been sitting for a year and Im just now getting to the electrical. I went with a stroker 408 though and a t56 which they now have a kit from Mcloed for the hydraulic setup.

zipster

iTrader: (5)

Just keep you eyes out for deals, I got a LS1 intake for $30.00, made a lot of my stuff, used the truck accessories and water pump. I bought the Jegs U weld it header kit. ($89.00) and ls1 flanges from http://www.lasertabs.com/gm-ls1-header-flang1.html they were 22.00 each plus shipping, and they are very nice pieces. look at my photobucket, there is alot of info there on modding the truck stuff to fit.

My engine is a 2002 LQ4 101k, came with harness, computer, ALL accessories, water pump, alternator, power steering pump, a/c compressor all the lines, intake and exhaust manifolds, flywheel, starter, mass air meter, for $1030.00 shipped to my door.

The trans is a 2006 GTO M6, 18k miles for $1400.00 shipped.

The clutch is a 2008 Z06 clutch assembly I got it for $314.00 new in the box.

The deals are there, just be patient.

lukeg15

Yea I've read a little about the aje kit that supost to have everything I need to bolt a ls motor and tranny in. I could find out if the kit works with any ls motor. If it came with headers or not. And I could find out what all it came with...

If anybody has a link to their site were it tells alll about the aje kit and could post it I would appreciate it. Thanks

boostnut

iTrader: (7)

It'll work with any ls engine but I'm not aware of a "kit" offered by AJE. I think you'll have to buy the k-member & specific engine mounts seperate. You may also end up buying their tubular control arms. To my knowledge AJE does not make or offer headers. Look for Kooks or Dynatech headers (or fab your own).

lukeg15

Yea I was positive they had a kit. Someone mensioned it in a thread and I couldn't find it. I've also herd of using a 4.6 k member and mounts. Any idea about that?

kornerz

iTrader: (5)

+1
i like to drive my car, I dont want to worry about the k flexing or breaking on me as im going through a corner at willow springs. thats why i got rid of my aje k member and went with a 4.6 with modified mounts.

zipster

iTrader: (5)

AJE sells their k member with engine mounts, the kit is designed to use stock or tubular control arms.

lukeg15

@zipster.... are you using aje's k member on your swap?
if so, how is it? any problems?

burlst/a

iTrader: (2)

i used the qa1 subframe 4.6 mounts,351 headers with ls flanges swaped on.had to massage the floor a lil bit to clear headers.custom d-shaft ( 6 speed ).ran a carb loved it and am now doing a blow thru turbo.DONT BUY THE EDELBROCK KIT GET THE INTAKE,msd controller that is programable.its not too $$ to do just come up with a plan and work it in there.

zipster

iTrader: (5)

Hey Lukeg15,

Sorry on the slow response, yes I have AJE's k member. It fit very nice. No problems at all. I used my oem control arms with poly bushings and sn95 ball joints, UPR coil overs and cc plates.



AJE's k member is a nice piece, especially for the price. Check out my photobucket more pics there.

bjamick

iTrader: (31)

Ya I'm in the process of doing mine right now. I bought my entire AJE K-member, spring perches, and mounts for $400 shipped to my door. Which is cheaper than buying it from AJE after shipping and all. If interested PM me.

Also for my fuel system, it cost me prob $300 for pump, fittings, and fuel line, and corvette filter.

Headers can be a 351 swap fox body header in which you cut off the flanges and weld on an ls1 flange. Cost me $350.

Gotta think about a driveshaft, bc you will most likely have to have on cut and then balanced which is another $150.

z28kidd

iTrader: (2)

oem control arms as in the ones from an ls1 or foxbody???

RATBOX

iTrader: (26)

That'd be a hell of a trick to make F-body control arms work. Foxbody arms, man.

zipster

iTrader: (5)

@Z28kidd,

It was the OEM Mustang control arms. I just bought the poly bushings, and replaced the ball joints with the SN95 ones. I went this route because I bought items here and there, easier than buying $200 tubular arms. Eventually I will switch to the tubular arms.

LS88FoxBody

iTrader: (2)

You ever get your car done?

erics3000

I am thinking of doing the same. I am picking up a 90 coupe this weekend. I need to do some more research. I think I would prefer the iorn block but would love the 6.0 instead of a 5.3, but in th eend may not care. I think it will really matter on what deal I find. I have a few questions if you guys have soime time?

All of these blocks are 6 bolt mains?

Any other key difference from the LS1,2,3and etc? ANything I should really look out for when looking for a junkyward swap?

Anything specific on heads from the versions?

Any of the LS motors come with forged pistons?

Any other fox body swap advice?

What do you guys use to tune your efi conversion. I would like to pick up a motor marness and ecu all together. But down the line I will most likely turbo and not sure what the ls guys usually use to tune these motors?

Thank you in advance for all the info?

hoopty

Just to let you know it can be done with out buying any after market pieces. To date so far I have less than $1500 in this swap. I am using the stock k frame. My LS1 is from a F body and has a turbo 350. I am using the stock exhaust manifolds with 2 1/2 inch pipes.