LS Swap, Shop Recommendation, So. Cal if possible.

[HocusPocus]

Like the title says I am wanting to do an LS engine and trans swap in my 1978 Vette with the catch of it needs to be smog legal. Not looking for a fire breathing monster motor, just maybe double up on the 180 or so HP it came with from the factory. The car is pretty clean with only 72k miles on it but it's just not that fun to drive, so I'm thinking a little more HP would help.

 

[sixdays]

@bonesfab is in Camarillo and does some pretty awesome work. I think this is right up his alley.

 

[bonesfab]

@bonesfab is in Camarillo and does some pretty awesome work. I think this is right up his alley.

thanks for the mention. We are actually doing a 86 c10 with a Erod ls3 swap. And we just did a 67 chevelle with 430 ls3

 

[HocusPocus]

Msg sent. Thanks

 

[Get415]

@bonesfab
What would be a ball park $ to do something like that? I have an original 283ci in my 63 Chevy. Car is too big and heavy to be a hot rod but something reliable and faster would be great. I always go back and forth since the car is all original.

 

[bonesfab]

Since someone brought it up and mentioned me. I have been playing with ls swaps for years. These are some that are the shop now that I walked around and took pics this morning. A couple of my own swaps are i here. Some are done and some are being worked. As far as cost goes, just like anything else. Depends on what you start with and how many option boxes you check. My dually was probably the cheapest swap I have done but it is all stock and trying to get it past the ref has proven to be a pain. I have done a few ls3 erods and got them past the ref. We did a Jeep cj7 a few years ago with a 02 camaro ls1 and got it past the ref. If you have any questions let me know. If you want to do one yourself let me know. I sell all the parts also. I am a dealer for a lot of the big brands. Holley, Edelbrock, Wilwood, Dakota digital, vintage air etc.

 

[t&y]

@bonesfab
Hmmm... 74 CJ-5, T-18 Manual.

It's third in line right now as far as my projects go, but I've been real curious about swapping a "LS" V8 vs a V6. Are the V8 swaps so popular because the accessories that are available vs a V6 swap? Either of the modern engines would be better than my AMC 304.

 

[bonesfab]

@bonesfab
Hmmm... 74 CJ-5, T-18 Manual.

It's third in line right now as far as my projects go, but I've been real curious about swapping a "LS" V8 vs a V6. Are the V8 swaps so popular because the accessories that are available vs a V6 swap? Either of the modern engines would be better than my AMC 304.

A 74 your golden. swap whatever you want in it. A 5.3 would work well for that.

 

[28skater]

@bonesfab
Hmmm... 74 CJ-5, T-18 Manual.

It's third in line right now as far as my projects go, but I've been real curious about swapping a "LS" V8 vs a V6. Are the V8 swaps so popular because the accessories that are available vs a V6 swap? Either of the modern engines would be better than my AMC 304.

Yah Jeeps like LS motors!

 

[t&y]

A 74 your golden. swap whatever you want in it. A 5.3 would work well for that.

Yah Jeeps like LS motors!

28skater that jeep sounds very healthy. I'm just thinking more of actual practicality of the thing. I would assume a modern V6 would get better MPG overall and still have plenty of low end torque for crawling and HP to get off the line when needed. I'm just a bit behind the curve on the available adapters between Engine and Tranny's, computer harness, etc... If I ever get around to swapping something in there I don't want to go the rare route and then be stuck with crazy expensive or having to modify every part to work.

@HocusPocus Sorry man, don't mean to thread jack you. That is a badass Vette. I would daily drive the shit out of it as long as I could put gas in the tank. For that application, I'd be putting in the biggest modern LS you could. Sucks that in Cali you still have to deal with the Ref stations . It used to be easy to get things past (or so I'm told) if you knew the local smog guys.

 

[HocusPocus]

@HocusPocus Sorry man, don't mean to thread jack you. That is a badass Vette. I would daily drive the shit out of it as long as I could put gas in the tank. For that application, I'd be putting in the biggest modern LS you could. Sucks that in Cali you still have to deal with the Ref stations . It used to be easy to get things past (or so I'm told) if you knew the local smog guys.

No biggie, everyone welcome!

 

[bonesfab]

No biggie, everyone welcome!

I sent you an email. Let me know if you didn't get it.

 

[JayBreww]

I sent you an email. Let me know if you didn't get it.

Got any old running sbc 350 laying around! Trying to get my 55 on the road.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bonesfab]

Got any old running sbc 350 laying around! Trying to get my 55 on the road.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

How many do you need. I have a stocker that we pulled out of a truck to put a 383 in. I have a nicer one with aluminum heads. Let me know

 

[troostr]

Why don't we just rename this the "Hey Bonesfab, gimme a ballpark" thread?
How about healthy LS and 6L80 (?) swap? And since it's static and you're a dealer, drop some air ride under too. I know it's aged out for CA, but we don't have refs in NM. I would Love to drive this out to you, and back home!

 

[RitcheyRch]

bad ass caddy

View attachment 863224


Why don't we just rename this the "Hey Bonesfab, gimme a ballpark" thread?
How about healthy LS and 6L80 (?) swap? And since it's static and you're a dealer, drop some air ride under too. I know it's aged out for CA, but we don't have refs in NM. I would Love to drive this out to you, and back home!

 

[Husqy510]

I've seen bonesfab's work at the local cars and coffee and he does great work.