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DIY LS Swapped JK

203K views 120 replies 42 participants last post by  gravitywell 
#1 ·
So about a month ago i threw a rod in my 3.8L motor. Since then its been in the shop in the first attempt to replace the motor. I bought a remanufactured motor from and online seller and had it installed at Tire Pros in stilwater, MN. After about 3 weeks of labor and time wasted waiting for parts to arrive they got it going. Only to find out there was a serious problem with the motor as it had a serious knock. Well when i got that news i decided to just scrap the stock motor send it back and begin planning for a new bigger and stronger heart.

After looking at the price for a Hemi swap i got the idea from a friend to look into the LS swap. Well with the high availability of junk yard motors it would be prefect and relatively cheaper for initial install. After that the mods are endless and also a dime a dozen. SO WHY NOT?

After a little research i came up with the following build plan. I know I've only scratched the surface but here's what i got for now:

Motor: 5.3L LM7 V8 from a 02' Silverado Price: $1000

Tranny: 4L60 Built transmission from a 04 tahoe Price: $1500 / 6L80E Price: $1999

Aftermarket mounts Price: $700

After that there are tons of electronic odds and ends that need to be added or thrown out. I think this will be the hardest part of the build. Getting harnesses to play nice seems like a big challenge.

The turn key kit from MOTECH for the ls swap is priced at $5200. Think i can fab shit to lower the cost and only buy absolute necessities. List of shit includes:

Alternator mount kit, fits your JK alternator to the LS engine.
A/C compressor mount kit, fits your JK A/C compressor to the LS engine.
P/S mount kit, fits your JK P/S pump to the LS engine.
E38 GM computer programmed for your engine.
MoTech's JK to LS wiring harness with power distribution center PDC, supports AFM/DOD and VVT engines.
ECM and PDC mount.
Transmission shift cable mount and lever.
Accelerator pedal and mount.
Aluminum expansion bottle and mount.
A/C line kit.
Air intake kit. (Air Filter not included)
Serpentine belt 6K1015.
Harmonic balancer set, includes new bolt.
Emissions kit - includes fuel tank pressure sensor, EVAP vent solenoid, hose and hardware.

Anyone with any experience in swapping LS motors please let me know if you have any advice. This is going to be a learning experience for me. Thanks guys! :drinks::Thanx:
 
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#9 ·
I agree.. Keep in mind your time, and it's value to you when factoring $5k vs. fabbing stuff yourself..

Good luck!
 
#12 ·
No LS swap experience but I have done small block to big block conversions.

To state the obvious, don't forget about the exhaust. You'll need to come up with a way to route duals & aftermarket headers or DIY. X-pipe, Cats, Fuel pump. Radiator, most likely with core support mods.

Included in the Motech kit?
 
#14 ·
Courtesy of NFRs2000NYC It's Time to SUPERSIZE Moby - MoTech 6.2L LS Jeep Motor Swap

They have a set of manifolds that will work with this setup. I suppose that's a good place to start. I am hoping to do a true dual setup with body exits in front of the wheels. Maybe lame... Just what I visualized as badass lol.
 
#22 ·
Awesome but I don't think pictures would suffice when you're done we are gonna need some videos so we can actually hear the LS. I was gonna do an LS swap in my 02 s10 ZR2 but bought my Jeep instead (Better investment) so I wanna see how this plays out. Good luck though cause with all the s10 swaps people were saying the parts and engine price weren't bad but there was a ton of nickle and diming that eventually caught up with them.
 
#23 ·
Yeah that's what im thinking. Nickle and dimes... ;) lol As soon as I get this off the ground I'll start posting pics. Stay tuned. It'll be a couple weeks before I start getting parts.

At this point I'm planning and making sure I have all the pieces and research to finish it.
 
#39 · (Edited by Moderator)
Welp... Rear Main seal went out tonight... God i wish i was rich lol. Im so sick of this pile of poop minivan motor!

If i could have 3 wishes, i would only need one, Deliver all the V8 parts to my house overnight and lets get this stuff going :)
 
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