How long would an LS Swap take?
 

I was debating on storing away my FR-S or selling it in order to get a new V8 powered car such as a Mustang or Corvette, but I just couldn't get rid of the FR-S, I love it too much haha. Does anyone know how long an LS Swap would take? How much too? I have a budget of about 35k and I want to put a hell of an amount of power into my FR-S. Possibly an LS2, LS3, or maybe even a 5.0 Coyote.

35k can get you a turn key ls swap done by sikky

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depends on when the clock starts, who's ordering parts, who's installing the parts, and who's tuning the parts, and what tools are being used.

Pure automotive does a turn key LS3 swap last I checked in that realm of budget. You send your car type of service.

With $35k just get a used pony car and keep the 86. Seems like a win win right there, I sure as hell don’t want to put that kind of effort into this car and never get it back.. :iono:

I have done a few engine swaps and even body swaps for fun. The truth of the matter is if you are not wanting to do the swap yourself, you are not going to be happy with the results.

As a first timer you just don't know enough about the many details of an engine swap to know what you are getting into. Sorry, but the first time you do an engine swap, what it really teaches you is how to do it better next time. It is not easy and the results will never be as good as the OEM quality that makes most cars great to drive.

35k is not a bad ballpark figure, there will be hundreds of $100/hours spend on the project.

Not saying don't do it, but your fist one will either be your last one, or you will get hooked and want to sell the car so you can do it better next time.

and that also doesn't properly account for the tool cost that goes into a motor swap like that. because no one has the proper tools until after they finish the project!

Also keep in mind, V8 power and torque are lost on this platform without serious work to put the power down.. car that come stock with a lot of power are usually large and heavy for good reason

Have you test driven one of the V8 alternatives you mentioned? The SS 1LE is pretty good if you want something faster. Not sure what they cost nowadays.

I think we should ask Mr. Owl.

That extra weight up front might not feel as good as you think. Just get a muscle car. If you miss the twins you can always come back.

If it's done right you maintain pretty close to factory weight bias. Our engines sit very far forward in the engine bay. Vorshlag documented their swap along with F/R weight bias. It was pretty close to stock weight bias and about 150lbs heavier.


https://www.vorshlag.com/forums/foru...-alpha-project

No getting around the fact that the engine and trans are heavier, also an LS is quite a bit longer front-to-back vs. the Subie flat-4, so even though you can situated it closer to the firewall, the c.g. is still pretty far forward. From what I've seen, like vs like (ish), it moves FT weight distribution from a crappy 55/45 to an even worse 56/44. Not great for putting big power down...

Still, should be a lotta fun! But I'd sooner "just get a vette". And I used to drive a 6.8-liter LS3 FD RX-7! But that car was 50/50 with driver and fuel :burnrubber: