How long would an LS Swap take? - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

86Bijou · 04-06-2023, 07:28 PM

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.

Joveen · 04-06-2023, 07:36 PM

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

Sent from my SM-F936U1 using Tapatalk

soundman98 · 04-06-2023, 08:19 PM

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.

RToyo86 · 04-06-2023, 08:43 PM

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

strat61caster · 04-08-2023, 05:38 PM

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..

NOHOME · 04-08-2023, 06:36 PM

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.

soundman98 · 04-08-2023, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NOHOME

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!

DarkPira7e · 04-08-2023, 09:02 PM

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

Spuds · 04-08-2023, 09:06 PM

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.

Sapphireho · 04-09-2023, 08:34 PM

I think we should ask Mr. Owl.

Ernest72 · 04-13-2023, 01:37 PM

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.

NoHaveMSG · 04-13-2023, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ernest72

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

ZDan · 04-13-2023, 02:17 PM

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

04-06-2023, 07:28 PM	#1
86Bijou Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2023 Drives: Scion FR-S Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	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.

04-06-2023, 08:19 PM	#3
soundman98 ProCrastinationConsultant Join Date: Sep 2013 Drives: '14 Ranger, '18 Tacoma 4Dr LB Location: chicago-ish Posts: 11,330 Thanks: 35,240 Thanked 13,673 Times in 6,781 Posts Mentioned: 98 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	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. __________________ "The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time"

04-08-2023, 09:02 PM	#8
DarkPira7e Rust bucket enthusiast Join Date: Feb 2017 Drives: 2013 Turbo Firestorm FRS Location: Vermont Posts: 3,932 Thanks: 3,198 Thanked 4,095 Times in 2,045 Posts Mentioned: 31 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	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 __________________ Turbo FR-S Build - Build Thread JDL EL Recirc manifold, Boostlab BL58x Turbo w/ T51R, 17x9 ARC-8, IAG block

04-08-2023, 09:06 PM	#9
Spuds The Dictater Join Date: Apr 2017 Drives: '13 Red Scion FRS Location: MD, USA Posts: 9,427 Thanks: 26,108 Thanked 12,430 Times in 6,146 Posts Mentioned: 85 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	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. __________________ If a picture is worth a thousand words, a model is worth ten thousand pictures. Also: "Build Thread"

04-09-2023, 08:34 PM	#10
Sapphireho ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Join Date: Mar 2016 Drives: '15 ultramarine Location: Idaho Posts: 13,192 Thanks: 5,451 Thanked 18,240 Times in 8,609 Posts Mentioned: 155 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I think we should ask Mr. Owl. Attached Images

04-06-2023, 07:36 PM	#2
Joveen Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Drives: Bone stock Location: Windsor, CT Posts: 764 Thanks: 534 Thanked 232 Times in 162 Posts Mentioned: 8 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	35k can get you a turn key ls swap done by sikky Sent from my SM-F936U1 using Tapatalk

04-06-2023, 08:43 PM	#4
RToyo86 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Drives: 17 Asphalt 86 Location: Ottawa Posts: 2,163 Thanks: 1,706 Thanked 2,195 Times in 1,124 Posts Mentioned: 13 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Pure automotive does a turn key LS3 swap last I checked in that realm of budget. You send your car type of service.

04-08-2023, 06:36 PM	#6
NOHOME Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Drives: RAVEN Location: LONDON ONTARIO Posts: 787 Thanks: 86 Thanked 786 Times in 341 Posts Mentioned: 12 Post(s) Tagged: 2 Thread(s)	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.

04-13-2023, 01:37 PM	#11
Ernest72 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Drives: 16 Silver BRZ, 04 Silver WRX wagon Location: Rockland county, NY Posts: 1,410 Thanks: 181 Thanked 768 Times in 439 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	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.

04-13-2023, 02:17 PM	#13
ZDan Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Drives: '23 BRZ Location: Providence, RI Posts: 4,584 Thanks: 1,376 Thanked 3,890 Times in 2,032 Posts Mentioned: 85 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	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

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