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I'm ****ed
- Thread starter derian06
- Start date
So your mechanic has done gobs of 5.3 swaps yet you are having to source your own engine? Does he not have a line on where to source some from?
At the end of the day, you will have upgraded your truck, but its not really an upgrade when you can just go buy that option from the factory. Just like dropping a V8 into a V6 camaro or trying to put a Cummins in a gasser Dodge.
You better well get a written contract and scope of work as to what your 10k is buying you with your mechanic. Have to talked to any references yet?
I agree with your approach to upgrade, but I don't think its just as easy as writing a check as your mechanic has led you to believe. If it were that simple, you would already see several vendors offering upgrade installations and at least some upgrade "parts kits" available. Maybe the demand is just too low, I don't know.
I've done an engine swap, I can tell you from experience, the engine itself will only be about half of your material cost. Its all the accessories and things required to get it hooked up correctly that add up quick. This is not even counting the labor costs.
Good luck with this.
At the end of the day, you will have upgraded your truck, but its not really an upgrade when you can just go buy that option from the factory. Just like dropping a V8 into a V6 camaro or trying to put a Cummins in a gasser Dodge.
You better well get a written contract and scope of work as to what your 10k is buying you with your mechanic. Have to talked to any references yet?
I agree with your approach to upgrade, but I don't think its just as easy as writing a check as your mechanic has led you to believe. If it were that simple, you would already see several vendors offering upgrade installations and at least some upgrade "parts kits" available. Maybe the demand is just too low, I don't know.
I've done an engine swap, I can tell you from experience, the engine itself will only be about half of your material cost. Its all the accessories and things required to get it hooked up correctly that add up quick. This is not even counting the labor costs.
Good luck with this.
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SuperBuickGuy
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derian06
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We're both looking around at our sources, i don't "have" to source my own engine. But i can try to find a better deal then he can even if that is unlikely. On monday we're going to meet up and discuss everything. Then he'll write me out how much everything will cost. I told him to make sure it's in budget so most likely i'm going to end up with a used 5.3. He is a great guy and he is really really fair with pricing. Basically there my mechanic, then there is the 5.3 guy. My mechanic is looking around for parts to try to make it as cheap as possible, so he can do it him self. But if he can't he'll send me to the 5.3 guy (he could do everything but it would most likely be thousands more) then my mechanic will go through all of my systems to make sure everything is working properly. Check most of my plugs and wires to Make sure most if not all the flood damage goes away.
I'm going to ask him alot of questions before this goes into action. I'm even going to ask how much a 6.0 conversion would be vs a 5.3. Just alot of different ideas and hopefully we'll be able to come up with the biggest bang for the buck.
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scope_creep
I, too, would encourage you to get a written agreement with your mechanic that spells out what will be done for the money you pay him.
Having said that: I wish you the very best of luck, can't wait to see pics of the project as it unfolds and when your truck is back on the road
I, too, would encourage you to get a written agreement with your mechanic that spells out what will be done for the money you pay him.
Having said that: I wish you the very best of luck, can't wait to see pics of the project as it unfolds and when your truck is back on the road
Ghostbuster
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Depends on the inspection. That would be a nice fixer upper if the frame is not bent, motor runs fine, and no drivetrain damage. If that was the case then that would not cost the estimated 30k to fix lol.
But you never know until you look at it.. it could have cracked motor mounts, cracked radiator, bent frame.. etc..
The truck you found before seems to be like a better deal. Rear end damage instead of mainly front end...
You could find a wrecked truck and pull the engine and tranny, and then part the rest of it out, and probably get a good bit of your money back.. it would just take time to part it out.
derian06
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Got off the phone with the dealership and there is NO CORE CHARGE FOR THE NEW ENGINE! 4250$ for the new 2014 ecotech 5.3L V8 so i'm going to see if I can go that route!
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derian06
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He is still getting all the estimates together, but it shouldn't be too long until we get the ball rolling!
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Is that for a long or short block? You would need all of the accessories/parts to complete the install on top of that.
derian06
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I got some bad news for everyone, the V8 swap is going to be wayyy more expensive then we thought. Apparently we would even have to change things like powersteering? Doesn't make much sense but it would be way over $14,000 which I definitely can't afford. So another 3.7L is going in.
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New 3.7 or take out?
derian06
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New 3.7, i'm just happy to have my Hummer back.That is simply amazing. Now this gives me a chance to save up more to get the Engine I really want later on in life.
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2010H3TAlpha
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I remember when you could buy these combos all day for $1500-2000
LSX swap mania changed EVERYTHING!
Ghostbuster
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Can't you just rebuild your 3.7? Or is it beyond repair?
derian06
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I'm going to talk to him in 30 mins I'll keep yall updated.
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rascole
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Just read the thread. Tons of opinions here so I'll add mine. Do what ever you want, it's yours.
PS. Glad to hear you're sticking with the 3.7
PS. Glad to hear you're sticking with the 3.7
derian06
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I just got done talking to my mechanic and he has a link on a wrecked alpha. he is planing on scrapping the body and salvaging the suspension, drive train, and anything else useable on it. the quote he gave me was for a new crate engine straight from the factory so there is still hope. There was little to no water inside the transmission, t-case, or the differentials so everything is looking good.
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derian06
Red Rockett
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If i am going to be using the 5.3. L ill be parting out various components from my original 3.7. such as my airdock intake an my throttle body. If anyone has any interests let me know.
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06 H3
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Throttle body is ported or stock?
poweraidon
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