Re: LFX Engine Swap (GM V6) at GWR
Posted: Wed Dec 20, 2017 11:34 pm
LFX Price List
One of the big questions everyone has had since the new drivetrain plans were announced was "what does it cost to do this swap?" I couldn't accurately answer that until the swap was done. When we're 'keyboard racing' and comparing swap options it's all too easy to add up the big ticket items and figure that gets it in the ballpark, but anyone who has done a swap knows that there are dozens of items you don't think of and they all add up. Therefore, just about every swap out there costs more to really do than people guess. To help demystify this subject for the LFX, I promised I'd post the real costs of the swap when done.
That time has come! However, a lot of details on the HyperMiata are irrelevant for the next guy doing a fun street/track build. So, to give a good representation of an "average" swap I've put together the cost list below:
LFX Swap Items/Costs
I trimmed out the pure race car stuff and subbed in options that I'd be choosing for a good average build. The list assumes minimum fabrication ability and includes any off-the-shelf options that make the swap easier, such as V8R's plug and play radiator and ECU with tune. Yes, you could definitely do an LFX swap for less than this list shows if you trimmed it down to the necessities and did a budget version of some items. Costs for fabricated items like the coolant hard lines and the exhaust are estimates that assume having the work done at a shop.
The only fabrication item not listed is the cutting of the rear corners of the engine bay and then welding in the frame rail corner caps - but the cost of those caps from V8R are listed. I think most DIY guys would tackle this bit in their garage.
Not listed here is a solution for gauges. The race car got a digital dash, a custom wiring harness and an array of extra sensors - not stuff you need for a street car, but in a way it made the job a little easier rather than trying to get the stock gauges to play nice with the new electronics. V8R lists a set of gauges in the works on their site, so there may be an easy solution for this in the future.
Finally, I've included all of the random incidentals that I came across - stuff like the new GM speed sensor, clutch slave, front differential bushing etc. etc. (all things that turned out to need replacing in the parts I got from the junkyard). These unplanned items will be different for each person, but I'm including all of mine to serve as a realistic and comprehensive example for the swap.
One of the big questions everyone has had since the new drivetrain plans were announced was "what does it cost to do this swap?" I couldn't accurately answer that until the swap was done. When we're 'keyboard racing' and comparing swap options it's all too easy to add up the big ticket items and figure that gets it in the ballpark, but anyone who has done a swap knows that there are dozens of items you don't think of and they all add up. Therefore, just about every swap out there costs more to really do than people guess. To help demystify this subject for the LFX, I promised I'd post the real costs of the swap when done.
That time has come! However, a lot of details on the HyperMiata are irrelevant for the next guy doing a fun street/track build. So, to give a good representation of an "average" swap I've put together the cost list below:
LFX Swap Items/Costs
I trimmed out the pure race car stuff and subbed in options that I'd be choosing for a good average build. The list assumes minimum fabrication ability and includes any off-the-shelf options that make the swap easier, such as V8R's plug and play radiator and ECU with tune. Yes, you could definitely do an LFX swap for less than this list shows if you trimmed it down to the necessities and did a budget version of some items. Costs for fabricated items like the coolant hard lines and the exhaust are estimates that assume having the work done at a shop.
The only fabrication item not listed is the cutting of the rear corners of the engine bay and then welding in the frame rail corner caps - but the cost of those caps from V8R are listed. I think most DIY guys would tackle this bit in their garage.
Not listed here is a solution for gauges. The race car got a digital dash, a custom wiring harness and an array of extra sensors - not stuff you need for a street car, but in a way it made the job a little easier rather than trying to get the stock gauges to play nice with the new electronics. V8R lists a set of gauges in the works on their site, so there may be an easy solution for this in the future.
Finally, I've included all of the random incidentals that I came across - stuff like the new GM speed sensor, clutch slave, front differential bushing etc. etc. (all things that turned out to need replacing in the parts I got from the junkyard). These unplanned items will be different for each person, but I'm including all of mine to serve as a realistic and comprehensive example for the swap.