How do you delete threads? Instead of every1 getting pissed off at this question lolol. Plus I already read Gorn's response to some1 else about a donor car and blah bliggity blah so no need to repeat. I'm just gonna take it over to my friend's shop and see what he tells me he can do. Theres also that HP performance place that libertyforall I believe told me about. Hmmmmmm

 

I did my swap in maybe two weeks, it costed me overall, after the insurance company, declared my car a total loss, and I bought it back for 700.00. I parted out what I didn't need. Sold the 3.8 from my car for 600.00, the transmission for 150.00, seats from the donor car for 350.00, other interior for 250.00, wheels for 100.00, there are other things I sold, so it actually worked out so that I didn't pay anything for the swap. I came out ahead. I wouldn't do the swap without a donor car. Would I do it again, for sure, in a heartbeat.

 

The key to this is finding a good donor car. A good low miles LS1/A4 driveline will sell for almost 2K, 3K for a 6 speed. If you find a good donor the same year as yours there is less labor because you will not have to replace as many systems. If we use RS’s numbers of 80 hours that about 6K worth of labor.

You will need to be real careful with the donor car. Since you will not know the history of the car and most likely just went thru a wreck you could end up with a problem motor. Last thing you want right after spending 9K on a conversion is to have to pay for a major engine repair.

With these LS1 cars now selling for about 4K the conversion really does not make sense unless you have a known good LS1 and you do the work yourself. You could buy a LS1 car witha blown motor and put a brand new LS1 long block for a lot less then the swap costs.

 

would you suggest buying a donor car that was in wreck? or dont take the chance with something with major damage?

 

Well if a car is not wrecked and it has a good motor why take it a part? Just switch the gas caps and your good to go, conversion complete!

 

I took the chances because my car was the donor, I knew what it was because I was driving it when it was wrecked, so I knew the history of the car. A gal with her license for about a week pulled out in front of me on the highway. If I were to buy a donor, I would prefer it to be hit in the side, or rear. The swap isn't hard, just time consuming. I would do it again in a heartbeat. Everything comes apart and goes back together.