General Motors LS and LT line of V8 engines are perfect for engine swaps. With a compact design, good reliability, low cost and great power and torque, the GM LS V8 and LT V8 are used in all sorts of custom builds – from Pro Touring-style muscle cars, to drift cars, drag cars and just about any other type of performance vehicle you can think of.
The engine retrofit specialists over at Speartech are now offering a way to make the GM LS V8 or LT V8 swap even easier. The company’s new turn-key crate engine and transmission packages come pre-assembly and ready to drop into the appropriate car, truck or SUV.
Speartech offers crate engine packages for the supercharged 6.2L LT4 V8, the more powerful supercharged 6.2L LT5 V8 as well as the naturally aspirated 6.2L LS3 V8 and 6.2L LT1 V8. The LS3 crate engine will come with a six-speed 6L80 automatic, while the LT1 can be ordered with a 6L80, eight-speed 8L90 or 10-speed 10L80. The supercharged LT4 will come with an 8L90 or 10L80, while the LT5 will come with a 10L80.
As a reminder, the LS3 V8 is good for 430 horsepower, while the LT1 produces 455 horsepower. The LT4’s output differs depending on the application but makes 650 horsepower in the Camaro ZL1, while the LT5 is good for 755 horsepower.
“All packages are brand new and include all sensors, programmed computer modules, throttle pedal, and front O2 sensors,” Speartech says of its turn-key kits. “Our engine packages include Speartech engine/transmission control system, built entirely on your engine for a precise fit, and we test run each one upon completion to ensure everything works perfectly.”
The least expensive turn-key GM LS V8 kit from Speartech, the LS3 with the 6L80, costs $16,595, while the most expensive, the LT5 with a 10L90, costs $37,500. Head on over to the company’s website for more information on these create engine kits or to place an order.
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Comments
You could go buy the entire vehicle that has the engine/trans combo you want for that price! My 700hp lsx454 and 6l90 I had built cost less than the cheapest option. Wow.
Yes I see this you can buy a hood running 60-100k c5 vette for 7-10k but the claim that the cost is subject to being a swap package does not line up either. A comment that argues the cost due to a individual being able to do there own work still does not along well considering even with this swap package you still would be doing it your self anyways. I am just not seeing the value. I have picked up ls3 engine trans for 4-7k with harness etc.
wow. WOW. My 2,144 horsepower twin turbo 6.2L LS based engine cost me $17,000! GM LSX block, billet crank and rods, forged pistons, and a very VERY mild cam that idles almost as well as a stock LS3 does. Drives just like stock until the 2 76mm turbos start singing. Also, the GM 6L80 based 6 speed I had built cost almost $9,000 but will handle the power. And its still cheaper than a stock GM motor and trans! Wow! Who buys this!?
You guys did well. And you’re right, You can get it cheaper if you do that yourself. These are just retail options that I have ridiculous prices.
But I think the point here is that GM is kicking ass and taking names with these engine platforms. It’s so funny when I see ford, Chrysler, Etc. with Chevy engines. It’s because you just can’t beat these platforms. I never thought the day would come where are my kids could go to the junkyard like we used to do, and get parts to mix and match and make a killer engine, with the perfect heads, all way better than what we had.
If you buy these German, Italian or any of the other so cold supercars, they probably have a super fast motor. However, when you bye GM/Chevrolet product, it’s just the beginning. You can take that engine, and cheaply make it into virtually unlimited horse power, speed, torque, or whatever you want. With those other cars what you get from the dealership is basically maxed out.
I say kudos to GM, don’t get drawn into the complex build crap, keep it simple and by all means keep it coming!
It’s not about the platform being better it’s about the accessibility as well as aftermarket availability for performance upgrades. The fact that these GM engines can be easily removed with harness,computer’s simply with no altering or cutting out the vast wire distribution other cars have. It’s not about being better at all there are plenty of engines that are capable of more but are not used due to these factors.
I’m waiting for a LT2 with the TR 9080 dual clutch transaxle for a killer midengine track day car
900$ for a stand alone harness that’s just as basic as any 150-200$ harness. Why are this cost seem to be very high.