LS Swap Tacoma-info needed

[Riverfamlee]

My boy has a 98 Tacoma that just took a dump. Head gasket I assume or cracked block, as its leaking a shit load of coolant out of the pipe. Anyways, he wants to do an LS swap rather than rebuild it. Currently a supercharged V6, 5 Speed. He wants to keep it a manual trans as well. He's looking for a shop or input. Truck was super fun with the little TRD blower but he wants more .

Any recommendations on a shop that may do this? @bonesfab ? He's 20 and he's already finding out he needs to work his off to support his 2 trucks

 

[Crazyhippy]

California? Or free world?

California smog will be challenging at best. There are a few options, but none are budget friendly.

 

[rivermobster]

Gonna guess he's in CA if he wants Jim to do this?

What he needs is a LS E-Rod engine package. 100 percent legal in CA.

Which one is what Jim can help him decide.

 

[Crazyhippy]

Some light reading ...

How To Do a Legal California Engine Change (E-ROD LS Swaps & More!) - LS1Tech.com

A legal California engine change can feel impossible, but it's not. Here's a five-step guide to help get you started!

ls1tech.com

And the E-Rod starts at 12k...

 

[Big B Hova]

Tesla swap!

 

[ChevelleSB406]

The only thing I can add from experience, is the newer LS's are throttle by wire, for a long time now actually, so that is one tiny thing to ensure needs to be converted in the truck itself. BigBore500r on here or someone else did this on an el camino if I remember correctly.

 

[Cole Trickle]

Find another toyota engine and throw it back together.

Nothing cheap about that swap and a stock 5.3 won't feel any better than that supercharged 6. I can't say i have ever seen anyone do a ls/toyota manual swap.

Toms Turbo garage on youtube did a LS into a tacoma a while back but I think it had a 4l80.

 

[Riverfamlee]

Find another toyota engine and throw it back together.

Nothing cheap about that swap and a stock 5.3 won't feel any better than that supercharged 6. I can't say i have ever seen anyone do a ls/toyota manual swap. Toms Turbo garage on youtube did a LS into a tacoma a while back but I think it had a 4l80.

That was my thought too, but he's a 20 year old with a hard head. He will need at least a slightly modified LS to make it run as hard as it did. I told him we could rebuild it a little stronger and run a little more boost too. That truck has 300k on it and was still running pretty strong until it went down. Damn thing still runs too, just with a vapor cloud following it It was my old truck that I bought new and the youngster took it and lowered it., rims ect. I put the blower on as soon I bought it back in 98. He's hellbent on a LS though. Maybe the cost will get him thinking.

 

[bonesfab]

The smog part will be the real bitch. E-rod won't work in that as it is too new by a couple of years and the gvw might mess it up as well. Swapping one and getting it by the ref will be a challenge especially a manual trans. It can be done but it will not be cheap to do it right.

 

[rivermobster]

That was my thought too, but he's a 20 year old with a hard head. He will need at least a slightly modified LS to make it run as hard as it did. I told him we could rebuild it a little stronger and run a little more boost too. That truck has 300k on it and was still running pretty strong until it went down. Damn thing still runs too, just with a vapor cloud following it It was my old truck that I bought new and the youngster took it and lowered it., rims ect. I put the blower on as soon I bought it back in 98. He's hellbent on a LS though. Maybe the cost will get him thinking.

Yes it will.

 

[Bigbore500r]

The only thing I can add from experience, is the newer LS's are throttle by wire, for a long time now actually, so that is one tiny thing to ensure needs to be converted in the truck itself. BigBore500r on here or someone else did this on an el camino if I remember correctly.

You can set them up either way, but yes most motors are "DBW" (drive by wire). Not a big deal, you just pick the OEM pedal that fits best in your vehicle and screw it to the fire wall. His challenge is going to be how to keep it smog legal, if that's required....

 

[Cole Trickle]

That was my thought too, but he's a 20 year old with a hard head. He will need at least a slightly modified LS to make it run as hard as it did. I told him we could rebuild it a little stronger and run a little more boost too. That truck has 300k on it and was still running pretty strong until it went down. Damn thing still runs too, just with a vapor cloud following it It was my old truck that I bought new and the youngster took it and lowered it., rims ect. I put the blower on as soon I bought it back in 98. He's hellbent on a LS though. Maybe the cost will get him thinking.

2Jz with about 50 lbs of booost if he is balling...lol

As someone in the middle of a 900+ hp snowball I don't see a cheap way of pulling it off anymore unless you find a dirt cheap 5.3 and have the skills to install/wire it up.


The trans and computer would be the biggest issue imho. Could do a holley standalone for a couple grand but no idea on the manual.

 

[Riverfamlee]

2Jz with about 50 lbs of booost if he is balling...lol

As someone in the middle of a 900+ hp snowball I don't see a cheap way of pulling it off anymore unless you find a dirt cheap 5.3 and have the skills to install/wire it up.


The trans and computer would be the biggest issue imho. Could do a holley standalone for a couple grand but no idea on the manual.

Don't get me started on the 2J's lol. That was his first choice.

I think it would have to be a T56 trans. Not a 100%

Kid works his ass off and works a ton of hours to support his Tacomas. Trying to not discourage him but at the same time help him understand it may turn into a money pit.

 

[Bigbore500r]

My boy has a 98 Tacoma that just took a dump. Head gasket I assume or cracked block, as its leaking a shit load of coolant out of the pipe. Anyways, he wants to do an LS swap rather than rebuild it. Currently a supercharged V6, 5 Speed. He wants to keep it a manual trans as well. He's looking for a shop or input. Truck was super fun with the little TRD blower but he wants more .

Any recommendations on a shop that may do this? @bonesfab ? He's 20 and he's already finding out he needs to work his off to support his 2 trucks

View attachment 1332614 View attachment 1332615 View attachment 1332617 View attachment 1332618

It has been said that one could change the registration address to a residence in one of the areas shown shaded in grey on this map below. If said vehicle owner was to do this, that person wound not be required to smog said hypothetical vehicle for as long as they own it. These areas are "change of ownership only" areas. But of course, this is all hypothetical....

Now, it has also been shared for public knowledge, by the good Bureau of Automotive Repair, and Smogcheck.ca.gov, , that one can input a zip code on this website to see what Smog program an address is subject to.

Smog Check Program Area Lookup - Bureau of Automotive Repair

Lookup a Smog Check Program area by zip code.

www.bar.ca.gov

 

[TrollerDave]

Some light reading ...

How To Do a Legal California Engine Change (E-ROD LS Swaps & More!) - LS1Tech.com

A legal California engine change can feel impossible, but it's not. Here's a five-step guide to help get you started!

ls1tech.com

And the E-Rod starts at 12k...

Good article. Absolute insanity what hoops you have to jump through.

 

[Sharky]

Gonna guess he's in CA if he wants Jim to do this?

What he needs is a LS E-Rod engine package. 100 percent legal in CA.

Which one is what Jim can help him decide.

Good call but. . . . . he is also going to need a transmission as well.

The kid is looking at least $25K.


Another possible choice if one can be found is like a friend did. LS3 with manual out of a wrecked Camaro. 2010-2015 model years. He scored that for $7500 but, that was several years ago. Came with complete wiring harness and the front part of the exhaust system including front Cats.

P/S pump, AC comp, alternator, oil & trans cooler lines, even the shifter where included.

 

[monkeyswrench]

There is a huge difference between doing the swap, and having the swap done. A healthy LS I think would require a bigger body Tremec, not just a T5 kind of deal...now you get tunnel and interior work. Placing 3 pedals as well. Getting a tune done is pretty easy, getting the harness to get things where you want isn't. Getting things past the referee 25 years ago was tuff, I'd be afraid to try now.

Youth has the ability to ignore common sense. More balls than brains has been a mantra for many of us. Now days I'd pull the heads, build and port a set, run o-ring gaskets and crank the boost up. That, or fix it, sell it and put the funds towards a purpose built vehicle.

 

[rivermobster]

Good call but. . . . . he is also going to need a transmission as well.

The kid is looking at least $25K.


Another possible choice if one can be found is like a friend did. LS3 with manual out of a wrecked Camaro. 2010-2015 model years. He scored that for $7500 but, that was several years ago. Came with complete wiring harness and the front part of the exhaust system including front Cats.

P/S pump, AC comp, alternator, oil & trans cooler lines, even the shifter where included.

That's perfectly fine if this was a non CA vehicle that didn't need to be smogged.

And you spelled 52k backwards.

 

[lbhsbz]

That truck has 10.3" front brake rotors on it...too small for the V6, let alone a supercharged V6. Not adequate for an LS by any stretch.

It needs a cylinder head...very likely cracked between the valves (that's what 3.4L heads do when you beat on 'em hard enough and long enough).

Get a junkyard head, clean it up, lap the valves, put the engine back together. Sell it and find a better platform if you wanna go fast.

 

[TimeBandit]

My sil got back from KOH and said there were tons of Tacos with LS swaps and California plates.

I tried to explain about smog but he is smitten.

Oh to be young and ......

 

[4Waters]

Go get another engine, do the machine work, talk to @RaceTec about the rotating assy (crank, rods, pistons), have a main cap girdle made (before machine work) do some port work and put it together with ARP hardware.

 

[bonesfab]

Don't get me started on the 2J's lol. That was his first choice.

I think it would have to be a T56 trans. Not a 100%

Kid works his ass off and works a ton of hours to support his Tacomas. Trying to not discourage him but at the same time help him understand it may turn into a money pit.

There is no may about it. It will. At least he won’t be able to afford drugs or hoes if he keeps it up.

 

[Bigbore500r]

That's perfectly fine if this was a non CA vehicle that didn't need to be smogged.

And you spelled 52k backwards.

You could do a take-out 5.3 with a cam swap, a T56 6 speed, with a stand alone harness and GM ECM for around 6500 in parts, all-in for the whole setup.
Add $300 for a driveshaft and some $$ for dual exhaust.

25K is high. 52K is high AF

 

[Crazyhippy]

You could do a take-out 5.3 with a cam swap, a T56 6 speed, with a stand alone harness and GM ECM for around 6500 in parts, all-in for the whole setup.
Add $300 for a driveshaft and some $$ for dual exhaust.

25K is high. 52K is high AF

And absolutely NONE of that is even remotely smoggable...

Not to mention:
Radiator
Motor mounts (may be kits out there, otherwise fab time and $$$)
Power steering hoses (assuming the junkyard motor includes accessories, a lot do not)
A/C hoses at a minimum
Does a T56 fit in a Taco tunnel? If not, more fab work.

It can be done, and done right, but it is very spendy

 

[cyclone]

Don't get me started on the 2J's lol. That was his first choice.

I think it would have to be a T56 trans. Not a 100%

Kid works his ass off and works a ton of hours to support his Tacomas. Trying to not discourage him but at the same time help him understand it may turn into a money pit.

A naturally aspirated LS/T56 swap is easier than a 2JZ/T56 swap.

The 2JZ will present the same issues as the LS in terms of getting it emissions-legal. The cost break down of either swap is wildly different, with the NA LS being much cheaper. With the 2J you can buy a 7-10,000 dollar 2JZ GTE factory turbo motor or 500 dollar junkyard 2JZGE non-turbo engine. Even if you go with the less expensive non-turbocharged GE motor, by the time you add a turbo system, fuel system, efi system etc you'll have 15,000 for a 450hp engine. You can do a camshaft, valve springs, upgrade and make 400hp on a stock long block junkyard LS3 pretty easily and do the entire swap for much less than that.

Ive done the less expensive 2JZGE motor swap and just left the bottom end alone. I added a turbo-spec GTE head gasket to lower compression, Brian crower valvetrain, and used Ebay turbo, intercooler and intake manifold, which are pretty cheap. An aftermarket harness and larger injectors are fairly cheap. The real expense of this swap is in the ECU and whether or not you wants to control the variable valve timing of the 2J. Not many ECUs will do that and to be honest, having control of the VVT makes the 2J way more fun to drive because it unlocks quite a bit of bottom end torque in the rpm band. Motec is top of the line but you're gonna pay for it. I think Haltech will do the vvt but some of the less expensive ECUs will not. However, you can safely boost the cheaper GE motor to 450-475hp without detonating it to death and when the boost kicks in the truck will be a rocket!

A taco with a boosted 2JZ will be way cooler looking/sounding than a V8 swapped truck. Then again, seeing an LS under the hood of his truck, would be rad, too!

 

[Bigbore500r]

@Riverfamlee - This will give you an idea of actual parts cost. Some of this is "value engineered" (headers, oil pan), but the rest is either OEM stuff or name brand stuff

$1500 motor

07 08 Chevrolet Tahoe Suburban Silverado 5.3L VIN 0 LMG Complete Engine 134k | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 07 08 Chevrolet Tahoe Suburban Silverado 5.3L VIN 0 LMG Complete Engine 134k at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

$620 engine / trans mount adapters

CX LS1 Engine T56 Transmission Mounts Swap Kit For 95-04 Toyota Tacoma Truck LS | eBay

CXRacing LS1 Engine / T56 Transmission Mount Kit For. Transmission: T56 Manual. 95-04 Toyota Tacoma Truck LS1/LSx Engine Swap. Chassis : 95-04 Toyota Tacoma. Engine Mounts + Transmission Mount ONLY. Motor / Transmission Mounts.

www.ebay.com

$100 universal shorty tight-tuck headers

Set LS Swap Exhaust Headers For Chevy LS1 LS2 LS3 LS6 LS9 S10 SUV Truck Super | eBay

Universal LS Swap S10 Conversion Headers (LS1, LS2, LS3, LS6, LS Engines) Truck & SUV, 4.8L, 5.3L, 5.7L, 6.0L, 6.2L Engines, V8 engines ONLY. Set of exhaust headers with gaskets and 100% new, never used or installed.

www.ebay.com

$130 Low profile swap oil pan

LS Swap Retrofit Low Profile Oil Pan Kit for GM LS1 LS2 LS3 Engine 55-87 302-1 | eBay

Hose& Clamp Kit. Radiator Silicone Hose Kit. Vacuum Hose &Spring Clamp Kit. 1 x Oil Pan. Oil Pan Capacity: 5.50 quarts. Oil Pan Depth (in): 5.890 in. Oil Pan Material: Aluminum. Oil Pan Finish: Natural.

www.ebay.com

$450 cam swap parts

BTR

Brian Tooley Racing (BTR) NEW "Truck Norris" Gen III and Gen IV LS Truck Cam Cam Specs: 212/22X, .552/.552, 107 LSA From BTR:"The Truck Norris will deliver a roundhouse kick in the pants to your 1999-2013 Silverado or Sierra. Developed from hundreds of hours of in house cam lobe design and dyno...

www.glennsautoperformance.com

https://www.amazon.com/Cloyes-C-3220-Timing-Chain-Kit/dp/B000CFN780/ref=sr_1_3?crid=18X30EW29L2YO&keywords=LS+timing+chain+kit&qid=1707494461&sprefix=ls+timing+chain+ki%2Caps%2C143&sr=8-3

$700 - Stand alone harness (made to order) and factory GM 411 ECM
www.fuelinjectionconnection.com

$500 - Misc - new radiator hoses, fuel line fittings, belt, bolts, supplies, cleaners etc.

Heres where the money comes in . . . Transmission

Hes gonna spend $3000-$5000 on a T56 setup. If he goes auto, he can put a 4l60 behind it for alot cheaper.

On the low end, you've got $5000 in parts to go with a cammed 5.3 / 4l60 auto, or $7,000-$10,000 to go T56 manual. The manual trans really depends on shopping around and finding a decent deal on a take-out T56 or TR6060, complete with bellhousing. If you go new, its gonna bump you up to 10k total.

You'll have a few hundred bucks to also throw at the driveshaft and then you've gotta do exhaust work, but the exhaust can be done as cheap or as expensive as you wanna go.....

If hes a DIY kid and is gonna tackle the labor himself, hopefully this gives him an idea of costs

 

[Bigbore500r]

And absolutely NONE of that is even remotely smoggable...

Not to mention:
Radiator
Motor mounts (may be kits out there, otherwise fab time and $$$)
Power steering hoses (assuming the junkyard motor includes accessories, a lot do not)
A/C hoses at a minimum
Does a T56 fit in a Taco tunnel? If not, more fab work.

It can be done, and done right, but it is very spendy

I didn't say smoggable, and I didn't say anything included labor.

Stock radiator will get the job done, if it handles a supercharged V6 it probably works for a mild N/A 5.3. If not, add $180 for a radiator.

PS hose is $75.

AC? that could add a bit, brackets and a sanden compressor are $500, if he can't relocate his OEM compressor with brackets.

Like anything . . . if you don't have elbow grease, you're gonna pay somebody who does.

The cost isn't outrageous for parts.

 

[rivermobster]

@Riverfamlee - This will give you an idea of actual parts cost. Some of this is "value engineered" (headers, oil pan), but the rest is either OEM stuff or name brand quality aftermarket components.

$1500 motor

07 08 Chevrolet Tahoe Suburban Silverado 5.3L VIN 0 LMG Complete Engine 134k | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 07 08 Chevrolet Tahoe Suburban Silverado 5.3L VIN 0 LMG Complete Engine 134k at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

$620 engine / trans mount adapters

CX LS1 Engine T56 Transmission Mounts Swap Kit For 95-04 Toyota Tacoma Truck LS | eBay

CXRacing LS1 Engine / T56 Transmission Mount Kit For. Transmission: T56 Manual. 95-04 Toyota Tacoma Truck LS1/LSx Engine Swap. Chassis : 95-04 Toyota Tacoma. Engine Mounts + Transmission Mount ONLY. Motor / Transmission Mounts.

www.ebay.com

$100 universal shorty tight-tuck headers

Set LS Swap Exhaust Headers For Chevy LS1 LS2 LS3 LS6 LS9 S10 SUV Truck Super | eBay

Universal LS Swap S10 Conversion Headers (LS1, LS2, LS3, LS6, LS Engines) Truck & SUV, 4.8L, 5.3L, 5.7L, 6.0L, 6.2L Engines, V8 engines ONLY. Set of exhaust headers with gaskets and 100% new, never used or installed.

www.ebay.com

$130 Low profile swap oil pan

LS Swap Retrofit Low Profile Oil Pan Kit for GM LS1 LS2 LS3 Engine 55-87 302-1 | eBay

Hose& Clamp Kit. Radiator Silicone Hose Kit. Vacuum Hose &Spring Clamp Kit. 1 x Oil Pan. Oil Pan Capacity: 5.50 quarts. Oil Pan Depth (in): 5.890 in. Oil Pan Material: Aluminum. Oil Pan Finish: Natural.

www.ebay.com

$450 cam swap parts

BTR

Brian Tooley Racing (BTR) NEW "Truck Norris" Gen III and Gen IV LS Truck Cam Cam Specs: 212/22X, .552/.552, 107 LSA From BTR:"The Truck Norris will deliver a roundhouse kick in the pants to your 1999-2013 Silverado or Sierra. Developed from hundreds of hours of in house cam lobe design and dyno...

www.glennsautoperformance.com

https://www.amazon.com/Cloyes-C-3220-Timing-Chain-Kit/dp/B000CFN780/ref=sr_1_3?crid=18X30EW29L2YO&keywords=LS+timing+chain+kit&qid=1707494461&sprefix=ls+timing+chain+ki%2Caps%2C143&sr=8-3

$700 - Stand alone harness (made to order) and factory GM 411 ECM
www.fuelinjectionconnection.com

$500 - Misc - new radiator hoses, fuel line fittings, belt, bolts, supplies, cleaners etc.

Heres where the money comes in . . . Transmission

Hes gonna spend $3000-$5000 on a T56 setup. If he goes auto, he can put a 4l60 behind it for alot cheaper.

On the low end, you've got $5000 in parts to go with a cammed 5.3 / 4l60 auto, or $7,000-$10,000 to go T56 manual. The manual trans really depends on shopping around and finding a decent deal on a take-out T56 or TR6060, complete with bellhousing. If you go new, its gonna bump you up to 10k total.

You'll have a few hundred bucks to also throw at the driveshaft and then you've gotta do exhaust work, but the exhaust can be done as cheap or as expensive as you wanna go.....

If hes a DIY kid and is gonna tackle the labor himself, hopefully this gives him an idea of costs

Perfectly fine IF no smog is required...

Smog requirements state, if you swap the engine, the ENTIRE emissions system has to come along too.

Engine Changes

This page describes what an engine change is, and some of the frequently asked questions related to engine changes.

www.bar.ca.gov

 

[Big B Hova]

Real question,

If one were to tesla swap a smog vehicle. What happens?

Dmv referee?

Newsom gets a hard on?

 

[Jimmyv]

I swapped out a 3.4 V6 for a 4.7 V8 in a 1996 T100 - and it was completely smog legal, California BAR certified.

I wanted to keep it all Toyota and I bought a whole Tundra as a doner to ensure I had every part of the drivetrain I might need.

Lots of expected and unexpected hurdles - the oil pan sump was in the wrong place for my suspension (sourced another from a Lexus), fab solid motor mounts, adapt the two wiring harnesses into one, massage headers to clear steering (while looking untouched for CARB), fit a larger radiator and electric cooling fans, kept AC and heat by having custom lines made… it goes on and on.

I’ve always said I wouldn’t do it again - but I’m also always looking at something thinking, ‘you know what motor I could put in here…’

 

[Bigbore500r]

Perfectly fine IF no smog is required...

Smog requirements state, if you swap the engine, the ENTIRE emissions system has to come along too.

Engine Changes

This page describes what an engine change is, and some of the frequently asked questions related to engine changes.

www.bar.ca.gov

View attachment 1332915

AGAIN - I DIDNT SAY SMOG . . .

Jesus. you guys kill me

 

[ChevelleSB406]

AGAIN - I DIDNT SAY SMOG . . .

Jesus. you guys kill me

For the cost difference, one could theoretically get a place on the CA side of Parker, and register it there, like that maps states. Again, not saying anyone has ever done that, and this being a boating site and all

 

[rivermobster]

AGAIN - I DIDNT SAY SMOG . . .

Jesus. you guys kill me

So why say anything then??

Clearly he needs his car to be smog legal.

You're lucky, cause you didn't have that issue. This is a whole different story.

Quit being a tease!

 

[Cole Trickle]

For the cost difference, one could theoretically get a place on the CA side of Parker, and register it there, like that maps states. Again, not saying anyone has ever done that, and this being a boating site and all

Had all my fun cars registered in earp when i lived in CA...lol

 

[Bigbore500r]

So why say anything then??

Clearly he needs his car to be smog legal.

You're lucky, cause you didn't have that issue. This is a whole different story.

Quit being a tease!

Why say anything? Im offering help to the OP's questions.

Yore just crapping on every idea that comes down the chute, because you hate GM, LS motors and anything but Ford or BMW in general

 

[rivermobster]

Why say anything? Im offering help to the OP's questions.

Yore just crapping on every idea that comes down the chute, because you hate GM, LS motors and anything but Ford or BMW in general

An E-Rod would be bad azz.

Even if it is a Chebby!

 

[Chili Palmer]

Maybe sell all his trucks, and and use that as a down payment and if he has a steady source of income, get a late model truck with a V8, put an exhaust on it and be done. Now he’ll have something dependable and maybe get his money back out of it when he sells it if he buys it right.

 

[Cole Trickle]

If he is serious i think the best option would be buying a totaled gen 5 camaro. Steal the LS3 and trans and part out the un needed stuff. You could do this without costing a fortune if you put in the work and DIY it.

Just reminded me i pulled up next to a ls/4l60 powered ex cab tacoma out here about 6 months ago. It sounded pretty rowdy. He got on it and it blew the tires off pretty good...lol

 

[Riverfamlee]

Maybe sell all his trucks, and and use that as a down payment and if he has a steady source of income, get a late model truck with a V8, put an exhaust on it and be done. Now he’ll have something dependable and maybe get his money back out of it when he sells it if he buys it right.

He’s won’t sell them. He ordered his 2022 Tacoma with a manual too , so he’s attached. If anything he’ll add to the stable. Talks a lot about vettes . I said you complain about your insurance now- go ahead. All in all, He’s a 20 YO car dude - nothing wrong with that. As long as he works for what he wants I’ll support him.

 

[Rsqfxr]

@mrtac0_ on Instagram: "I’ll see you guys at #toyotafest2021 next weekend ✌🏽 #lstaco"

37 likes, 0 comments - mrtac0_ on May 30, 2021: "I’ll see you guys at #toyotafest2021 next weekend ✌🏽 #lstaco"

www.instagram.com

 

[Orange Juice]

The route I’d take in California would be an EV conversion kit. No Smog issues.

 

[Markus]

Keep it Toyota.

An LS does not belong in a Tacoma or in a Cobra.

 

[rivermobster]

Some light reading ...

How To Do a Legal California Engine Change (E-ROD LS Swaps & More!) - LS1Tech.com

A legal California engine change can feel impossible, but it's not. Here's a five-step guide to help get you started!

ls1tech.com

And the E-Rod starts at 12k...

Pretty thorough article and well written.

Doesn't cover any costs, but it covers all regulations quite nicely.