I just did a parts list in detail for my planned LE2/LE1 conversion. I was ready to start ordering the pieces. Despite all my guesstimating along the way, I was a few grand low! Over 10,000Bucks. That doesn't even include the $450 I spent on the CF DF clutch already, turning the flywheel, and the 'surprizes'. 80% are confirmed prices, but with all new, non-ebay shopping. So, it will not doubt top $11k if I don't make changes. Sorry to make you even think about how much you have spent on your cars.

Am I overdoing this, shopping poorly, or is this typical?
------------------------------------------------------
Component Option Price

Bolt Ons
Heads/Cam LE2/LE1 $1750
Valve Guides Bronze $100
Intake Porting $200
Rocker Studs 7/16 ARP $35
Guideplates Trickflow $40
Pushrods "Comp Cams Hi-Tech $121
Rockers Comp Pro Magnum NSA 7/16 1.6ratio $260
Lifters Stock 0
Timing Set GM LT4 Extreme Duty $224

Head Gasket Impala LT1 0.029 $50
Intake Gaskets $20

Throttle Body Holley 58mm Throttle Body $350
TB Gasket $5

Fuel Injectors Delphi 37 lb/hr $280
Fuel Pump SPPG-340c High Flow 255 LPH $69

Headers Pacesetter LT Ceramic Coated $390
Y Pipe Pacesetter $200
Header Gaskets Percy's ''Dead Soft'' $40
Band Clamps 3 Preformed Exhaust Band Clamp $20
Header Bolts Stage-8 Locking Header Bolts $40

Water Pump Stock replacement $137
Water Pump Drive Stock replacement $50
WP Seal Stock replacement $5
Distributor Seal $5
WP Gaskets $5
Front Crank seal $8
Timing Cover Gasket $3

Optispark Accel $250
Plug Wires Taylor OTC Kit $105
Firesleeve $23
Plugs $20

Initial Tune PCMforless $175
Final Tune "Dyno @ Wheel to Wheel $500

Spohn Torque arm with driveshaft loop $435
Axle cover TA Performance $155
Stud Kit for axle cover $25


Bottom End
Pistons/rings Mahle Powerpack w/rings $600
Bearings Clevite Race H $90
Rod Bolts ARP $50
Main Studs ARP $50
pan gasket $30
Oil Pump Spring 80 psi 'white' $10

Machine Shop
030 overbore $300
cam bearings - install $80
rebalance $250

Rear Axle $2500
Total $10,057
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Eeeyouch!!!

 

Pacesetters can be had for 360$ and the y-pipe new is 105.99. Yes it can get expensive. I'm porting my stock TB to 52mm, 169$. Also.... these parts are not typical of the LE install. A new bottom end and rear end are NOT required. I would take all that out of the conversion.

 

That's a little over and beyond the typical parts list.

Most people that go heads/cam already have headers...

And bottom end is not typical, but not a bad idea.

 

do a compression check if it aint broke dont fix it, used parts work just as fine too.

 

I am planning on a heads/cam swap myself... however, I am being patient and rounding up used parts or parts on sale as I go to keep costs down. And after it is all said and done, I'm probably not going to add it up like you did, it will just make my blood pressure drastically rise.

 

Sounds pretty close. It's good that you've listed everything out. So some shopping. Summit and Ebay. You can get some of those things cheaper. You can probably pick up 36# SVO injectors on ebay for close to $200. Have you considered the Summit 58mm TB for $250? How about a $160 Electric WP in favor of a stock replacement? That will also enable you to use a Cloyes Hex-a-just timing chain for a lot less and you'll save on the WP drive and seal. Shop around. I'd be willing to bet you can find cheaper prices on some of that stuff. I'd keep the rear penciled in there too if you planning on so track time with sticky tires.

Ken R.

 

know one said it was cheap to go fast.

 

If you're going by the $10k list, add another grand at least for unknowns. You're going to need something. Don't know what or when, but that's how these things go.

 

Good comments, thanks all. I'll shop around alot more. Very specific parts are tough for me to find good prices on sometimes, so I tend to use Froogle, since it gives price comparisons. Then GM Parts Direct. And the Sponsor page. Used parts make me a little uncomfortable, since hopefully my car has another 100k miles of good life ahead. Normally I'm a strict 'do it once, right.' guy, but in this case stretching it over a couple of years will be easier to stomach.

Tips on good parts sources are appreciated.

Nice suggestions on the ported TB or Summit TB. Can a regular machine shop bore it to 52mm, or mail order? Machine shops around me seem relatively expensive, so if it's $200 to rework mine, I'll probably jest get the Summit piece.

I'll guess I will skip the bottom end, it is (seems) in good shape. Maybe just do bearings, so I can look things over inside. And the dyno tune may be out, for the next year anyways. Also the intake porting. The rear end can stay off the list, too, I guess I might as well break the stock one first. As for the electric WP, my wife will get to drive this once in a while, so I think I'll stick with mechanical. Less chance of sudden failure.

That all helps get it down to around $5300. That's the most money I've EVER saved in a few short hours - this project will save me a fortune!

Now I will have EXTRA respect for those 'really done right' cars.

 

seems about right, I see you have the rear in there too... so REALLY it would be 2500 cheaper to do the engine work. I just glanced at the rest of your list, but noticed the rear at the bottom.
Going fast ain't cheap... most of the time! Whatever happened to the days of getting something from the junkyard and spending 10grand or less on EVERYTHING to run 11's? haha

 

MeanGreen, where have you seen Pacesetter LT's for that cheap?

 

There have been GPs on this site for that much. I paid 390$ for mine shipped! Of course this was back in February. The y-pipe has always been 120$ or less. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/93-97...50053190QQrdZ1 539.99 buy it now ceramic coated with the y-pipe.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/93-97...50572858QQrdZ1

 

I just found the Pacesetters, ceramic for $374 and y pipe for $115 from these guys:


http://stores.ebay.com/speed-engcom

 

I try to use my local speed shop 'winners circle' in peoria for as much as i can. Prices are sometimes lower and its always better dealing with a person when ever you can.