LS Swaps in Tomball, TX, Near Houston
LS swaps for classic cars, trucks and project cars, at our shop in Tomball, about 33 miles from Houston.
LS Swap Shop Near Houston
An LS swap puts a GM LS-family V8 into a car or truck that didn’t come with one. You get more power, better reliability and parts you can find anywhere, which is why the LS engine swap is the most talked-about swap there is.
We do LS swaps in Tomball, from a junkyard 5.3 in a square body to an LS1 engine swap in a classic or a new crate LS3. We also do the work that goes with it: Holley Sniper and other EFI conversions, fuel tank replacement, stainless exhaust and custom AN hose lines.
Looking for an LS swap shop near you in the Houston area? We’re in Tomball, about 33 miles from downtown. A lot of LS swaps start with a 5.3 out of a Chevy or GMC truck. Thinking about a different engine? See our engine swaps page. Or call 936-661-2675 and tell us the vehicle and the engine you want in it.
Best LS Engine for Your Swap
The best LS engine for a swap depends on your vehicle, your budget and how much power you want. These are the main options, from the cheapest 5.3 swap to a brand-new crate engine.
5.3 LS Swap
The 5.3 is the cheapest way into an LS engine swap. Used 5.3s came out of millions of 1999–2007 Silverados, Sierras, Tahoes and Suburbans, so junkyard engines are easy to find and parts are everywhere.
How much does a 5.3 LS swap cost?
Usually the lowest of any LS swap, because the engine itself is cheap. Most of the money goes into the wiring, fuel system, mounts and exhaust, not the motor.
Do I need a 5.3 LS swap kit?
Swap kits for popular vehicles bundle engine mounts, and often headers and an oil pan, sized for that chassis. We use the right parts for your vehicle, kit or not.
What wiring harness does a 5.3 LS swap need?
A 5.3 needs a harness and engine computer to run. That means either the truck’s original harness reworked for the swap, or a standalone LS swap harness.
5.3 LS swaps for an S10, Jeep JK or 3rd gen Camaro
Three of the most-searched 5.3 swaps. The 5.3’s low-down torque suits a small truck, a Jeep or a third-gen Camaro.
5.3L V8 · cast-iron block (LM7) · 270–295 hp stock · 1999–2007 GM trucks and SUVs
LS1 Swap
The LS1 is the original LS: a 5.7-liter all-aluminum V8 from the 1997–2004 Corvette and the 1998–2002 Camaro and Firebird. It’s light for a V8, which makes it a favorite for smaller cars where weight on the nose matters.
What comes in an LS1 swap kit?
Mounts, headers and an oil pan to suit the car. Kits exist for many popular swaps, from classic Chevys to Miatas and RX-8s.
What harness does an LS1 swap need?
Like every LS, the LS1 needs a harness and engine computer. A standalone swap harness keeps the wiring clean in an older car.
How much does an LS1 swap cost?
Used LS1s cost more than junkyard truck engines but less than an LS3. Age matters: most LS1s are now 20+ years old, so condition is worth checking.
Is a junkyard LS1 worth it?
Fine if it checks out. We look at compression and leaks before building a swap around a used engine.
5.7L V8 · aluminum block · 345–350 hp stock (Corvette) · 1997–2004 Corvette, 1998–2002 Camaro and Firebird
LS3 Swap
The LS3 is a 6.2-liter aluminum V8 rated at 430 hp, from the 2008–2013 Corvette and the manual-transmission 2010–2015 Camaro SS. It’s also sold brand new as a Chevrolet Performance crate engine, so you don’t have to start with a used one.
What does an LS3 swap kit include?
The LS3 uses the same basic swap parts as other LS engines, plus clearance for its larger intake and heads in some cars.
How much does an LS3 swap cost?
Higher than a 5.3 or LS1 swap, mainly because the engine costs more. You’re paying for more power without opening the engine up.
Should I buy a new LS3 crate engine or a used one?
A new crate LS3 comes with a known history. A used LS3 from a Corvette or Camaro costs less but should be checked first.
LS3 swaps for a C3 or C4 Corvette
Older Corvettes are among the most-searched LS3 swaps. The LS3 drops modern Corvette power into a classic Corvette body.
6.2L V8 · aluminum block · 430 hp stock · 2008–2013 Corvette, 2010–2015 Camaro SS (manual), Chevrolet Performance crate engine
6.0 LS Swap
The 6.0 (LQ4 and LQ9) is the iron-block truck LS from heavy-duty GM pickups, SUVs and vans. It makes more torque than a 5.3 and has a strong bottom end, which is why it’s a common base for turbo builds and heavier trucks.
6.0 LS swaps for OBS and square body Chevy trucks
Square body (1973–1987) and OBS (1988–1998) Chevy trucks are classic 6.0 swap candidates. The truck engine suits the truck.
What motor mounts and oil pan does a 6.0 swap need?
The engine needs mounts and an oil pan that clear your chassis and steering. These change with the vehicle.
What harness does a 6.0 LS swap need?
Same as other LS swaps: an engine computer and a harness to suit, either reworked from the donor truck or standalone.
Is the 6.0 a good engine for a turbo build?
The iron block handles boost well, so the 6.0 is a popular base when a turbo is part of the plan.
6.0L V8 · cast-iron block · 300–345 hp stock (LQ4 / LQ9) · heavy-duty GM trucks, SUVs and vans
LS Crate Engine Swap
An LS crate engine is a brand-new engine from Chevrolet Performance or another supplier, instead of a used engine from a donor vehicle. They come in 5.3, 6.2 (LS3) and bigger versions, and some are sold as a crate engine and transmission package.
Should I buy an LS crate engine and transmission package?
Buying the engine and transmission together means the two are matched, and often come with the computer and harness to run them.
What is a turn-key LS crate engine?
A turn-key crate engine comes with more of what it needs to run already fitted. It still needs mounting, fuel, cooling and exhaust in your vehicle.
Is an LS crate engine worth the price?
More than a used engine, but there’s no history to worry about. The rest of the swap costs the same either way.
Can you run an LS crate engine on a carburetor?
Some crate LS engines are set up for a carburetor, which can simplify the wiring in an older car.
New engine · 5.3L, 6.2L (LS3) and larger · available as engine-only or engine and transmission packages
Not sure which LS engine fits your build? Call 936-661-2675 with the vehicle, your budget and how you’ll drive it.
What Brix Auto Group Customers Say
“William was fantastic. Super clear pricing and was done with my truck on time.”
“Ms. Sandy and her team went above and beyond to have my vehicle repaired after I was in a collision accident.”
“I am very satisfied with the quality of work 10 out of 10.”
Got an LS swap in mind?
Call 936-661-2675 with the vehicle, your budget and how you’ll drive it. The shop is at 27813 Calvert Rd, Tomball, about 33 miles from Houston.
LS Swaps Questions
What an LS swap costs, how long it takes and whether it’s worth it, C10s included.
What is an LS swap?
An LS swap is fitting a GM LS-family V8, first used in the 1997 Corvette, into a vehicle that didn’t come with one. They’re popular because the engines are compact, reliable and easy to find.
Is an LS swap worth it?
For a lot of classic cars and trucks, yes: more power, better reliability and easy parts. Whether it’s worth it for yours depends on the vehicle, the budget and how you’ll drive it.
How much does an LS swap cost?
It depends mostly on the engine, the transmission and how much fabrication the vehicle needs. Call 936-661-2675 with your vehicle and the engine you want and we’ll talk it through.
How much does an LS swap cost in a C10?
Square body and older Chevy C10 trucks are common LS swap candidates. As with any swap, the engine, transmission and fuel system you pick drive the cost. Call to talk through your truck.
How long does an LS swap take?
It depends on the vehicle, the parts and how much fabrication is needed. We’ll give you a timeframe once we know the car and the plan.
Is an LS swap easy?
Swap kits exist for popular vehicles, but wiring, the fuel system, mounts, cooling and exhaust still make it a real job. Getting those right is what makes a swap reliable.
Where can I get an LS swap near Houston?
Brix Auto Group, 27813 Calvert Rd, Tomball, TX 77377. From downtown Houston it’s about 33 miles up I-45, Beltway 8 and TX-249.
LS Swap Shop for the Houston Area
People drive in from all over the Houston area for LS swaps.
All service areas ↗Typical Google Maps drive times from each town to 27813 Calvert Rd, leaving at 11 am on a weekday.