replacing dead ls1 - quote feedback request

[bossho]

hey guys, I've posted recently about my 98 Trans am running dry of oil, the engine has 143k miles and the engine is dead basically, the car is almost perfect condition as far interior and exterior appearance, I just received a quotation with 2 options - 1st is LS6 replacement swap - pretty straightforward 2nd option is custom rebuild of existing Ls1 - I am hoping you guys can give me some feedback and/or what questions I should ask the shop that im looking to do the work for me. I work for the phone company and am incapable of doing this myself.
any feedback or input is appreciated so that I can ensure nothing is being missed in the quote or if theres anything you would recommend differently etc - my budget is 7k-9k
Thanks in advance for your feedback - here is the quote

1998 PONTIAC FIREBIRD 5.7L LS1 ENGINE SWAP/REBUILD GOAL 450+ HP

OPTION 1 – COST – CRATE ENGINE LS6 (FROM LINK)

LABOR – REPLACE ENGINE– $1575
REPLACE INTAKE WITH LS6 INTAKE - $200

ENGINE CRATE – $3558 + SHIPPING (NO TAX-CUSTOMER PURCHASE)

TRANSMISSION WORK, OPTIONAL UPGRADES ETC. – SEE BELOW
__________________________________________________ _

OPTION 2 – CUSTOM BUILD

LABOR – SHOP - $2000 INCL R&R ENGINE, STRIP BLOCK & REASSEMBLY

MACHINE WORK:
FULL RACE BORE & HONE WITH PORT PLATE – $360
CLEAN BLOCK - $85
LINE HONE IF NEEDED - $260
CAM BEARINGS INSTALL - $45
VALVE GUIDES - $13 EACH LABOR
FULL RACE 3-ANGLE VALVE JOB - $390
SURFACE HEADS -$85
VALVE SEATS (IF NEEDED) $26 LABOR EACH + $13 EACH SEAT

PORT WORK – FOR A STREET PORT “POCKET PORT” - $650 TESTED WITH FLOW BENCH
MOST BANG FOR THE BUCK

ENGINE KIT/PARTS – - $700 FOR REBUILD KIT – MACHINE WORK & CAM WILL GIVE YOU THE HP. $1200 CAN GET YOU FORGED PISTON ENGINE KIT
CAMSHAFT – RECOMMENDED LUNATI 60511 - $369.95
VALVE SPRINGS – $139.95
LIFTERS - $529.99

FOR THE ABOVE WE’LL BE IN THE 460-500 HP RANGE

TO UPGRADE TO STROKER KIT 525-560HP – LET ME KNOW IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN MORE POWER IF WITHIN YOUR BUDGET WE CAN PRICE OUT.
WILL NEED REBALANCE ENGINE WITH THIS OPTION- $300
__________________________________________________ ______________
HEADERS & EXHAUST
HEADERS – LABOR INCLUDED IN ENGINE LABOR PRICE UNLESS FABRICATION IS NEEDED TO FIT
EXHAUST - $600 TO $1200 – WHETHER BOLT-ON (HEDMAN, HOOKER, MAGNAFLOW, ETC. WITH LABOR) OR CUSTOM WELD JOB
HEADERS – HEDMAN $259
PROGRAMMER –$300
DYNOTUNE – OUTSOURCE – WE CAN ADJUST TUNING VIA THE PROGRAMMER IN HOUSE

OTHER PARTS
K&N INTAKE - $303.95
A/C DRIER & ORIFICE TUBE & MATERIALS - $80
ACCESSORY KIT (LINK PROVIDED) –
TRANS COOLER - $50
FLUIDS & FILTERS – TRANS FLUID, OIL, FILTER, SPARK PLUGS, ETC.

LS6 INTAKE POLISHED - $585

3600 STALL CONVERTER - 242931 $499.95

LABOR – TRANSMISSION – SERVICE, REPLACE SEALS AND INSTALL COOLER, CONVERTER - $225 + PARTS

READ END SERVICE - $60 WITH FLUID

PROTHANE SUSPENSION KIT - $700 LABOR – THIS IS A LABOR-INTENSIVE JOB I KNOW FROM EXPERIENCE. SINCE YOU’RE DOING THE ENGINE WE’RE ONLY CHARGING $700 IT WOULD BE MORE IF WE DID IT SEPARATELY.


Again, thanks in advance for your valuable input / recommendations . further clarifications I should ask about etc are very much appreciated.

Thanks,

Tom

[Blue28]

You could get an LS3 crate engine for $6,675.80 from SDPC.

[Spaz]

You could get an LS3 crate engine for $6,675.80 from SDPC.

also need new wireing ect...



go with the LS6!!! you won't regret it...

[bossho]

[QUOTE=Spaz;2324321]also need new wireing ect...

Most importantly, thank you for the feedback.

Can you please elaborate on the new wiring requirement?

It's my understanding that my LS1 ECU/Computer was compatible with and LS6, however a dyno tune would be required to wake up the Ponies.

[Spaz]

Most importantly, thank you for the feedback.

Can you please elaborate on the new wiring requirement?

It's my understanding that my LS1 ECU/Computer was compatible with and LS6, however a dyno tune would be required to wake up the Ponies.

LS6 is a drop in motor... no new mods really required... you'll only need to reuse your oil pan from your LS1...

the LS3 will be more work... i believe GM high tech perfomance had an article where they dropped in a LS3... i forget what month it was...

[Cutlass]

Here are my issues with this quote with my suggestions in BOLD

PROGRAMMER –$300
DYNOTUNE – OUTSOURCE – WE CAN ADJUST TUNING VIA THE PROGRAMMER IN HOUSE
They should be using an experienced tuner with HpTuners or EFILive to correct the computer calibration for the engine/trans mods. If they are using a handheld, the results probablly won't be that great, if it works at all.

OTHER PARTS
K&N INTAKE - $303.95
Thats a lot for an intake setup. You could save some money here just getting a lid

LS6 INTAKE POLISHED - $585
hmmm....I'd skip this too. I've never heard of someone polishing a plastic intake. The LS6 intake is fine just the way it is and doesn't really need anything

3600 STALL CONVERTER - 242931 $499.95
That part number comes up a TCI converter. You'd be better off spending some extra dollars here and getting a nice converter like Yank. Do a search on torque converters to find the best brands for LS1s

PROTHANE SUSPENSION KIT - $700 LABOR – THIS IS A LABOR-INTENSIVE JOB I KNOW FROM EXPERIENCE. SINCE YOU’RE DOING THE ENGINE WE’RE ONLY CHARGING $700 IT WOULD BE MORE IF WE DID IT SEPARATELY.
make sure you understand what you are getting here. These are performance bushings and will ride stiffer and might be squeaky/creaky. They will perform much better than the stock ones, but I wanted to make sure you know what you are getting here.

[Deezl SS]

Here are my issues with this quote with my suggestions in BOLD

I agree with Cutlass. Skip there tune and get a mail order from Frost. Skip the k&n and go with a lid with k&n filter. Skip the "polished" ls6 intake and get a Shaner ported TB. For the poly bushings, be sure they order black ones. I read from Prothane (i believe) that the black busings contain some natural grease that cuts down alot on squeaks. You can save yourself around $500 by going with what Cutlass said. There's the extra scratch to get yourself a nice triple disc 3600 stall converter.