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How much does it cost to LS swap a square body?

Expect about $648–$2,001 in swap-specific parts for a square body LS swap, before the engine (2WD C10: $647.78; 4WD K10: $2,000.54). Those are separate versions, not parts to add together: you buy the set for your drivetrain. We haven't confirmed a price for the 4WD K10 Holley/Hooker LS swap engine mounts, so budget more.

Last updated

The parts on our list for the C10 / K10 Squarebody (2026 retail prices; required unless marked optional):

2WD C10:

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  • Speedway Motors 91012808 Deluxe AN6 GM LS Swap Fuel Filter/Regulator, 58 PSI ($74.99)
  • ICT Billet 5510-KIT003EM LS Swap Engine Mount Kit, 73-87 GM Truck ($260)
  • Chevrolet Performance 19212593 LS Swap Muscle Car Oil Pan (LH8-style), LS1/LS3 ($312.79)
  • Bills Hot Rod Co. 200 Series (Mid) LS Accessory Drive Kit (alternator, AC, water pump, PS, brackets) ($1,159.99) (optional)
  • DeWitts 32-6239019A LSX Conversion Radiator, 1973-87 C10 ($1,796.99) (optional)
  • FiTech 71014 Ultimate LS EFI 750HP system (intake, ECM, harness) ($2,314.79) (optional)
  • FiTech C10 LS swap fuel tank with pump and sender ($600) (optional)
  • Speedway Motors Gen 3 LS to TH350/700R4/Powerglide Transmission Adapter Kit ($313.99) (optional)

4WD K10:

  • Speedway Motors LS Swap Radiator Hose Adapter w/ Steam Port, 1.5–1.25 in ($42.99)
  • Aeromotive 18688 Phantom In-Tank Fuel Pump System for EFI swaps ($665.60)
  • Speedway Motors 91012808 Deluxe AN6 GM LS Swap Fuel Filter/Regulator, 58 PSI ($74.99)
  • Speedway Motors 1999-2003 Vortec V8 Wiring Harness ($612.99)
  • Speedway Motors LS Swap Conversion Low Profile Oil Pan, OEM filter location ($324.99)
  • Speedway Motors LS1/LS2/LS6/5.3/6.0 to TH350/700R4/4L60 Adapter Flexplate ($247.99)
  • Speedway Motors LS Crankshaft TH350/TH400/700R4 Torque Converter Adapter Sleeve ($30.99)
  • Holley/Hooker BlackHeart dual-position LS swap engine mounts (front or rear bias) (price not confirmed)
  • Holley 20-190 Premium Mid-Mount LS7 Complete Accessory System ($3,799.95) (optional)
  • Speedway Motors 1966-90 GM A-Body/B-Body/Truck Aluminum Radiator ($303.99) (optional)
  • Holley 550-917 Terminator X Max Early Truck Engine MPFI Kit ($1,698.95) (optional)
  • Speedway Motors 2.5 in Dual Exhaust Mandrel Bend Kit ($166.99) (optional)
  • Hooker 8502-HKR LS Swap Cast Iron Exhaust Manifold, 2.5 in ($466.95) (optional)
  • Flowtech 11575FLT Shorty Headers, GM LS Universal ($311.95) (optional)

How the totals add up (required parts only):

  • 2WD C10: Deluxe AN6 GM LS Swap Fuel Filter/Regulator, 58 PSI $74.99 + LS Swap Engine Mount Kit, 73-87 GM Truck $260 + LS Swap Muscle Car Oil Pan, LS1/LS3 $312.79 = $647.78
  • 4WD K10: LS Swap Radiator Hose Adapter w/ Steam Port, 1.5–1.25 in $42.99 + Phantom In-Tank Fuel Pump System for EFI swaps $665.60 + Deluxe AN6 GM LS Swap Fuel Filter/Regulator, 58 PSI $74.99 + 1999-2003 Vortec V8 Wiring Harness $612.99 + LS Swap Conversion Low Profile Oil Pan, OEM filter location $324.99 + LS1/LS2/LS6/5.3/6.0 to TH350/700R4/4L60 Adapter Flexplate $247.99 + LS Crankshaft TH350/TH400/700R4 Torque Converter Adapter Sleeve $30.99 = $2,000.54 (plus the Holley/Hooker LS swap engine mounts: price not confirmed)

On top of this you'll need the engine (junkyard or crate) and, unless a kit above includes them, the transmission, wiring/ECU and tune, fuel system, cooling and exhaust. The whole-build budget is on the C10 / K10 Squarebody swap guide; price your own combination in the swap cost estimator and see how much an LS swap costs for typical ranges of each item.

What we recommend

Budget around $10,000 for a mid-budget square body swap that's ready for the road. In the builds we've seen, that covers an LH6 5.3 with 4L65E (about $3,000), cam/pushrods/lifters/gaskets/seals ($800), a 3200 stall converter ($500), a swap harness ($800), driveshaft ($400), rear axle parts with 3.90 gears (about $1,100 plus $500 labor), longtube headers ($350), exhaust work ($450), mounts and fan shroud ($350), a big block radiator ($180), two Spal fans ($350), a tune ($500) and fluids/misc ($800). Skipping the cam and stall saves about $800-1,200, and a wrecked complete donor with a cut-down stock harness can bring it closer to $5,000. A build like this has shown it can cover 45k miles and get 18-22 mpg on the highway.

Based on what we've seen work across our own builds, our friends' builds and the wider LS community, reviewed by our lead shop tuner (over 20 years of LS and LT tuning experience). Every combination is different, so use at your own risk.

Go deeper

Try this, then this

  1. Price a complete donor vehicle first (wrecked truck with harness/PCM) — cheapest path to $5k territory. Worked if: donor runs and includes harness, PCM, accessories
  2. Skip cam/stall for the first iteration — saves $800-1,200 per the row. Worked if: truck runs and drives reliably stock

How you know it's fixed

  • Build budget itemized before buying; engine is the cheap part, peripherals add up

Still not fixed?

  • If paying a shop, get the all-in quote first - labor can match or exceed parts cost

Key numbers

WhatValue
Shop turn-key square-body LS swap cost range~$5k parts+labor DIY-supplied parts, up to $10k+ with shop labor
Documented budget square-body build totalunder $10K including the truck; $2,900 engine+trans
Documented junkyard LS swap grand total$6,165

Time and cost: Shop swap: about a week of shop time; DIY: several weekends

What does a complete LS3 or LQ4 swap into a 67-72 truck actually cost?
What we recommend

Expect anywhere from about $2,500 for a careful DIY junkyard swap to $10,000-15,000 for a new LS3 package, depending on what engine you choose and how much you do yourself. A DIY 5.3/4L60E can land around $2,500 all-in, including engine and trans with harness, mounts, fuel pump, lines and Trailblazer SS manifolds, if you modify the harness yourself, mail the ECM to a tuner, and reuse the driveshaft and radiator. A 6.0 LQ9 install lands around $3,000, a used LS3 with a TR6060 was about $6,500, and a new Connect & Cruise LS3 with a 6L80E runs $10,000-15,000. The LQ4 is about 322 hp stock and responds well to cams, headers and tuning, while later 5.3s make over 300 hp and give more upgrade headroom per dollar. The LS3 is rated at 424 hp.

Check this first:

  • Decide early whether you will rework the harness and tune yourself or pay for it
  • Check whether your driveshaft and radiator can be reused

Check this first

  1. Note: this is a 67-72 truck, not a square body - chassis parts differ

Try this, then this

  1. Use the $6,165 documented build as the budget anchor — itemized and real. Worked if: your parts list matches

How you know it's fixed

  • Budget set with the chassis difference noted

Key numbers

WhatValue
LS swap cost range$2,000-8,000+

Time and cost: Two weeks DIY

Is GM's Connect & Cruise engine package worth it for a 72 truck versus building a used truck-motor swap?
What we recommend

For most 72 truck builds, a used truck-motor or car-engine swap costs far less than Connect & Cruise, while the GM package mainly buys convenience. The Connect & Cruise LS3/4L60E package runs about $11,930 with free shipping, and the packaging and instructions are good, but some buyers end up using aftermarket front-drive parts instead of the GM ones they paid for. It also needs a different pan: the LS3 pan won't clear without notching the crossmember, so the CTS-V Cadillac pan is the best choice, and the GM truck pan 19212593 (which GM can ship with the package) hangs a little low. For comparison, a complete used LS1/4L60E with converted harness and PCM reflash comes in around $3,000, and an LQ4/4L80E with a harness rework around $1,700 total. We recommend the used route unless you value a new engine and warranty-style convenience over the savings.

Check this first:

  • Choose an oil pan that clears your crossmember (CTS-V pan preferred)
  • Decide whether you will use the GM front-drive parts before paying for them

Check this first

  1. This is a 67-72 data point on a square-body cost page - flag the chassis difference

How you know it's fixed

  • High-end cost anchored with current-package pricing

Key numbers

WhatValue
JEGS 19434640PAKdiscontinued

Every option we know of

Maker / productPart #FitsPriceWhereStatus / notes
Wragth Motorsports
LS3/6L80E pullout package		n/a67-72 swap$15,288.25wragthmotorsports.comIn production
price is package-specific
JEGS
LS3 connect-and-cruise package		19434640PAKLS3/4L65En/ajegs.comDiscontinued / used only
discontinued - do not recommend as buyable

Prices are approximate as of September 2026. We list every option we know of, including small shops and used parts we can't link to. Confirm fitment with the seller.

Time and cost: Varies

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