4.8 LS swap build

Looking to start collecting parts for an LS swap on my 02 4cylinder. The plan is to save up and buy parts during winter and then start the build in spring/summer after the bar exam.

Doing research on my own swap and here are some costs I've come up with. I have limited fab skills and currently have no welder (not out of the question to pick one up but I'm a novice at best)

CXracing:
Motor arms/mounts $534
Exhaust $905
Rear sump $534
Moroso oil pan $381
Trans:
D40 (frontier 6 speed) - $350 at my local junkyard
D40 adapter plate - $900
Mini starter $114

Engine W/ 100k miles w/ harness/ECU - $500
Driveshaft $200
Radiator $100
Efan - $100

Looking to do some maintenance on the engine like rear main/oil-pan and other hard to reach stuff.

I've been trying to research LS swaps specific to 1st gens but I've only seen a few builds from 08-10 but not much recently, a few videos on YT.

Anything I miss? The rear diff doesn't seem to have any issues holding power, i'll likely upgrade springs/struts to V6 model parts.

The CX racing stuff is pretty expensive for what it is. Wish there were a few other options but LS swaps don't seem popular here!

P.S. Do I need to worry about the rear end at all with 280-300hp/torque? More worried about the torque. I can go a ford 8,8 but If I dont need it...

P.S.S. I swapped a C10 prior but never got around to finishing it and sold it because it was just too big for me.
Heres some photos of my new to me Tacoma

 

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I’ve been hunting for a solid 5.3 for my truck, if I can avoid pulling it myself at pull-a-part I’d like to but, we’ll see. Start rebuilding that while I accumulate more parts.

 

Search for project fire bolt on YouTube this guy did excellent work documenting his LS swap. And he did a superb job too!!!

 

I was actually following Built by Sonick - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNhZ_aP467c&t=2s

He does a little more fab and tear down than I would probably like to follow. I'll check out Project Fire bolt next.

 

After reading a few more forum posts and watching a few more videos I decided itd be better to have a welder than no welder. Picked up a Yesman multi purpose welder for mig/flux core. Might try to fab up my own mounts as opposed to buying the CXracing ones.

In the link I just posted he uses a smaller oil pan, not stock. Does anyone know what brand it is? I've asked him and am going to try and track it down. If I can avoid CX racing stuff i'd prefer it.

They are rather infamous in the E30 community for their garbage gen 1 turbo exhausts cracking immediately.

P.S. He replied to my comment and the pan used is Moroso oil pan. a https://www.moroso.com/chevrolet-gm-ls-series20146/

 

Oh yeah, I watched that series as he was uploading them, same with his Miata build. Good series.

 

X3 for project fire bolt from turbo garage. He's meticulous and it looks damn near factory when he's done on all his projects. Definitely following your build.

 

There's a few guys local to me who pull them regularly and sell them as drop in swaps (no cut wires w/ ECUs) for around 500-600 depending on how long they sit. Snagged my last 4.8 w/ 165k for around 350$ complete. Worth checking on FB if you can. All I needed was to bring my truck he dropped it straight into the bed.

 

Sounds like a great deal, I’ll have to look into that!