n00bcamino

As the name suggests, I'm new to the circuit and I have a few questions. I've searched high and low and can't find much to help scratch my itch. I want to put a 5.3 in my Elco. Are all A-Body's the same? I've seen other LS motors in 64 Chevelle posts which I know are very similar but never a 5.3. The other LS's are pretty expensive compared to the truck motors. I'm worried since the truck motors are taller that it may not even fit under the hood. I don't want to find out the hard way! Can anybody offer some knowledge?

rickpaw

Dimensionally, all LS blocks are the same. So motor mounts for other LS motors will work with the 5.3. Truck motors have taller intakes (only difference) so you can remove it and swap in a car intake for a lower profile.

Are Chevelles and El Ca using the same frame, just different body?

1964SS

iTrader: (1)

The front ends of the elcos are the same as the chevelles. I think I've seen someone use a 5.3 with the truck intake on a 64 before, but it had to be trimmed on top to clear the hood. The truck oil pans are too deep and hang down too low so it will need to be replaced with another pan. I'm not sure if the truck accessories will fit or not, but with the holley bracket kits you can set the accessories up like the corvette and they fit nicely.

bwirolla64

I've never seen a 64 chevelle frame but if I'm not mistaken isn't the frame on 64 EL a X-frame like an Impala?

65chev

No, the 63-67 chevelles/el caminos don't have the x-frame.

bwirolla64

Is it a59-62?

nofun

I had a 65 Elco for years, same frame as Chevelle. The Elco is just
a Chevelle statiton wagon with the roof cut off.

n00bcamino

Yeah whenever I buy stuff it's always Chevelle/El Camino's together. I know the blocks are the same but I'm worried about the height. I know pans are an issue with the crossmember and the tie rods and I don't mind modifying the xmember a bit to shoehorn it in. I was hoping someone knew if they'd fit under the hood.
Oh, and I'd rather not buy a truck motor just to swap the topside out with a car setup. Gets pricey

chuckd71

iTrader: (23)

If you have a hood scoop it will fit, flat hood probably not. Either way car intakes are cheap. Truck accessories will fit as well. Truck pans are an issue because they hang too low, not so much because they hit anything. Pretty sure a camino frame is boxed like a convertible Abody but a bit longer in the rear (not positive).

n00bcamino

I'd just hate to spend $ on a truck motor to spend more on a car intake and accessories. No scoop for me either. Just hoping somebody knew of a truck motor in an early A body.

n00bcamino

Am I stuck trying to find an LSX?

nofun

It's cheaper using an 5.3 and mod it, then it will be then finding a lsx.

oldgoat69

If you search this site you can see many 64-67 A-bodies with LS swaps. Many have successfully used the truck intakes and accessory drives. Just be sure to use a proven combination of parts. As you will learn some parts do not play well with others. In any event a 5.3, with DBC or DBW works out extremely well in this chassis.
My advice is to get as much of the engine, wiring, PCM and TAC + pedal as you can from the same donor vehicle. This will make your life ever so much easier. Don't be afraid of going with an earlier combination (99-03), lots of low mile examples out there. You can even pony up a few more bucks and get a 6.0 (LQ4, LQ9).

1964SS

iTrader: (1)

The first swap is a 5.3

https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...2-gm-body.html

johnnynumber5

iTrader: (7)

Truck intake will clear and start looking for a 2.8 v6 power steering pulley if you plan on running the truck accessory's. They say you can use a cts-v oil pan but it didn't work for me. I ended up using a f-body pan and notching the cross member to clear it.

zacht

iTrader: (18)

following this! I'm actually putting a 64 el camino frame under my 65 chevelle here soon. theyre basically the same, but about 3.27 inches longer between the last two body mounts (by the gas tank) and the frame rails are boxed on the el camino.

ijimmy

I have a 6.0 in my 64 chevelle , using a ctsv/musclecar pan , and also had to notch the back side of the front crosmember , Im running holley acessory drive and ls3 intake

bdr66

iTrader: (1)

I've got an '04 5.3 in my '66 using Dirty Dingo adapter plates. Harness is off a 2005 truck and I used www.lt1swap.com for 99% of the wiring info and a few things from this site. Running an F-body pan with a notched crossmember also. Truck exhaust manifolds will not work but the 98-02 f-body will. I went with an LS6 intake off an '01 Corvette since the truck intake was damaged. 2002 Camaro water pump and crank pulley, then used the Holley brackets with the proper spacers. Power steering pump, pulley, reservoir are all Corvette part numbers and I think they're listed in the instructions on what you can use with the Holley brackets. Made adapters for the radiator hoses since I didn't want to take the trouble of finding a ready made hose that would work lol. Running a TH400 transmission at the moment which required the hub adapter for the converter, made my own like the Hughes style which doesn't bolt on.

One little issue having the filter in that spot was it was throwing a lean code bank 1 and 2. When the fans turned on, it would cause things to go wacky. I've since moved the filter into behind the headlight and haven't had a problem since. Drove almost flawlessly on a 2100 mile round trip to Arizona, cruise control didn't quite work right above 60 mph for some reason and a fan relay gave out.

1964SS

iTrader: (1)

Hey I know that car! It was at the Scottsdale Good Guys show! lol

bdr66

iTrader: (1)

LOL what a pile it was I'll feel better about it after I paint the sucker.