72 Cutlass S 5.3/4L60 swap
11-22-2014, 07:14 PM
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72 Cutlass S 5.3/4L60 swap 
I guess it's time to start a thread. I've been reading about it and planning it for a year or so. I picked up a 2005 5.3/4L60 a few weeks ago and I started pulling the SBO today. I'll be picking up a fbody oil pan, intake, and exhaust manifolds from a guy parting out a 02 camaro next week. This is sorta a test post to see if I attach pics correctly
11-23-2014, 10:46 AM
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You are really going to like the LS upgrades. Search the site for proven combinations, and don't be afraid to ask questions before you spend money. Just remember there is never enough money to do it right but always enough to do it twice.
11-23-2014, 03:42 PM
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Thanks for the advice. I've read a lot of the A body builds on here for ideas. I haven't decided on exhaust or intake yet. I hope the truck manifold fits under my hood but I'll have a LS1 intake if not. I think I'm going to go with the F body pan and UMI mounts, and the Tanks Inc PA2 fuel pump. I'm doing my own harness so I can run all the wires where I want for a clean engine bay. Today I finished removing the a/c stuff, frame pads etc and cleaned up the frame a little 
all the boring stuff first.
all the boring stuff first. 
11-23-2014, 04:08 PM
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Gary it was you that started all this. I first saw your build on CO and have been wanting to do it ever since. You really did a great job and inspired me to go for it. I've done 3 cars so far but never attempted a LS swap. I'd like to have a stick but then my wife wouldn't drive it.... On second thought maybe I'll do that now too.
11-23-2014, 04:11 PM
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A stick makes a great theft deterrent to. No one knows how to shift any more...lol
Oh yeah, you'll be surprised at the difference between an old school carbed 350 and the injected 5.3. Much friendlier torque curve, and the 5.3 has much more top end potential with just a cam.
Oh yeah, you'll be surprised at the difference between an old school carbed 350 and the injected 5.3. Much friendlier torque curve, and the 5.3 has much more top end potential with just a cam.
Gary it was you that started all this. I first saw your build on CO and have been wanting to do it ever since. You really did a great job and inspired me to go for it. I've done 3 cars so far but never attempted a LS swap. I'd like to have a stick but then my wife wouldn't drive it.... On second thought maybe I'll do that now too.
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11-25-2014, 09:07 AM
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Gary, I think I remember reading that you used the EZ Wire kit on your build. (I used the 20 circuit mini fuse kit) Did you get your keyed power from 1 of the unused wires from the kit. I'm thinking the coil wire holds power while cranking.
11-25-2014, 09:30 AM
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Whether it has +12V during cranking depends on the switch block down on the column. I cant remember which post it was, but I just looked for one that did maintain 12V during cranking and run positions. That was the source for ecu, injector, ignition power.
Easy to do with the column out.
Easy to do with the column out.
12-12-2014, 07:59 PM
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I received the UMI mounts today and picked up the F body oil pan earlier in the week. The mounts seem to very well made. I forgot to get the windage tray for the pan so I'll attemp to modify the truck tray. If anyone has done this, did you have to do any mods to the area where the pickup mounts to the cap stud?
01-03-2015, 02:25 PM
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It's in for good. Still need to work on drive angle but it looks close. I might have to drop the rear of the trans down a bit. UMI 4008 mounts, F body oilpan, stock trans x member. The mounts worked out great, installed motor/trans together in less than an hour. Next task will be making sure the truck intake will fit under the hood.
01-03-2015, 07:57 PM
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GC steering box swapped a while back. best upgrade I made prior to the 5.3.
Alwhite, I have some pics on my phone, I'll take some with my iPad tomorrow and upload, I still haven't figured out how to load multiple pics on 1 post.
The fit is tight but I wanted it as far forward as possible
Alwhite, I have some pics on my phone, I'll take some with my iPad tomorrow and upload, I still haven't figured out how to load multiple pics on 1 post.
The fit is tight but I wanted it as far forward as possible
Last edited by Ablast; 01-03-2015 at 08:00 PM. Reason: Name