Conversions & Swaps LSX Engines in Non-LSX Vehicles
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

5.3 Mustang HELP!!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 03-20-2015, 05:59 PM
  #1  
Teching In
Thread Starter
 
buck2014's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Birmingham Alabama
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default 5.3 Mustang HELP!!

Installing a 2002 5.3 from a suburban in an 87 lx coupe. Need recommendations on what trans to run? What cam to run? I'm using stock heads and truck intake. it is cable drive throttle. I'm looking for around 350-400 hp. Definitely want a overdrive trans. because this is going to be a street drivable car, with power to run when i want it to. Also i have the ECM and harness, looking to send it to someone to make it into a stand alone. Recommendations? Thanks for the help
Old 03-20-2015, 06:42 PM
  #2  
Restricted User
 
JoeNova's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Ohio
Posts: 7,194
Received 104 Likes on 87 Posts
Default

Overdrive trans? Do you want Auto or Manual?

Trick Flow 228/230 cam is an awesome cam for a 5.3. You'll make 400 at the flywheel pretty easy with that cam.
Old 03-20-2015, 06:45 PM
  #3  
Teching In
Thread Starter
 
buck2014's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Birmingham Alabama
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Auto trans. What is the rpm range of that cam? Also what range stall converter? and who to buy it from?
Old 03-20-2015, 06:51 PM
  #4  
Restricted User
 
JoeNova's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Ohio
Posts: 7,194
Received 104 Likes on 87 Posts
Default

Jegs sells them for less than $300. Single beehive springs work fine since it has less than $600 lift. RPM ranges that manufacturers post on their cams are pretty irrelevant. You should be able to take this cam to 6600 RPM or so in a 5.3 without power falling off at the top. If you're worried its a little too big, there is a slightly smaller 216/220 version that will make 375 on a mostly stock 5.3, 400 with a little bit of effort.

I'd get somewhere between 2600 and 3600 stall, it really depends on what else you're going to be using the car for. Lots of street driving, not a lot of track action, go with a lower stall. With the smaller cam I would personally go 2800-3000 stall. The larger cam, a 3200 stall would fit nicely.

4L60 or 4L80 are your two choices for easy overdrive transmissions. The 4L60e is the automatic that was in the LS cars. The 4L80e is basically the overdrive version of the TH400 and is MUCH stronger than the 4L60. It was behind the 6.0 in the trucks and even some of the smaller engines in the vans. It is a lot heavier, though.
Old 03-22-2015, 08:01 AM
  #5  
Teching In
Thread Starter
 
buck2014's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Birmingham Alabama
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

ok. i found a 4l80 trans. is it controlled by my ecm and engine harness or is there separate harness and pcm for it?
Old 03-22-2015, 09:22 AM
  #6  
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (43)
 
booboo37's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: mi
Posts: 501
Received 14 Likes on 12 Posts

Default

i sell about 3-5 LS7 cam shafts a week mostly to the 5.3 truck guys but then you would need to convert over to the 3 bolt cam.......
Stock LS7 cam with vary low miles.....there all excellent condition....no wear...$110 shipped each..

duration is 211/230 int/exh @ 0.050" Lift 0.591/0.591
120LSA...
Old 03-22-2015, 10:04 PM
  #7  
9 Second Club
iTrader: (9)
 
Bowtiedford's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Indian Rocks Beach Fl
Posts: 1,059
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

you use your ecm, for the harness I used LSXharness, great guy and good to work with.
Old 03-24-2015, 04:51 PM
  #8  
Teching In
Thread Starter
 
buck2014's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Birmingham Alabama
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Ok I came across a working 4l60e for $200. so I'm going to use it until it blows apart. then i will get the 80. so basically i have about everything i need. i have the engine, ecm, harness, and 4l60 trans. so my harness should plug right up with my trans, and all should be ok. any idea on a trans crossmember? will the factory one work?
Old 03-24-2015, 08:18 PM
  #9  
9 Second Club
iTrader: (9)
 
Bowtiedford's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Indian Rocks Beach Fl
Posts: 1,059
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I'm sure you can try to make it work if you can weld. I have a aftermarket one, forgot which one as it was done now over 9 years.
Old 03-25-2015, 12:46 PM
  #10  
TECH Regular
iTrader: (7)
 
boostnut's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Central IL
Posts: 457
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts

Default

AJE sells an aftermarket trans crossmember. Also, do yourself a favor and skip the 4L60, go straight to the 4L80, much easier in the long run.
Old 03-25-2015, 02:09 PM
  #11  
Teching In
 
crockerdave's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Beaumont, TX
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

will a 4L80 fit in a Foxbody mustang? I know a 4L60 will, but with the 4L80 being so much bigger, I can't help but think that between 'some' and 'lots' of pounding/cutting/massaging would be required for it to fit. Anyone have experience putting a 4L80 in a Foxbody?
Old 03-25-2015, 02:58 PM
  #12  
9 Second Club
iTrader: (9)
 
Bowtiedford's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Indian Rocks Beach Fl
Posts: 1,059
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I know some guys have put a 4l80e in their cars, I think it just depends on motor placement. I had a 4l60e in my car for over 9 years with a Yank 3600 and ran 11's all day on it and 10's with nitrous. I let the comp shift the trans as it adjusts the line pressure safely under load. I think that might have been key to my longevity with the trans. I still run a 4l60e but its a built tranny and I runs 10's na and use 2 stages of nitrous also with no problem. I still let the comp shift it for me at 6200 all shifts.
Old 03-25-2015, 03:11 PM
  #13  
Teching In
 
crockerdave's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Beaumont, TX
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Bowtiedford
I know some guys have put a 4l80e in their cars, I think it just depends on motor placement. I had a 4l60e in my car for over 9 years with a Yank 3600 and ran 11's all day on it and 10's with nitrous. I let the comp shift the trans as it adjusts the line pressure safely under load. I think that might have been key to my longevity with the trans. I still run a 4l60e but its a built tranny and I runs 10's na and use 2 stages of nitrous also with no problem. I still let the comp shift it for me at 6200 all shifts.
Nice; that's impressive that the 4L60 took 11 & 10 sec passes for 9 yrs! Gives me hope for my future build. (i'm hoping to just upgrade the known weak links in a J/Y 4L60e as opposed to ordering a fully built 4L60e & dropping $2,500-3,500).
Old 03-25-2015, 03:14 PM
  #14  
9 Second Club
iTrader: (9)
 
Bowtiedford's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Indian Rocks Beach Fl
Posts: 1,059
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

My 4l60e came out of a 98 Trans Am with 68,000 miles, we added a basic transgo shift kit. One time we had to replace the front pump and one of the solenoids inside the pan. My cooler did always have a fan in front of it.
Old 03-26-2015, 12:30 PM
  #15  
TECH Regular
iTrader: (7)
 
boostnut's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Central IL
Posts: 457
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts

Default

I have an 80e in my 95 mustang, same trans tunnel from what I understand. I did a little hammering on the drivers side for shift linkage and wiring harness clearance. Nothing major, no cutting or welding required.
Old 03-30-2015, 01:55 PM
  #16  
Teching In
 
crockerdave's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Beaumont, TX
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by boostnut
I have an 80e in my 95 mustang, same trans tunnel from what I understand. I did a little hammering on the drivers side for shift linkage and wiring harness clearance. Nothing major, no cutting or welding required.
nice! Good to know.
Old 04-02-2015, 06:32 PM
  #17  
Teching In
Thread Starter
 
buck2014's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Birmingham Alabama
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Thanks guys. The build has slowed down for a bit. I just had a baby boy born. I will get back to the build soon though.



Quick Reply: 5.3 Mustang HELP!!



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:29 PM.