justindavis38

Hey guys I'm new on the forum. Dont currently own an LS car, I own a Duramax. I want to build a 3rd Gen swapped car I love the 3rd gens always have! I've been doing alot of research on the swaps, and im wanting to go with a 5.3L. But it seems most of the threads I stumble upon are for the ls1 swap. So I got just a couple simple questions. The A/C compressor I haven't seen anyone mention notching the k member on the 5.3. I'm assuming its the same as the ls1 and it has to be notched. Also i see you can take the 4th Gen fuel tank and it has the pump and regulator needed already but is that fuel pump reliable for a lm7 or will i need to get another fuel pump? Hopefully i can get this started soon, I'm in college working part time. So its going to be a steady build hoping i can get it knocked out in a couple months though. Thanks guys!

camarof41_383

iTrader: (7)

The 5.3 block has the same external dimensions as a ls1. The problems with a 5.3 fitting come from the accessores and oil pan. The truck oil pan hangs too low and the truck intake won't clear with a stock 3rdgen hood. Most use LS1/LS6 intake and f-body oil pan to avoid those issues.

The truck accessories can be adapted to work but most use f-body accessories because it's easier. These links should answer your questons.
http://www.thirdgen.org/forums/ltx-l...otor-into.html
http://www.thirdgen.org/forums/ltx-l...t-6-0-5-a.html

If the thirdgen was a tpi car originally it would probably be easiest to use the stock thirdgen tank and upgrade the fuel pump. If you want to use the 4thgen fuel tank it can be done that way too, and the 4thgen pump should feed the 5.3 just fine.
http://www.thirdgen.org/forums/ltx-l...k-plastic.html
http://www.thirdgen.org/forums/ltx-l...t-way-get.html
http://www.thirdgen.org/forums/ltx-l...s-tank-do.html

Other links that may be useful
http://www.thirdgen.org/forums/ltx-l...third-gen.html
http://www.thirdgen.org/forums/ltx-l...ltx-swaps.html

Hope that helps, I still had all this stuff bookmarked from when I was doing reasearch on LS swapping a 3rdgen. I've done 3 of them now, not too bad if you do your homework and well worth the effort.

If you can find a compete donor car (98-02 F-body) that is probably the easiest and most cost effective. Piecing together accessories and all the small stuff can add up fast. If you have a complete donor car you have almost everything you need. Finding a a donor car can be difficult they are getting hard to find without tons of mileage.

Nothing wrong with going the 5.3L route though, they can be found for cheap..its just a matter of how much does it cost to get the other stuff you need to make it work.

justindavis38

Cool man thanks alot! Ill look into some of that wasn't aware they 5.3 I take wouldn't fit under the hood. I did know the oil pan must be changed and found a site that said the water pump, balancer, and pulley needed to be swapped out but no build threads had mentioned that. I may just end up going ls1 then if I can find a decent donor car. Seems like the ls1 will be the easiest swap.

M6 Swap

iTrader: (1)

I agree with CAMAROF41 383, donor car would be best. I got a 5.3 out of a 2005 express van and had to piece together all my acc and buy an oil pan from an f body. Also bought a f body fuel pump and countless other stuff. I would've saved a ton of time and $$ if I had a donor. But it was fun researching and finding all the pieces to make the build work. Check out my build thread, its a 2nd gen but still might be helpful.

https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...75-camaro.html

justindavis38

Thanks man ill check that out! Yea I guess ill go with the donor car hopefully that wont be to hard.

camarof41_383

iTrader: (7)

Deals can be found on craiglist but you have to be quick and have cash in hand. I found a 99Z28 LS1/T56 with 80k miles for $3200 for the last swap I did. It was a complete unwrecked running/driving car but a little neglected. I pulled out everything needed for the swap and sold the roller for $1000. Then I sold a mildly built 355TPI/t5 that was in the thirdgen for $2000. Almost breaking even at that point. Still had to buy the mounts, baseline tune, fuel system parts, headers etc but its not too bad when you have all the major parts.

On another swap I bought a complete drop out LS1/4l60e with 33k miles for $3200 from the classified section here. Less work that way but more expensive.

justindavis38

Alright so I've continued to research and read I stumbled on an old thread that and a guy put a 5.3 in the 3rd Gen body without changing anything. All you have to do is get a 2.5" cowl hood but he has the engine cover on it as well I assume if I don't use that and do some trimming I can get away with a 1.5" cowl hood?
http://www.thirdgen.org/forums/ltx-lsx/493660-fitting-truck-motor-into.html
Post #31 and #36