That87c10guy

Wanting to do a 5.3 swap in my 87 c10. Looking for about 350 horsepower at the end of the project. Any help on this swap would be appreciated. It's already fuel injected, with a 350 auto. So wanting a 5.3 auto swap with some basic performance goodies. What are some good brands to use to build up a 5.3? What problems can a expect to run into? What parts should I use for the swap? I'm usually a ford guy so don't kill me while I'm here. Lol thanks guys

Tuskyz28

https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversions-hybrids/1293307-79-c10-5-3-th400-12bolt-completed-pictures.html

https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversions-hybrids/1622101-cam-intake-exhaust-5-3-4lxxe-85-c10-pic-heavy.html


https://ls1tech.com/articles/ls-swap-meet-1986-chevy-c10-gets-a-5-3-upgrade/


http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/engine/1307-ls-cam-test-comparison/

Those three threads above should help. Also it's a lot of ways to achieve 350 horsepower. Do a set of long tube headers.... I personally would aim for a 1 3/4 header. Some F body headers work. Then get a custom tune and you way over 350 horse at the crank. A factory LM7 (mostly common) high mileage 5.3 motors produce 353 horsepower with just those 2 mods along. However 400 horse is easy as well. Do a cam swap.... call cam motion, Brian Tooley Racing, Scoggin Dickey etc for a simple cam kit. Just stay on the small side of the cam for durability. Stay away from LS7 lifters!! Hope all the links I provided you with helps and answers a lot of your questions.

truckdoug

iTrader: (25)

are you gonna keep the th350 or put in a 4 speed? the reason I mention it is that the electronic 4 speeds don't have a mechanical speedo output.

But 90 & 91 suburbans and blazers had electronic speedos that swap right in

NorCalAnthony

The main question should be what's your budget? There's a lot of ways to get it done it just depends on how hard you want to work vs how much you want to spend lol. Hooker just came out with a pretty sweet swap "kit" that has headers, engine mounts, transmission crossmember, etc that are all specifically designed for the square bodies if you have the coin:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...m-preview.html

Any reason you're planning on using the old 3 speed trans instead of running the newer OD trans?

76larkman

I put my 5.3 in using slider mounts on ebay and shorty headers. Dropped in like it belonged there. On tranny crossmember I moved it back redrilling holes. My reason was I wanted to have better tranny pan clearance/removal. Other than that went easy into frame. For speedo if using newer tranny just get 90-91 blazer/suburban cluster. They have electric speedo & goes rite in place. Will have to rearrange plug wiring on back as Gm moved some around.