HPKing

What changes need to be made in order to put a 5.3LS engine from a 1999-2001 truck,tahoe,etc into a 1999 Camaro Z28. The Camaro is also a 6 speed manual car and the trans is still in it.


I am just looking to swap in a cheap 5.3 engine to get the car on the road and driveable for now.

Deeohgie69

iTrader: (3)

I'm pretty sure that all you have to do is swap all of your ls1 accessories over and everything else bolts right up. I had a 6.0 in mine and now a 5.3 with no problems whatsoever. My heads, cam, intake and everything bolted right up and the only thing I had to do was drill and tap a hole in the block for the alternator to bolt to. It has the spot where it goes, but it was just never done from the factory.

Carolina_Ryan

^^^^ thats correct.

The 5.3 has the same external dimensions as the stock 5.7. You will need a new tune.
Im assuming you will be putting in an iron 5.3. Keep in mind that thats an extra 100lbs over the stock engine. Take a look at your brakes while youve got your car in the air.

HPKing

Will I need a new tune if I just use the PCM that comes with the 5.3 engine from the vehicle that it came out of?

Carolina_Ryan

No tune needed as long as youre using the 5.3 truck intake, injectors, heads and cam.

HPKing

Will the 5.3 truck intake fit in the engine bay of the 1999 Camaro Z28 since the engine firewall overhangs the engine?


If the intake fits then the 5.3 swap should just be a plug and play type of deal since I will be able to use the PCM that comes with the 5.3 engine.


I am not sure how much a tune would cost but it helps with the budget not having to pay somebody for a tune.

cookseyb

You might have to have the VATS removed...

Deeohgie69

iTrader: (3)

I don't believe the truck manifold will fit under the cowl. I may be thinking of another application, but I think people shave the trunk intakes possibly for this reason? idk

If it were me, I would keep your ls1 pcm and just send it off to Frost or someone like that for a mail order tune. It sounds like it basically a stock motor going in it so a mail order will be fine for even bolt ons too. You'll get the best from a dyno/street tune though, but they're usually $450 vs $150 for a mail order tune.

Like mentioned above, these blocks do weigh 100lbs more than the ls1 block, so unless you add more bolt-ons or throw a cam in it, then it will not be as fast as it was before. But that 100lbs is easily made up with mods. The only thing I have noticed is now I have some traction issues that I believe are due to the extra weight up front not transferring to the rear like it was before.