cKruzer

Hi. I have a quick question. im a usaf jet mechanic so turning wrenches is not foreign. I just need to know what to do.

Info: 5.3 swap into Jeep, using AX15 transmission. Ill will be using a Novak adapter for the trans, and I have a lakewood bellhousing that was used with the older carbed sbc and used with a sm465 (5 1/8 bore) and will be getting the bushing to step down to the smaller bore.

Im swapping a 5.3 sbc into my jeep. I have a used zoom clutch kit and a flywheel that mated to it on a carbed older sbc. Will these work on the 5.3?

Am I correct that the auto flywheel needs to be removed and a manual flywheel used?

Is the crank not externally balanced to the flywheel? What is the proper way to put on the manual flywheel so things are not unbalanced?

From what i recall from kid learned info, the clutch kit must bolt to the flywheel in a certain way, as flywheel and clutch kit (flexplate) are a balanced set. There are no pins in this flywheel and none on the pressure plate it seems for me to know how it should mount.

Any help or input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

(i am prepared to not use this used clutchkit and flywheel, as you can see they will already require resurfacing, and a new clutch disk - actually a new kit and flywheel will be what happens prob haha)

But with above said, my biggest lack of understanding that i cant seem to get Google to yield answers for, is the proper balancing issue with the crank and swapping from auto flywheel to the manual flywheel. Thanks.

cKruzer

Oops. Here are pics of the flywheel.

cKruzer

Reading more says that this older flywheel will not fit the bolt pattern of a Gen3 or LS series sbc, and that there is a .400 difference in closeness. Something like that. So defintley need to get a new flywheel/clutch kit.

Edit 3: It appears any LS1 flywheel will bolt to the 5.3 engine. So all i need is a clutch kit that will bolt to the LS1 flywheel and will match my 10 spline ax15. Ok. Progress.

So i reckon the only issue here is just my lack of understanding regarding balancing.

Thanks

BMR Sales2

iTrader: (40)

Hopefully i can be of some help here, as I have done this adaption twice now with good results. The LS1 flywheeel WILL NOT work. it has a lip around the edge and the clutch disc is designed to sit down inside of it, and the pressure plate sits slightly exposed from the cover.

For this swap, as long as it is a standard 12" clutch you cna use the manual flywheel from a 2001 silverado 4.8 with manual trans. Available at Oreillys and most other parts outlets. I used Sachs part number NFW-1050. Here is a link to my build thread where I made the adaption and go into more detail in post 12 about the flywheel, clutch and what is involved.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...k-5-speed.html

cKruzer

thats awesome! I have been hunting this info exactly! I knew there had to be another option than Novak's overpriced "custom" flywheel. cant wait, will read your build thread shortly.

cKruzer

I did learn that these engines are internally balanced. Unless I am racing I will not need to balance clutch kit to flywheel. And the flywheel is good to go (mounts only one way) is supposed to be zero balance.

Ok now makes sense in my head. Etc.

And learning like mentioned above, these engines are weird and have a .400 difference. So will see how that plays out. Want to avoid "expensive aftermarket customs parts". If i can.

BMR Sales2

iTrader: (40)

Yep. The flywheel I mentioned above has the additional .400" clearance built in, and yes there is an extra hole in the flywheel that lines up with one on the crank to only bolt up one way. And yes these motors are internally balanced, so the flywheel is neutral, as is the crank pulley/balancer which is not keyed for alignment.You will also need to confirm the diameter of the pilot shaft on your trans to make sure it will work with the one that is used with standard GM (PN 14061685)

cKruzer

Just to be thorough, and no offense intended. Some 6.0s dont have the .400 issue but have an LS bolt pattern. Did you verify/ how can i verify that an engine does have that 400 thal difference? Would hate to end up with one of those odd 6.0s and then this flywheel not work.

cKruzer

oh and do you think I can reuse the older non LS gm clutch pressure plate above on the 4.8L flywheel?