blova00

Thinking of putting a 2004 5.3 in a 65 impala. Has anyone done this? Any obstacles?

superdave84

Yes, I put a 2002 5.3 in my '65 Impala. Turned out the motor was bad, and I replaced it with an LS2.

There were several obstacles, but none that were crazy hard. I was able to use the GM (Hummer) oil pan, but it hangs low. My exhaust hangs low too, so I raised the engine some to fix that. Because of that, I couldn't run the truck intake (not like I wanted to anyway) otherwise the hood wouldn't close.

If you're looking for headers, you can use the Dynatech LS swap headers for a 67-69 Camaro. They will clear the steering box.

I used the common ebay swap plates. I think I paid $30 for them.

I had to have the driveshaft shortened, and a different yoke added to it so that it would fit into the 4L60e.

Other than that, the hardships I had were unrelated to the LS swap. Check out my build thread here:

https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...-5-3-swap.html

You will also find Kwhizz's '66 Impala build thread very helpful:

https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...onversion.html

blova00

SuperDave, thank you so much for your help. And Wow! Your creativity is awesome. Can't wait to started on my project. I plan on doing a frame off as well, replacing floor pans, etc... Did you have to change any of your accessories/brackets? My 5.3 is coming out of an avalanche and I am worried it may sit too high.

blova00

SuperDave, thank you so much for your help. And Wow! Your creativity is awesome. Can't wait to started on my project. I plan on doing a frame off as well, replacing floor pans, etc... Did you have to change any of your accessories/brackets? My 5.3 is coming out of an avalanche and I am worried it may sit too high.

superdave84

Yes the alternator will be way too high...or at least it was for me. If you use a different pan than I did, like the Holley pan, you may not need to raise the engine and you might be able to fit it in with the truck brackets. Dirty Dingo sells a bracket setup for the power steering and alt which will get the alt down lower than the height of the intake manifold. I think I paid $250 or so for that.

blova00

Great, thanks for your help! This will be a slow build but I'll post my progression as well.

superdave84

haha believe me, I know all about slow builds. Coming up on two years for me and I'm still nowhere near done. I'm excited to see your build thread though. the '65 Impala is one of my dream cars. Since I can't afford a Viper or Aventador, I had to settle on the big brick.

kwhizz

Dave......Your Imagination and attention to detail are second to none.......Enjoy the build because once you're finished .......It's just a Car!!......LOL

Ken

superdave84

Thanks Ken...it's a real honor hearing that from you. And I don't know about it being just a car when I am done. I might try to adopt it as my son.

blova00

Ok guys, I ended up passing on the 5.3 and picked up an LS1 out of a 2001 camaro. Going to go ahead and mate it with the 4l60e. I am really new to this process so your patience is greatly appreciated. I am trying to figure out the best way to supply my 65' impala with fuel. I've heard that I can use a fuel tank from a 1995/96 impala/caprice. Do you have any thoughts on this? And would a Walbro 255 fuel pump work along with a c5 corvette fuel filter/regulator?? Lastly, any idea on which type of fuel lines to use. I suppose in a nutshell, i need to understand the best fuel plumbing process i should use.