Hi All Im almost ready to swap in a 2004 5.3 Yukon mtr into my 64 El Camino. Below I will list the parts I plan on using please critique or advise if something looks off or incorrect. I currently have a 383 with a 700r4 trans.






1. 2004 5.3 motor and 4l60e trans 74,00 miles

Comments: Used is used if I were to do this again and had more money I would build a new motor.

2. Motor mount adapter
http://www.ebay.com/itm/LS1-Conversion-Adjustable-Adapter-Plates-LS6-5-3-6-0-/262050151553?hash=item3d0367fc81&vxp=mtr

Comments: I placed the motor mounts as far forward as possible. I also had to do a little bit of die grinding n the adapter to clear the dimple on the back of the motor mount. I liked this adapter because it its 3/8" steal not aluminum just my preference.

3. Energy Suspension 3-1114R Short Motor Mount

Comments: Nice mount

4. Intake/TB is Ls6 complete factory take off, I will probably change to high flow fuel rails though just for looks.

Comments: Best intake for the buck, I found mine for $550 shipped on the market place here
complete with rails, injectors and ported T/B

5. Oil Pan will be the Holley 302-2


Comments: Very nice no issues high quality and no clearance issues.

6. Flowmaster Scavenger Series Elite Headers 814116

Comments: Very nice no issues high quality and no clearance issues.

7. New gas tank pump etc
Tank Tanks Inc. PN TM37E-T
Fuel Sending Unit Tanks Inc. PN TAN-GML
Fuel Pump Tanks Inc. PN GPA-4
Fuel Pressure Regulator C5/C6 Corvette part #?

Comments: Probably one of the best decisions I made on the build was to go with this tank set up
everything came out very clean not hacked plus the new tank is a bit larger by a few gallons.

8. Front end accessory adapters
I went with LSSimple

Comments: Very nice adapters and even better support I believe its a one man show Murphy
is who I dealt with told him exactly what alternator, P/S pump and water pump I was using and he
lined out the adapters belt and small diameter P/S pump pulley. One other nice thing is when I am ready to upgrade to A/C all I have to do is order the AC kit and new belt all the existing adapters are still used with the A/C.

9. Cold air intake and MAS
No idea on what to use here or if the truck MAS will even work.

Comments: So on this I ordered a 4" X 18" aluminum tube with bung for the flat GM MAS from Spectra. A 10" cone air filter also from Spectra. A cast aluminum 90deg elbow from Ebay 2 4" hose pieces to connect it all. The length worked out perfect and the air filter tucks nicely behind the drivers side head lights

10. Wiring harness will be done locally along with Dyno work

Comments: Don't want to talk about the wiring harness right now

11. Radiator and Fan
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1964-1965-1966-1967-CHEVELLE-100-ALUMINUM-RADIATOR-WITH-LS-MOTOR-SWAP-/351407422986?fits=Year%3A1964%7CModel%3AChevelle&hash=item51d183be0a&vxp=mtr Cooling fan I will use the single fan I am running till I can have a nice shrouded one built

Comments: This radiator has all the bungs in place for trans cooler (I used a remote unit) and the bung for the steam vent (I returned my steam vent through my water pump adapter/ extensions)
Nice quality great price

12. I would like to put a cam and valve spring upgrade but have no idea what would work. Here is more on the set up of the El Camino to help with cam options

Rear end 12 bolt 4/10
motor 04 5.3 LM7 stock heads
Ls6 intake and ported TB

Comments: I went with Texas Speed 224/224 w 112lsa cam duel springs, titanium retainers and C/M push rods all in a kit form from Texas Speed. Nice guys to work with told me everything I ordered was on the shelf not drop shipped for bum ****.

13. Throttle peddle and cable lokar
XBAG-6129
TC1000-LS1

Comments: Everything was perfect no issues. I did tweek the factory throttle cable mount near the T/B to improve the cable angle. Lokar does sell a billet mount but I used the factory one.

14. I also will need a new water pump and I think the crank pulley will need to be changed out also. Not sure of the P# I will need for this.

Comments: Crank pulley is fine and I used the 2010 Camaro W/P


Thanks In Advance For Input on what I have wrong or right

 

We all certinaly have our own way of getting to where we want to be. Looking forward to your progress. Always fun to see another early El Camino build.

 

Thanks for the encouragement Hoss

 

Another 64! Right on. For your accessory brackets check out the Holley setups. They are top notch and look incredible. They do not use your truck power steering pump though. You would have to purchase a vette pump and reservoir.

Have you already done the jeep GC steering box swap? This swap is one hell of an upgrade and since it's metric your lines will be very easy to purchase and bolt right in with the LS motor.

 

That will make a very nice swap. Lots of ways to do it. I prefer neat, clean and simple. On my '59 EC 5.3 swap, I used a 2010 Camaro water pump with LS2 intake manifold. Camaro pump uses the same spacing as the truck so no need to change crank pulley. Also clears my DBW throttle body. Looks like you are using DBC though.

I also used Kwik Performance accessory drive setup, including a/c compressor mount. Good quality, nice looking stuff made in USA and at a very reasonable price. You can use almost any type 2 GM PS pump and the Corvette res with it. You can call Wayne at Kwik and get mfg direct pricing. I think their pricing is also on their web site.

You will need to change your steam vent pipe to clear your new manifold. I used a Corvette LS2 pipe.

Good luck with your project.
MikeH

 

Forgot to mention, and this is just for thought--For my intake, after everything was positioned, I made a cardboard template to get desired angles and dimensions. Then went to the Spectre on line catalog and figured out what parts I needed. Ordered everything from Summit, including a small parts kit to fab support brackets from and a MAF adapter to install the stock MAF in the intake tract. Took a little time to fit it all together the way I wanted it to be, but it turned out great. Looks good, works good, about half the cost of any complete off the shelf unit that would have to be modified anyway. Just a thought.
MikeH

 

Thanks for the GC upgrade did some research on it and will definitely make this upgrade.


Holley is also one of the options I looked at for accessories.

 

That's a couple of more questions answered I will call KWIK for their accessory mounts.
I will also order a Corvette LS2 steam pipe what year im guessing around 2000?


I will also order the 2010 Camaro water pump.


My list is getting smaller and my motor and trans will be delivered in the morning

 

I think the steam vent was from a 2006 Corvette.

 

Alright my motor arrived and I dropped another $2500 on parts today. Still have a few parts to order.
It looks like a reseal will be wise while I have the motor out. where can leaks come from
Valley pan, oil Pan and Valve covers what else am I missing?

 

Will be watching, good luck!

 

Quick update as parts are coming in.
motor is all stripped down cleaned and painted Chevy Orange
I will probably pull my old motor out this week and install new fuel tank and plumbing
while weighting for my cam and springs to arrive, then I can finish assembling the motor and put it in the El Camino fully assembled.

 

Hi All,
I have my motor assembled and am unsure as to how to run my PCV lines.
I want to do it as simple as possible.


Passengers side valve cover goes to TB (should a PCV valve be installed here?)
Drivers side valve cover goes to intake manifold just behind the TB (should a PCV valve be installed here?)
This will leave me with one vacuum port on passengers side intake just behind the TB
(this will be plugged?)


Just a note my valve covers only have one port foe PCV each


TIA

 

OK I found this diagram use the PCV valve and eliminate the catch can and plug off all other ports. I should be GTG?


5th post down is the diagram
https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...-manifold.html

 

Damn Don I wish more people would chime in for you. I need you to get this all figured out haha. I have a 64 Elky too and have been reading until my eyes bleed. I really appreciate how you made a list, most people skip that part and forget by the time someone asks or I find the thread too late and the people are gone.

Sorry but I have to ask some questions. Where did you get the motor? Have you put any thought into gauge conversions? Have any pics of progress? Best of luck man

 

I would use the oil catch can myself. By the way I do not live to far from you. I have a 65 Skylark.

 

Hi n00bcamino
I plan on updating the parts list when I am complete, I agree with you though that not many people make a parts list or you have to read through pages and pages of info the glean off what you need.


I have 90% of the project figured out the motor and trans are installed and the Elco is heading to the exhaust shop tomorrow to tie up the loose ends. The old exhaust and the new were to far off to try and do in my driveway so off it goes to get done correctly.


I got the motor, tran and harness etc from a guy on craigslist he mostly buys late mdl GM wrecked vehicles and breaks them up. PM me if your local and I will give you his info.


I will get some pic up when I get the Elco back from the exhaust shop.


As far as gauges I will run my mechanical oil, water and voltage gauges I already have. I will also hook up the idiot lights if I can I will have to see if the ECM will provide me with those outputs.
Speedometer is the biggest thing left for me to tackle. I will probably go with the Dakota Digital speedometer drive that takes a signal from the ECM but I am not even sure on this, need to do some more research.
Tachometer will be matching to my other gauges and should be able to run off of the ECM possibly switched to 4 cyl. I need to research this to.


My biggest problem is the guy that's doing my wiring harness is a flake or is trying to rip me off. He was supposed to have it done in to weeks and its nearly a month now since I sent it to him. I texted him last Friday and today and got no reply. Im getting a bit uneasy about it.


As far as a project its pretty straight forward I haven't had any real big setbacks yet. If you have any other questions I will be glad to help


Cheers

 

Hi GTA,
I read most of your thread it was a big help.
I already plumed it like the diagram with out the catch can.
Easy enough to change if it does need it though.
Was it your thread that used the Flow Master headers?
if so they fit so nice the trans pan is now the lowest point on the car now.
We will have to hook up sometime I would like to see how your paint turned out as that's next on the Elcos list. I live at Bolsa Chica and Ediger side of HB


Thanks again for your thread a lot of good info there.

 

awesome, i suppose i need to update my info but I'm on the other side of the nation in MD so i doubt it would help me a ton but thanks. Did the Holley -2 pan work with the steering? I know that seems to be an issue too. I remember seeing someone's thread about gauges and they added the idiot lights into that cluster gauge on the right with little leds. I'll see if i can't dig it up. Looked pretty darn slick when he was done. I'm in the process of saving up for a wedding and believe it or not my lady is giving me the "green light" for a 30'x50' pole building shortly after so I'm hoping to be able to get some stuff done once that happens. All in due time, after all, it's just money right? haha

 

n00bcamino
I put the Jeep Grand Cherokee steering box in yesterday and was a bit rushed.
I did check when the front end was in the air tires off the ground and the clearance was close but not hitting. I didn't check when the suspension was off the jack not sure if it will make a difference.
Please post the link if you find it.
And congratulation on the engagement