Is it worth it to replace my cammed LT1 making around 330 rwhp to a stock 5.3 LSX swap? I would like to do the LQ4/9 but within the last year people think they are gold, and are closing in on a regular LS1 in some cases. 5.3L are still dirt cheap tho.

 

I'm going to say no for a stock 5.3 but you can put a Z06 came and it will make about the same rwhp.I have also thought about going the LSX way but I have a thirdgen. A guy done one on another (in a thirdgen) the only thing he kept from the 5.3 was short block. But for hood clerance (not sure on 4th gen) Had to swap to LS1 assc,intake,.... So you might be better off to save up for the LS1.

 

Or bore the 5.3l out to an LS1. Add LS1 pistons and your choice heads and intake and have 400HP+ easy!

 

Befor I would do that I would get a LS1.

 

i was just gonna do a 5.3 swap, just to have the lsx swap done, and in the future all that would need to be done is swaping engines, to a bigger 6.0L when i have money but the 5.3L would have a small cam, ls1 heads, and ls1 intake with ls1 headers. thats it for now, and a good friend of mine said i wouldnt even be where im at now with the LT1 as far as power:-( kinda discouraged me from doing it, it has cc306 headers, tune and exhaust. M6 car too.

 

everyone wants gold for an ls1, a short block alone are going for $2500, and i just found a complete 5.3 for $275

 

With those mods you should above 330 rwhp. But yea it would be alot easyer in the future to just swap the motor.

 

would it be worth it to do it now just a 5.3L to have all the swap BS out of the way?

 

Then you don't know how to shop. I'm putting a LS1 / TH350 into my 93. I think it can be done for around $1500 minus the trans which I already have.

 

That question is very 'relative'. Is it worth it? Depends how much you like your current car, and is it enough to put that much work into it? That is a question only YOU can answer.

Now, as far as swaps go, it doesn't get much easier than a LT1 to LS1 swap. Many things can be re-used, and most of the needed parts are readily available from most auto recyclers. The best thing to do is research the swap, add up the costs involved for all the parts needed, then make a decision on your own. Personally, I like the looks of the LT1 body's better, so that is one major reason I'm doing my LS swap.

Here are just a few of the bigger items you'll be needing for your 5.3 swap:

1. LS1 Fbody Kmember
2. LS1 Fbody Steering rack
3. LS1 Fbody Steering linkage/knuckle
4. LS1 Fbody front belt driven accessory mounts
5. LS1 Fbody intake manifold
6. Wiring modifications to your engine harness
7. Modifications to your fuel system
8. LS1 Fbody headers/Ypipe
9. If using an T56, you'll need LS1 style pedals or adj clutch master cylinder

Good luck with your decision.

Mike

 

We are getting ready to do the same thing. I dont wanna steal your thread but I have a few questions.

The car
1997 Trans am.

The Plans.
Swap to the 5.3 using all ls1 accessories, oil pan, steering rack, adapter plates, to use stock lt1 k member.

Wiring.
We will use the ls1 pcm with a ls1 auto harness. The 60e plug and controls are the same correct, the ls1 harness and pcm shouldnt need modded. Now this car has the new style dash and stuff but im sure we will need to modify or have speartech modify the harness to be plug and play correct?

Transmission.
Will the truck flex plate work with the car 60e? All we will need is the crank spacer and leave one bolt hole empty?

 

by the time you buy a 5.3 then buy the LS1 pan, accessories, water pump, balancer, pickup tube, manifolds - just buy a complete LS1 to begin with - i did the same thing and could have bought a complete LS1 for what i ended up putting into the 5.3.

 

I would look into the 6.0l again, they are getting cheap..and they have ALOT more potential than the LS1..

If you swap to a LS Engine, it's alot easier to use a LS Tranny.

Here is the link to my Swap Thread..
402 STROKER IN 1995 Z28

 

Ok for my little thread jack...

Im tossing around the idea(always something with me) but i already have pacesetter LTs, ORY and lt1 magnaflow. If I did the swap and just got LS1 pacesetters can i still use the y and exhaust for the swap or would i have to replace it all for ls1 parts?

I also agree that going with a 6.0 over the 5.3 would be worth it since you're going to have to swap all the acc over as well.

 

You would have to get a different Y-pipe.

 

Hell yes, it's worth it. You are correct in stating that all of the major swap BS will be done. You can always upgrade the cam later & you will get 325-330 RWHP, as mention earlier in this thread (with cam swap). If I ever do another LS swap, it will be with a cammed 5.3L. Good-luck.