LS3 into a 2010 Silverado 5.3
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 37
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LS3 into a 2010 Silverado 5.3 From what I have read, this should be very straightforward as the 5.3 shares the same architecture as an LS3, but I would like to confirm how straightforward this will be before I order anything.
I have a 2010 Silverado 1500, regular cab short bed with the 5.3 engine and 6speed auto transmission. Truck also has the tow package so it has the heavy duty radiator, oil cooler, transmission cooler, locking rear differential, etc. etc. The plan is to buy an LS3 crate engine from GMPP and drop it in, and just sell the original 5.3.
Here are my questions: If I use the ECU that comes with the crate motor, how will it interface with the factory components (door locks, etc. etc.)? Or, would the best route be to just load an LS3 tune into the factory 5.3 computer and call it a day (if that is even possible)?
My fabrication skills are lacking, but I can handle an engine swap if it's a plug and play affair. Tell me whatcha think.
Sorry for the ignorance, I'm very new to the LS platform.
I have a 2010 Silverado 1500, regular cab short bed with the 5.3 engine and 6speed auto transmission. Truck also has the tow package so it has the heavy duty radiator, oil cooler, transmission cooler, locking rear differential, etc. etc. The plan is to buy an LS3 crate engine from GMPP and drop it in, and just sell the original 5.3.
Here are my questions: If I use the ECU that comes with the crate motor, how will it interface with the factory components (door locks, etc. etc.)? Or, would the best route be to just load an LS3 tune into the factory 5.3 computer and call it a day (if that is even possible)?
My fabrication skills are lacking, but I can handle an engine swap if it's a plug and play affair. Tell me whatcha think.
Sorry for the ignorance, I'm very new to the LS platform.
Staging Lane
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 76
Likes: 1
From: Ohio, USA
It would be easier to use your existing wiring and PCM/ECU which should directly plug into either the LS3 or 6.2L, though you'd need a dyno tune when it was all said and done.
The crate wiring harnesses and ECUs seem to be very generic and geared toward emissions-exempt street rods and such, and would likely require a fair bit of wiring work to hook up, and I get the impression that they won't run the 6-speed auto trans found in new vehicles. The 6.2L trucks come factory with a 6-speed auto so you're golden if you were to use junkyard parts.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 37
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A low mileage LS3 or 6.2 would be the ticket, but those are such hot items it would probably be tough to find one. Also, with the 6.2 I wouldn't get the aluminum block, right?
I thought about modding the stock 5.3, but I would like to have the extra cubes and aluminum block from the get go; that's why I was thinking about a new LS3.
Can you buy a new LS3 just as an engine alone, or do you have to get the whole E-rod package (the one that comes with ECU, Catalytic Converters, etc)? Sounds like the "E-rod" LS3 crate would just be a waste since I'm paying for things that come on the engine I won't even use.
I thought about modding the stock 5.3, but I would like to have the extra cubes and aluminum block from the get go; that's why I was thinking about a new LS3.
Can you buy a new LS3 just as an engine alone, or do you have to get the whole E-rod package (the one that comes with ECU, Catalytic Converters, etc)? Sounds like the "E-rod" LS3 crate would just be a waste since I'm paying for things that come on the engine I won't even use.
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Staging Lane
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 76
Likes: 1
From: Ohio, USA
A low mileage LS3 or 6.2 would be the ticket, but those are such hot items it would probably be tough to find one. Also, with the 6.2 I wouldn't get the aluminum block, right?
I thought about modding the stock 5.3, but I would like to have the extra cubes and aluminum block from the get go; that's why I was thinking about a new LS3.
Can you buy a new LS3 just as an engine alone, or do you have to get the whole E-rod package (the one that comes with ECU, Catalytic Converters, etc)? Sounds like the "E-rod" LS3 crate would just be a waste since I'm paying for things that come on the engine I won't even use.
I thought about modding the stock 5.3, but I would like to have the extra cubes and aluminum block from the get go; that's why I was thinking about a new LS3.
Can you buy a new LS3 just as an engine alone, or do you have to get the whole E-rod package (the one that comes with ECU, Catalytic Converters, etc)? Sounds like the "E-rod" LS3 crate would just be a waste since I'm paying for things that come on the engine I won't even use.
Edit: yea, sounds like the E-Rod would be a waste, since you have everthing else you'd need already
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Teching In
Joined: Sep 2006
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http://www.racingjunk.com/search?sea...categoryId1=95
Link to a 6.2 crate here in Michigan. He wants 5K
Chuck
Link to a 6.2 crate here in Michigan. He wants 5K
Chuck
