How to tell a 5.3L, and which accessory brackets?
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
How to tell a 5.3L, and which accessory brackets? Been here reading and reading, learned some, but questions remain.
Car: 1970 Chevelle; SBC 307 and Turbo 350, 2.73 rear, PS, PB and working A/C
Plan: budget build, gas mileage important: 5.3L LS engine, stock Turbo 350 and 2.73 rear
Un-planned: EFI or carburetor
Questions:
1.) By looking at the engine how do I tell which is a LM4, LM7, LC9, LH6, LH8, etc? Where is it marked? Which do I want?
2.) Does any 5.3L have FACTORY accessory brackets that will fit in my A-body car, OR do I have to find a 1999-2002 F-body Camaro donor?
3.) If I purchase the running, un-wrecked, rust free 2000 Camaro Z-28 and take the engine; What is the roller car worth?
Car: 1970 Chevelle; SBC 307 and Turbo 350, 2.73 rear, PS, PB and working A/C
Plan: budget build, gas mileage important: 5.3L LS engine, stock Turbo 350 and 2.73 rear
Un-planned: EFI or carburetor
Questions:
1.) By looking at the engine how do I tell which is a LM4, LM7, LC9, LH6, LH8, etc? Where is it marked? Which do I want?
2.) Does any 5.3L have FACTORY accessory brackets that will fit in my A-body car, OR do I have to find a 1999-2002 F-body Camaro donor?
3.) If I purchase the running, un-wrecked, rust free 2000 Camaro Z-28 and take the engine; What is the roller car worth?
Last edited by 1970; Feb 23, 2011 at 10:15 PM.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 621
Likes: 1
From: Zeeland, MI
I don't think you'll want an LS4.
This engine was designed for transverse mount applications and can be identified by the unique accessory drive/water pump, backwards facing intake manifold and exhaust manifold/crossover pipe.
Pictures of the engine can be seen in the LS4 Front Drives Section of the forum.
This engine was designed for transverse mount applications and can be identified by the unique accessory drive/water pump, backwards facing intake manifold and exhaust manifold/crossover pipe.
Pictures of the engine can be seen in the LS4 Front Drives Section of the forum.
I just found out my truck alt/ps bracket won't clear, so I ordered Kwik brackets. I planned to use their A/C bracket anyway.
http://www.kwikperf.com/lsx_alt_ps.html
http://www.kwikperf.com/lsx_alt_ps.html
Staging Lane
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
5.3 out of trucks will be the most common LM7 the Alternator and Power steer bracket will clear, but you may have to change to a smaller Power steer pump pulley to get extra clearance for the steering box. The A/C wont Clear, but KWIK Performance has a sweet bracket for about $200 and well worth it. If you don't mind the Truck Waterpump you can use it with the truck upper hose and use the original Radiator. If you decide to go EFI Get everything with you pull-out engine(Harness,PCM, Intake etc). If you just end up with a long block(motor only, no electrics) Carb is cheaper, but be sure to get the coil packs though. A stock 5.3 will blow away the 307 you have. Your at the right place for the right info. Good Luck.
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Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
Also, which of the 5.3L L** engines have the best accessory configuration to fit in my 1970 Chevelle?
Thank you...
TRIPBLACKLS1, Please send me that 'sticky'
Thank you...
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Staging Lane
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
Also, which of the 5.3L L** engines have the best accessory configuration to fit in my 1970 Chevelle?
Thank you...
TRIPBLACKLS1, Please tell me which 'sticky'
Thank you...
Bo, I am looking through auto salvage yards with engines stacked on racks and on eBay, how can I tell the L?? just by looking at the engine. Is the code stamped on the block? Where?
Also, which of the 5.3L L** engines have the best accessory configuration to fit in my 1970 Chevelle?
Thank you...
TRIPBLACKLS1, Please tell me which 'sticky'
Thank you...
Also, which of the 5.3L L** engines have the best accessory configuration to fit in my 1970 Chevelle?
Thank you...
TRIPBLACKLS1, Please tell me which 'sticky'
Thank you...
the sticky is at the top of the forum, the first few threads.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,685
Likes: 7
From: Beebe, Arkansas
Bo, I am looking through auto salvage yards with engines stacked on racks and on eBay, how can I tell the L?? just by looking at the engine. Is the code stamped on the block? Where?
Also, which of the 5.3L L** engines have the best accessory configuration to fit in my 1970 Chevelle?
Thank you...
TRIPBLACKLS1, Please tell me which 'sticky'
Thank you...
Also, which of the 5.3L L** engines have the best accessory configuration to fit in my 1970 Chevelle?
Thank you...
TRIPBLACKLS1, Please tell me which 'sticky'
Thank you...
Now just by looking:
The 2006 and down motors are Gen III there was carry over of Gen III in the "Classic truck" vfor 07. The 2007 up motors from GMT900 trucks will be Gen IV.
The majority of Gen III 5.3L will be iron block LM7 motors or an RPO variation of it ie flex fuel. And the only easy way to tell a 5.3 from a 4.8 is buy the pistons. Dished for 5.3L and flatops for 4.8L. Remove a spark plug and shine a light in the hole and look at the pistion.
Now if you find an AL block 5.3L it's probly an L33 or even an LM4
Also the Gen IV 5.3 motors will have four bolt large TB's and 243/799 heads side knock sensors, front cam sensor. The late late models 2010 and upwill have VVT as well.
All the truck/van motors 4.8/5.3/6.0 have the exact same accessory drives, intake, and oil pans.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_Vortec_engine
Just some of the newer ones
5.3L, VIN 0, 8th digit, opt LMG
5.3L, VIN J, 8th digit, opt LY5
5.3L, VIN 3, 8th digit, opt LC9
5.3L, VIN M,8th digit, opt LH6
Last edited by Bo185; Feb 24, 2011 at 01:07 PM.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
I just found out my truck alt/ps bracket won't clear, so I ordered Kwik brackets. I planned to use their A/C bracket anyway.
http://www.kwikperf.com/lsx_alt_ps.html
http://www.kwikperf.com/lsx_alt_ps.html
1987 Jaguar XJ6. Myself and Dave (FastKat) are the only two I'm aware doing an LSx/4L80E in one of these. There are a good number of others with 4L60e and other transmissions. Here's mine:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...ap-thread.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...ap-thread.html
its the sticky at the top called lsx engine identification my last two post show the easy way to find out if its a 4.8or5.3 and almost all 5.3 pre 07 are lm7 unless its a aluminum block and all 4.8pre 07 are lr4
I believe
I believe
