I have done a lot of searching and researching on this and other forums, and am not getting my questions answered. So please, link me info, answer, or do whatever you can to help me here. Thanks! I am putting together a parts and tools list to swap a 5.3L with T56 into my 1990 300zx. I have at least a year to get parts, tools and materials together for this project. So, I want to do it right.

I need to know everything about this type of swap. My father is a sales manager for an OEM body parts distributor, and has many connections in the auto industry as far as obtaining parts goes. He is not tech savvy at all, though.

I am planning on getting a 1999 or later 5.3 Vortec with under 100k miles from a GM truck. I was going to get all accessories and wiring and electro gas pedal with that, but I have read people prefer to put the LS1 F-body accessories on instead. I am getting an LS6 intake. I am keeping it Fuel injected. I want A/C and P/S. First thing, I want to acquire the engine to start the rebuild and cam replacement. So let's start there. Any specific recommendations on what vehicles to get a 5.3 out of? And should I get the engine with or without accessories/wiring/etc. I am an ex-Navy mechanic, and work at a manufacturing shop, but I am completely new to this large of a project. There's a 1st time for everything, and I want this to go right.

Hit me!

*EDIT* P.S. I have seen the LS1 swap, and I understand some of the fab involved. I am looking for as much DETAIL as I can get here. Thanks!

 

Do you have a budget? Even if you can get parts for cost this will not be cheap. The only reason I am saying this is because of the car you are choosing and the motor. I think it is great to put a 5.3 in a 90 300zx and I like both. It's just that the swap will cost more than the motor and car. Do you have the car yet? Take some pics and it will help you get responses.

 

Is there a particular reason why you want a 5.3? The 6.0 is the same size on the outside. Better yet get an LS1, aluminum block sure would save alot of weight off of the front end. Grab the PCM and wiring harness and you have a DBC without worrying over a conversion. You can go to this website and learn about the DBW to DBC conversions along with other important information. As far as the swap goes you will need to do a search and follow along someones build.

http://lt1swap.com/cable_conversion.htm

 

Thanks, guys. I have found some builds with other engines, and one with an LS1. The reasons I chose the 5.3 are: only a small performance drop for 1/3 price LS1, iron block theoretically more durable and safer for future upgrades such as FI and nitrous, relatively more efficient than larger bores, bolt-on comp cam and LS6 intake will take it over 400HP for still cheaper than LS1, still lighter than the VG30DE by 30 lbs and only 65lbs heavier than LS1, can be bored more easily than aluminum block, and it costs about 1/3 the cost of LS1.

So, theoretically, I can get a 5.3 with bolt-ons for about 1/2 to 2/3 the cost of an LS1 with more HP and torque.

About the car: the engine in it is running fine. But it is an NA Z and I want more... I love the body of the Z32 more than any other car ever, and it deserves a chevy small block. I know it can be done, as it has been with an LS1. I also know that when I do remove the VG and tranny from this car, I can sell the parts and get a good return off of them.

My budget: very negotiable. I have a lot of time. I want to take my time and do it right. My goal here is to figure out the parts I need so I can ****** them up as they become available for great prices. I want to know what I need to get besides the long block and tranny. I need info on how to rebuild a 5.3. I want to have info on what I need to install a T56 to a 5.3L. Info on what accessories are compatible and how to install them. Like, would it be better/easier to have an electric A/C compressor and water pump or bolt-on accessories? Info on how to do a cam swap and install an LS6 intake/fuel rail. Info on wiring the 5.3 to work in my car. These details are what I am having trouble finding.

I am NOT intending to keep the car interior as stock as possible. I would actually prefer to have toggle switches and push-start ignition and what-not, so if there is an easier way to wire up the engine than through my stock electrical system, even better. I am planning on replacing the gages with ones I know will work, instead of trying to Jerry-rig my Z's gages with the GM powertrain.

I am looking for directions to the right info, so the more opinions and ideas I get, the better. Shotgun here, folks. I appreciate any and all help!

-Z

 

I bought the car a month ago, here are some pics:


Car body in great shape, needs a little TLC. Solid B.


Front Bumper the only body part I will replace. I like the 94+ or JDM better, along with some aftermarkets that blend well and don't rice out too much.


The interior is actually burgundy red, the sun makes it look much brighter. Hated it at first, but it's grown on me. Inter a B+/A-.

I will take some pics of engine bay, but it looks like any other engine bay. No aftermarket parts installed at all. Not many bolt-ons for the NA engine...

 

You've read that people put the F-body/vette accessories on because
1- the truck intake doesn't fit
2- the truck accessories don't fit under the hood either - the alternator is too high

So you can either get a new intake and rework the accessory layout, or buy the car brackets.

I do believe there is one or 2 z32 gen III installs on hybridz too. There is a z31, a couple s130, and a ton of s30 write ups. But us s30/s130 owners have much bigger engine bays.

And another +1 to the 6.0 LQ4. 0.7L bigger, almost the same cost as the 5.3 depending on your location.

 

+another1 for the 6.0.

I have the LQ9 in my Nova and my Escalade ESV. The Escalade @ 5,869 lbs destoys 4k lb 5.3 silverados easily. Bang for the Buck.

 

Ok, I will look into the 6.0, too. Besides the obvious displacement, anyone got a link to the differences between the 5.3 and 6.0? It would be neat to say I have a 600zx... lolz. Thanks guys!

 

You sure about that? You're going to need to buy the f-body brackets and accessories for your swap. You're talking about wanting a T56 trans. Do yourself a favor and add up the cost of the 5.3 + the accessories + the brackets + the T56 + the wiring harness and lastly the ECU. Now, have your father source you a complete LS1/T56 pullout with all of the stuff you're gonna need already attached for a price comparison.

Fortunately you have time on your side and you may be able to grab the accessories & brackets used for a good price BUT you're going to probably need that stuff for fitup long before the motor is ready to fire.

 

I know there is alot involved. That is why I have this thread, to try and get it all organized. So I can get the parts BEFORE I start this instead of flying by the seat of my pants. People have put LSX's into all sorts of vehicles including the 300zx, some more difficult than others. I am taking my time on this. The engine (5.3L, I haven't asked about the 6.0 yet) with ECU and accessories is about $550 - $800. Might get a higher mileage and a basic rebuild kit. Mild cam upgrade with no head work needed around $350. LS6 intake and fuel rail between $100 and $300 depending on the day of the week. Add about $150 for the ECU tuning. T56 used low miles around $1500. Wire harness between $150 and $350 depending on what type I get. Brackets, I haven't looked into yet, but links or directions would be helpful. However, I will most likely fab my own engine mounts since there is no specific kit for the 300zx. Whole gage kit will run between $300 and $500. I don't really care to try and make my stock gages run on the swapped engine, and I can sell those along with the Z engine parts and Z tranny. The Z diff is strong enough, however the gear ratio is about 4.1:1 which kinda sucks for mileage, but good for acceleration. I have not decided if I will keep it. It is supposedly strong enough for over 500RWHP so it is not a necessary part of the swap. And to get the driveshaft cut and balanced, I can have that done for about $150. So, what I need to know, by direct information, or links to it, is everything in between. All the gaps in this swap that the posts and builds I have researched do not fill. Like: since my fuel pump in the Z maintains about 60psi, do I need to put in a new one? I would still put in the vette pressure reg, but will my pump work? Many people have done swaps in this forum. What am I missing?

Thanks

-Z

 

And an LS1/T56 with all included will cost well over $3500... Trust me, I wouldn't mind having an LS1 at all. I would love to. It would save alot of time. But I do have more time than money. I am definitely DEFINITELY keeping my eyes open over the next few months before I make any decision and lay down the big bucks. If I can find that great deal on an F-body LS1/T56, I will go for it. You are right, it will save me from swapping accessories, intakes, and getting the T56 to fit to the vortec. I have not ruled it out. But because they are easier to swap and harder to find, the cost is much more. The goal of this thread is to get the info on the details. Mainly, once I have the engine and drivetrain installed which will take some fab work and shaft work, all I need is for the engine to run properly. So engine needs (obviously) air, fuel, spark. The air part is easy in a swap. The electrical and fuel systems, not so much. And I am particularly concerned about the fuel pump/system, and the gas pedal since many of these have electronic throttle control.

I appreciate the input, guys!

Thanks!

 

I'm doing this swap right now. I'm about 50% done. I can probably answer most the questions you have. Mine is a LQ9 built up with LS1 and LS3 parts. It's fully forged and will get a custom 78mm singel turbo system. Should be fun!
Jeff 502-523-6113