Build LSX into a MCSS
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From: Watertown,MN
Build LSX into a MCSS I have been reading on here for a long time about this swap. I finally got some parts together for it.
Car: 87 Monte SS I have had the car for several years, I originally started with a 406 on N2O, after that expired I went with a 350, with that being a little lame and impractical the car sat for two years. Now onto this swap, not a huge goal, hope to get close to 400hp and able to drive it more often keep the efi, and possibly add ac in the future.
Swap: Picked up a 5.3 from a 2000 silverado with harness for $400. I took intake off, pulled pan and inspected engine, it is a very clean starting point. I will be going with a 4L60 for a trans from either an ls F body or a truck 2wd. I picked up the trans dapta 1" setback mount kit, a set of pacesetter long tube off road headers for an f body and the musclecar swap pan, mostly for the price and I know it will fit.
I am sure I will have questions along the way so I will keep updates and questions on here to follow along.
I will put some pics up soon
Car: 87 Monte SS I have had the car for several years, I originally started with a 406 on N2O, after that expired I went with a 350, with that being a little lame and impractical the car sat for two years. Now onto this swap, not a huge goal, hope to get close to 400hp and able to drive it more often keep the efi, and possibly add ac in the future.
Swap: Picked up a 5.3 from a 2000 silverado with harness for $400. I took intake off, pulled pan and inspected engine, it is a very clean starting point. I will be going with a 4L60 for a trans from either an ls F body or a truck 2wd. I picked up the trans dapta 1" setback mount kit, a set of pacesetter long tube off road headers for an f body and the musclecar swap pan, mostly for the price and I know it will fit.
I am sure I will have questions along the way so I will keep updates and questions on here to follow along.
I will put some pics up soon
Last edited by MNMCSS; Feb 19, 2012 at 03:57 PM. Reason: spelling
Thread Starter
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From: Watertown,MN
This is the car the engine is going into. I thought the color was really sweet at the time it was painted, then I saw it on the car and yes its a little much in the purple department. Its a ford color from the 90's, remember the f150's and escorts? yup thats the color.
Last edited by MNMCSS; Feb 19, 2012 at 03:59 PM.
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Thread Starter
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From: Watertown,MN
Todays progress.
Sitting in the car, Im not sure on intake I want to use yet but now I know this will fit.
Drivers side Header.
Passenger Header.
I had to do some grinding on the motor mounting set up I chose. I used the trans dapta 1" set back mounts but had to grind some clearance on the plates to clear some bosses on the block. Nothing major, took about 5 min each. I also ground the stamped clam shell raised portion where it mounts to the plate. I did not want to use washers here. Glad I took the time is looks better.
Sitting in the car, Im not sure on intake I want to use yet but now I know this will fit. Drivers side Header. Passenger Header.I had to do some grinding on the motor mounting set up I chose. I used the trans dapta 1" set back mounts but had to grind some clearance on the plates to clear some bosses on the block. Nothing major, took about 5 min each. I also ground the stamped clam shell raised portion where it mounts to the plate. I did not want to use washers here. Glad I took the time is looks better.
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Thread Starter
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From: Watertown,MN
This was just my test fit so it will come back out. Drivers side fits with no issues, Passenger side touches the frame with one tube at a weld seam. I will take it back out and clean up that weld to see how close it is. I will keep you updated on that.
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My next step is a transmission, I will probably pick one up this weekend. This poses my next question, I am going to change the cam to help achieve my hp goal. I will most likely need some sort of stall for the cams I will need. I have searched all over the site and not alot of 5.3 cam results to be found, well the info I am looking for anyway. how would the tr224 cam work out and how much stall?
3400lb car, 4l60 transmission, stock 5.3 with truck intake, Pace setter long tubes, 350 or 373 gear, 26" tire.
3400lb car, 4l60 transmission, stock 5.3 with truck intake, Pace setter long tubes, 350 or 373 gear, 26" tire.
I have searched all over the site and not alot of 5.3 cam results to be found, well the info I am looking for anyway. how would the tr224 cam work out and how much stall?
3400lb car, 4l60 transmission, stock 5.3 with truck intake, Pace setter long tubes, 350 or 373 gear, 26" tire.
3400lb car, 4l60 transmission, stock 5.3 with truck intake, Pace setter long tubes, 350 or 373 gear, 26" tire.
Will there be any plans of a power added later or will this be strickly a N/A setup?
The Z06 cam from the last C5's is a popular choice and can be had cheaper than the aftermarket cams. Just get a set of Yellow spings with the cam and you should be right off to your goal.
z06 2001 207/217@.050 .525/.525 lift 116 LSA (385hp in 5.7L)
z06 2002-04 204/218@.050 .550/.550 lift 117.5 LSA (405hp in 5.7L)
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From: Watertown,MN
What 4L60 have you guys used? I started looking and found differences but not what they are. F body is impossible to find so I moved onto trucks, What is the difference between ext cab and std cab in terms of the transmission? These are pretty popular but whats going to work?
I plan to re fab my crossmember and get driveshaft length changed anyway.
Is there a difference between 5.3 and 4.8? they are listed different, and 99-00 are listed same then 01+is another list???
I plan to re fab my crossmember and get driveshaft length changed anyway.
Is there a difference between 5.3 and 4.8? they are listed different, and 99-00 are listed same then 01+is another list???
I dig the ford blurple...NICE Monte! You have any closer pics of the grinding you did? How is the clearance for the hvac unit? Reason i ask i have been debating on a few motor mount plates and haven't really made up my mind on what to get.. As for the trans i went with rebuilt trans intended for a truck and the trans builder got all the fbody parts to make it work...
Nice lookin car.
Look for a 2000-2003 1500 Truck 2wd Trans, that will be the easiest.
Base Circle with this cam is .050" smaller than stock, so you will need a 7.425 Pushrod if you dont plan on doing anything with the Heads.
Haha..not guru..just built one..
Look for a 2000-2003 1500 Truck 2wd Trans, that will be the easiest.
Will there be any plans of a power added later or will this be strickly a N/A setup?
The Z06 cam from the last C5's is a popular choice and can be had cheaper than the aftermarket cams. Just get a set of Yellow spings with the cam and you should be right off to your goal.
z06 2001 207/217@.050 .525/.525 lift 116 LSA (385hp in 5.7L)
z06 2002-04 204/218@.050 .550/.550 lift 117.5 LSA (405hp in 5.7L)
The Z06 cam from the last C5's is a popular choice and can be had cheaper than the aftermarket cams. Just get a set of Yellow spings with the cam and you should be right off to your goal.
z06 2001 207/217@.050 .525/.525 lift 116 LSA (385hp in 5.7L)
z06 2002-04 204/218@.050 .550/.550 lift 117.5 LSA (405hp in 5.7L)
Haha..not guru..just built one..
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 28
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From: Watertown,MN
I dig the ford blurple...NICE Monte! You have any closer pics of the grinding you did? How is the clearance for the hvac unit? Reason i ask i have been debating on a few motor mount plates and haven't really made up my mind on what to get.. As for the trans i went with rebuilt trans intended for a truck and the trans builder got all the fbody parts to make it work...