Opinions from the experts
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Teching In
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Opinions from the experts Hey guys my names Jordan recently picked up a 944 im in the middle of pulling the old 4 cylinder out. Gonna be swapping it for a v8. I have the chance to get a 01 5.3 out of a Silverado. Now ive read some reviews of people loving the iron block in the 944. Although my tuner is steering me away from it due to the iron block. Im not building this car to race it just as a toy so perfect weight distribution is not my concern. I was supposed to buy a ls6 from he but ended up selling it before I made it down. Anyway back to the 5.3 absolute complete motor accessories and all for 300. Or I can get a Ls short block for 400. So im here asking the experts of these engines do you all think the iron block is ok im not looking to make alot of power. Just putting a v8 in it for fun and reliability of the motors. Any comments and suggestions welcome negative or postive. Just dont get carried away lol. Thanks guys sorry for the long post
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Teching In
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Also I have Ls1 fuel rails injectors and ls1 throttle body. Just a few parts my Ls friends had laying around they sold me really cheap so figured id go ahead and grab them. Also in serch of f-body accessory brackets having a hard time finding them. Again thanks guys for the help
TECH Fanatic
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From: Atlanta, Ga
I would buy the 5.3. At $300.00 with all of the accessories that is a great deal. At worst you have parts to sell to finance other parts you may need. When you say all, does that include the PCM and wiring? That is worth at least $300.00 by itself.
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Power to weight ratio is where it's at. Even a fairly stock 5.3 in a light weight car is a "fun" car. Just remember... Cheap, reliable, and fast. Pick two. So let your budget dictate what your goal will be. I have a stock L33 in my Ranger and it's been a "fun" reliable truck so far. But my goal was cheap and reliable. Power to weight ratio made it somewhat fast too. You will be happy with the swap either way. So set your budget, achieve your goal and enjoy. By the way a complete 5.3 for 300.00 is a good deal.
The LS you said you could get for 400, what is it? Thats not a bad price either if it isnt really miled up. The 5.3 you will most likely be swapping everything down to the shortblock anyway. If the LS is an F body LS1, the oil pan will probably fit your application better than the truck one.
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Teching In
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Thanks everyone for the help. The 5.3 is just the engine. I already have a pcm from 5.7 that my tuner will be reflashing to use on whatever motor I decide on. Im not really looking for alot of power. Just a fun car to drive that is not the reliability of the stock motor this is my 3rd 944. And ive always had problems with the motors. But ababsolutely love the car. So figure why not do the swap. And be happy hearing the sound of the v8 also lol. Ive got a guy locally that will do a stand alone harness for 250. After hearing some people complain about the iron blocks weight I just figured id post here and ask the people that use these engines. Addition to this ill be picking up a ls6 intake for 200 this weekend.
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Teching In
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Only thing I know about the Ls1 is its a short block and needs work. After hearing that I didnt ask much more about it. Ive worked on engines before so I've got no problem at all doing the work. Its just ive never built one from block up. Id feel like id end up dumping so much more Into it then I should lol or braking something and costing my self 3x as much as if I would just go with the 300 iron block 5.3. But at the same time thats why im here asking everyones opinions. Gotta learn some how I guess
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I would skip the LS1. If you're rebuilding an aluminum block motor, check with machining costs first.
The weight difference between aluminum and iron is about 70 lbs. You can make that up in other areas. Another viable option would be an aluminum 5.3, like an L33. Lower mileage and cost than a 5.7 LS1.
The weight difference between aluminum and iron is about 70 lbs. You can make that up in other areas. Another viable option would be an aluminum 5.3, like an L33. Lower mileage and cost than a 5.7 LS1.
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Thread Starter
Teching In
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And thats another thought just throw the iron block in it for the time. And later on down the road if I find a good deal or decide to upgrade. Just pull the motor and put in another lol. But thanks for the replies
Just a note on your plans. Piecing together a swap will always cost a lot more than a complete takeout. I would pass on both of those, find a complete takeout with accessories, sensors, harness, ecu, TAC/pedal, everything...
Not the motor, just the short block. It's not an odd thing to discuss here on this site. Only con to the steel block is the weight. Only con to the aluminum block is cost.
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Teching In
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Simple enough ^ lol thanks. And im still weighing my options. It would be nice to find a pull out motor with everything. But even at that id still have to send the wiring off to get modified. Change all accessories/brackets over to F body. Although im not arguing it would be more expensive to piece it all together. It would be nice to find a F body pull out. But i have been looking and cannot find any. Many Ls short blocks/damaged motors. But still asking 700 and up.
Teching In
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