Horri

I pulled the trigger and have a 5.3 and 4l60e combo coming my way. The engine is complete, computer will be flashed and reprogrammed to my car's specs. I have been researching adapter mounts, cooling, tranny X-members, headers, etc...

I intend to keep the truck intake and just throw the goofy plastic "Vortec" cover on it, assuming it will fit under the hood, as well as the front accessory drive minus the A/C compressor. I want to do a cam and head swap and get that programmed (as well as rearend gearing thinking 3.73, but could be talked into 4.10).

I am debating between having the stock heads worked or try to find 799/243's. Suggestions on a cam grind if I find 799/243's?

I already have a Griffin 8-00010-LS (26" wide core) with a junkyard Dodge Intrepid dual fan set up. No LS engine in yet (running my current SBC 350 with Performer Intake and Headers, Holley 600 4 brl), but my cooling system is ready for the 5.3 swap. Took a little massaging of the lower radiator mount (cut-off wheel and reciprocating saw).



Things I am leaning towards right now:
1) Dirty Dingo mounts
2) Holley 302-2 Oil Pan kit
3) Dynatech longtube swap headers or Doug's Longtube Swap Headers
4) Heads 243/799 if I can find at a decent price
5) Rear diff gear 3.73 or 4.10
6) 2600-2800 torque converter (does this make sense?)
7) Tranny X-member - not sure yet???? Maybe the Hooker X-member from Summit

I am open to any and all suggestions; particularly on rear diff gearing, headers, oil pan, X-member, cam, torque converter, 243/799 heads vs. having the stock heads worked, fuel system.

Thank you all in advance for your help.

I will try to update in this thread as I can.

Horri

Yippy! Found a set of 799's local (seller is also an LS1Tech member).

Horri

Received the motor mount adapters, F-body dipstick/tube, and 3200 Boss Hog converter yesterday. Also picked up the 799 heads last week.

I have now ordered, and on the way are:

GM Performance HotCam Kit (Hotcam w/ 219/228, .525/.525 at 112 LSA and LS6 springs)

Holley 302-2 Retro Oil Pan

Hooker 2473-1HKR (1.75" long-tubes to 2.5" collector)

Head installation gasket set

F-body windage tray.

hookemdevils22

iTrader: (12)

You're on your way! I'd stick with 3.73. I have 3.90s in mine, and highway rpm's were still a touch too high with the single OD (though perfect with the T56 in there now).

I'd seriously rethink that converter. 3200 seems a bit high for those cam specs, unless you're planning to track it a bunch. Did you talk it over with a Boss Hog tech before pulling the trigger? For reference, Precision recommended a 3000 stall in mine, with a MUCH bigger cam (235°/245°@.050" .645"/.615", 111°) in my LQ4 (I went 3600 and hated it).

Toddoky

Hey Horri, I came across your thread here and want to chime in a little to clarify something for you to save you some grief and aggravation.

The 2473-1HKR Hooker header part number you've listed is a mid-length design and not a long-tube as you defined it. The 1-3/4" long tube header part number that is design for your swap application is part number 2275-1HKR. It's a great set of headers, but if you try to install them with engine brackets other than the Hooker pieces they were designed to work with then you are going to have issues with the collectors bearing hard into the floor sheet metal...this is because the installed engine height provided by the Hooker engine brackets is lower than achieved by any other type of brackets/mounts.

You will actually have a hard time achieving good results with any of the Hooker swap headers for this application with any other type or brand of mount due to the unique engine position geometry used in their design.

I recommend that you use the Hooker headers with the Hooker mounting components or go with another brand of headers that were designed to be installed with the stock frame stands.

Horri

I had a few folks weigh in on the converter and I was originally leaning towards 2800-3000, but having several peeps suggesting 3600. After consulting with a local guy (in Denver, dealing with the high altitude up here) we figured the extra little bit will help up here.

SweetNova

Part number: 2275-1HKR is designed for 67-69 Camaro, 68-72 Nova, LS-SWAP...? How would it work with a 74?

ls1nova71

iTrader: (4)

68-74 Novas share the same subframe, with a few minor changes, that won't affect a swap. 73 they went to the clamshell motor mounts, but if you're buying a swap kit, you will be changing the mounts anyway.

SweetNova

Will changing the mount type affect anything? Like if I were to install a 68 - 72 mount? Holley makes a 74 mount.

Toddoky

As mentioned, the only difference between the 73-74 X-body subframe and the 68-74 subframe is the inclusion of factory installed clamshell mounts instead of the frame stands used on the earlier cars. The Hooker LS swap engine bracket kit is designed to retrofit clamshell mounts into the early frame stand cars, but you can also install them into a 73 or 74 year model car if you are willing to do the extra work required to mock-up the engine/trans in the car and mark the subframe for where the new holes will need to be drilled. You will obviously need to remove the engine/trans again to permit drilling the holes and you'll also need to purchase/use the Hooker crossmember as it will provide the proper fore/aft reference of the engine/tans to ensure the holes will get drilled in the proper location and the headers will fit right. There's a couple of guys who have done this over on the stevesnovasite forum that could help you out with info, romancommander would be one such user.

ijimmy

I agree , thats too much stall on the converter ,, as for your rear gear ,, check out a narowed explorer rear end with 2 passenger axils , centering the dif , if you get a 96 or newer , you get disc brakes with it ,31 spline axils , posi , standard 373 gears ,4x4s have 411s ,, they are an ideal width for 1st an 2nd gen camaros and novas , if you do a mini tub job

Horri

4l60e with Boss Hog 3200 TC installed



Starting to tear down and clean up the 5.3



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