Which 5.3 to get???
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 347
Likes: 66
From: Tucson, AZ
Which 5.3 to get??? I am getting ready to start looking for a donor engine for my 65 nova swap project. My plan is to use a 5.3L(ideally with around 100k miles on it) w/ 4l60e to make a nice daily driver that still gets moderate fuel economy. The only modifications I plan on doing are the trunion upgrade, swapping the cam out to put in a Comp Cams 54-424-11 cam w/ matching springs, and swap headers that I need to use to fit the factory front end. I am also open to using 8.1L injectors if I am seeing a high duty cycle on the stock ones.
My question is, which 5.3l engine should I be looking for? My only real stipulation is that I would like DBW since it is easier to run cruise control. I would love to find an L33 for a decent price but I doubt that will happen. I am starting to look in salvage yards and on craigslist. For what I want to do, are certain years better than others? Any years to stay away from? I have done some searching on here but haven't really found what i'm looking for. Thanks in advance for any help or advice!
My question is, which 5.3l engine should I be looking for? My only real stipulation is that I would like DBW since it is easier to run cruise control. I would love to find an L33 for a decent price but I doubt that will happen. I am starting to look in salvage yards and on craigslist. For what I want to do, are certain years better than others? Any years to stay away from? I have done some searching on here but haven't really found what i'm looking for. Thanks in advance for any help or advice!
TECH Resident
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 821
Likes: 4
From: Elkridge MD
Pretty sure DBC ended in 2003 or so, so anything after that should be DBW. Also, most of the truck motors were iron, but I think they all switched to aluminum at some point recently.
I don't think there's any particular 5.3 variant you need to steer clear of, as all are pretty comparable. If you can find one that has the 243 heads, you have a nice little motor to work with.
I don't think there's any particular 5.3 variant you need to steer clear of, as all are pretty comparable. If you can find one that has the 243 heads, you have a nice little motor to work with.
They pretty much all went to DBW in 2003 with the exception of vans, so I would look for a gen III engine from a 2003-2007 silverado classic. The new body style silverados in 2007 and newer are gen IV and the cruise isnt as easy to use.
Staging Lane
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 95
Likes: 1
Look at www.car-part.com
The vin code for the l33 is B and it came in some 2005-2007 ECSB 4x4s
I picked one up with 110k for $850 last fall. I'm sure there are better deals out there.
The vin code for the l33 is B and it came in some 2005-2007 ECSB 4x4s
I picked one up with 110k for $850 last fall. I'm sure there are better deals out there.
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 347
Likes: 66
From: Tucson, AZ
You found an l33 with 110k on it for $850? That's a killer price. Do most engines on carpart come without accessories? If so, what should I expect to pay for all my truck accessories including the ac compressor.
From that website, it looks like I should look for something '05 or newer if I want to run electric fans. Thanks for all the info!
From that website, it looks like I should look for something '05 or newer if I want to run electric fans. Thanks for all the info!
Last edited by Novapat67; Jun 3, 2015 at 11:53 AM.
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For a Chevy II swap you should likely put car accessories on the engine because real estate is at a premium in these cars. Not saying it can't be done but it would be a squeeze. Most guys running 5.3's in early novas usually put on a car intake and car accessories. Electric fans I've been told can free up nearly 30 hp on these engines.
I wanted to add that I'm currently in the parts gathering and research stage of a ls swap in my 1963 chevy II wagon. I've been reading and researching for over a year now. I plunked down a decent amount of money on a ls2 out of a GTO because I didn't want to have to start replacing a bunch of stuff to make it work. Now that I've learned more about these engines I wouldn't be afraid of buying a 5.3 or truck engine period and making the necessary changes. I'd definitely go for the l33 as it has good rods and heads and the weight savings in small cars like ours is a plus. Your gonna need headers as I don't think there's any manifolds that work well. Do you have the stock front end in your car? If so you'll need a gto oil pan. If it's a aftermarket clip a f-body pan works best.
I wanted to add that I'm currently in the parts gathering and research stage of a ls swap in my 1963 chevy II wagon. I've been reading and researching for over a year now. I plunked down a decent amount of money on a ls2 out of a GTO because I didn't want to have to start replacing a bunch of stuff to make it work. Now that I've learned more about these engines I wouldn't be afraid of buying a 5.3 or truck engine period and making the necessary changes. I'd definitely go for the l33 as it has good rods and heads and the weight savings in small cars like ours is a plus. Your gonna need headers as I don't think there's any manifolds that work well. Do you have the stock front end in your car? If so you'll need a gto oil pan. If it's a aftermarket clip a f-body pan works best.
Last edited by showdog75; Jun 3, 2015 at 08:09 AM.
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Verdad Gallardo Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 347
Likes: 66
From: Tucson, AZ
For a Chevy II swap you should likely put car accessories on the engine because real estate is at a premium in these cars. Not saying it can't be done but it would be a squeeze. Most guys running 5.3's in early novas usually put on a car intake and car accessories. Electric fans I've been told can free up nearly 30 hp on these engines.
I wanted to add that I'm currently in the parts gathering and research stage of a ls swap in my 1963 chevy II wagon. I've been reading and researching for over a year now. I plunked down a decent amount of money on a ls2 out of a GTO because I didn't want to have to start replacing a bunch of stuff to make it work. Now that I've learned more about these engines I wouldn't be afraid of buying a 5.3 or truck engine period and making the necessary changes. I'd definitely go for the l33 as it has good rods and heads and the weight savings in small cars like ours is a plus. Your gonna need headers as I don't think there's any manifolds that work well. Do you have the stock front end in your car? If so you'll need a gto oil pan. If it's a aftermarket clip a f-body pan works best.
I wanted to add that I'm currently in the parts gathering and research stage of a ls swap in my 1963 chevy II wagon. I've been reading and researching for over a year now. I plunked down a decent amount of money on a ls2 out of a GTO because I didn't want to have to start replacing a bunch of stuff to make it work. Now that I've learned more about these engines I wouldn't be afraid of buying a 5.3 or truck engine period and making the necessary changes. I'd definitely go for the l33 as it has good rods and heads and the weight savings in small cars like ours is a plus. Your gonna need headers as I don't think there's any manifolds that work well. Do you have the stock front end in your car? If so you'll need a gto oil pan. If it's a aftermarket clip a f-body pan works best.
Tipsy
I'd pony up for a aluminum hi-output 5.3,the rods are way better as well as the heads. 243/799's are the best bang for the buck. Get a ls1,2,or 6 intake and get the alternator relocation bracket so you can keep your truck accessories and run the car intake. Looks alone even if performance was equal I'd go for the much better looking car intake. Jmo
Staging Lane
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 95
Likes: 1
You found an l33 with 110k on it for $850? That's a killer price. Do most engines on carpart come without accessories? If so, what should I expect to pay for all my truck accessories including the ac compressor.
From that website, it looks like I should look for something '05 or newer if I want to run electric fans. Thanks for all the info!
From that website, it looks like I should look for something '05 or newer if I want to run electric fans. Thanks for all the info!
The engine I bought came with the PS and AC brackets on it, but the accessories and TB where gone. I guess it depends on how lazy or not the yard guys are.
I bought the L33 for the reasons stated above. I'd pay 3-4 hundo for a set of 243/799 heads and the aluminum block can be bored to LS1 bore for a cheap LS6 equivalent engine.
I just built an iron 5.3, those blocks are heavy, anyone who thinks the weight difference is only 80lbs is off a bit its 100lbs for sure.