5.3 To LS 1 Swap
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 2
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5.3 To LS 1 Swap Hey Whats Going On, Happy Easter To Everyone. I'm New To The Forum And The LS World. I Just Purchased A 5.3 & A 4l60E Transmission From A Friend & I Had A Question About What Is Needed To Do A Conversion From A 5.3 To LS1.Or LS3 & Also Is There A Way To Do This Conversion On A Budget And Still Gain Horsepower. Can Someone Please Help This Novice In Making My 72 Malibu Build Something With A Little Kick.
Thanks
Dante G
Thanks
Dante G
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,468
Likes: 265
From: Bossier City, Louisiana
What vehicle are you putting your new engine into? Was your "5.3" motor a VORTEC truck Gen 3 engine? If yes, it should be easy and not very expensive.
But we need more details to answer your questions.
Rick
But we need more details to answer your questions.
Rick
If you are on a budget, you could just swap in the engine and trans as is (after reworking the engine harness and having VATS tuned out of the PCM). If you want to make your 5.3 like an LS1 you could take your 5.3 short block to a machine shop and have them bore out the block making your 5.3 a 5.7 (you'll need new pistons). If you want to do an actual LS1 swap, then you can bolt your existing 4L60E to the new LS1 engine and then drop it in. Which ever scenario you go with, you could always opt to install an LS6 intake (much prettier than the truck intake). If you do so, you'll need a LS1 wire harness, LS1 fuel rail, and LS1 style injectors. Also with the LS6 intake you'll have to swap out your front accessories or use a specific spacer kit with a LS1 or LS2 water pump (truck water pump does not work with LS1/6 intake).
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 22,293
Likes: 3,617
From: Central Cal.
If you are on a budget, you could just swap in the engine and trans as is (after reworking the engine harness and having VATS tuned out of the PCM). If you want to make your 5.3 like an LS1 you could take your 5.3 short block to a machine shop and have them bore out the block making your 5.3 a 5.7 (you'll need new pistons). If you want to do an actual LS1 swap, then you can bolt your existing 4L60E to the new LS1 engine and then drop it in. Which ever scenario you go with, you could always opt to install an LS6 intake (much prettier than the truck intake). If you do so, you'll need a LS1 wire harness, LS1 fuel rail, and LS1 style injectors. Also with the LS6 intake you'll have to swap out your front accessories or use a specific spacer kit with a LS1 or LS2 water pump (truck water pump does not work with LS1/6 intake).
