'73 Chevelle SS 5.3L Swap
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Teching In
Joined: Oct 2021
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'73 Chevelle SS 5.3L Swap So after a valve dropped on the 355 ci SBC in my car a few months ago, I've been back and forth on putting a new SBC in or swapping in an LS. Since I'm posting here, you'd be right to assume I'm going the LS route. I picked up a junkyard 5.3L LM7 with approx. 196,000KM on it last week that apparently came out of a 2003 Silverado. Note I am fairly new to the hobby and know nothing about LS motors except what I've read on this forum and online articles, but I am very mechanical in nature and know that I will really enjoy this conversion project.
This is a factory 4 speed car and I picked up a lightly used Richmond Super T-10 that I want to mate up to the 5.3L using a bellhousing/clutch kit I found from Pace Performance (PAC-1680-26). I figure it will be easier to convert to a hydraulic clutch rather than fabricating a way to make the old manual clutch Z bar work. I'm looking at the HydraMax clutch (HMGM-01101G) which seems like I can attach to my existing clutch pedal without installing a new one.
My engine is setup for DBW but I'd prefer to run DBC so I can retain my stock gas pedal. First (possibly stupid) question: Can I simply swap out the DBW throttle body for a DBC throttle body? I plan to run a Terminator X if that makes a difference.
In general I am trying to keep my costs down without limiting my upgrade possibilities. For now, I was going to go with a mild cam swap and new springs. I'm leaning towards a SS1 cam as I want to keep stock drivability as well as keep a stealthy exhaust sound. I was going to keep the truck manifold and injectors but after looking at the Terminator X options, it seems I have pair my ECM with the type of injectors I'm using. Can anyone confirm if it's as simple as buying a new set of connectors for the Terminator X if/when I want swap out my injectors in the future? Or does each Terminator X really only work with a specific injector style?
For fuel delivery, I was planning on using an Aeromotive Phantom 340. I also plan to use Dirty Dingo (DD 3500-C) motor mounts.
If anyone has any advice or insight about my above choices, I'd love some feedback before I start buying parts. Would also love to hear from anyone that has experience swapping into these mid-70s A-bodies.
Thanks in advance!
Mike
This is a factory 4 speed car and I picked up a lightly used Richmond Super T-10 that I want to mate up to the 5.3L using a bellhousing/clutch kit I found from Pace Performance (PAC-1680-26). I figure it will be easier to convert to a hydraulic clutch rather than fabricating a way to make the old manual clutch Z bar work. I'm looking at the HydraMax clutch (HMGM-01101G) which seems like I can attach to my existing clutch pedal without installing a new one.
My engine is setup for DBW but I'd prefer to run DBC so I can retain my stock gas pedal. First (possibly stupid) question: Can I simply swap out the DBW throttle body for a DBC throttle body? I plan to run a Terminator X if that makes a difference.
In general I am trying to keep my costs down without limiting my upgrade possibilities. For now, I was going to go with a mild cam swap and new springs. I'm leaning towards a SS1 cam as I want to keep stock drivability as well as keep a stealthy exhaust sound. I was going to keep the truck manifold and injectors but after looking at the Terminator X options, it seems I have pair my ECM with the type of injectors I'm using. Can anyone confirm if it's as simple as buying a new set of connectors for the Terminator X if/when I want swap out my injectors in the future? Or does each Terminator X really only work with a specific injector style?
For fuel delivery, I was planning on using an Aeromotive Phantom 340. I also plan to use Dirty Dingo (DD 3500-C) motor mounts.
If anyone has any advice or insight about my above choices, I'd love some feedback before I start buying parts. Would also love to hear from anyone that has experience swapping into these mid-70s A-bodies.
Thanks in advance!
Mike