T56 On 5.3L An Option?
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: St.Louis Mo.
T56 On 5.3L An Option? Hello
Been gathering info and researching a conversion. Vehicle is a 2002 S10 currently with a 4 cylinder and 5 speed. Was determined to go the F-Body engine route. However, been finding a lot of NICE 5.3 packages lately for much less dough than a F-Body powerplant. I want to do a 6 speed but didn't know if the T56 would bolt up to the 5.3 liter. I'll go out on a limb here and assume (and we all know what that does) that since the 5.3 is in the LS engine family, a 6 speed would work. Please enlighten me to this possibility. Did read awhile back about a S10 that was a 5.3 and a 6 speed set up. One concern is the PCM reprogram. Since the 5.3's did not come with 6 speeds but with 5 speeds in trucks, what would the reprogram on the PCM involve? Look forward to some helpful replies or pointing me in the right direction.
Been gathering info and researching a conversion. Vehicle is a 2002 S10 currently with a 4 cylinder and 5 speed. Was determined to go the F-Body engine route. However, been finding a lot of NICE 5.3 packages lately for much less dough than a F-Body powerplant. I want to do a 6 speed but didn't know if the T56 would bolt up to the 5.3 liter. I'll go out on a limb here and assume (and we all know what that does) that since the 5.3 is in the LS engine family, a 6 speed would work. Please enlighten me to this possibility. Did read awhile back about a S10 that was a 5.3 and a 6 speed set up. One concern is the PCM reprogram. Since the 5.3's did not come with 6 speeds but with 5 speeds in trucks, what would the reprogram on the PCM involve? Look forward to some helpful replies or pointing me in the right direction.
Staging Lane
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
5.3 will bolt right up to the T56. That's one of the great things about the whole geniii family, there are a lot of building blocks to put together a lot of different combinations.
Crank/Stroke on the 5.3 and the 5.7 are the same, Difference is in the bore, which the 5.3 shares with the 4.8 (but the 4.8 has a shorter stroke on it's crank).
You'll have to have the computer programmed/tuned in order to get it all to work harmoniously.
You can do it yourself, or you can have someone put a tune in for it. I'm taking an 01 PCM and having it leaned out a bit to work with the LM4(5.3 all AL) and the t56 going into my 94 rx7. I don't really expect any problems.
In fact, I'm pretty sure that I can plug in the stock computer, and have the MAF read the 5.3's draw and work appropriately.
But I'll have it reprogrammed just to make sure.
Another option is to locate a manual PCM for the truck, plug it in and go.
There isn't the input requirement on manual transmissions PCMs like there is in the PCM for an auto with the electronic 4l60 or 80e.
Crank/Stroke on the 5.3 and the 5.7 are the same, Difference is in the bore, which the 5.3 shares with the 4.8 (but the 4.8 has a shorter stroke on it's crank).
You'll have to have the computer programmed/tuned in order to get it all to work harmoniously.
You can do it yourself, or you can have someone put a tune in for it. I'm taking an 01 PCM and having it leaned out a bit to work with the LM4(5.3 all AL) and the t56 going into my 94 rx7. I don't really expect any problems.
In fact, I'm pretty sure that I can plug in the stock computer, and have the MAF read the 5.3's draw and work appropriately.
But I'll have it reprogrammed just to make sure.
Another option is to locate a manual PCM for the truck, plug it in and go.
There isn't the input requirement on manual transmissions PCMs like there is in the PCM for an auto with the electronic 4l60 or 80e.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: St.Louis Mo.
COOL, very happy to learn this info. I really am thinking about going the 5.3 route. They are darn near 300hp outta the box so that should be plenty to get me in trouble in my truck. Being the LS family, it will accept upgrades like the 5.7 does. Could throw a better intake on it or whatever. Sounds like it would be a fun little engine with a 6 speed that is for sure. Now I wonder how much fun it is going to be find a T56 with all the goodies. Would want the trans, clutch, flywheel, hydraulic pieces, everything so there isn't any scrounging for parts. Just been coming across way too many super low mileage 5.3's for $1500-$2000 less than something out of an F-Body.Wondering where I have to search for the all aluminum 5.3 engine. Far as I know they are in the GM Trucks as the HO engine. That and the new Impalas and Gran Prix GTPs?? This opens up a whole new avenue of options either way 
Last edited by RCALLOYS; Dec 1, 2005 at 10:11 AM.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: St.Louis Mo.
Figured there certainly were/are more 5.3's than 5.7's produced. Wonder how much improvment a LS1 intake, throttle body and a decent came would help a 5.3 engine? Guess it all interchanges and would work with the right computer tuning. If anyone can shed light on this idea, would be nice to know. Everyone here seems to know their stuff!
Trending Topics
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo Yep, LS1 flywheel, clutch and pp. There's a hole on the crank for the pilot bearing and everything bolts right up just like an LS1. I'm using an LS1 intake on my 5.3, but I haven't got my motor in permanently yet. People say the truck intake flows better than the LS1, but I think the difference might be more negligible on a smaller displacement motor like a 5.3. For the wiring just chop off the plugs for the auto tranny and use the truck harness.
On the trucks there is a seperate harness than the engine harness for the MAF, MAP sensor and rear O2's that runs along the chassis. This might be only on the 4x4s I'm not sure. On the 4x4s, the VSS is located in the transfer case.
On the trucks there is a seperate harness than the engine harness for the MAF, MAP sensor and rear O2's that runs along the chassis. This might be only on the 4x4s I'm not sure. On the 4x4s, the VSS is located in the transfer case.
As a 5.3 owner I have researched the intake/TB question. The truck intake puts out a lot more torque, but about the same (maybe 2-3 difference) horsepower. Now, that is just stock LS1/LS6 vs stock 5.3. Of course a F.A.S.T. or any other aftermarket manifold would flow better than both. All adding a stock manifold from an F-Body to a truck would do is raise hp a tad and level it out more torque wise.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: St.Louis Mo.
Great info!!!! Think perhaps I'll let the engine alone and just get everything installed and debugged first. Then go back and tinker with intake and stuff such as that. Maybe advance the timing a tad bit previous to install? Dunno, lots left to research. Won't be until Spring 2006 that this project starts. Hope I don't regret/kick myself for going the 5.3 route but it sure does sound like it will be enough to start with. Truck will be a daily driver and 300hp should be more than enough to keep me entertained. 
the 5.3 and the 5.7 are the same but the 6.0 crank has a longer snout on the back of the crank which would put your flywheel too far back in the bellhousing. so don't use a 6.0 crank. u can get cranks cheap get the right one.
Just shows 15 years ago till now there is this bullshit still out there misleading people...
Not all of them. LS1 Intake is the worst. Ever. Stock Truck is on par with the LS6...which is 2001/2 LS1 Fbodies.
Not all of them. LS1 Intake is the worst. Ever. Stock Truck is on par with the LS6...which is 2001/2 LS1 Fbodies.
If the parts in question are 20 years old, and the info hasn't changed, it doesn't seem totally unreasonable to continue an old thread instead of starting yet another new one about the same topic. Fewer more dense threads are more useful than multiple threads that initially rehash the same basic stuff, at least in my book. Not a huge deal either way.
But for what it's worth, when talking about a Gen V 5.3, a T56 will not bolt up without a spacer. I know this has been posted before, but just mentioning it for future searchers.
But for what it's worth, when talking about a Gen V 5.3, a T56 will not bolt up without a spacer. I know this has been posted before, but just mentioning it for future searchers.
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
If the parts in question are 20 years old, and the info hasn't changed, it doesn't seem totally unreasonable to continue an old thread instead of starting yet another new one about the same topic. Fewer more dense threads are more useful than multiple threads that initially rehash the same basic stuff, at least in my book. Not a huge deal either way.
But for what it's worth, when talking about a Gen V 5.3, a T56 will not bolt up without a spacer. I know this has been posted before, but just mentioning it for future searchers.
But for what it's worth, when talking about a Gen V 5.3, a T56 will not bolt up without a spacer. I know this has been posted before, but just mentioning it for future searchers.
