Gen 3 in '55 Studebaker PU - Camaro Subframe
Gen 3 in '55 Studebaker PU - Camaro Subframe Needing some help with installing a 5.3 liter Gen 3, all aluminum, out of a '04 Trailblazer EXT; going in a '55 Studebaker pickup, which will have a '75 Camaro subframe.
1. I am assuming I will need to put a truck oil pan on this motor for the swap, I don't see anyway the stock oil pan will clear the front cross member. Will run 4L60E, will rework Camaro trans crossmember to work on 4L.
2. Any advise on motor mounts for this install? I am thinking S&P plates, with original Camaro motor mounts, on cross member and on engine?
3. Would like to get 350 +/- horsepower out of this motor, with minimum work on engine, want it to be a dependable driver. What mods?
4. Engine came with no computer or harness, what computer should I buy, and what harness? Thinking Painless?
Any help would be appreciated.
1. I am assuming I will need to put a truck oil pan on this motor for the swap, I don't see anyway the stock oil pan will clear the front cross member. Will run 4L60E, will rework Camaro trans crossmember to work on 4L.
2. Any advise on motor mounts for this install? I am thinking S&P plates, with original Camaro motor mounts, on cross member and on engine?
3. Would like to get 350 +/- horsepower out of this motor, with minimum work on engine, want it to be a dependable driver. What mods?
4. Engine came with no computer or harness, what computer should I buy, and what harness? Thinking Painless?
Any help would be appreciated.
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,148
Likes: 12
From: Downers Grove, IL
For the computer you would be better off with a 99 or newer computer, the 97/98`s are not as supported by the aftermarket. If you pick up a computer from a 5.3L truck it would simplify programming it, you would just have to delete some codes and the VATS. I am not sure if painless has harnesses for the truck motors, the truck motors have different connectors for the injectors and mabey the coils. I would use a factory harness and mod it yourself or have it done. I have read that the painless harnesses usually need modification anyway because they include all the smog crap which most people don`t run on a car that old.
Hey, another Studebaker guy, Welcome! There are such a variety of mounts now, S&P has two different ones, the original and the new one that mounts the motor about 1 inch further back. Hooker is making a set that mounts the motor almost as far back as the new S&P mount and a little higher, BRP makes mounts, but I'm not sure where those position the motor, maybe someone else will chime in on that. You can also find steel versions of the S&P mounts on EBay for about $40. That's what I am using.
For the Harness, I am a big Speatech fan. Had him make a custom harness and reprogram my stock computer. The harness has only what I need and was built with custom lengths based on where I was placing the computer. He also lengthened the O2 connecters to hook up below my headers.
With that big engine bay, you should have plenty of options for exhaust.
Hope that helps, keep us posted on the project, we like pictures!
Pat
For the Harness, I am a big Speatech fan. Had him make a custom harness and reprogram my stock computer. The harness has only what I need and was built with custom lengths based on where I was placing the computer. He also lengthened the O2 connecters to hook up below my headers.
With that big engine bay, you should have plenty of options for exhaust.
Hope that helps, keep us posted on the project, we like pictures!
Pat
Stu Cool / Pat,
Thanks for the post, I previously saw your posts and looked at your swap page, looks like a too cool Stude. I like the fact that you are documenting the swap for everyone to see.
I'm having trouble finding the Hooker motor plates I've seen mentioned. I'd like to check them out. I'll probably go with aluminum plates, to match the rest of the motor, I've seen the steel plates on ebay. I also have been checking out the Speartech stuff, it looks like they know what they're doing, so I'll be sure to give them a shot.
Again, thanks for the info, and I'll be sure to keep an eye on your swap.
Keith
Thanks for the post, I previously saw your posts and looked at your swap page, looks like a too cool Stude. I like the fact that you are documenting the swap for everyone to see.
I'm having trouble finding the Hooker motor plates I've seen mentioned. I'd like to check them out. I'll probably go with aluminum plates, to match the rest of the motor, I've seen the steel plates on ebay. I also have been checking out the Speartech stuff, it looks like they know what they're doing, so I'll be sure to give them a shot.
Again, thanks for the info, and I'll be sure to keep an eye on your swap.
Keith
TECH Resident
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 792
Likes: 2
From: SoCal
Originally Posted by kcstude
Needing some help with installing a 5.3 liter Gen 3, all aluminum, out of a '04 Trailblazer EXT; going in a '55 Studebaker pickup, which will have a '75 Camaro subframe.
1. I am assuming I will need to put a truck oil pan on this motor for the swap, I don't see anyway the stock oil pan will clear the front cross member. Will run 4L60E, will rework Camaro trans crossmember to work on 4L.
2. Any advise on motor mounts for this install? I am thinking S&P plates, with original Camaro motor mounts, on cross member and on engine?
3. Would like to get 350 +/- horsepower out of this motor, with minimum work on engine, want it to be a dependable driver. What mods?
4. Engine came with no computer or harness, what computer should I buy, and what harness? Thinking Painless?
Any help would be appreciated.
1. I am assuming I will need to put a truck oil pan on this motor for the swap, I don't see anyway the stock oil pan will clear the front cross member. Will run 4L60E, will rework Camaro trans crossmember to work on 4L.
2. Any advise on motor mounts for this install? I am thinking S&P plates, with original Camaro motor mounts, on cross member and on engine?
3. Would like to get 350 +/- horsepower out of this motor, with minimum work on engine, want it to be a dependable driver. What mods?
4. Engine came with no computer or harness, what computer should I buy, and what harness? Thinking Painless?
Any help would be appreciated.
Andy1
The motor was sold to me as a 2004 5.3 liter out of a Trailblazer EXT, although the motor has never been installed in a vehicle. The block is indeed aluminum. The motor came from a salvage yard in Michigan, I believe they bought a bunch of left over motors and are selling them as used (I would guess Chevrolet will not let them sell them as new). The motor is also supposed to be the same motor as in the '03 & '04 SSR. My oil pan has a hole going through the center of the pan, which I would assume would be for the front axle shaft of a Trailblazer EXT 4x4. The motor by all other outward appearances, is identical to the 4.8 liter in my '02 Silverado. As I am intending on mounting the motor in my Camaro subframe (in the '55 Stude), I need an oil pan that would be the same as for the 2nd gen Camaro, which I understand would be the truck oil pan.
Any further feedback or information would be greatly appreciated.
I stopped by the Chevrolet dealer a few minutes ago, and the kid behind the parts counter says he has a brand new LS1 cam that he would sell for $100. Any idea what an LS1 cam would do to a 5.3 liter? I want a little more HP, but want driveability and dependability.
Any further feedback or information would be greatly appreciated.
I stopped by the Chevrolet dealer a few minutes ago, and the kid behind the parts counter says he has a brand new LS1 cam that he would sell for $100. Any idea what an LS1 cam would do to a 5.3 liter? I want a little more HP, but want driveability and dependability.
Maybe I have an LH6! What can anyone tell me about this motor? What is this DoD? Is the DoD in the computer only? I am assuming I can interchange parts with all Gen 3 motors?
Again, thanks for any help.
Again, thanks for any help.
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Originally Posted by kcstude
Maybe I have an LH6! What can anyone tell me about this motor? What is this DoD? Is the DoD in the computer only? I am assuming I can interchange parts with all Gen 3 motors?
Again, thanks for any help.
Again, thanks for any help.
http://www.southernperformancesystem...ec5300LH6.html
Pat
TECH Resident
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 792
Likes: 2
From: SoCal
Here's some info from GM on the L33.
http://media.gm.com/division/2005_pr...33-LM7-L59.doc
You know, I didn't think of the LH6 possibility. Here's yet more info:
http://media.gm.com/division/2005_pr...specs.html#lh6
Good luck,
Andy1
http://media.gm.com/division/2005_pr...33-LM7-L59.doc
You know, I didn't think of the LH6 possibility. Here's yet more info:
http://media.gm.com/division/2005_pr...specs.html#lh6
Good luck,
Andy1
