5.3L in a 89' Caprice 9C1
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 558
Likes: 6
From: West Plains, Missouri
5.3L in a 89' Caprice 9C1 Just got some of the major work done today on my swap project. 1989 Caprice 9C1 police package car. Long run plans are a single turbo on the stock 5.3L engine. Right now I'm going to put it together NA to see how the motor runs and all.
Transmission is Turbo 400 with a small stall, about 2400-2600 range. Rear axle is 3.42. Should be decently quick with just the 5.3, should be real fun once turbo is on there.
I'm looking for a 8.5" 10bolt posi if anyone has one for 3 series carrier...
Some pics are attached....
Was going to put manifolds on the motor but we had some Hawks Third Gen LS1 long tube headers laying around, and they fit great, Y-Pipe and all, so that save me having to fab up some temporary exhaust. I did have to cut the ear of the side of the TH400 trans on passanger side for long tubes to fit, but no big deal there....
Transmission is Turbo 400 with a small stall, about 2400-2600 range. Rear axle is 3.42. Should be decently quick with just the 5.3, should be real fun once turbo is on there.
I'm looking for a 8.5" 10bolt posi if anyone has one for 3 series carrier...
Some pics are attached....
Was going to put manifolds on the motor but we had some Hawks Third Gen LS1 long tube headers laying around, and they fit great, Y-Pipe and all, so that save me having to fab up some temporary exhaust. I did have to cut the ear of the side of the TH400 trans on passanger side for long tubes to fit, but no big deal there....
freakin sweet hay man looks great are you running one of the harnesses like you made for me on my LS1 I love it keep up the good work can't wait to see some videos of it when it gets done. did you have any oil pan problems?
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 558
Likes: 6
From: West Plains, Missouri
using stock modified truck harness on this one,
Oil pan hangs a little low, about 1.5 inche below crossmember...gonna make a skid plate or somthing to protect it...
Oil pan hangs a little low, about 1.5 inche below crossmember...gonna make a skid plate or somthing to protect it...
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 558
Likes: 6
From: West Plains, Missouri
mounts are stock caprice (which are also stock for almost everything GM V8 from the 70's to early 90's. Its the mount bolted to cross member, and clam shell bolted to engine (in this case, I made a set of adaptor's based on the Transdapt version of them. I made them out of aluminum.
I am running into clearance problem with oil pan to cross member and oil pan to the drag link...I may have to move the motor up 1/4 to 1/2 inch.
I am running into clearance problem with oil pan to cross member and oil pan to the drag link...I may have to move the motor up 1/4 to 1/2 inch.
Last edited by busta9876; Jan 6, 2008 at 10:25 PM.
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Verdad Gallardo Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 558
Likes: 6
From: West Plains, Missouri
The drive shaft was stock unit from my 67 chevy pickup, had the TH400 slip yoke and found a U join that fit my drive shaft and the 8.5 inch rear end. At ride height, the drive shaft had about 1/2" travel, and this increased with compression of suspension. However with suspension dropped the drive shaft bottomed out in the trans, so I'm having 3/4" taken out of the length.
Crossmember clears oil pan fine, however steering drag link is very close, and when cutting wheels to the right, the inner tie rod end rubs the oil pan. I will probably raise the motor mounts 1/4" to clear things up.
Crossmember clears oil pan fine, however steering drag link is very close, and when cutting wheels to the right, the inner tie rod end rubs the oil pan. I will probably raise the motor mounts 1/4" to clear things up.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 301
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City
I can't wait to see another LSX "boxy" Caprice. There needs to be more of us (LSX Caprice's out there !) Any predictions for what it may run the 1320 in while its stock? Keep up the good work! 
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 558
Likes: 6
From: West Plains, Missouri
I got a little more work done, its been very cold, under 25 for last week or so, so work has been slow.
Stock caprice TBI wiring removed, only cut 2 wires to remove entire harness. I retained original wiring for battery feed to stock fuse block, oil pressure gauge, water temp gauge, alternator wiring.
It seems cruise control is seperate part of the system. I noticed the speedo is a cable drive, works right off the TH400. The car has electric/vacuum cruise control. Where does the cruise get a speed signal? I traced the speedo cable all way to the back of the dash board and there is no device to make a speed signal I found. I was hoping I might be able to use this signal somehow for a VSS into computer.
Turbo is from a 2004 Dodge cummins 24v 5.9L. This particular turbo only has dyno time on it, so its practicaly new. A friend of a friend new someone at a chrysler R&D place and got the turbo. Thats the story anyways.
here's a few pictures...
Stock caprice TBI wiring removed, only cut 2 wires to remove entire harness. I retained original wiring for battery feed to stock fuse block, oil pressure gauge, water temp gauge, alternator wiring.
It seems cruise control is seperate part of the system. I noticed the speedo is a cable drive, works right off the TH400. The car has electric/vacuum cruise control. Where does the cruise get a speed signal? I traced the speedo cable all way to the back of the dash board and there is no device to make a speed signal I found. I was hoping I might be able to use this signal somehow for a VSS into computer.
Turbo is from a 2004 Dodge cummins 24v 5.9L. This particular turbo only has dyno time on it, so its practicaly new. A friend of a friend new someone at a chrysler R&D place and got the turbo. Thats the story anyways.
here's a few pictures...
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 301
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City
I got a little more work done, its been very cold, under 25 for last week or so, so work has been slow.
Stock caprice TBI wiring removed, only cut 2 wires to remove entire harness. I retained original wiring for battery feed to stock fuse block, oil pressure gauge, water temp gauge, alternator wiring.
It seems cruise control is seperate part of the system. I noticed the speedo is a cable drive, works right off the TH400. The car has electric/vacuum cruise control. Where does the cruise get a speed signal? I traced the speedo cable all way to the back of the dash board and there is no device to make a speed signal I found. I was hoping I might be able to use this signal somehow for a VSS into computer.
Turbo is from a 2004 Dodge cummins 24v 5.9L. This particular turbo only has dyno time on it, so its practicaly new. A friend of a friend new someone at a chrysler R&D place and got the turbo. Thats the story anyways.
here's a few pictures...
Stock caprice TBI wiring removed, only cut 2 wires to remove entire harness. I retained original wiring for battery feed to stock fuse block, oil pressure gauge, water temp gauge, alternator wiring.
It seems cruise control is seperate part of the system. I noticed the speedo is a cable drive, works right off the TH400. The car has electric/vacuum cruise control. Where does the cruise get a speed signal? I traced the speedo cable all way to the back of the dash board and there is no device to make a speed signal I found. I was hoping I might be able to use this signal somehow for a VSS into computer.
Turbo is from a 2004 Dodge cummins 24v 5.9L. This particular turbo only has dyno time on it, so its practicaly new. A friend of a friend new someone at a chrysler R&D place and got the turbo. Thats the story anyways.
here's a few pictures...
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 558
Likes: 6
From: West Plains, Missouri
Any ideas where one could find the spark plug wire boot & terminal for the coil pack end of the wire? I'm going to have to remove mount the coil packs for this setup and need to make custom wires.....
KC Henry...what oil pan did you use in you'r swap? My truck pan hangs pretty low and i'd like to get a little more clearance...will the LS1 pan clear the crossmember? Got any pics?
KC Henry...what oil pan did you use in you'r swap? My truck pan hangs pretty low and i'd like to get a little more clearance...will the LS1 pan clear the crossmember? Got any pics?
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 301
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City
Any ideas where one could find the spark plug wire boot & terminal for the coil pack end of the wire? I'm going to have to remove mount the coil packs for this setup and need to make custom wires.....
KC Henry...what oil pan did you use in you'r swap? My truck pan hangs pretty low and i'd like to get a little more clearance...will the LS1 pan clear the crossmember? Got any pics?
KC Henry...what oil pan did you use in you'r swap? My truck pan hangs pretty low and i'd like to get a little more clearance...will the LS1 pan clear the crossmember? Got any pics?
Teching In
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, NY
It seems cruise control is seperate part of the system. I noticed the speedo is a cable drive, works right off the TH400. The car has electric/vacuum cruise control. Where does the cruise get a speed signal? I traced the speedo cable all way to the back of the dash board and there is no device to make a speed signal I found. I was hoping I might be able to use this signal somehow for a VSS into computer.
The cruise probably gets a signal from a VSS right on the speedometer. This connects to a buffer box. If it's anything like the 80's monte carlos it's probably a 2 pulse VSS. That might not work with the 5.3 ecm.
I don't want to 
but do you own LT1swap.com? and do wiring harness work? If so can you PM me some info:What harness would be the best to start with for a 2004 LQ4 long block,2004 ZO6 Camshaft and spring set,2000 Camaro intake w/stock injectors,drive by cable, 200R4 transmission with TCI lock up wiring harness. Vehicle is a 65 Chevelle SS.I would like to put the ECU under the dash and have minimal under hood wiring.What would it cost for you to modify said harness if I supply?if you supply?Thank you for consideration.
but do you own LT1swap.com? and do wiring harness work? If so can you PM me some info:What harness would be the best to start with for a 2004 LQ4 long block,2004 ZO6 Camshaft and spring set,2000 Camaro intake w/stock injectors,drive by cable, 200R4 transmission with TCI lock up wiring harness. Vehicle is a 65 Chevelle SS.I would like to put the ECU under the dash and have minimal under hood wiring.What would it cost for you to modify said harness if I supply?if you supply?Thank you for consideration.