Hey everybody, I'm new here but I've been reading through the threads. I just picked up a new(to me) 5.3 and I want to clean it up, maybe do a few mods to it, like a cam and LS1 intake. Eventually I want to put it in a 73-87 Chevy pickup.

Right now its just a motor, no accesories, harness, or PCM. I also need a transmission. I've got a 4L80E, but it came out of a '98 4x4 one ton, so it would need quite a bit to work, right?

On to the questions, what all can I remove from this motor without causing a problem? What is recommended for accessories? Has anyone done this swap and retained A/C? Or what method did you go with to get A/C?

I'm sure I'll have many more questions as time goes by, but I appreciate all of the help.
Carson

Here's a few pictures to show you what I got.....

 

i got rid of all emissions.you can also simplify the pcv system also. im going to relocate the coils and put on some trick aluminum valve covers real soon. i did this in a 79c10 w/an auto tranny. this summer im putting an ls1 w/ 6 speed in an 85 c10 that i just picked up.
http://www.putfile.com/jomommajomomma/images/

 

I can't really tell from the picture, but are you running A/C? If so, how did you do it?

 

no, im not running a/c on my 79. im going to try that venture on my 85 this summer!

 

So do you have a truck yet? I got rid of EGR, Fuel tank evap, and the AC is going to have to be relocated. Quite a few venders offer a relocation set up. Most everything else is shut off in the PCM when you have it programmed.

Here is a link to my swap.
http://www.performancetrucks.net/for...d.php?t=406994

 

I Notched The Frame For The Ac On Mine...it Was Free

 

My engine adaptors where in the way. What did you use? Or did you swap them side for side and move the engine/tranny forward?

 

I don't really have a truck yet, I have a totalled shortbed(bad frame, decent body), but I've got a lead on a longbed farmtruck that I "think" I can get for next to nothing. Right now I'm just getting everything ready to be as painless as possible when the time comes.

Have any of you ever heard of anyone using F-body accessories on their swap? I want to use an LS1 intake anyway so....

Also, I've been reading about the radiator issues people are having, can anyone explain to me what the exact problem is?

 

The only radiator problem I had was I didn't have a stock 79 radiator. I had access to a 01 radiator, and wanted to use it. But the filler tank has to sit higher than the radiator, and there is no room to let the hood shut after it was installed.

I got a deal on a radiator from a 94 Yukon a buddy had. Other wise I would have purchased a stock radiator for my 79.

 

my ls1 came from 98 camaro. ive had no problems from my stock radiator.

 

Just a little update, I've bought a set of F-body manifolds and an LS1 intake. I guess I should be trying to find a truck pretty soon.

 

Carson, Where are you located? How nice of a truck do you want?

 

I'm in central texas, I'm looking for the cheapest possible truck I can find. Pretty much as long as the frame is straight and its not rusted through, I can work with it.

 

Find a truck yet?

 

Nah, I haven't really been looking too hard. Other projects are kind of draining most of my "hot rod" budget. I'm trying to get my LT1 S-10 finished up and back on the road, and I think I'm gonna try to get all the motor work done before I buy a truck.

 

I got ls1 swap motor mounts from ebay, had to drill and tap new holes, if you bolted it one way the engine sat way to far forward and the other way (mounts fliped upside down) they hit the ac. so go figure