5.3L/T-56 Combo in my '66 Nova
 

I am very close to pulling the trigger on a lot of upgrades, just waiting to make sure I'm not going overseas (Air Force). With that said, I'm going w/ ChassisWorks Front clip & Rear g-Bar setup and want an LSX w/ 6 speed.

So I'm looking at the Aluminum 5.3L ('04 Trailblazer-EXT) and want to mate to a T-56 (LS1 Camaro w/ stock bellhousing etc.).

1. Intake- used LS1. $100
2. FBody accessory brackets- $200 used
3. LS1 T-56 flywheel- $100 used
4. Exhaust manifolds- Hooker Shorty's
5. LS1 FBody Oil Pan/pickup/dipstick tube/dipstick - $150 used
6. GTO Instrument cluster (blue) - $300

So to shoe in an L33 - I figure $450 on top of the $1100, which is cheaper than the $2500 minimum I see LS1's going for w/ more miles/beatings.

Questions that come to mind:
1) Will the harmonic balancer clear the CW clip
2) Can the stock ECU/harness by modified to work w/ T-56 and GTO cluster? (probably go w/ Speartech)
3) Is the LS1 intake a direct bolt-on?
4) Am I missing anything?

Thanks,
Bryan

You will need a '04 GTO PCM/BCM/harness to use a '04 GTO instrument cluster.

I've seen LS1's in older Novas in the past with the chassis works style front end (not sure of exact brand though) and they clear the balancer fine. And the intake is a direct bolt on, if your using F-body front drive, you won't have a problem. Also $100 for an LS1 intake seems kinda high to me, people I know can hardly give them away, now LS6, thats another story.

Where are you getting the oilpan and accesories? I am looking at going the 5.3 or 6.0 route and dont knwo where to look without going to junkyards, etc. Sounds like a sweet project.

I gave 40 for my intake with inj and rails, I think the truck TB is the same isnt it? Its the little stuff that adds up.....

LS1 w/ T-56 for my '66 Nova
 

So here's a local deal I found; $4K delivered (100 miles away).

"I have a complete 01 Z28 LS1 /w 40k available, and I can include the complete 6-spd setup from a 99/00. I can include the complete clutch slave, starter all accessories down to the belt, wiring harness, computer, radiator, gas tank etc if you need everything. (Its all from wrecked cars)."

He'll knock off $500 for a 75k-100k mileage LS1 - or for $2500 he'll sell me a 5.3L w/ T-56.

Comments on this deal? Anything else I should ask for as part of the deal - he's throwing in the radiator and fuel tank.

Will the radiator fit?

He's also going to edit my PCM for me - what do I need him to remove other than VATS? Are there 4 exhaust sensors - drop it to 2?

I'm sure the fuel tank will take a lot of fabrication to look right, but I should be able to make it work.

Thanks,
Bryan

4k sounds kinda high for an ls1/t56. check out car-part.com or ebay

Yeah, but he's throwing in PCM programming, fuel tank, radiator, dash cluster and delivery - which is why I'm actually considering it.

How much do most shops charge to edit the PCM?

Would I be better off w/ a 75K-100K mileage motor to save $500? Or just move along and find another source?

Thanks,
Bryan

You can do a ton of work to a 5.3 for $1500.

I'll see if he can throw in all the FBody stuff for the 5.3L; although this guy is asking $1K for a 5.3L and $2K for the t-56 - I'd rather pay $1500 for a 75k-100k LS1 engine and not worry about all F-body engine components.

Thanks,
Bryan

Bryan,

I am not sure the price of high mileage LS1's. I wouldnt pay $1K for the 5.3l. But the accesories and little things add up. B/c $2K is high for just the t-56, but you are getting the entire assemembly. It would be nice to get the complete set-up, just make sure you know everythign you need and have a list with you to check it out fully. So overall it doesnt sound like a horrible deal overall, especially considering that you are getting it complete.

So here's what I'm going to ask for ($4K) - need a sanity check:
'01 Z28 LS1 w/ 40k miles w/ T-56
complete clutch slave
starter
all accessories down to the belt
wiring harness
PCM
radiator
'98 fuel tank (last year they were steel)
Z28 instrument cluster
clutch master (he didn't say he had it but I'll ask) - if not going w/ Wilwood

Anything else I should ask for
1) will stock exhaust fit w/ my '66 Nova ChassisWorks clip?
2) what about the mufflers...are they any good from Z28, what are most using w/ their LS1?

Thanks,
Bryan