Ellis Juan

iTrader: (5)

Current setup is a busted 350 sbc with a WC t5 5.0 tranny.

-Is there any particular 5.3 I should look for? Seem to go for pretty cheap on ebay with all the accessories, harness, ecu, etc.

-Iv read about the drive by wire and it seems to be a pain so as long as i stay with pre 2005 i should be alright right?

-I built an adapter plate to fit the ford t5 to the sbc. It has a hydaulic throwout set up. ive read where the bellhousing from an sbc will bolt up minus one bolt, but as far as the input shaft lengths whats the difference?

Just looking for modest fuel injected power. Put the stock 5.3l in drive it for a while and then maybe cam later.

Hit me up and let me know! Im here to be corrected.

ls1nova71

iTrader: (4)

I seriously doubt your going to get a truck manifold to fit under a Corvette hood. And I think it's 2003 the trucks (except vans) all went to DBW if I remember correctly.

70Nova SS

Ya, 2002 was the last year for the drive by cable. The alternator should clear on the drivers side, I believe I've seen a C3 with either a A/C compressor or alternator mounted high on the drivers side on this site. You might have to go with the L88 hood to fit the truck intake.

Ellis Juan

iTrader: (5)

Ill do some measuring on my dads truck(01 1500) I have an l88 hood with a lot of clearance even with a carb spacer and 3" breather. Havent seen many post in searches on 5.3s in c3 vettes. I know it should be very similar to the Ls1 swaps and I will follow that for the most part..just wanted to check for any roadblocks. keep the info/questions/whatever coming

Snow Dog

iTrader: (3)

Here's a tremendous amount of info on doing an LSx into a C3. Lots of good ideas and questions. You're going to have to swap the truck intake for sure though. You can grab an LS1 intake for dirt cheap and it will work very well, or step up to an LS6 right off the bat if you want to spend the money.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1765292

garys 68

iTrader: (1)

The 6.0 LQ4 or 9s are not that much more money than a 5.3 and have much more capabilities for upgrades.
I'm doing a 6.0 LQ9, in my 68 vette but I switched to an LS1 intake manifold. I've got an L88 hood and it still didn't look like the front would clear, so I went to the LS1 intake.
It also didn't look like the alternator would clear so I'm making custom alternator and AC compressor mounts.
Note that pre 02 cranks are different and almost impossible to mount up to a flywheel/manual trans.
As for your trans, it looks like anything that will bolt up to a SBC will bolt to an LS1 with the adapter pilot bushing (Same as the LS7 bushing).

Sheephead

iTrader: (13)

You should look for 05 and up ecsb truck 5.3 H.O. They have flat tops w/ alum. block and 799 casting heads (ls6 heads).There 10:1 comp. 310 hp at the flywheel stock. I,d also look into the 4.8 it,s a cast iron block with flattops with 5.3 heads.I,m not sure but if you swap out the 4.8 crank with a 5.3 or 6.0 crank you would end up with a 11:1 ,5.3

Ellis Juan

iTrader: (5)

I havent read anything about the cranks being different. Didnt know that. So any 5.3 2002 up should be good and I should be able to bolt up an ls1 flywheel? Ill look into the 6.0l as well.

garys 68

iTrader: (1)

Do a search here.
My undestanding is that the truck motor, 6.0 iron blocks, only came with auto trans. In 99, 00 and maybe 01, they used a different crank that can be used with a flexplate, but is not easily adapted to flywheels. Check on the 5.3s, I'm not sure if they're the same or not.
If you're going to do any upgrades in the future, definitely go with the 6.0 LQ4 or LQ9 motors. Much cheaper than LS1s with similar hp and torque. And they are very capable of mkaking lots of hp.
See attached link:
http://www.carcraft.com/projectbuild...ock/index.html

Ellis Juan

iTrader: (5)

Iv been searching for a few hours and I havent really come up with any definite answers. I do know that I will more than likely stick with the 5.3. What if I just use the lsx flywheel? mate my current pressure plate to the ls1 flywheel or use the ls1 pressure plate and just use my clutch disc? My bellhousing is large enough to accomodate im for sure.

magic

iTrader: (4)

I know Keisler has a bellhousing for these year Vettes with an LS swap....
http://www.keislerauto.com/index.php...-model-ls.html

However, your current bellhousing should bolt up, except for one top bolt that will have no provision for in your current bellhousing....

You should be able to fit an LS style clutch and flywheel in your bellhousing..but the main question is if the starter will be able to catch the ring gear on the flywheel??

Ellis Juan

iTrader: (5)

What about an fbody starter?

so ive found some aluminum block 5.3s(lm4) for around 200 bucks or so more than the standard iron block. Would it be worth the couple hundred bucks more? the only major price difference in the two is if I get the iron 5.3 without any accessories basically a long block(can be had for around 600). then you are looking at around 400+ bucks or so difference in the iron and aluminum blocks. worth it?

magic

iTrader: (4)

Im not to sure about which starter to use on these swaps...hopefully someone has the proper answer...

as far the the aluminum vs. iron block....the aluminum block definately for the weight savings... however should the need for a rebuild arise, for the aluminum block, Im not exactly sure on how much the cylinders can be overbored with the aluminum 5.3 block? I know the earlier aluminum LS1 blocks, I think the max was .010 over, and early 97 and 98 blocks, just a clean up hone was the max....

garys 68

iTrader: (1)

My understanding is that the starters are prety much interchangable as far as flywheel/flexplate engagement goes. I bought the escalade starter but the PN interchanged for quite a few other cars with both auto and manual transmissions.
As for aluminum vs iron. The iron block engines weigh aout 50lbs more.
I got an iron 6.0 LQ9 for about half the price of an aluminum LS1 motor.

Ellis Juan

iTrader: (5)

50 pounds may not justify a couple hundred bucks ha..I could use that money elsewhere in the swap.. the truck intake will be super tight..did some measuring last night..even with the l88 hood..probably will have to swap to an ls1/6..more thank likely will have to swap to fbody altenator brackets etc. but no big deal

garys 68

iTrader: (1)

I swapped out the truck intake for an LS1 intake and injectors. The LS1 intakes/injectors are cheap and easy to find.
The biggest PITA was the wiring. The LQ9 harness has miles of wire that snake all around the engine. I spent a whole day just cleaning that up.