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I have a 2001 z28 with original ls1 drivetrain. (144k) I'm picking up my on3 full kit tomm but still up in the air of the combo I want to run. I would like to ildingbe 650-700 range. I have a 4l80e trans setup so that part is taken care of. My question is,o a budget build, should I stay with the ls1 that is in the car now(runs perfect) or do a jump to a 5.3 truck engine. I do not plan on getting into the lower end of either setup. The 5.3 I would run untill it pops and grab another from salvage and throw in it's place. The ls1 drivetrain I could sell to someone now but I would still need to buy all accessories+plan for the truck setup. Or last and seems most simple, run the ls1 until it pops, and then concert to 5.3? Is there a way to drop in a 5.3 with all truck stock accessories (changing intake and oil pan setup) like a thinner radiator setup? That would be ideal and easy. You could have old out and new back in pronto. Are there any step by step guides to using a 5.3 in an ls1. I've found a swap to every other car under the sun and let to ls swap but no exact 5.3 in place of ls1. Hopefully detailed enough to point out exact brackets, pumps, pulleys etc. If not, I had better take good notes if I do my swap so I can add a post. Thanks in advance for Input!!
you use all the accessories and brackets from your ls1 when you swap in a truck motor. You have to drill and tap the block for the alternator bracket but other than that it’s pretty straight forward swap. I would just slap the setup on the ls1 and then swap to a 5.3 when it blows up. I’ve made close to 650 wheel on a Stock bottom end ls1 with rod bolts on a pretty big shot of spray.
I'm looking at the car now, is there any way if I use ls1 oil pan and intake in picture(short ram that clears truck accessories) that I couldn't bolt directly in. Manifolds will be in turbo kit. I'm not against swapping everything over but wouldn't it be awesome to be able to drop in a nearby complete setup without changing everything every time and just running the truck 5.3 hard?
I’m pretty sure that intake won’t clear the windshield cowl without cutting the cowl and the truck alternator sits too high and will hit the hood I’m pretty sure that’s why everyone runs fbody accessories. It’s literally nothing to swap over the brackets just a few bolts and some time. Around 6-700 hp a motor will last a good while with a good tune especially if you are able to run e85. You won’t be swapping them as often as you think for it to be inconvenient to swap over your fbody brackets.
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5.3 or Ls1 boosted build 
