Chilo

I am really sorry if this has been answered anywhere before but I can't seem to find the right answer that I am looking for.

I broke the LS1 block on my 2002 camaro and now I have been thinking about going the 5.3L Vortec way.

Questions are:

-Which is the best 5.3 to get that will be the easiest to swap in?

-Can I just slap all my LS1 accessories, sensors, cam, comp and 6 speed on it and be good to go?

-Is there more to this that I don't know?

-Any new brackets needed or need to be modified?


If someone can point me in the right direction,I will appreciate it.

Thanks,

MMorgan9812

iTrader: (6)

If you get a Gen III 5.3 everything will slide right in no adaptations, if you get Gen IV block you will have to relocate knock sensors and a few other things

01ssreda4

iTrader: (96)

True, stick with the Gen 3 engine that ran up until 07 give or take depending on platform. This will have valley knock sensors and the 24 tooth crank wheel.

Chilo

Thanks for the quick respoonces.

-So all I need is a pre 07 Gen III long block. Do they all com with the 24 tooth crank wheel?

-I can swap everything over from my LS1 to it?

-Should I keep the LS1 or 5.3 heads?

I have the Vortech V9 Gtrim with aftercooler right now and thus needs to be rebuild since the bearing are out which is what caused my crank and block to crack. Instead of rebuilding it, I am thinking about going to the next level up. Will I have any issues there or is this somethig that I will have to talk to Vortech about? Not sure if the new supercharger bracket will bolt up to the 5.3 block.

MuhThugga

The L33 would be your best bet since it is an aluminum Gen III block with flattop pistons.

sierravmax

iTrader: (1)

Everything will swap over. You will need to drill and tap a hole in the block to mount the alternator. You will need a size "R" drill bit and a m10 1.5 tap for this.

Chilo

Thanks for the help guys. As far as aluminum, I want to go with the iron for strength. Also, as I have the Vortech setup right now, the alternator is located down below. Not sure if the bracket for the supercharger uses that same hole where the alternator once was at but since the supercharger needs to be rebuilt, I hope that by going the 5.3 route I can save some money on the engine and have money for the next size up on the supercharger. Like I said, I did crack the block and broke the crank.

MuhThugga

Ah. I didn't see that you had a Vortech set-up.

Yeah, your best bet would then be the run-of-the-mill LM7, which is an iron block with dished pistons. Just be careful, because I believe from 1999 - 2002, the 5.3s had a longer crank snout, which will throw off your accessory spacing.

Hell, you could even do a 4.8, as they are all iron blocks, love boost, and are stupid cheap since everyone wants a junkyard 5.3. You won't miss the extra cubes with the supercharger.

lsxsleeper

I used what was sold as a 2001 lm7 in a 4th gen and all the front drive bolted right up minus the ac and my alternator is on top left

2muchboostNY

iTrader: (8)

My 05 LM7 has the newer stronger rod design and LS2 style timing chain. LS1 acc bolt right up but as noted you need to drill the hole for the Alt.