5.3 swap question
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 355
Likes: 0
From: milpitas ca
thanks again for all the advice guys ive been wanting to do this swap for years.
im already on the hunt for the oil pan/tray and stuff.
the intake manifold a friend of mine is giving me his old one since he went with the ls6 swap. As far as the TB goes he has a stock one too maybe i can get that from him also.
the accessory drive and wiring are my biggest concern. This one does have the harness but the guy i bought it from has cut it up on some places.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,655
Likes: 19
Not much chance the water pump outlet will clear the DBW TB on a LS1 intake.
To get the truck spacing you've got a couple options. I have not checked the spacing on the new camaro water pump, but you can go to a chevy dealer and compare to the truck (2010 camaro, L99, 6.2 with VVT).It's got a front oulet but is spaced farther out to clear the VVT cam drive cober. The L92 09+ escalade pump has the correct spacing and an outlet that comes out at about 45 degrees from the truck pump. Not sure if that will clear though, Mast Motorsports makes spacers for the LS1 pump, but they're $200.
To get the truck spacing you've got a couple options. I have not checked the spacing on the new camaro water pump, but you can go to a chevy dealer and compare to the truck (2010 camaro, L99, 6.2 with VVT).It's got a front oulet but is spaced farther out to clear the VVT cam drive cober. The L92 09+ escalade pump has the correct spacing and an outlet that comes out at about 45 degrees from the truck pump. Not sure if that will clear though, Mast Motorsports makes spacers for the LS1 pump, but they're $200.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,971
Likes: 7
From: Longwood Florida
options sounds pricey and may not work...
Go with what works and others have done...
ie... F-body accessories pulleys and water pump, ls1/ls2/ls6 intake, C5 ex manifolds.
you should be able to get all the accessories used for 100 to 200 I would think, ls1 intakes dirt cheap $50 bucks?? (which you could use your truck rails and injectors), C5 manifolds... free to $50.00 bucks.
Go with what works and others have done...
ie... F-body accessories pulleys and water pump, ls1/ls2/ls6 intake, C5 ex manifolds.
you should be able to get all the accessories used for 100 to 200 I would think, ls1 intakes dirt cheap $50 bucks?? (which you could use your truck rails and injectors), C5 manifolds... free to $50.00 bucks.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 355
Likes: 0
From: milpitas ca
options sounds pricey and may not work...
Go with what works and others have done...
ie... F-body accessories pulleys and water pump, ls1/ls2/ls6 intake, C5 ex manifolds.
you should be able to get all the accessories used for 100 to 200 I would think, ls1 intakes dirt cheap $50 bucks?? (which you could use your truck rails and injectors), C5 manifolds... free to $50.00 bucks.
Go with what works and others have done...
ie... F-body accessories pulleys and water pump, ls1/ls2/ls6 intake, C5 ex manifolds.
you should be able to get all the accessories used for 100 to 200 I would think, ls1 intakes dirt cheap $50 bucks?? (which you could use your truck rails and injectors), C5 manifolds... free to $50.00 bucks.
i just notice that then engine still has oil when i pulled the dipstick out should i leave it in there? or should i drain it out? I dont think ill be able to swap it out this month.
Aslo i found an oil pan form a 98 camaro kinda messed up but thinking about sand blasting it. I would still need an oil pump and windtray from the same year camaro or if i find one from a vette is that okie?
another thing my friend with the camaro might be getting some new heads. Would the 5.7 ls1 heads be an improvement over the 5.3? or should i let them be?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,655
Likes: 19
changing the oil wont do much if you dont circulate it through the engine
pans, pickup tubes, and windage trays go together....pumps are the same. Use a new pickup tube o ring when you swap things
not sure on the heads, probably depends on your goals, intake, exhaust, cam, etc...
pans, pickup tubes, and windage trays go together....pumps are the same. Use a new pickup tube o ring when you swap things
not sure on the heads, probably depends on your goals, intake, exhaust, cam, etc...
Last edited by Garys 68; Mar 17, 2010 at 04:05 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,971
Likes: 7
From: Longwood Florida
LS1 heads have slightly larger valves... however 5.3 heads have smaller chambers. Milling the heads to .60cc on the LS1 heads would keep your compression up. otherwise the compression will drop about .5 (may pocket port while you are milling for a few extra ponies) I would look for a used camshaft .220 to 2.30 range and change factory push rods also...
F-body pan... YES !! get it. then purchase a pickup, tube, and windage tray.
all the oil pumps work... they go on the crank. no need to mess with that unless you have a lot of miles on your motor.
F-body pan... YES !! get it. then purchase a pickup, tube, and windage tray.
all the oil pumps work... they go on the crank. no need to mess with that unless you have a lot of miles on your motor.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 355
Likes: 0
From: milpitas ca
okie i got my ls1 intake manifold today, now i just want to make sure a few things.
1) can i just bolt it on the new manifold noting else needs to be changed?
2) can i reuse the truck intake gasket?
im excited about putting this one one and tossing the old one
=)
1) can i just bolt it on the new manifold noting else needs to be changed?
2) can i reuse the truck intake gasket?
im excited about putting this one one and tossing the old one
=)
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,655
Likes: 19
If I remember correctly, the gaskets are different and you need the LS1 intake manifold bolts too (off to the chevy dealer).
The truck map sensor will fit on it by cutting one tab off. TB will bolt up.
Save the truck manifold til you're done. You might need stuff off it.
The truck map sensor will fit on it by cutting one tab off. TB will bolt up.
Save the truck manifold til you're done. You might need stuff off it.
Instructor
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 136
Likes: 1
From: Chino California
If I remember correctly, the gaskets are different and you need the LS1 intake manifold bolts too (off to the chevy dealer).
The truck map sensor will fit on it by cutting one tab off. TB will bolt up.
Save the truck manifold til you're done. You might need stuff off it.
The truck map sensor will fit on it by cutting one tab off. TB will bolt up.
Save the truck manifold til you're done. You might need stuff off it.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 355
Likes: 0
From: milpitas ca
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,000
Likes: 1
From: Minneapolis, Mn USA
Go to a book store and buy "How to swap an LS motor into anything" book and get another book on rebuilding LS engines. They are both priceless information pieces, lots of pictures to help you out as well.
Also if you give me your email address, I can send you a copy of the GM LS1 swapper guide which will really help you out to get started.
Brent.
Also if you give me your email address, I can send you a copy of the GM LS1 swapper guide which will really help you out to get started.
Brent.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,655
Likes: 19
There is a steam tube that crosses between the front of the heads and on some is connected to the back of the heads too. You'll see it when you get the manifold off.
There is a flat black clip on the side of the injector. Pull that up only about 1/4", you'll feel it click. If you pull up to hard on that black clip, it will come off completely, you dont want that. Then squeeze the top of that black clip in toward the injector and pull the plug off.
There is a flat black clip on the side of the injector. Pull that up only about 1/4", you'll feel it click. If you pull up to hard on that black clip, it will come off completely, you dont want that. Then squeeze the top of that black clip in toward the injector and pull the plug off.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 355
Likes: 0
From: milpitas ca
my emails is aaronsalian@yahoo.com
i wasnt able to get the clips off the injectors but got them off the manifold and pulled it out from underneath. I got to clean with some TB cleaner.
you guys were right... huge difference in size.
noticed this was dirty. would i be able to use break cleaner or tb cleaner to clean it out? Im afraid dirty might get in if i do. would it be okie?
thanks for the help guys. ill keep you guys updated on my progress.
i wasnt able to get the clips off the injectors but got them off the manifold and pulled it out from underneath. I got to clean with some TB cleaner.
you guys were right... huge difference in size.
noticed this was dirty. would i be able to use break cleaner or tb cleaner to clean it out? Im afraid dirty might get in if i do. would it be okie?
thanks for the help guys. ill keep you guys updated on my progress.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,655
Likes: 19
Looks like you found the steam tube. You'll probably have to bend the outlet of it to clear the manifold.
Brake cleaner on a towel will clean up the manifold mating surface. I would suggest taking a vacuum cleaner to the ports afterwards, just in case any bits fall in.
You might as well cut the injector wires, you'll need new connectors for your LS1 injectors anyway. Just mark which cylinder they go to first.
Brake cleaner on a towel will clean up the manifold mating surface. I would suggest taking a vacuum cleaner to the ports afterwards, just in case any bits fall in.
You might as well cut the injector wires, you'll need new connectors for your LS1 injectors anyway. Just mark which cylinder they go to first.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 355
Likes: 0
From: milpitas ca
Looks like you found the steam tube. You'll probably have to bend the outlet of it to clear the manifold.
Brake cleaner on a towel will clean up the manifold mating surface. I would suggest taking a vacuum cleaner to the ports afterwards, just in case any bits fall in.
You might as well cut the injector wires, you'll need new connectors for your LS1 injectors anyway. Just mark which cylinder they go to first.
Brake cleaner on a towel will clean up the manifold mating surface. I would suggest taking a vacuum cleaner to the ports afterwards, just in case any bits fall in.
You might as well cut the injector wires, you'll need new connectors for your LS1 injectors anyway. Just mark which cylinder they go to first.
The alt. bracket or this pully is in the way of the TB. I read that i could cut it? Where should i take out the peice from? A friend of mine is a pretty good welder and has a cutting tourch. Also just a question why cant i use a universal alt bracket? is there a reason to use an LS setup?
just a lil fun
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,971
Likes: 7
From: Longwood Florida
Check this out for swap parts also...
C3 LSX mounts and headers... etc here.
http://www.speedhound.com/lsxswap.html
I have purchased stuff from Trey. Stuff works good. No issues.
C3 LSX mounts and headers... etc here.
http://www.speedhound.com/lsxswap.html
I have purchased stuff from Trey. Stuff works good. No issues.