Hi Fellas,

I sure could use a little advice on parts. I have acquired a complete 2001 truck with 5.3L , auto to swap into my ’81 corvette. I would like to use as much of the truck components and accessories as possible. I have read through many of the swap threads but questions remain. Also read through LS1Tech site, good information but not a great deal specific to corvette application. Both sites are difficult to perform search.

I have found my LS1 intake manifold, injectors, etc. I will purchase F-body oil pan soon.

Engine mount adapter plates- is the 1” backset preferred? Is the engine backset due to difference in Gen III and SBC block length and transmission mount location? Seems it would help with accessory clearance.

Water pump- Does truck water pump interfere with LS1 intake? If change to F-body water pump will it still work with other truck accessories or is neck too short.

Exhaust manifolds- I am considering cast iron manifolds. I assume the truck manifolds do not exit at proper location. F-body or C5 work well? Are short tube headers better suited? What long tube headers fit best?

A/C compressor – It seems that everyone swaps to the Sanden compressor. Is the reason due to fit issues or because the new style does not function well with existing system?

Transmission x-member- Moving the motor back an inch increases the transmission mount distance from the original TH350 mount location ( as well as Th350 / 4L60E difference). Is it best to wait and fabricate new x-member following motor/ trans?

I understand these are probably some basic questions but I could really use some guidance. I appreciate your patience and reply.

 

Know your hearts getting into the direction you're already heading, but since you're asking for opinions, here's mine. LS swaps are a big job and expense, and the only thing I'd do is an LS3 with T56, or just not bother at all. Parts swap and labor will be similar either way, so why not just do it right from the beginning. Josh, at Custom Image Corvettes in SD can help you with anything needed here, so maybe another ear there to bend on this too.

 

Adapter plates will depend on what trans you will use.

Truck pump may interfere with TB, but spacing is "truck". The truck alternator is too high. You can go with corvette or f body accessories or Kwik makes alternator PS bracket in f body, corvette, or truck spacing.

Kwik also makes a sanden compressor mount in all 3 spacings, stock compressor rarely fits.

X member depends on what trans.

 

What do you think the cost between the motor he has and an LS 3 is? Maybe he isn't rich like you and can't afford the LS3.

If I was doing the swap I would go with the truck engine. Dose the same thing and is cheap.

 

No intentions of ripping into anyone here, just an eye opening opinion. Think we've all done projects, we'd have differently if another chance. Truth is, any LS conversion will be expensive, so worth giving some thought between an LS3/T56 now, or later.

 

If all we're worried about is "what they do", I'd go with the original smallblock.

To really tap into what the LS-series can do, it's best to go with a 6.0+ block. LS2/3/7, or LQ4/LQ9/etc (the 6.0L truck series)

The 6.0L truck block is not that much more expensive and you can put really good heads on for not much $$. You can basically build an iron block LS3 for 2-3k. (LS3 heads and intake are not much $$. The big $$ is in the block.)

LS3 heads require the 4" bore found on the LS2/6.0.

 

Very true, I went with an LQ9 6.0. Almost 400hp out of the box. GM cam and heads puts it over 500hp.
On the flip side, I just put a 5.3 in a 72 442. It may not have the torque of a 455, but the drivability, reliability, and mileage is great. Glad I did it, it's my daily driver.

 

I DD a 2006 Avalanche 4x4.

I'm sure it would be a lot more fun in a 442.

 

Uh Oh, you touched on a bit of nerve here, as I too have a 70's Oldsmobile, and went through lot's of trouble building a custom 455 for it. As you know, the torque of these things is something else, and with the 700R4 tranny, milage isn't to bad. But you built yours for what you're doing, so understandible. Don't know if you saw Holley's LS Fest engine swap contest a few years ago, where a team of guys swapped an LS into a 71' Cutlass, in 35 minutes. Included driving the car around for a couple hours, to make sure it was done right. Was really something to see, and guys got to keep everything.

 

Almost every swap is different depending on the existing equipment and the new parts. I made all in one plates with standard, 1" forward & 1" back, you can even buy plates that allow the engine to slide where you need it and then tighten down.

Water pump- Does truck water pump interfere with LS1 intake? Yes but some have made it work with a few small mods.

If change to F-body water pump will it still work with other truck accessories or is neck too short.
You could use f body if wanted, you can buy spacers to bring it out to the truck distance.

Exhaust manifolds- I am considering cast iron manifolds. I assume the truck manifolds do not exit at proper location. F-body or C5 work well? Are short tube headers better suited? What long tube headers fit best?
Truck will not work,F,C5 Yes, Short tube "block huggers" if you want long tube headers - Camaro

A/C compressor – It seems that everyone swaps to the Sanden compressor. Is the reason due to fit issues or because the new style does not function well with existing system?

Early truck compressor OK, car and later truck would need additional sensors and computer involvement. Many use Sanden with aftermarket A/C


Transmission x-member- Moving the motor back an inch increases the transmission mount distance from the original TH350 mount location ( as well as Th350 / 4L60E difference). Is it best to wait and fabricate new x-member following motor/ trans?
Yes

These swaps come down to what you want the end result to be, and what your budget and skills will allow. I am in the middle of a swap on a 74. From 400hp 350/muncie to 2002 5.3 & 2010 TR6060 6 speed. I have gathered parts for the last year and will have about $1500.00 in the swap. Could everyone do it this cheep? No, some spend this much on the wiring harness. http://ls1tech.com/forums/conversion...get-build.html

 

I appreciate the replies. While there is probably no "typical" swap. I assumed there are some basic parts that are common or best fit to most swaps- engine brackets, oil pan, intake, exhausts, A/C compressor, etc.

I should have stated that this is a budget operation and goal is a driver. ('Extra money" and "free time" are mythical concepts to me).

Yes, an LS3 and 6 speed manual would be nice but would have added and addition "0" to the purchase price/ budget of the $800 donor I drove home. I chose this 5.3L route since I was just about to spend that amount on a 700R4 trans.

This swap may not have much "WOW" factor but I think some other fellas may be in my financial position looking for reasonable price modern drive train.

Please keep the information coming.

Smiles,
Sam

 

Sam, there is nothing wrong with doing a swap with a 5.3. I'm like you...would have loved to do an LS3 or Ls7, but cost was too much of an obstacle for me. I was looking into a 5.3 or iron 6.0 when a deal on an LS1 and T56 literally fell in my lap from an old friend.

The F-body accessories fit and work very well, and that is what I used. If you scour Craigslist and LS1tech, you should be able to find them for roughly $200. I saw a set on my local Craigslist for that amount a couple months ago.

I used Dirty Dingo motor mounts, which I believe move the motor as far forward as physically possible without interfering with the crossmember. I'm very happy with the engine location.

I also used F-body longtube headers...Pacesetters for a 98-99 which do not have EGR or AIR fittings. They tuck up extremely tight. Some minor mods may be required to get them to fit perfectly. I'm eventually going with a custom set of sidemount headers and sidepipes, but that's down the road.

Can't help you much with the trans crossmember, as I went with the T56.

Good luck on your project. If you can spare the $500, do yourself a favor and get a PSI conversion wiring harness. The peace of mind is worth the money, and it is a nice, quality piece.

 

So what trans will you be using?

 

I will be using the 4l60e out of the truck. I plan to salvage all I can from the truck- 2001 Silverado.

 

You can make the 5.3 haul azz real easy they respond to the same mods they all do. If you can get the truck intake to clear the hood use it they make outstanding torque and power
Stock/stock it will make more power with the truck intake they are pretty decent, even with a cam.

 

The 5.3L motors are very strong. A lot of people tend to under estimate these things, but they can handle a good amount of power. I had a 5.3 once that I was planning on dropping into my Vette. My plans were dropping a set of LQ9(317 heads) turbo and meath injection to yield me 600 hp, to the wheels, on a stock bottom end. This has been done, and the bottom end can take it. The LM7 can handle a bit.

 

I saw that episode, mine took a little longer. Also taught me not to hammer on aluminum blocks.
When I got the Olds, it was a metal shell, that's ablout it. I wanted to build a budget cruiser (the 68 vette got the 400hp LQ9, Richmond 6 speed) that got over 20mpg.
If you're interested.
http://classicoldsmobile.com/forums/...-iii-swap.html

 

It amazed me that they did that... why not grind it off? Stress + time crunch makes for some bad decisions sometimes!

 

Beautiful car you have there Gary, and obviously know what you're doing. I'm a pretty good wrench myself, but think I'll just step aside on this one. I check in on the Oldsmobile forum sometime, but those guys sure do take a dim view on non Olds engines. When I built the 455 for my car, LS's weren't even availible yet, plus it just dropped right in from the original SB that was there. As for the Holley LS swap footage, can't believe those clowns were hammering on the block either. What the heck else, did those guy's think was going to happen.

 

I will be using the 4l60e out of the truck. I plan to salvage all I can from the truck- 2001 Silverado.
Sam
That is a large trans, you should do some searching for swaps using 4l60. You may end up with some trans tunnel surgery. I wouldn't mind it to get the results, but not sure what you would be happy with