The 5.3L Swap?

[RPDRed6]

Hey guys i was just doing a bit of browsing around on LS1 Tech for engines, and it seems like you can pick up a 5.3L for fairly cheap, I know obviously you need a few more parts and cash besides the engine itself but has anyone swapped a 5.3L V8 into their car? sounds like it might be kinda unique

[97rs4life]

Re: The 5.3L Swap?

not really unique anymore. lol. just go over to tech and there are threads in the conversion threads. been done quite a few times already

[cam98aro]

Re: The 5.3L Swap?

assuming you are talking about an ls1 and not a 350sbc.. the general consensus its pretty much cheaper to either buy a donor car, or buy a wrecked z28 roller and put the engine in that car.

things you would need:

ecu/wiring harness
fuel pump
front springs
k member
trans xmember (maybe)
driveshaft (if the car has a 2 piece)
radiator
engine/trans
gauge cluster
steering rack (although im sure you can use the old one)
exhaust (downpipe may be slightly different)
throttle cable/drive by wire (if you have a 98' and below camaro)

im sure there is a few other things also that i have forgotten

[bigairboarder44]

Re: The 5.3L Swap?

don't forget a new rear end if it's stock

[ssms5411]

Re: The 5.3L Swap?

It would be cheaper to run a turbo with low boost and get 290-300 at the wheels , a 5.3 say a 2000 is rated at 275HP and 315 TQ then take 20% drivetrain loss its only making 240 HP / 265 TQ at the wheels , some have got those on #'s N/A on 3.8's. I think the LQ9 (I think) is the best option if your looking for a less inexpensive motor out of a truck to swap in for the best HP and TQ.

[vanbibber]

Re: The 5.3L Swap?

LQ9 > LQ4. otherwise you might as well just plan a ls1 swap. LQ9s make nice boost motors, ive been looking high and low locally for one for 5 or 6 months now.

[Bird_Of_Prey]

Re: The 5.3L Swap?

assuming you are talking about an ls1 and not a 350sbc.. the general consensus its pretty much cheaper to either buy a donor car, or buy a wrecked z28 roller and put the engine in that car.

things you would need:

ecu/wiring harness
fuel pump
front springs - Don't Need
k member
trans xmember (maybe) - Do need
driveshaft (if the car has a 2 piece) - Only if it's 2 piece
radiator - Don't need
engine/trans
gauge cluster - Dont need
steering rack (although im sure you can use the old one) - Don't need
exhaust (downpipe may be slightly different) - Do Need
throttle cable/drive by wire (if you have a 98' and below camaro)

im sure there is a few other things also that i have forgotten

I went through and fixed your list

don't forget a new rear end if it's stock

If you have a G80 code rear, you can use your stocker. I'm using a stock V6 rear in my swapped car.

It would be cheaper to run a turbo with low boost and get 290-300 at the wheels , a 5.3 say a 2000 is rated at 275HP and 315 TQ then take 20% drivetrain loss its only making 240 HP / 265 TQ at the wheels , some have got those on #'s N/A on 3.8's. I think the LQ9 (I think) is the best option if your looking for a less inexpensive motor out of a truck to swap in for the best HP and TQ.

5.3's are no slouch. Just like an LS1, very underrated from the factory. They typically dyno within 10-15 hp of a 5.7 LS1. You could do the 5.3 for FAR less than a turbo kit.

LQ9 > LQ4. otherwise you might as well just plan a ls1 swap. LQ9s make nice boost motors, ive been looking high and low locally for one for 5 or 6 months now.

LQ4/9's are going for bucks right now. You can find a 5.3 for $300, similar LQ4/9's are going for over $800. I keep saying it. www.car-parts.com junkyards post parts on there.

As long as you have a 99+ car, the swap is SUPER easy. You need to jump 1 wire on the harness to make it run.

[vanbibber]

Re: The 5.3L Swap?

hell the cheapest i found locally was 1400 bucks lol. people around here think the damn things are gold plated or something. ill have to look thru there then. i cant do **** with this car until i pick one up.

and agreed, the 5.3 is under rated. for all intents and purposes its just a baby ls1. although i seem to remember reading that the internals are a bit weak in them.

[flamingchicken]

Re: The 5.3L Swap?

hell the cheapest i found locally was 1400 bucks lol. people around here think the damn things are gold plated or something. ill have to look thru there then. i cant do **** with this car until i pick one up.

they have them for sale locally for usually under 500 for the engine, or entire drivetrain for less than 800. i bought a whole truck for cheap as hell cause i wanted to do this swap, but...well plans change.

[vanbibber]

Re: The 5.3L Swap?

thats not a bad idea either now that i think about it.

[cam98aro]

Re: The 5.3L Swap?

I went through and fixed your list

the steering rack will not work, you can put av8 one on a v6, but not the other way around.

sure, you dont need to change the springs, but the front will sit down a lot lower

[vanbibber]

Re: The 5.3L Swap?

he just did a ls1 swap into a v6 car FYI

[cam98aro]

Re: The 5.3L Swap?

he just did a ls1 swap into a v6 car FYI

everything i looked up said you cannot use the v6 one because the k member gets in the way since the v6 one is larger.

[bigairboarder44]

Re: The 5.3L Swap?

everything i looked up said you cannot use the v6 one because the k member gets in the way since the v6 one is larger.

If you have the Y87 package, then you can use the stock one. Otherwise, the V8 rack is needed.

[flamingchicken]

Re: The 5.3L Swap?

The difference between the 6 & 8 one is the input shaft angle.