5.3 LS swap and info

T

Truckedup

Member
It's a truck engine going into a truck.............

A few question on a 5.3 LS.I'm friendly with a local large junkyard.They will sell me a high mileage 5.3 LS truck engine for 300 bucks complete with the intake and injection parts.The engine guaranteed to run ok,but i will pull it apart.This fits my budget,and allows a basic performance rebuild,rebore and crank regrind if needed,HP cam etc.I'm looking for about 350 plus hp so the stock heads should be ok????
The big question,it it worth the trouble to try and work with the GM fuel injection and ignition?
Or go with a four barrel intake and the MSD ignition conversion?
This will go into an older truck and fuel injection is not a requirement.And I do understand carburetors......
This will be for a manual tranny set up,the bell housing is a different pattern than a SBC?
I haven't found the weight of a cast iron block,aluminum head LS,,about 500 pounds????
Thanks
 
Truckedup said:
It's a truck engine going into a truck.............

A few question on a 5.3 LS.I'm friendly with a local large junkyard.They will sell me a high mileage 5.3 LS truck engine for 300 bucks complete with the intake and injection parts.The engine guaranteed to run ok,but i will pull it apart.This fits my budget,and allows a basic performance rebuild,rebore and crank regrind if needed,HP cam etc.I'm looking for about 350 plus hp so the stock heads should be ok????

that should be very easy

The big question,it it worth the trouble to try and work with the GM fuel injection and ignition?

as long as you get the ECU and wiring harness in the deal it is

Or go with a four barrel intake and the MSD ignition conversion?

costs more and advantage is small at that power level goal

This will go into an older truck and fuel injection is not a requirement.And I do understand carburetors......

Id go either route, but if you get the ECU and wiring harness in the deal MPFI has advantages

This will be for a manual tranny set up,the bell housing is a different pattern than a SBC?

the bell housing may bolt up but the flywheel, trans and center lines and off sets may or may not, the standard autos like a th-350 -th400 have generally worked with different flex plates etc.

I haven't found the weight of a cast iron block,aluminum head LS,,about 500 pounds????

generally closer to 460 lbs but depends on accessories etc.
Thanks
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MAY HELP
viewtopic.php?f=39&t=5079&p=14436#p14436

http://www.crateenginedepot.com/53-LS-3 ... 804C2.aspx

http://www.summitracing.com/search/bran ... toview=SKU

http://www.hotrodlane.cc/77chevytruck/77chevy.htm

viewtopic.php?f=38&t=276

viewtopic.php?f=38&t=886

viewtopic.php?f=38&t=338
 
Thanks for the info....I can likely get a computer from the junkyard for reasonable money.....Then need something to hook up to the speedo or driveshaft to sense road speed.And either buy or have the existing computer reworked to suit my situation.I think the 4 barrel intake and MSD ignition stand alone ignition conversion to fire the coil on plug is about 800 bucks.I do have some carbs here.I'm thinking that there might be some other ignition parts to buy to make it work properly.
 
Absolutely keep the efi! Cheaper, easier, better response and mpg, easier starting, etc, etc....350 crankshaft horses on that engine is very easy, moderate cam, good valve job, and hi-po rockers and long tube headers will get you in the neighborhood. The 5.7 LS1 is 350 crankshaft h.p. and it ain't a lot more radical or bigger. LSx motors respond to long tube headers very well. Once the pcm is programmed for your ap, the 350 horsepower will be in your mirror. Most of these mild builds with standard bore will net 360-370 h.p. at the crank and close to the 325 at the wheels if you don't kill it with too heavy duty a tranny or rear. The LSx actually loses less through the drivetrain than older style engines. You'll love it! :cool:
 
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