vorgath

OK, every now and then I see 5.3L Tahoe engines for sale, we use Tahoes at work, they drive good, engine would be excellent in a lighter weight Camaro.

And here comes the issue(s)


1) It's not really smog legal to swap it into the Camaro, correct ? Because it's classified as a truck engine.

2) Do the Tahoe engines come with any smog equipment at all ?

3) To use on in the Camaro, could I use a wiring harrness, and intake manifold from a late Camaro ? (because the LS1 intake is not as high as the Tahoe one, which would give it away as a different engine)

4) If 3 is a yes, can you go into the ECM and change it so it'll work for a 5.3L engine rather than a "5.7" (346ci not 350 blah blah)


Why even asking this ? Because no way I can afford the entire LS1 package, but people sell 5.3L engines for the same price as LT1 engines. And those with LS1/LS6 engines sell their stock parts sometimes rather cheap, because they upgrade to aftermarket parts like FAST intake manifolds etc etc

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

5.3l = 323 ci, not 346. The 5.7l LSx engines are 346 ci, not 350.

It is not technically emissions-legal in a passenger car. Putting LS1 stuff on it would make it look more like an LS1, but the "motor change" inspector's job is to verify everything is from an emissions-certified application, and the one of first things he's going to check is the block/head casting info.

You'll also have to have dual cats, LSx evap system, and if memory serves, even an LSx transmission, etc.

You might get by with it (heard of a CA TGO member who got Vortec heads and a Super Ram, I believe it was, past an inspector - but that wasn't a "motor change" situation).

The only question you have to ask yourself is, "Do you feel lucky?"

vorgath

yeah the casting number thing is the tricky part