Buggy Disaster

iTrader: (1)

First thanks for everyone that chimed in my last thread on if lsx was overkill. I plan on doing a 5.3 swap.

I can't find a ball park estimate on how much it costs to do this swap. The threads I have found are built 5.3's (Turbo or S/C) or simply undocumented.

Please Correct and add on to my list.

I can find a 5.3 LSX for $400-500 all day on craigslist.
$160 for the LS1 intake
$200 LS1 oil pan.
$250 for cam ( I don't want stock cam)
$220 for custom Y pipe
_______
Roughly $1,400.
What would be an accurate total cost?

Wiring? Can someone help me out. Hawks has a kit for 1000, witch is insane, (IMO). I am pretty good at wiring. If I was given a wire diagram I can wip up pretty much whatever.Can I not use all the electrical parts from the donor vehicle? I wil be using a T56 trans.

Trust me, I have searched many times. Most threads are LS1 related and are way more pricey, plus they are more of a bolt in, so some parts aren't needed.

Thanks for any help.

pearl_iroc

If you have searched AND read the Ls1 related articles you would have realized that you 5.3 swap wiring is going to be the same as a LS1 swap. Re read Pockets write ups on making the harness. It is thoroughly explained.

You will need many more things than on you list.

Fuel set up, corvette filter, fuel rail, fuel pump, injectors, possible an fittings
F body accessories (water pump, alt, steering etc)
Manual throttle body, sensors etc
If you put a cam, you will need to upgrade push rods, springs, rocker arms.

you should read the ls1 swap sticky as it applies to a 5.3 swap

LivinLarge

For going for a non stock cam, you will need new pushroads, valve springs, and lifters. Also I would highly recommend an LS6 intake since it will net good gains over the LS1/

Buggy Disaster

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the quick responses. Please bare with me and excuse my ignorance for LS stuff. Give me an Air Cooled beetle, or even a Carbed SBC and I could have a field day.

I can't believe I missed this article, it did answer many of my questions.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/ltx-...otor-into.html

Pearl Iroc I didn't list accesories because I read that the ALT bracket can be modified or replaced with a custom one to allow clearance under the hood. I thought just the RAD hose caused the problem.

Also I read that the LS1 intake will work with the truck throttle body. I did completley forget about listing the fuel setup.

I also was told that the 5.3 didnt need new pushrods, valve springs and lifters with a somewhat mild cam. For that matter I will leave the stock cam in untill later. LivinLarge I do plan on keeping an eye out for a LS6 intake. See this is why I came here. So I know EXACTLY what I'm getting myself into, and what I missed on the search.

I still have plenty of time to search for an exact parts list. I guess what I really need to know is if this swap can be done for just at or under $2000?

This $2,200 obo 357 with supposively 520horse on CL is looking like a real good option at the moment.

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

Keep going.

Cam - Not sure what you're looking at, but new they're typically more like $300 and up. If you want to save money there, the '99-'00 f-body LS1 cams were better than factory 5.3. LS6 cams can be had for less than $250. Roller lifters usually don't wear down a cam like flat tappets do, so don't be gun shy about getting a used cam (just make sure you know what it is).

Front accessories - truck accessories don't play well with 3rd gens. A cowl hood may allow you to clear the alternator, but if you don't have that already, then LS1 accessories are the ticket. That includes the front damper, because the truck accessories put the belt farther away from the engine than the LS1 accessories do. Be forewarned, Vette, f-body, and GTO accessories must be used complete, no mix & matching here. I'd estimate at least $200 here.

Exhaust manifolds - truck manifolds don't play well with the 3rd gen f-body chassis. 4th gen shorty headers are fine, and probably the least expensive alternative (finding the "good" f-body manifolds it getting harder, and Vette manifolds just plain don't work). Maybe $150, or more if you get them ceramic coated.

Y-pipe - you must have a friend in the business. $220 might get you up on the lift at shops around here. Mandrel bending pipe and good welding will run you much more at retail. I'd budget more here.

Harness - 5.3 wiring harnesses aren't compatible with T56. An f-body LS1/T56 harness would fill the bill (but may not be compatible with the 5.3 MAF/IAT).

Check the LS1 swap sticky for wiring diagrams. I was able to wire up mine with them. I did get a "book" (which was more like several sheets printed out and stapled together) which has also helped. Splice/soldering/shrink sleeves will be your primary expenses.

Mounts - are you fabricating your own, including the transmission crossmember, or buying premade aftermarket? I don't believe truck engine side mounts work with available aftermarket 3rd gen swap mounts, but I may be wrong there. If you get the plates, then you can use your 3rd gen V8 mounts (but not factory LS AC compressor). $150-$250 aftermarket will cover you here.

Throttle body - Careful here. Your 5.3 may have DBW TB, in which case you'll have to get the DBW accelerator pedal as well. A DBW TB will fit the LS1 intake, though. If you don't get the TB, or want to go cable, you'll have to include that. If the 5.3 has a cable TB, then no problems. This could be anywhere from zero to a couple hundred.

Injectors/fuel rail - the truck injectors may work with the LS1 fuel rail, but the truck fuel rail would be pretty weird on an LS1 intake manifold. If you can get an LS1 intake with injectors and fuel rail, you'll be in better shape, but the LS1 injectors have different electrical connectors than 5.3 (not a problem if you get LS1 wiring harness and injectors). How much it ends up costing depends upon what kind of deal you can get.

Fuel delivery - Your 305 TPI pump will probably feed the 5.3 if it's in good shape, but you'll need to control pressure. The cheapest choice here is the Vette filter which has the pressure control and return port built into it, but you'll have to plumb the quick disconnect fittings and return line. You'll also have to adapt the fuel line at the engine to the LS1 fuel rail. $150 isn't unreasonable here.

I don't believe the TPI throttle cable works with LS1 TB/bracket. Could be wrong. $40 for a new factory LS1 w/o traction control cable.

The little things - radiator/heater hoses, serpentine belt; air inlet pieces (might be able to adapt the 4th gen stuff if you got it all); tuning to eliminate emissions (I assume), match the tach PCM output to the tach input, gear ratio, tire size - not sure if you can program a truck PCM to turn on radiator fans. HP Tuners is about $550, you might be able to get a mail order tune for less. Dyno tune will likely cost more.

I'm probably forgetting something, but that's what comes to mind now.

{Edit - Okay, that was started before anyone else had responded...}

Brando5641

iTrader: (-1)

$2,000 isnt going to touch it. five7kid posted a lot of the stuff you need but there is still a lot more gaskets, tune, ......

Buggy Disaster

iTrader: (1)

Wow I really had a misconception with the 5.3. It's funny that the motor only costs around $500, but all the other things more than quadruple the costs.


Looks like I will be looking for a 350 instead. I don't mind running a 350 and putting money elsewhere in the car. Such as rear end suspension and interior.
Thanks for all of the quick help, especially five7kid. You gave me some serious info.

lunati397

cheapest way to swap and still get power

5.3 carb intake = no wireing mess they run 680 with ecu carb fpr motor mounts carb flywheel adapter dirty dingo brackets you can use your old ps pump but ls alt you can be done for around 1500 and use the stock manifolds bonus is you can sell the intake and wireing and ecu and make back about 200 to 300

johnw999

Hey buggy - I have a 1984 trans am, and I just bought a 5.3L engine. I just bought a low milage aluminum LC9 engine, so I paid more than average. I'm finalizing my plan now with all the components that I'll buy. I too am trying to figure out which wiring harness to use, where to buy a good ecm, which fuel system to use (gen iv returnless?), and which cam to buy. I hear that some hot cams won't produce enough vacuum pressure. Anyway, I will give you all the information that I have collected so far. First, check out this write up:

http://ls1tech.com/forums/conversion...de-1500-a.html

Also, consider the husler mid-length headers. I think the best solution is to have an exhaust shop fabricate a y pipe to connect the headers to the "cat back". Take a look at this thread:
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/ltx-...-28-6-a-4.html

johnw999

I like this guys 5.3L swap thread:
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/ltx-...9-5-3-t56.html

I went through the thread and made a list of all the parts he used:


spohn k-member (may hang a little low)
gmpartsdirect.com
22179268 LS1 clamshell motor mount
12495519 Z06 Spark plug wires (these do not fit our 5.3's so I had to sell them)
10275815 LS1 PCM bracket
12551581 LS1 dipstick
12551577 LS1 Dipstick tube
11588456 (2) 5.3 Starter bolts
12552344 LS1 intake manifold bolts
11516327 Bolt for mounting dipstick tube to head (actually comes with 10)
12557840 Harmonic balancer
12610311 LS1 water pump gaskets
12559505 LS1 oil fill tube
12558346 LS1 EGR block off plug
19155066 accessory drive kit DIDN'T WORK!
LS1 oil pan, windage tray, oil pickup tube $ 270
5.3 with 50,000 miles $ 900
Spohn k-member $ 550
Eibach sportlines $ 200
Used intake manifold (LS1tech.com) $ 50
Used fuel rail (ebay) $ 50
LS1 wiring harness (ls1wiringharness.com) $ 500

I bought my oil pan, windage tray, and pick-up tube on gmpartsdirect.com. The oil pan comes with the oil pan gasket, it is riveted to the oil pan. Also these newer pans use an AcDelco PF48, I thought it would use a 46 like the truck oil pan did but it does not.


Ordered F-body front engine accessories from Gmpartsdirect.com

New 411 computer tuned for a 5.3 engine with camaro injectors
SERV. NO 12200411
SPAREECM.COM
20090723S

slave cylinder hose I bought on LS1tech

I plan on using 4th gen brake and clutch pedal setup with my swap, so here is the pedal assembly I bought on Ebay for $50 shipped (clutch brake and accelerator pedal)

Here I went with a Turn One INC. aluminum power steering pump pulley, The power steering pump itself was bought at Autozone.

Here is the radiator I bought, Its a 93-97 LT1 camaro radiator. I also bought the LS1 dual cooling fans off ebay for around $100
LT1 upper radiator support

Magnaflow Exhaust
Cable X speedometer convertor box

I've always heard good things about the LS7 clutc

subframe connectors:
Here's the link: http://www.swracecars.com/store/82-9...71=40-600.aspx

F-body oil pressure sensor

custom Y-pipe and flowmaster race muffler

Comp Cams Thumpr part # 54-600-11
i've heard a few stories where the thumpr cam doesn't produce enough vacuum for power brakes being it's on a 109 LSA.


LS2 timing chain (it was loose with stock timing gears)

Edelbrock pump form Jegs: Part #350-17933 (fuel pump)

johnw999

Here are some other parts that I have been looking at:

From Pace Performance:

19256514 - Retrofit Controller Kit for 5.3L Engines - Contains Pre-Programmed ECU, Harness, Sensors $1,129.95
HLY20-131 Holley GM LS A/C, P/S & Alt Serp Bracket Kit
(20-131) $249.95
HLY21-2 Spacer Kit (F/Body Style) for use with Holley LS Serp Bracket Kits
(HLY21-2) $64.95
PAC-8771 - 1998-2002 Camaro/Firebird LS1 Oil Pan Kit - Fits LS1, LS2, LS3, LS6, L92 And 4.8L, 5.3L, 6.0L 6.2L Truck engines (PAC-8771) $298.95
HD45720 1983-92 GM F Body 1-3/4" Mid Length LS Engine Swap Headers
(HD45720) $309.95
HD03835 Hedman 1983-92 GM F Body Cars LS Engine Conversion Kit for use with T56 Manual Transmissions (HD03835) $569.95


From HAWKS

Transmission Crossmember & Motor Mounts, 82-92 Camaro/Firebird LS1 Conversion Motor Mounts with Transmission Crossmember $195.00
Motor Mount, GM "LSX" Motor Mount Bushing - Complete with Clamshell, Sold Individually
$89.95 x 2= $179.90

A/C Line Kit, 82-92 Camaro/Firebird LS1 Conversion A/C Line Kit $149.00
82-92 Camaro Firebird LSX Swap Radiator Hoses, Upper and Lower New $70.30

Throttle Cable, Camaro/Firebird 82-92 LS1 Conversion Throttle Cable Kit
(Select Application: Standard Stainless Steel Braided LOK-TC-1000LS1) $55.00


From EBAY:
NEW 3 ROW ALL ALUMINUM RADIATOR W/ SHROUD & 12" FANS 1982-1992 CAMARO FIREBIRD $379
(champion radiator dual fans)

johnw999

I met with a friend of my family that has a hot rod. It has loads of power, and it has a carburetor. It was great, but it also brought back memories of the 70's. The car wasn't warmed up to well, and my friend gave it some gas. I was thrown back into my seat, but then the engine stumbled. I personally would like to go the fuel injection route. Carb'ed guys, no offense intended!

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

I included tune, but didn't put a price tag on it.

I didn't include gaskets because everything I listed can reuse the gaskets, typically.

But, LS gaskets ain't cheap. I'm using all new gaskets (except intake manifold - it was a new take-off and included gaskets) in my 6.0 build. However, I went completely through the LS1 in the 4L60E car two years ago and didn't buy any new gaskets (okay, I had previously used Cometic MLS head gaskets, but you get the idea).

Buggy Disaster

iTrader: (1)

Thanks johnw999 for the parts, prices and #'s.

So the Carbed 5.3 caught my attention. I really like fuel injection due to the obvious reasons, and couldn't really justify swapping from EFI to carb. However I could settle for a carb for now.

My dilema is that I want a Manual trans. So thats another 1,300ish on top of the motor costs.

I am still debating
305tpi T56 with 3.70 Gears
Barebones 5.3 700r4 with 2.73 gears
I think 305tpi with T56 with 3.70's would be more fun to drive around town. It won't see any track time.