89firechicken89

so I just bought a 5.3 for $200 It came complete but dismantled from valve covers to oil pan. and uppon further inspection of the block when i got home i found this on both ends of the block just wondering if anyone can tell me whats going on with this if I have to buy another block I will but this is my first build and I am only 17 so any info will help

89firechicken89

cant figure out how to put pictures in

89firechicken89

http://www.ebay.com/itm/GM-CHEVY-5-3L-ENGINE-REBUILDABLE-SHORT-BLOCK-2000-2002-9142-/190435218033?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2c56d2d271&vxp=mtr
it looks like the 2 holes located at either end of the engine in this pic not sure if its supposed to be like that or what

MyMint92

If your engine looks like the one in the pic you just posted then there is nothing wrong with it. The two holes in the valley at either end are cast into the block. The two circle things inboard of those holes are for your knock sensors.

89firechicken89

ok thank you very much for the feedback I was just worried because ive been screwed over on craigslist before and I didnt want it to happen again.

89firechicken89

I will be using this thread to document my Camaro build over time from start to finish. As of right now the car is completly stock and is rust free and is a california car. It has the wonderful boat anchor 305 hooked up to a t5 that will be going as well. I picked up the car about a year ago and it had been in a bad accident with a dodge ram and I am slowly taking care of the body damage it totaled the ram lol and was able to drive away after everything was done tough car haha ive had the body straightened and the dent pulled out but so far thats all ive got but I have been reviving this car since I got it it I picked it up for only $800 running and driving. Will post pics soon of the progress so far

89firechicken89

89firechicken89

she is lowered on eibach sportlines also and has kyb shocks and struts

89firechicken89

Anybody know of a good engine rebuild kit?

Pocket

iTrader: (24)

Try rock auto, but be aware a complete pullout for <$500 is much cheaper than overhauling a basket case

MyMint92

You did say that you have a 5.3 already right? If so you can get on summitracing.com and find rebuild kit for that engine.

MyMint92

If you do have the 5.3 you will have to tear it down and check the parts for integrity. I would take the block to a machine shop to have them look at it and ask their recommendations. They will probably recommend a .030 overbore. So you would have to get a kit to match that overbore.

89firechicken89

I am aware its more expensive to do it this way but im doing forged rods an pistons and a cam while I have it out then doing top end stuff later plus this way I know the condition of everything. I have a bare block 5.3 and all of the major parts stock cam heads valve cover etc. I will be using the stock intake manifold because everyone goes with ls1 and I heard it flows better anyway I am aware of the hood clearance as well. I tried summit but they dont have the right one for the year that I could find Im selling my ram truck to get some extra cash for this build which i think should be plenty of money to get it up and running and in the car.

Pocket

iTrader: (24)

Why forge a 5.3? I'll sell you a bare 6.0 block for $300. Forge that, more power, more common parts. Better bang for the buck

89firechicken89

id like to go turbo eventually. plans may have changed tho I found a complete 5.3 for 800 here in town and I might spend my money more on upgrading the suspension k memebers and what not so that the swap is easier and it can handle more power.

89firechicken89

thanks for the offer pocket but I like the idea the a complete 5.3 can be had for $500-$800 just incase somthing goes wrong

blakecharles

wow that's a great deal Pocket!!!

89firechicken89

so I appologize for leaving the thread for awhile but I almost talked myself into building a 305 instead of this 5.3 what ever haha. but getting back on subject again i have no expierience so I appologize if my questions are strange or a little vague but im learning so heres what my thoughts are as of now. My autos shop teacher has a 5.3 hooked up to a 4l60e wire harness and everything that we pulled out of a 2000 suburban and Im gonna try to buy that off him. another question I found a wiring harness on craigslist but have no clue if itd be of use to me or not I plan on building this into a daily / race car maybe attend drift events when I can throw a t56 in and also take her to the strip. but heres the craigslist post. I also plan to go turbo in the future.

Up for sale I have a complete standalone plug and play setup for a 24 tooth reluctor wheel ls engine. I built the harness so the ecu would sit on the passenger side of the engine compartment. This only requires 3 wires to hook up, 4 if you want it to control your fuel pump. This setup will come with the microsquirt ecu, harness, tuning cable, and tuning softeware.

heres her in all her glory

89firechicken89

can I use the accesories from my 5.0 305 on this engine?

Warnd

Nope cant use any of the old accessories. Lot of information available in the how to sticky at the top of the page.

STREETDEMON

before you jump into this swap, you should probably spend a month or so reading through the stickies, and different build threads. then you'll have a better grasp on what is required for parts and labor.

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

If you haven't done anything to the engine yet, be aware that the 5.3 cast iron blocks can be bored out to 5.7 pistons. Same stroke for both 5.3 and 5.7. Same expense as rebuilding it as a 5.3. You'll have to balance it, but you should be doing that, anyway.

89firechicken89

I havnt done anything to the engine yet I am going to the machine shop tomorrow hopefully if not friday to get an idea for the prices for machining and everything, boring it to 5.7 sounds appealing and I think im going to look into that I think I want to forge the rods and pistons for when I go turbo eventually also with that will I have to have them drill a hole in my block for oil feeds? I have been reading the threads but Im still unsure about somthings, but im just gonna take it a step at a time. I guess the thing I dont understand the most is the wiring but I think I remeber seeing stuff about that in the ls1 swap sticky.