02 5.3 vortec in camaro
Supreme Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,924
Likes: 1
From: Kingston, Tn
Car: 1987 GTA
Engine: LT1
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt 3.70 posi
Re: 02 5.3 vortec in camaro
5.3 would be like swapping an LS1 in the car. Plus you would have to run the LS1 accessories, waterpump intake and f-body oil pan. Probably be easier to use an LS1 wiring harness and PCM as well. Sounds like a pain, but will make more power in the long run than any 1st gen or 2nd gen SBC or an LT1 as well.
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,777
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From: Casselberry, FLA
Car: 88 V6 'bird/89TBI bird/85 T/A
Engine: 2.8/TBI/TPI
Transmission: V8 T-5/700R4 x2
Axle/Gears: 3.42 open/2.73 open/ 3.27 9 bolt
Re: 02 5.3 vortec in camaro
Yeah, basically the same as the LS1 swap described in the engine swap sticky...
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Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
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Re: 02 5.3 vortec in camaro
oh ok, sounds good. Basically the LS1 would be to expensive for me to do so i was wondering about that since i can get a 5.3 fairly cheap. But i didn't wanna be really down grading or doing something that will just be a waste of time and money. So what transmission would i have to go with? it has a 700 right now with a carb350
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 9,067
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From: Saskatoon, SK, Canada
Car: '83 Z28, '07 Charger SRT8
Engine: 454ci, 6.1 Hemi
Transmission: TH350, A5
Axle/Gears: 2.73 posi, 3.06 posi
Re: 02 5.3 vortec in camaro
IIRC, some 5.3 engines can be bored to 3.90", same as the 5.7 LS1. Use LS1 pistons in there and the 5.3 heads and you'll have a nice 11:1 iron block 5.7 LS engine 
Supreme Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,924
Likes: 1
From: Kingston, Tn
Car: 1987 GTA
Engine: LT1
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt 3.70 posi
Re: 02 5.3 vortec in camaro
oh ok, sounds good. Basically the LS1 would be to expensive for me to do so i was wondering about that since i can get a 5.3 fairly cheap. But i didn't wanna be really down grading or doing something that will just be a waste of time and money. So what transmission would i have to go with? it has a 700 right now with a carb350
Ditch the 700 and get a 4L60E from an f-body, with that the PCM and f-body harness, you'll be setup.
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