I am looking at swapping a different engine into my car to replace my 357 thats a dog in my opinion. The 357 has about 1000 miles on it only and i am not impressed so im looking into other option's

Basically i want 450-500+ HP before nitrous, Be street drivable, and work with my LT1 T56 i have sitting in my shed.
I was looking into a 5.3 or a 6.0 truck engine from an early 2000's truck, but dont know if either will work with my trans?

What engine should i be looking into for my car with my trans? I am set on using this trans over finding one from an LS car or anything as i already have this one.

If i can use one of these engine's. I will buy a complete totalled off truck and use as many parts as i need for the engine swap (computer, wiring harness, fuel injection, etc...) or would it be better off to convert to a carb engine for simpliticity?
What parts would be needed to achive the HP/TQ levels i want before nitrous? Would it be safe to use a 100-150hp shot of nitrous on one of these engines?

The car is a weekend vehicle, that doesnt see many miles in a summer. I want these kind of HP/TQ levels to stomp on my buddies cars and my dads 77 TA with 500 some HP big block.

Help me guys!

 

While you might be able to adapt your T56 to an LS-type engine, it won't be a direct fit. You'll lose one bellhousing mount bolt as well, and won't be able to use the oil pan bellhousing bolts the LS engines have.

If you're dead-set on using the T56 you have, then you'd best stick with a Gen I or II SBC.

450 HP w/o nitrous is a lot of power. I don't know the details of your "357", but if you've only put 1k miles on it, I'd say you either have a very poorly matched combo, or haven't tuned it properly. Simply tossing it out seems a bit radical.

You might consider a stroked LT1. They can put out decent power with proper cam & tuning. And handle nitrous if you use forged components.

As for LS-type truck engines, Hot Rod magazine (I believe it was) did a JY 5.3 thrash last year, including with supercharger. They did various things in steps and dyno'd it at each step, being careful with the tune to make sure they didn't grenade it; got 1200 HP out of it on a stock bottom end when they called it quits. They then did a tear down and discovered it wasn't a 5.3 but a 4.8.

Hopefully you'll also take into consideration what you need to do to a 3rd gen f-body to make it capable of handling sufficient HP to outrun a 500-ish HP 2nd gen. And how easy it will be to kill yourself in the beast you create.

 

to the OP

what are your assumptions with respect to getting 450-500HP?

You mention yanking an engine from some junk and swapping around parts. is that all that you have planned? Then, you also ask about adding a 100-150 shot on same said junkyard motor. Is all of that correct or do you have a pocket of money to do this correctly?

 

I just want enough HP/TQ to have alot of fun with, and to hold my own at the track if i decide to run it at least once.
My engine now is not a "junkyard" engine. It was all built properly and everything with good parts. But im more used to my dads 77 TA with his 455 BB (500+HP) and i want to be able to stay with his car all i can.

Only reason i am looking at nitrous is for the cheap extra shot of HP and the bragging rights because nobody else around here runs nitrous.

I have a budget, but the budget can be stretched as i want to start soon and the car doesnt need to be driving until June or so as this car will never see any salt, snow, or any kind of road conditions other than a nice dry sunny day. Im also trying to put money into the suspension to make the car handle the extra power better.

 

I swapped to a LT1/T56 setup. With 4.10 gears my car moves out pretty good. With a head, cam, and tune my motor will be good for 400 or better. With a stroker on top of that, 450 or better. I have two LT1's sitting in my garage one of which I will build the bottom end for a stroker.