5.3 or 400 pontiac?
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Car: 1982 firebird
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5.3 or 400 pontiac?
Hello
I will be getting my first 3rd gen firebird this weekend, it has no motor or trans. I have a 77 pontiac 400 motor and a 5.3 vortec from a yukon. What would be the better motor for a forced induction set up? If i went with the 5.3 how would i power the coil packs? I have restored many cars but nothing with fuel injection or coil packs.
Thanks
I will be getting my first 3rd gen firebird this weekend, it has no motor or trans. I have a 77 pontiac 400 motor and a 5.3 vortec from a yukon. What would be the better motor for a forced induction set up? If i went with the 5.3 how would i power the coil packs? I have restored many cars but nothing with fuel injection or coil packs.
Thanks
#2
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Re: 5.3 or 400 pontiac?
The 5.3 loves boost.
I like the MSD coil pack box.
I like the MSD coil pack box.
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Re: 5.3 or 400 pontiac?
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Re: 5.3 or 400 pontiac?
I Just bought a 5.3 vortec and installed a edelbrock top end kit, now i just need to guidance with the coil packs. How are they powered? sorry for all the newbie question i just never messed with any fuel injection or coil packs. I am use to the old carburetor and distributor.
Thanks
Thanks
#7
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Re: 5.3 or 400 pontiac?
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Car: 92 T/A 'vert
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Re: 5.3 or 400 pontiac?
5.3 - more power
6.6 - more cool
6.6 - more cool
#10
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Re: 5.3 or 400 pontiac?
A properly sized small turbo should be easily capable of low rpm torque, at the expense of peak power of course. Plus, a turbo on a motor that already makes good low end torque can be a bit bigger since the motor itself already makes good low end on its own. That's why the turbo 3.8s were so great.
That said, I don't think I'd waste my time with a 400. They're fairly expensive to get good power out of them, and will need an expensive rotating assembly to hold up to boost. A stock 5.3 would be much better to boost.
That said, I don't think I'd waste my time with a 400. They're fairly expensive to get good power out of them, and will need an expensive rotating assembly to hold up to boost. A stock 5.3 would be much better to boost.
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Re: 5.3 or 400 pontiac?
I wouldn't spend the time using the 1977 block 400 anyway. They were thinner/weaker castings than earlier and consequently later year blocks.
http://nyghtwyngs.com/fileup/uploads...alsW72File.pdf
http://nyghtwyngs.com/fileup/uploads...alsW72File.pdf
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Re: 5.3 or 400 pontiac?
A buddy of mine has a 396 and a 327 block out of a chevelle he will sell me for dirt cheap as he got rid of his car and he is moving. Is that a direct swap? I know with the early 327s they don't have holes on the heads for accessories.
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Re: 5.3 or 400 pontiac?
Right: neither one is quite a "direct swap".
I think really, the 5.3 is probably the best way to go, in 2013. Most likely exactly what I would do if I found myself in the situation you describe. 10, 15, 20 yrs ago, those other choices might have been reasonable; but it's almost 2014 now. If you're going to look at a major swap, the LSx series motors are pretty much the top dog. And of those, the 5.3 is usually the cheeepest. (except for the 4.8) Just get a pull-out engine, trans, computer, & wiring, from some wrecked 2WD truck. They go for less than $1000. Really not too hard or $$$ at all to slap in and get going. About all you'd need beyond that, is an oil pan, and some accessory brackets.
I think really, the 5.3 is probably the best way to go, in 2013. Most likely exactly what I would do if I found myself in the situation you describe. 10, 15, 20 yrs ago, those other choices might have been reasonable; but it's almost 2014 now. If you're going to look at a major swap, the LSx series motors are pretty much the top dog. And of those, the 5.3 is usually the cheeepest. (except for the 4.8) Just get a pull-out engine, trans, computer, & wiring, from some wrecked 2WD truck. They go for less than $1000. Really not too hard or $$$ at all to slap in and get going. About all you'd need beyond that, is an oil pan, and some accessory brackets.
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Re: 5.3 or 400 pontiac?
I have been looking on hawks third gen, they sell ls1 motor mounts for 82-92 f-body would i need those to use the 5.3?
Thanks
Thanks
Last edited by xc500; 12-26-2013 at 08:25 PM.
#15
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Re: 5.3 or 400 pontiac?
Yes; or something similar to them. The 5.3 is identical externally to the LS1, in much the same way the 305 is identical to the 350.
Oh and I should have mentioned; you'll have to do something about the exhaust. But that's not too tough these days, to get some headers etc. that will hook up to your stock exh without being too much of an ordeal.
Oh and I should have mentioned; you'll have to do something about the exhaust. But that's not too tough these days, to get some headers etc. that will hook up to your stock exh without being too much of an ordeal.
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Re: 5.3 or 400 pontiac?
Check out the LS1 swap sticky in the LTx/LSx forum. It covers all the basic questions on how to get it in the car and running, along with the extras required when using a truck engine vs a car engine
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