chevyrob

hey guys and gals im new here im Robert from detroit have a 87 iroc just recently sold my 383 project and decided to go with a ls swap after watching motor trend on youtube. my problem that i cannot decide is which version to use and which route to go so many options. and FYI im not used to fuel injection or electronic things on my cars im usually 700r-4 and carb kinda guy but i like the fact that with the new stuff i can tune and change on the fly with my laptop. my first option is the 5.3 LM4 or LM7 i wish i could do the 6.0 but im on a budget. my other option is do i stick with the 700-r or with a 4L60 since no one likes messing with the kickdown cable. or do i go crazy and do a T56. i just am looking for feedback from anyone who has or know someone who has done a swap in a 3rd gen. i am trying to use as much off the donor car as possible for example the local junk yard has a 2000 silverado 5.3 4L60 with harness throttle body all the brains for 950 but i dont want to have to spring for a standalone controller if i dont have to or have to get a aftermarket harness. or aftermarket petal. im fairly new to LS swap ive ready mostly all the forums on here and have alot of info but so many different options i dont really know the differences with my setup. any further info will help thanks for your time and i look forward to any help from you all.

Ikes 91Z

iTrader: (1)

How much horsepower are you wanting? That will drive how much you want to spend, and on what combo.

chevyrob

well from what i see the 5.3 is roughly half as much cost as a 5.7 in my local area im wanting this for a street vehicle obviously as much bang for my buck im looking for a solid 400 to start and i believe with my options now with my budget a 5.3 with a corvette cam and ls6 intake could come close to that without breaking the bank also with some head work.i want a good start engine that i can at least get up and driving for under 2k after that maybe another 2k to improve it. if i can get the engine trans computer. im just not sure what else i may need from the donor truck. thats kinda my main question is i know there will be alot of hidden things. like if i go with the 4l60 that is on the ls motor more than likely ill need new trans mount, motor mount, maybe drive shaft, flexplate? shifter cables? im trying to figure out what all i should take from the truck so after its installed in the iroc i dont have to go spend a bunch of money on odds and ends i see some forums saying that if i use the stock harness off the truck that i dont need anything else and could get it driving from that but other forums say that is not correct. the internet is full of answers but some dont line up with others i figure if i come here i can get good answers or atleast pointed in the right direction. from guys who have experience with the swap. also some say it will only cost 1500 others say no way under 4500 so now i have cash in hand but dont know which route to take.

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

A 5.3/4L60E pullout from about a 03 - 07 2WD truck would be near about perfect. Should be able to do that, drive-in to drive-out, for something in the $2500 - 3000 range; counting buying the motor, accessory mounts, oil pan, exhaust, tuning.

SR71BLKBRD

iTrader: (1)

orrr u can be a boss go with ^^^^ save another 2 1/2 g's and lay down about a thousand. id say go with the 5.3 but thats just my .02

cosmick

No reason to avoid the 4.8, they're cheaper, they're just as available, there's less demand, they make the same power from the same upgrades, they swap exactly the same, and they're slightly more turbo-friendly because of the crank and the rod length. '07-up is best, beefier rods, but '01-'06 are good up to 1000 RWHP if you keep them out of detonation. Just like the 5.3, avoid the castech heads. Gotta pop the valve covers and look for the battery-looking thing, Google it. Or plan on upgrading to 243/799 heads, which not only flow better, but also have a more efficient combustion chamber, and are more common on '07-up trucks. I've bought 2 of the 4.8s so far, one was $300, the other was $350, both came with a warranty. Neither had castech heads. And both were '01s. Avoid pre-'01, the quality wasn't good.
Or there's the LY6, they go for $1700. Not my thing, though.

kenney001

iTrader: (1)

You also have to factor in the cost of the intake, oil pan and accessories if you want to use a truck motor. If you want to keep the factory hood, you need fbody accessory drive ($400 was the cheapest I found used), fbody oil pan ($200 new), and fbody/aftermarket intake ($100 for ls1, $400 for ls6).

I ended up getting an LS1 from an fbody for $1200 because the cost was going to be about the same as a cheap 5.3 + everything.

chevyowner02

iTrader: (3)

That's what I would do a lot of times people don't factor that in. Do the LS1 don't get me wrong nothing wrong with the 5.3 or the 4.8 but the ls1 you won't have to do the stuff kenney001 mentioned.

cosmick

I've already proved you can fit the truck intake under either stock Camaro hood, and likewise modifying the truck pan is far cheaper than even a used '98-'02 Z28 pan.