After dreaming of doing an LSX swap for the better part of the last decade, I finally committed and picked up a running 2001 5.3L complete engine for $325 from a semi-local salvage yard. I always envisioned doing the transplant in my 1963 Nova, but now I'm set on stuffing it into the Berlinetta I picked up a few months ago.

I don't have any pictures of the motor yet (its stuffed in the back of my Trailblazer until I move in 3 weeks) but it's complete top to bottom minus accessories, wiring, and ECM.

I called to verify that the wiring harness was intact, and when I arrived they had cut everything off so I'm going to need a harness. I'd prefer a factory harness rather than aftermarket, and I'll modify it as necessary.

It has a DBW throttle body. What years am I limited to as far as harnesses and ECM's that I can use? I know in 2001 that DBW wasn't standard on all models.

Thanks for the help, and I can't wait to get started on this project!

 

Congrats on getting the good price on that engine! I paid almost that much just for the alt/PS bracket I'm using! I'm sure it'll make your Berlinetta just a little bit more fun to drive...

As far as the DBW part goes, I'd thought that it started in or around 2004, but I'm not entirely sure about that, so definitely get some better feedback there. And yeah, it pisses me off when people just hack-n-slash stuff in the 'yards. Every time I go, I see oil caps/TBs/valve covers that've been removed (for no reason that I can determine), letting water get into the engine... WTH is up w/ that??

Anyway, between the FAQs the threads here, and the conversion forum on LS1Tech, there's a lot of good info - odds are pretty good that someone's already solved whatever problem you run into, you just have to be able to find it. I've gotten some good ideas from swaps into cars as different as 240s, Chevelles, trucks, etc.

Good luck, & post pics!

 

Thanks! Plans are for a 4L60E right now. Are there any interference issues with a stock truck starter?

When switching to a LS1/LS6 intake, will the factory truck injectors and fuel rails work with it?

Last question this post! While I know that the truck accessory drive does not fit, will any components, such as the power steering pump, still work? I guess my question is, is it the PLACEMENT of the components that doesn't allow it to work? Do F-body and truck accessories all line up as far as belt placement?

 

injectors will work with some expensive adaptors kits. you might as well just get ls style injectors...

fuel rails NO way...

the alt. is just fine... just need fbody brackets

the only part of the steering pump you can use. is the main pump/// MAYBE, you need pulley, tank, and brackets. lines for a 4th gen work nicely.

the water pump is even different, the outlet is in a different place. and you can't do the steam line "tap job" ontop of the water pump, with the outlet right there.

 

I would have told them to discount some more off it. A harness is a big part of the dropout

An 01 5.3 would be 24x (black crank sensor) so just about any red/blue PCM harness would work. Since you cannot use a truck intake in the 3rd gen, why not convert it to cable like 98% of the swaps have and use a Fbody stock/aftermarket/modified harness?

Unfortunately, the only thing thats usable from the 5.3 is the longblock, the rest must be converted to Fbody trim just to fit in the car

Truck starter will work fine. Stay away from GTO starters and you're golden

Truck rails only work in conjunction with the truck injectors, but they look ridiculous on a car intake because they stick up several inches above the manifold. Luckily, most car manifolds come with rails

Pump is completely different (for some reason), placement is off. Corvette is very close to the engine, Fbody/GTO/CTS is the happy medium, and truck stuff is like 3/4" farther from the block. Its literally an all or nothing deal, barring AC and custom mounts

Different wiring, physically bigger, wont clear the steering box. It will fit the Fbody alt brackets though

Nope, just take a glance at the two pumps, they are as different as Chevy to Toyota

The pump outlet interferes with the car intake cable linkage and the pulley wont line up with anything but truck accessories

 

It may be easier to convert to a cable driven throttle body then. I intended on making use of as many parts that came with the 5.3 as possible, but I guess since I'm switching the intake/fuel rail/injectors that it would just end up being a pain in the *** to modify the truck harness to accept the F body components.

I've got an LS1 intake on the way for $35, so I just removed the truck intake from the motor in preparation. Are the sensors compatible between the two intakes, or are they model specific too?

Got a set of LS2 exhaust manifolds on the way for $30 shipped, too.

 

Congrats on your purchase! Hope it goes quick for you, itis taking some time for me but i am going a bit further than stock and have to wait and sell old parts to get the new.

 

Thanks! The idea is to be as stingy as possible to get the engine in the car, running. I know that I'm losing a bit of power stepping down to the LS1 intake, but I'm trying to keep the investment as low as I can. My kids and wife are my priority, so this project is getting a few dollars here and there thrown at it when I can.

 

Well good luck with it, there are several guys like me that are going with a carb as it is more of a toy and they are just the ease of tuning, not to mention i have 10 carbs laying around, LOL.

 

Right on. This is my first attempt with fuel injection and I'm trying to get the motor put together before the 2.8L in my Berlinetta gives up the ghost. lol

what carb are you going to be running?

 

My 2002 Silverado 6.0L truck Alt. (that came with my engine) went right into the f-body bracket and is working great. I had to drill and tap the lower hole in the block because iron 6.0 don't come with that hole. If it is bigger, the mounts are in the right place. And it doesn't hit or come close to anything.




Oh. I also have a oil pan, windage and pick-up tube. For sale if you are interested!

 

I'm just a little ways south east of Killeen. What yard did you get the motor from?

 

Required mods are a drop in the bucket to the work required to use a factory harness

All sensors swap, the MAP sensor needs some nubs cut off. Razor blade makes it easy

Will LS2 manifolds clear the K-member?

Not really, the 5.3L doesnt move as much air as the LS1 or 6.0L's so you will never notice the difference

 

Unless it is the TBSS intake, it is the LS6 intake of the truck world.

 

For $30 I thought I'd try! They drop down below the 3rd exhaust port instead of behind the 4th one like the truck manifolds do.


Pocket, you're saying it's easier to replace the components on the motor than modify the harness correct?

 

Is the A/C compressor bracket different between F body and truck models?

 

No, its easier to change the harness connectors. Its connecting it to the 3rd gen harness and retaining all the original functions thats the trick

Yes, and the compressor

 

Was DBW standard yet in the 2005 Vortec motors? I see a complete harness on eBay, and I think I want to retain my throttle body.

I've tried looking up the part number I found on this TB, but I'm not coming up with anything! It looks like a Vette DBW throttle body that I've found pictures of, but the P/N does not match anything I've researched.

Is it possible this was stock on the 2001 Yukon that I pulled the motor from? And if they swapped it, how did they add DBW to the factory harness?

 

Can't say that for sure about the year all switched to DBW, but I do know the 2003 LQ4 I got was cable TB, and the 2004 LQ4 that followed was DBW TB. Both came from vans.

 

Thanks, five7kid. I think I'm going to go ahead and run with the DBW TB... I guess I just need to make sure I source a harness with the correct plugs on it.

On the earlier DBW models, there was a separate module or computer that the pedal was connected to right? What years are compatible as far as that throttle module?