Hey all,

I'm likely gonna be acquiring a 5.3 LSx, harness to oil pan along with the ECU. Will go into my 88 GTA. I've been reading around. Plenty of info, plenty of sources. However, I just want to get some thoughts, and consolidate my list of parts for the swap into one thread.

First, since I want to keep this car relatively stock appearance wise, factory hoods are a must. So, I'd need to deal with things on the motor just to get it to fit. Everything I read, says the following is a must for those who want to keep stock hoods. And make it fit in the car:

-LSx adapter plates that fit over the SBC clamshell mounts.
-F body oil pan, including baffle, pump, pick up, etc.
-F body accessories, or vette ones. Due to alternator. Will need to drill hole M10x1.5 on the lower boss.

For the T56, I'll need to change the bellhousing, and the input shaft/midplate.
-LS T56 conversion kit from Rockland
-LS bellhousing
What are my clutch options?

I've read I can run an upgraded pump in the tank, keeping the factory TPI lines. I believe needs to be able to go 62psi. Can run a vette filter to make my life easy. Regulator and return are in the filter. No need for a return line from the bay.

I am leaning towards running an LS6 intake right off the bat, with LS1 rails and not sure on optimal injectors yet but seems can run either LS1 or LS6. Run a upgraded TB, opposed to the 78mm truck one.

The wiring I'll use Pocket's thread and open a thread for any questions I may have, considering I hate wiring and its not my best skill, I'll probably have plenty of questions.

Cam I will probably refer to Texas Speed for. The real question here is, do I get this thing bored and stroked. I know about the 6.0, but they're harder to come by. For the price I'm paying for the 5.3, I can afford to play around at a machine shop. I'd like to avoid the Turbo for the time being. Initial goal was 450-500 horse at the crank. That would be an easy low 12 car.

This will take time to assemble. Since it will be a bench build, I will run the TPI til I have all the needed parts assembled, on location, and ready to go in, save for the wiring. I had the crazy idea of using the 84's wiring harness for the wiring start point, but the pin outs on the dashes of both cars are different. Likely gonna be different at the C100 junction too. Due to that, I may just avoid doing that. There are other complications too, so likely, I'll build the harness as I install the LSx in the car.

I'm reading along as I go.