i've been thinking about a swap for some time. I've looked into the 5.3L and a t56 swap for my 91, and thought to myself "was it all worth it?" So... some background, i have a 350 high nickel content bare block with absolutely nothing done to it, and this car is going to be my daily driver for the foreseeable future. So my question to you guys is do i build a 6.0L/5.3L LSx or do i build up a decent 350/355 with a carb. With either build the 700r4 is going to come out and a t56 will be taking its place. I don't have a LOT of extra time, but this is going to be happening around tax return season next year. I can and will be doing my own wiring if i do go along with the LSx swap. Thanks for your help guys.

 

I'd sell it all and get a running 4th gen. Don't make a project of your daily driver.

Although I will warn you, I have had two 4th gens and both were constantly breaking and needing fixing. Usually electrical issues. They really are cheap sh**y cars.

 

As someone who owned a daily driver project, do not tear into this car if it is your only transportation. No matter how much you plan there is going to be some kind of problem that will arise and you said yourself you do not have lots of free time. With all that being said, if you have another dd to use while you do the swap and will use the 91 as a dd when it is finished, an ls would be a good way to go if you have the budget. Otherwise a tpi small block would be nice for a dd also. Keeping fuel injection is the best way to go, even an lt1 swap wouldn't be a bad idea.

 

Thanks guys. This will be my dd but i do have another car to drive. Also, i plan on taking about two weeks of leave after the motor is built, wiring done to do nothing but drop everything in. Like i said, this is looking to be around the march april time. I just hate the feel of that weak tbi after dd'ing a 330 rwhp car the last 3 years.

 

If the budget allows any lsx platform would make a great DD I'd say 5.3 would b best or even a 4.8 baby ls .. Would make a.great DD and get really good mileage with a t56 & some 3.73's ... Add a cam, headers, and other gofast goodies (not a Ls expert here) and u should c 30+ mpg if done right

91' bird 305 TBI T-5, trick flow 175 cc heads, 4.10 gears, lots of suspension upgrades......... 24mpg @ 2300rpm hwy 65mph ........ 8.63@ 85mph 1/8th on street tires... 8.000's soon

 

the ls swap is the way to go. i contemplated building another sbc with a stealth ram, but went ls and am glad i did. the only thing i would change is leaving the car an automatic. the t56 is fun to jam gears, but a stalled automatic would be better for a dd and at the track.

 

Was it worth it? Absolutely

Tip for your DD, don't turn the first wrench on your car until you have absolutely everything ready to install. Pre flashed PCM, hoses, fluids, exh, everything

 

I will have to agree with the top statement. lower not so much.
ive owned and have worked on 4th gens since 96'. they have there probs.but nothing that any competent mechanic cant fix.
imo the 3rd gen is a lot more compromised with wiring buti guess it all comes down to the previous owner maintenance
my 00 SS is in prisitine condition. I bought it new. its not sh@tty in any way. lol.

 

Thanks pocket. That was absolutely the plan. And i had a question, how long did it take for your swaps? I planned on taking a few weeks off to do this swap after the parts are assembled.

 

My first swap took 5 solid days of wrenching. Drove the car in, drove it out

I had a lift though

 

Definately worth it to do an LS swap. Makes the car a lot more fun to drive.

 

x2



LOL mine took two years! But it was a weekend deal, was drinking plenty of brewskies in them days and the project snowballed, mine usually do.

But it was totally worth it. Very fun car to wheel around