RubberDucky

iTrader: (4)

Hey guys, I'm starting to save my pennies to afford a 5.3 swap by mid summer. But I have some questions on the best course of action. I know the 5.3 swap is fairly cheap, and I would be swapping this in a 89 RS Camaro with a V6. But my problem is, I would like to make the most power, for under $2500 with a 5.3, or alternatively a LT1. I plan to pair a T-56 with them if I can.


Which would be the cheapest route that will make the most power? Also, would it be possible to make 400HP at the crank of the 5.3 without any kind of forced induction? Or would the LT1 be a better choice for that goal? And with the 5.3 what options do I have as far as heads, and cams? How hard would it be to put a 408 LQ4 in it's place later on? Or is that a completely unrealistic idea?

The idea I have in my head is a 5.3, with a MS4 cam, LS6 intake, and whatever heads would be best to go with that set-up, followed by a T-56 behind it.

I want to get this done somewhat soon, or start getting parts soon because I'm really tired of just how slow my 2.8 V6 is. Thanks for reading and answering my questions, I really appreciate it. Thanks!



- Dalton

BlueZee28

iTrader: (30)

The ms4 is probably too big of a cam for a 5.3.

RubberDucky

iTrader: (4)

Good to know now lol. What would you suggest for one then?

daddy33

iTrader: (5)

x2

BlueZee28

iTrader: (30)

I'd call texas speed and pick their brains, but I would think you should be fine with their 224R or 228r. The ms4 is a 239/242.

Willie B.

Car craft did some dyno testing with the 5.3 and gain 100 hp with just a cam swap. It put down 433 at thie flywheel. That was with a carb and headers. Here the link to the article. It says cam and heads at the top but they tried just the cam swap first.

http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles...ine/index.html

RubberDucky

iTrader: (4)

Thanks guys. What would you suggest as for heads? I was told by a friend that there's not many options for head on the 5.3.

Willie B.

I would just use the stock heads, they already flow pretty good. Just have the serviced. You could always have them ported, but i was told by a machine shop that, "there was no point spending the money doing it because they already flow good far better than the traditional SBC."

RubberDucky

iTrader: (4)

Ah, ok man. So no benefit from picking up a set of stock LS1 heads? Or are they the same?

Willie B.

LS1 heads have larger combustion chambers so your compression ratio will be really low. Maybe good for forced Induction, but your running N/A right? I know people put 5.3 heads on LS1's to increase their ratio. Are you planning on running carb or fuel injectors? Either way 5.3 + GOOD CAM & valve springs+ intake +headers= 400 flywheel hp . Now if you can find a 6.0L from a truck thats were the power really is.

RubberDucky

iTrader: (4)

Yes, I'm going to run N/A. Gonna keep it with fuel injection.

The original idea was to build a 408 LQ4, but that's not until later, and I'm just fed up with the terrible performance in my V6.

Willie B.

So a ls1 or ls6 intake should be good to go.

Blownz28man

iTrader: (2)

I say have a good cam spec'd out and some good heads.. After all thats were the power lies. Check into 799 Heads. They flow like 243 heads but are cheaper, put a good set of springs in them and a cam. Follow up with a good tune. A T56 behind it will just make it that much more fun.

RubberDucky

iTrader: (4)

I might just go with a LS1 intake just to get it going.
Thanks, I'll look into them.

Iroc'nthe87

iTrader: (5)

You have $2500 for the complete swap? That wont be enough.

You should look into a 350 sbc or possibly and LT1 like you mentioned. With 2k you can make it a pretty stout engine and it would require much less fabrication.

dynodanmanda79

iTrader: (1)

That's the Comp Cams Thumpr cam, i'm going with that in my 5.3, it sounds awesome and it has the performance to back it up!

RubberDucky

iTrader: (4)

Sweet.

LM7 swaps can be done for that. There's a guide on LS1Tech where a guy put a LM7 with a LS1 intake, fuel rail, and injectors in his Thirdgen for less than 2k.
Now, I do know things like a radiator, harness, motor mounts, exhaust will add to the cost. I don't plan on keeping A/C just yet, as well as other things that will nickel and dime me. But the $2500 isn't really a firm budget, just somewhere I'd like to stay. Even so, I'm still saving money.




What PCM would I want to use? The stock truck one? Or a LS1 PCM?

1ADan

iTrader: (4)

they are more or less the same, as long as they're the red/blue connector type, just different programming. either will do, but truck harnesses and pcms tend to be cheaper

RubberDucky

iTrader: (4)

Ok man, thanks, I'll go with the truck harness and PCM.

Iroc'nthe87

iTrader: (5)

I'd like to see that link if you have it. There are many variables to account for here, are you gonna fabricate a bracket for the truck accessories? What about fuel system? Wiring, are you doing that yourself? What transmission are you running? Will the trans and rear-end hold the new power? Do you have adequate braking for the new powerplant? Will you have enough money to rebuild these parts if they break?

Dont even look into cam swaps yet, make a list of what its going to take to put the build together, total it up and make a decision. I would advise against having a small budget and a short time frame.

White'89

iTrader: (8)

I've had to slap some sense into myself on several occasions for getting ahead of myself. A build that has a budget price should never include the word CAM unless its already running, because they are not that hard to change anyway. Plus most cam swaps require new valve springs, and for good measure an oil pump and lifters. Maybe hardened pushrods.

RubberDucky

iTrader: (4)

I'm going to try and use the F-Body accessories, going to use a Walbro 255 pump, Vette filter, and a T-56. Followed by a 4th Gen rear with disc brakes, and upgrade those I have up front. And I will be using F-Body manifolds until I can afford swap headers and exhaust. Like I said before, the $2500 budget isn't exactly firm, I'm fine with having to purchase other parts and whatever else I will need. Mid-summer really isn't a set in stone time frame, I have until September or later before I leave for the Air Force, so I have time.

Here is the <$1500 swap guide from LS1 Tech, it's the bare minimum to get a 5.3 into a car.

http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/conver...de-1500-a.html

White'89

iTrader: (8)

And note that that number is assuming you are making a crossmember and motormounts from scratch. And I think you mean the $1800 minimum listed in that post because we have to use a car intake. You can try to be oblivious but it will bite you in the butt later.

We speak of these prices because we know.

Iroc'nthe87

iTrader: (5)

Honestly, I think you should just wait until you have can double your projected budget and can do the lsx swap comfortably, or do a 350 swap to get you by for a few months.

A good shape t-56 can cost from anywhere $1500-$2000, new clutch kit ($400 minimum?) new walbro is $100, then you need braided hose and AN fittings to the rail ($$$). It adds up real fast dude and I think you're heading towards a dead-end if you try this swap. Look at the "costs" threads on here, I have never seen one that was done for less than $4k that hasn't started out with a donor car.

White'89

iTrader: (8)

Once I'm completely finished (very soon) I will be into my swap for a bit under $3k. However I started off with a smokin' deal on a complete drop out Fbody LS1 with harness accessories, the works. And another amazing deal on an fbody 4L60E. So I don't count.

(and thats down to the nuts, bolts, and fluids)

RubberDucky

iTrader: (4)

On the note without a T-56, I can just put a stock 5.3 in the car with a 4L60E behind it to save on the cost of the T-56. I would do just the minimum to get it in and running where I could DD it. Then, I could concentrate on the extras like cam, heads, and T-56. Most of my ideas are just what I want. I am willing to do enough to get it in and running and drive it, while I save for the extra parts I want.

I don't think it's going to be a dead-end, I think with correct planning and execution it will workout fine.

Willie B.

Im just about finished with my swap now, and here's a rough estimate of everthing i spent. Its not including turbo stuff. I did all the wiring myself with big help of the threads. And im also using the truck accessories and intake so no cost there. Just modding my hood.

Engine 5.3/Harness/pcm-335
Trans 4L60E-400
99 SS Rear end-100
rear brake calibers and rotors-150
fuel pump-100
fuel pump lines-30
motor mount plates from summit-70
trans mount-100
hood-30
powersteering pump and lines-90
Alternator-45
starter-45
Fbody oil pan and oil pick-up- 275
Tune-500

So my , a swap for 2500 or under 3000 is very possible.

Iroc'nthe87

iTrader: (5)

Automatics are cheaper. If you had done an t-56 swap like the OP had originally planned, you'd be above the 4k mark as well..

Willie B.

Yeah i was going to do a t-56 as well but then i saw that cost, so i said yeah ill wait.

RubberDucky

iTrader: (4)

Yeah, I'll wait for a T-56. I'm fine with an auto for now.

dprest68

iTrader: (1)

That sounds like a much better plan. Drop by and check out what I'm doing to my car if you are ever out near Deltona.

RubberDucky

iTrader: (4)

I'll try. When I get ready to do the swap, you want to come help me and my Dad? Lol. Won't be for a few more months, but hey, could use all the help I can get.

dprest68

iTrader: (1)

I'll definitely come by if I'm not too busy.

RubberDucky

iTrader: (4)

Sweet. I'll let you know in a few months for sure where I'm at with the swap.


Oh, and how much does the LM7 weigh in comparison to my V6?

RubberDucky

iTrader: (4)

Some more questions, my friend is stroking his LS2 and I could prolly get the cam from him for cheap. It's a stock LS2 cam. Too big for a 5.3? Or would it even fit at all?