I am looking into doing or having done the 5.3 aluminum v8 conversion. I will probably be using the truck 5.3 engine because they are more plentiful and cheaper.

what year aluminum 5.3 would work best and has the least problems.

do you need to cut the frame for the water pump like for the sbc?

I see that the ls6 performace parts work on these motor, is there a place you can get a "built" motor ready to go with some extra hp?

hoping Loyde (fastfieros) will pipe in

thanks
Matt

Email Loyde. That's going to become one of his primary swaps. He'll have all the info on that specific motor. I think it's identical to doing a LS1/LS6 swap, but the engines are much cheaper, and less than 20HP difference from an LS1.

I will email loyde, anyone else have some info?

I don't have anything to add but I am very interested in this build. The weight difference and performance between the v6 that comes in the gt. and this particular v8 have my attention.

galen

Have you tried asking v8Archie yet? www.v8archie.com

[This message has been edited by Ken_86gt (edited 06-02-2006).]

I haven't asked Archie yet, but I am going to start looking around for "built" 5.3 v8's.

Hi Matt,
Be carefull what you choose to buy. There are a lot of different items needed to do a LSx swap. Archie realy knows what he is doing, so starting with him could help. Getting all of the pieces from one car is the easiest but if it is not possible, or you want a new crate engine, pay good attention to what accessories need to go with the engine of choice. But when all is done, it's worth it.

Good luck,
Dave

Matt, I have a 2000 LS1 5.7 complete (less tranny) out of an F-body that I will give you a great deal on. I was going to use it on my V8 swap, but elected to go a different route. PM me if you are interested.

IMHO, it is hard to substitute for cubes . . at least without breaking the bank. When I was looking for my V8, I found the LS1's pretty plentiful, and only slightly more expensive than the truck engine you're considering. You could spend the difference between the two very quickly adding that 20HP back. Everything considered, I think the LS1 gives a great bang for the buck. Pardon if it sounds like I'm trying to push something I have for sale . . . . just giving you my honest $.02 worth.

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Philip
'88 GT

[This message has been edited by FieroRanger (edited 06-06-2006).]

I'm very interested in this swap too. I've already e-mailed Loyde about doing an engine and trans for me. I didn't know Archie was involved with the LSx's. Does he have a kit put together for newer gen SBC?

quote Originally posted by ferraro: I'm very interested in this swap too. I've already e-mailed Loyde about doing an engine and trans for me. I didn't know Archie was involved with the LSx's. Does he have a kit put together for newer gen SBC?

Yes. Archie can do turn key LS1 swaps, and I think he has a kit, too. Best advice is to give him a call.

Schram Auto Parts seems to have a good supply of the LS4 engines....
http://www.schramauto.com

$3599.00 gets the engine, trans, ecm/cpu, steering column with paddle shifters and wiring harness.

Lee

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'88" TARGET=_blank>http://www.fierocountry.us
'88 Formula
'86 Sports Coupe
'03 Mustang

This was posted on another board I am on. An option for those that prefer carbs.

LSx add carb and go:

LS 364/440 Carbureted Crate Engine $5,767.25
http://www.sdpc2000.com/catalog/120/products/272567/LS-364-440-Carbureted-Crate-Engine.htm
Manufacturer: GM Performance Parts
Horsepower : 446 @ 6200 rpm
Torque : 412 @5000 rpm

quote Originally posted by ferraro: I'm very interested in this swap too. I've already e-mailed Loyde about doing an engine and trans for me. I didn't know Archie was involved with the LSx's. Does he have a kit put together for newer gen SBC?

You asked me about the automatic install. Not the manual. Even I am sending the manual installs to Archie at this time. I barely have time for doing the 5.3 auto installs I have pending today.

Loyde

quote Originally posted by larini74: Schram Auto Parts seems to have a good supply of the LS4 engines.... http://www.schramauto.com $3599.00 gets the engine, trans, ecm/cpu, steering column with paddle shifters and wiring harness. Lee

The LS4 is not the same 5.3L that is used in trucks. The LS4 is the FWD variant for the Grand Prix GXP and has Displacement on Demand. It's computer has not yet been hacked, to my knowledge.

From what I've heard, and from talking to Loyde, the recommended 5.3 is the one out of the trucks. It doesn't have the FWD bellhousing, but it uses the regular LS1 style computer and mounts. The LS4 is pretty much a unique beast.

quote Originally posted by Madess: I am looking into doing or having done the 5.3 aluminum v8 conversion. I will probably be using the truck 5.3 engine because they are more plentiful and cheaper. what year aluminum 5.3 would work best and has the least problems. do you need to cut the frame for the water pump like for the sbc? I see that the ls6 performace parts work on these motor, is there a place you can get a "built" motor ready to go with some extra hp? hoping Loyde (fastfieros) will pipe in thanks Matt

There are so many short block to long block to dyno'ed and ready to install LSx configurations available today, I could not even list them all.

What you need to know is your budget for the TOTAL project. If you want LS6 with 450plus HP you better have deep deep pockets. If you want LS1 with nice mods to 400HP, about $5k for low mileage. I have 2 in stock.

If you want 5.3 L33, with mods, about 3k with low miles.

If you want 5.3 LH6 or LS4, you better have deep pockets for the total install from the computers to the hardware needed for DoD and ETC.

All I do at this time is AUTOMATIC using the 4T65eHD from the 3800SC engines. Anything over 345HP on the 4T65eHD, you better be thinking of modding the transmission to. More $$$$

Loyde

also for the l33 what about the water pump, is it like archies where you have to cut the frame, or does it all fit in there?

Keep in mind too that the 5.3 truck blocks are NOT aluminum. The early SSR's were the ones that had an aluminum block 5.3. But if you were going to go through the trouble to install a 5.3... why wouldn't you just spend a little more for the ever-plentiful 5.7 which is aluminum?

[This message has been edited by 2002z28ssconv (edited 07-28-2006).]

i thought some of the other trucks ie the avalanche and trailblazer had all aluminum engines?

quote Originally posted by 2002z28ssconv: Keep in mind too that the 5.3 truck blocks are NOT aluminum. The early SSR's were the ones that had an aluminum block 5.3. But if you were going to go through the trouble to install a 5.3... why wouldn't you just spend a little more for the ever-plentiful 5.7 which is aluminum?

Keep in mind the L33 truck engine IS aluminum. (The LM7 and L59 5.3L V8 truck engines are aluminum head, iron block)
GM L33 Specs

Doing a quick search on Car-Part I found L33 engines with under 10k miles for less than $1000. The most expensive one listed was $3950, with several in the $1800 - $2400 range.

A search for LS1 engines reveals the cheapest engine at about $2500. (others listed for less say they are for "core" only or have damage).
The most expensive being $6800 for a 2002 Trans Am LS1, with most running $3000 - $6000.

If I were going to use an LS1, with those prices for "used" engines, I believe I just buy a new crate LS1 for around $5000-$6000. If I wanted to use a used engine, I'd definitely go with the L33 instead. Your mileage may vary.

[This message has been edited by Formula88 (edited 07-30-2006).]

cool, thus back to the other question, what about the waterpump, I am assuming it is like the ls1 swap, but I am not familiar with this swap, do you have to cut the frame for the water pump?

I guess I will stand corrected - kinda. That document does say that the 2006 Extended Cab Silverados and Sierras have an aluminum block. I hope for your sake it's right. I hope for all the truck owners it's wrong. But all the extended cab Silverados that I've owned for the past 8 years, a 1999, 2001 and a 2004, they all had 5.3's and they were all iron block engines with aluminum heads. I just pulled the light out of the garage and checked to be sure. If the 2004 had an aluminum block, the parts of my block not painted black sure are rusty for aluminum.

The Trailblazer 5.3's were very rare. The cost of addng the 5.3 to a Trailblazer made it an unpopular option. And from what I saw and was told while working at a Chevrolet dealership, they used the same engine as the Silverado. So I hope you do find an aluminum one. But don't be surprised to find 50 iron ones to every aluminum one.

Did you notice I said there are 3 different 5.3 engines?
L33 = Aluminum
LM7 and L59 = Cast Iron

The searches I did on Car-Part were searches specifially for the L33, not just any 5.3. You're probably right that there are tons more iron 5.3s than aluminum. Car-Part lets you search by RPO code, so you don't pull up listings of stuff you're not looking for.

Go look at the RPO codes for any truck you've got with a cast iron 5.3, and I'll bet it doesn't say L33.

[This message has been edited by Formula88 (edited 07-30-2006).]

the tralblazers and envoys use alum. blocks , the ssr is based on the trailblazer platform they share many components