'90 OBS SCSB 5.3 swap preliminary questions

OK. So I had a '96 ECSB that I liked, and my son had a '90 SCSB that he liked. He lives about 500mi away from me at the moment and there was a wind storm where he lived and a tree fell on his truck. So he calls me and asks me what to do. After determining that there was no insurance coverage on either side, I suggested he just pick up a cab at the local wrecker and swap them. That was more than he was comfortable with-or had the space and tools for-so he went down and got an estimate from a local body shop. That quote was ~$4000.00. So, he's in a world of hurt. Ive known for a while that he would like the extra room an EC provides, and Ive been looking to get a SC to hotrod, so, I offered to trade trucks with him if he could get the truck home. He was home two days later. Truck isnt that bad-just needs a windshield and a couple small dents pulled out of the roof. BUT. And its a big but, sometime preceding his home bound trip, the water pump had failed and was leaking out the weep hole. He noticed that the heater wasnt working, and put water in it and a thermostat, but didnt find the leak. Long story shorter, he fried it pretty well on the drive home. I replaced the waterpump, had to get a new stat, and it runs ok, but is pressurizing the radiator, so Im guessing it screwed up a head gasket.

Ive been going over my options;

1.Rebuild the TBI and drive away.
2.Rebuild the TBI with Vortec heads and ultimate TBI mods and a cam.
3.Swap in an LT1.
4.Do an LS swap.

Ive wanted to do an LS swap for years. In fact, I have a very low mileage 5.3 long block. Problem with that, is that it has no intake or coil packs or anything besides a long block. As an aside, does anybody have an (relatively) inexpensive path to take to get the pieces together to make it whole-including computer. (its a '99 or '00 I believe)

The truck already has a pretty well built 700R4 that Id like to keep until I can find a T-56. Im also thinking of putting a Vette IRS in the back-sort of going for the Pro-Touring thing.

So, I could use some advice. Let me know what you think my best bet is.

Thanks

IMO, TBI sucks, TBI with Vortec heads sucks and lt1s suck. That only leaves one option :).

Seriously though, the most inexpensive route would most likely be to fix what you have. LS swaps can be fairly inexpensive if you're handy with a wrench and a wiring diagram and are not too concerned with aesthetics. If any of the above doesn't apply to you, typically inexpensive is pretty much out the window.

As far as completing your 5.3, a local salvage yard is typically the best bang/$.

Everything you would ever need to know about LS swapping an OBS can be found here and specific questions usually get good answers here as well.

Good luck!

I am almost about done doing the 5.3 LM7 swap in my '94 obs W/T. I pieced everything together. It took hours of searching for parts and deals. If you are up to it, go for it. If I were to do it all again though, I would get donor truck and swap everything over. This forum is super helpful and also lt1swap.com . He has alot of info on that sight and can reflash your pcm relatively cheap. He knows his stuff. Good luck !! Once you go LS you never go back !!

Thanks guys, LS is the direction I want to go.

Anyone else?

Maybe even buy another tbi to just swap in vs rebuilding the current one. They are cheap as hell and will run forever will very little maintenance. Only downside to the tbi motor is the low power output but if its geared right you can even get great gas mileage out of them.

If I was going to stay with TBI, Id just use the one I have. I have a set of Vortec heads in storage, so all I would need is a manifold. And a cam, and have the TB bored out, and a chip, and a ......And thats ALL I need....

I would go with the LS swap as well. I did it and it does take some time, but the rewards were well worth the effort. I was lucky enough to grab everything from the donor truck to make the swap as painless as possible.

LS truck accessories (intakes accessory drives etc.) are cheap because everyone is buying truck motors and putting them in cars, so they sell of the truck stuff cheap.

You can find all the accessories and intake right on here I bet. I just got thru doing both swaps one is my 93 sierra got a cammed 5.3 and a friends 90 just got lt1 there is nothing wrong with either swap other then in this day and age there is no point in going the lt1 route. The reason I did the lt1 is the truck is being built with a 90s theme billet and polished with loud colors and shaved everything. Just swap in the 5.3 and go and enjoy burning the tires to the cords.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BHB

LS truck accessories (intakes accessory drives etc.) are cheap because everyone is buying truck motors and putting them in cars, so they sell of the truck stuff cheap.

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I see youre on the right coast, but what kind of prices are you seeing?