1999 Crew cab OBS 5.3 Swap

Hey guys,

I've been doing as much reading of this forum as possible in between school and a full time job, i just have a few questions that I couldnt find answers for, I would really appreciate any help with the subject,

I recently purchased a 1999 Chevy 2500 Crew cab with a 5.7 and the 4L80 transmission, the 5.7 is now toast and I would like to swap in the 5.3, my questions are,

What flex plate to use? I see that from a faq people are saying
"This means, you must replace the factory 5.3L flex plate with a flex plate and spacer from any 2002+ ¾ HD GM truck that originally came with a 4L80e transmission."
Is this true for all variants of the 5.3?
Will the stock converter from my 4L80 bolt to this?

Thanks guys

i cant answer this, but why not go 6.0? more hp for a big truck...just a thought.

i think you can use the spacer/flexplate from the 6.0 on the 5.3 to be able to use the 80e. i dont know for sure if they swapped converter bolt patterns but id check into it. or just have a custom stall made to the 5.3 flex plate and your 99 classic 80e.

so can we get some pics or what?
what happened to the 5.7?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by keniff

i cant answer this, but why not go 6.0? more hp for a big truck...just a thought.

i think you can use the spacer/flexplate from the 6.0 on the 5.3 to be able to use the 80e. i dont know for sure if they swapped converter bolt patterns but id check into it. or just have a custom stall made to the 5.3 flex plate and your 99 classic 80e.

so can we get some pics or what?
what happened to the 5.7?

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I havent priced out the 6.0 yet, i unfortunately live in a smaller community so I was going by cost/availability, I will look into the 6.0 this week,

The truck has a solid front axle conversion, dana front and rear end, lifted.
The 5.7 is old and tired and i would like to go with a newer more fuel efficient engine.

Heres some pictures, its getting a repaint once its up and running again, canopy is gone.
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l1...z/DSC_0043.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l174/rogerfez/2.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l1...z/DSC_0041.jpg

Thanks for the help, i'll keep this updated once i figure more out

so you dont have the cowl hood anymore??? cowl hoods on OBS=SEXY.

id look into a 6.0 vs the 5.3 to help getting that monster moving. call S&P i think is who it is hotrod.cc or something like that, they did a 5.3 swap in a 97-98 tahoe/yukon i cant remember and used the stock 60e....maybe they can help more than me consideringi went with an 08 5.3, 06 60e

Quote:

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Originally Posted by keniff

so you dont have the cowl hood anymore??? cowl hoods on OBS=SEXY.

id look into a 6.0 vs the 5.3 to help getting that monster moving. call S&P i think is who it is hotrod.cc or something like that, they did a 5.3 swap in a 97-98 tahoe/yukon i cant remember and used the stock 60e....maybe they can help more than me consideringi went with an 08 5.3, 06 60e

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I prefer the stock hoods, the entire truck is going to repainted a pearl white once its done, its a pretty big project at this point.

I'm debating 5.3 vs the 6.0 right now, it really boils down to availability in my area, I'd like the get the 6.0 but the yard i like dealing with doesent have any good ones, they have an 03 5.3 with 100000miles on it, complete for a good price, the only 6.0 they have right now is untested and high mileage.

Do you believe there would be a large difference between the 5.3 and the 6.0?

Thanks for the input :)

Just get a 6.0L

Don't waste your time on anything else.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rogerfe

Hey guys,

I've been doing as much reading of this forum as possible in between school and a full time job, i just have a few questions that I couldnt find answers for, I would really appreciate any help with the subject,

I recently purchased a 1999 Chevy 2500 Crew cab with a 5.7 and the 4L80 transmission, the 5.7 is now toast and I would like to swap in the 5.3, my questions are,

What flex plate to use? I see that from a faq people are saying
"This means, you must replace the factory 5.3L flex plate with a flex plate and spacer from any 2002+ ¾ HD GM truck that originally came with a 4L80e transmission."
Is this true for all variants of the 5.3?
Will the stock converter from my 4L80 bolt to this?

Thanks guys

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heres a pic of mine i used a 700r4 tho i used a 6.0 flex plate with the spacer
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w...0514165026.jpg
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w...0513202616.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ChevyLee

Just get a 6.0L

Don't waste your time on anything else.

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I disagree. It depends on what you are going to use the truck for. If you are planning to do alot of hauling/towing then def track down a 6.0 but if not then just go with the 5.3 because it will already be a huge improvement over whatever you are taking out.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by flattopwill

I disagree. It depends on what you are going to use the truck for. If you are planning to do alot of hauling/towing then def track down a 6.0 but if not then just go with the 5.3 because it will already be a huge improvement over whatever you are taking out.

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Of course you do.

Back when I had a stock 6.0 I was making more power then cammed 5.3 L and making better MPG, now I am cammed I make even better MPG and more power. Why would someone want that lol.... Just sayin

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ChevyLee

Of course you do.

Back when I had a stock 6.0 I was making more power then cammed 5.3 L and making better MPG, now I am cammed I make even better MPG and more power. Why would someone want that lol.... Just sayin

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Well ya. If he isnt workin on a budget then go all out. I just dont see it being worth doubling the budget. People think 6.0s are gold or somethin. You can get 5.3s super cheap. If hes got big $$$$ and wants to go as fast as he can then get the 6.0 or hell go buy a 6.2 or wait why not an ls7 or lsx?

It doesn't take big $$$$ to get a 6.0 lol

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ChevyLee

It doesn't take big $$$$ to get a 6.0 lol

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Well big $$$$ is relative but it often does include doublng the motor budget.

i paid 975 for my 5.3 with 1k miles. i had to pull the heads/lifters/cam and sunk a ton of more money than i wanted that's why my build cost me so much more. the only thing i would do different is a 03-07 classic 6.0 with a cam even though i have full bolt ons/stall and still need to do gears. it's just a WT that's why i dont really care to go 6.0 thanks to the hassle of swapping motors in this truck.

if the motor has 100k miles and it doesnt have any oil leaks that you can see. pull the dipstick and see what the oil looks like.

Dang that much for a 5.3L? Jebus.. 100,000 miles isn't even broken in yet. 150,000 is were its at. Just trying to provide info and help people so they don't waste time or money.:thanks:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by flattopwill

Well big $$$$ is relative but it often does include doublng the motor budget.

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If you don't mind me asking how is that? All of the parts are interchangeable, cam shafts for a 5.3 are the same price as a 6.0

I honestly don't see how going to a 6.0 changes the price that much, you pay a little more up front but get more usable power. Just wondering have you ever built a 6.0? I have, and have helped put together a few of them for other people, same with some 5.3L's

I am not trying to be a jerk, so don't take it that way.

On average you will spend about 300.00 more for a 6.0 over a 5.3. Well worth every penny.

Well, where youll spend more money is when buying the motor to begin with. I see longblock 6.0s selling on the forums for $900+. I got my 5.3 complete from engine cover to oil pan with harness and computer for $450. But like I said, it depends on what he wants to do with the vehicle. If hes lookin for the most power possible or towing then definitely do the 6.0l. Otherwise, a 5.3l is no weakling and is much more potent than what hes taking out.