5.3 into my 1987 SWB Stepside.

[87OldYeller]

Well I got started, and with the help of a few people I have been moving this project right along, most of what I have been getting done is prep work. I got the firewall and inner fender wells painted. Going to use some Pour-15 on the frame clean it up and drop in the old 5.3L. I have to say a big thanks to Aussie, as he has been a huge help. But here are some pictures of what I started with and where I am at.

I got this truck in March of 2007. At the time the new rebuilt 305 was not ready to run, and it was 3 different colors. I quickly got it on the road and one color of primer and moved to this point





Then i pulled it off the road and started this project.
























But this is to point I am at. Hope to get back some of our warm Alabama weather back soon and get started again.

[87OldYeller]

I just have a question. I want to put a small cam in my 5.3L. My question is will the stock computer work well with most small cams? and if so what would be a good choice. i really am not looking to do a stall converter, or any serious up grades just small cam, intake and headers. EGR and All EVAP stuff had been cleared out of the computer when it was reprogrammed.

[lechez71]

looks good firewall looks clean. what did you paint the fenderwheels with spay can, or a spray gun? when you put the cam in get it tuned itll run much better.

[87OldYeller]

looks good firewall looks clean. what did you paint the fenderwheels with spay can, or a spray gun? when you put the cam in get it tuned itll run much better.

Well i used a can but i had it connected to a sprayer is controls the flow and spread pattern. but i sanded, primed and prep ed went over everything with the tac cloths really good. I am happy with the way it came out real smooth and slick. but you wont see much of it by the time i put the heat-a/c box back in and i hope to bolt in the 5.3 next week. so more pictures to come soon if i do not get sent off to Haiti. *L*

[87OldYeller]

Here is what i got done this afternoon, The 5.3L and the 4L60E is in. Here are some picures.

[A2theR84]

lookin good you have to clearance for the exhaust then?
I plan on puttin a 6.0 in this summer in my 86, but with carb th400, so im subscribin to this

[thelsx]

nice

[sick86cheby]

Hey what trans is that, and what motor mounts did you go with?

[87OldYeller]

I meant to post this early in the thread. But this info was passed down by Aussie. Thanks again man could not of done this swap with out you.

header from summit part# SUM-G908 $153.93 they are shorty headers fit 99-04 truck requires slight mods to PASS side rail , i welded round stock to the underneath of the rail where i modifed it -you can use stock manifolds if you wish but make sure there the non EGR TYPE they will hit the frame where the EGR pipe mounts to on the manifold the header claim 15hp but do sound great

trans-dapt 4572 engine mount adapters $47 seems to put the engine nicely against the firewall with plenty of clearance, they're from summit as well
fuel pump airtex fuel pump E3270 provides plently of PSI $79.99 AutoZone
fuel pump lines, people spend money here for no reason go to a junk yard and get lines from a pickup or tahoe 99 -2003 from the rail to the tank and only modify the part where it
goes into the tank use a 87 - 91 EFI sending unit
make sure you use the EVAP lines if your using the charcoal canister ! im not so i got rid of it and plugged the hole in the intake but tapping it out with 1/2 tap and use a short bolt!
oh if you remove the EGR stuff of a 99-02 engine just remove the the plate that screws to the intake from the flex steel pipe and cap it dont buy one from GM for $30 takes 10 min to mod
top rad hose of a 2001 silverado $17.99
temp switch adapter 1/4 3/8 1/2 about $18.00 S&P
harness mods $212 including the OB11 i used a guy from ebay i was a little worried but it works great oh by the way i dont have A/C but others do i have his email so message me if you want it
ECU mods removing egr , rear O2s ,removing VATS, etc etc etc $75 i have his email too its a different guy
there are a few other mods like i moved the battery to the drivers side make a better fit IMO use a diesel tray there cheap , i used a KN filter out of a 2001 truck i got it for $75 used made a brackets works nice!!!
if your running cats your gonna have to make some mods to the factory 99-04 Y-pipe OR if your not running them you can do what i did i made my own flanges and made the pipe extentions from each header i put the front O2 bungs in each pipe extention and i was good to go!!! i cut my own gaskets from exhaust gasket sheet with the aluminuim works great no leaks
you might have to move your trans crossmember back and mod your drive shaft i cut mine 1 3/4in cost was $55
im using a 91 blazer/burb speedometer takes care of the the 4l60e /4l80e electronic speedo

there a few other things needed but that will certainly get you going !!!

if ive made an error please correct me thanks!!!!

oh PS FLEX FUEL ENGINES I THINK THERE MORE EXPENSIVE TO GO THERE ROUTE

[flattopwill]

Good info. Man I love this build on a budget stuff. All that sounds like great info except the flex fuel part. I have flex fuel and once u tune it out of the ECM then ur just left with a regular 5.3 with bigger injectors.