5.7 or 5.3?

[Dark Knight]

I tried searching for my answeres but I wasn't finding anything definite so I hope that you all don't mind pointing an idiot in the right direction.

To start off with I have a 2000 Blazer that use to have a working 4.3L engine. Well she sucked up a pond worth of water and that was pretty much the end of that engine. So now I need a replacement.... I just can't decide one which one. My rule has always been to replace whatever I break with something bigger so that has lead me to either the new school 5.3L or the old school 5.7L. I have found a limited amount of info but I was wondering if anyone can tell me more.... like if one engine is easier to swap then the other... does anyone have a personal recomedation..... does any one have a list of parts needed for the swap.... heck does anyone have any info at all for me???

Oh and don't worry this is being done by a proffesional shop and not me... hahaha

[Hit Man X]

5.3's can be picked up for cheap. As can their little brother the 4.8. Both would make an excellent setup-up from the 4.3 V6.

They should bolt up to your 4L60E transmission. You will need a new wiring harness, motor, accessories, intake, etc.

Others with LS1 swaps should chime in here to help out

[Dark Knight]

Yeah I sure do love the HP numbers on the 5.3 but it is a newer engine and I believe (I really need to steal a Silverado to know for sure) that it uses a whole different layout for the accessories where as the old school, albeit slightly less powerful, 5.7 allows you to swap all the 4.3 accessories over. Again these are the things that I can' find definite answers too. Although I do know that I will need a new wiring harness (I am guessing with the donor's computer), new motor mounts, and possibly a better cooling system.

BTW I am liking this board... unlike many others you are willing to tolerate a new guy that doesn't know everything and asks a lot of questions... and damn if you don't have some cool smilies!

[Hit Man X]

Originally posted by Dark Knight@Oct 4 2003, 11:29 PM
Yeah I sure do love the HP numbers on the 5.3 but it is a newer engine and I believe (I really need to steal a Silverado to know for sure) that it uses a whole different layout for the accessories where as the old school, albeit slightly less powerful, 5.7 allows you to swap all the 4.3 accessories over. Again these are the things that I can' find definite answers too. Although I do know that I will need a new wiring harness (I am guessing with the donor's computer), new motor mounts, and possibly a better cooling system.

BTW I am liking this board... unlike many others you are willing to tolerate a new guy that doesn't know everything and asks a lot of questions... and damn if you don't have some cool smilies!

I'd start taking pics of what you have vs what you want the 4.8/5.3 or a 350 Vortec. Start comparing what you want. There is a cat on here who stuffed a Z06 motor into his S10. It can be done.

How else do ya learn w/o asking questions? This board is slowly shaping up...get more people here if ya can for more insight.

I like and and most of all

[farmtruc]

The easiest swap would def. be the older 350 block, like your TB v6. Almost everything will swap over, it'll be tight, but work.

The 5.3 would be an awesome replacement, however it will require quite a bit more attention. Nothing is interchangable, you'll have to buy a complete engine or get pieces here and there. Your harness is not compatible either, however, you will be able to use a lot of it.

thanks on the comments, is probably my favorite too, lol,

on the questions, feel free, that's what makes the board better, \

i guess someone spread the word about the site, we just got a handful of new members, thanks.

see ya,

allen

[Dark Knight]

Originally posted by Hit Man X@Oct 4 2003, 10:57 PM
I'd start taking pics of what you have vs what you want the 4.8/5.3 or a 350 Vortec. Start comparing what you want. There is a cat on here who stuffed a Z06 motor into his S10. It can be done.

I got a pic of mine... sorta.... hehe. Well it is the only one that I have. Oh and btw this is a 2000 so I believe that it is one evolution past the TB setup.... I think, damn it I know the name of the FI setup on this thing too, I just can't think of it.

Anyways, I have seen what can be done to an S-10 but I would prefer to keep this in the realm of the sane. I do know someone with a 427 race engine derived from a vette engine in his... BUT THAT COST $15K WITH HIM DOING ALL THE WORK!! I ain't dat rich. I have connections that will do the work for me as cheap as possible and I think the 5.7L maybe the cheapest cuz of the interchangeability (is that even a word?). But I will have to see what I can do to collect some pics of a 5.7L and 5.3L setup.

Here is the 4.3L at least:

[farmtruc]

Any update on the swap, did you decide on a swap plan?

Let us know , that'll be one nice truck

[Dark Knight]

I want to do a V8 swap but my truck needs to stay emissions legal and I need this to be as cheap as possible. Since my laws require the engine to be the same year as mine or newer, I need a 2000 and up engine. So I want to lay my hands on a 2000 Chevy 3500 5.7L engine. It has the 4 bolt main, most of my accessories swap over, the wiring harness doesn't need much work, shouldn't be too hard to bump up a little with a cam, and should slide in there ok with little mods. Although the conversion pieces from Lee's aren't the cheapest and the headers won't work but I still think that engine will work the best for me. [/b]

Yep, I am a lazy one, so I am going to quote myself from another thread.... haha. Anyways, this is the plan so far. One thing that I am having issues with is finding upgade pieces for the fuely 350. I am also trying to figure out how to work the headers cuz my body lift puts my steering shaft at a weird angle, so the Lee headers won't work. Oh and the fiance just recently lost her job so I have to wait for her to get employed again before I start buying pieces. So this project won't be completed... ahh hell, it won't even be started for a while. Looks like I ain't going to have 4wd this winter.

[farmtruc]

Oh, well, it'll give you plenty of time to think about what parts you'll need and what kind of obstacles you'll have to cross.

thanks for the update and keep us posted,

[dennis6]

Forget the 5.3, nothing will swap over. Go with any 87 and up 350. A regular 350 can easily outpower a LS1 with just heads, cam, and rockers if you know what you are doing.