Post-LS Swap Review: For You Who Have Succeed, I Want to Hear About It.

[crzy8mnky]

I swapped a 2002 5.3L into a 98 K1500. I reused the original 5.7 wiring harness and added wires when needed. I also kept my original transmission. It's not quite finished, but it's about as close as I'm going to get it for now. The exhaust needs to have a few holes patched up, but I'm not really willing to spend the time to do that for such a little return.

There were numerous things that did not turn out correctly the first time. I ended up making all of the swap brackets to keep my alt and compressor in the same place. That took a bit of machining and it's still not complete. I was also under the impression that my stock exhaust would line up, and in a way it did, but for the effort involved with making it fit the 5.3, it was simpler to simply remove it and replace it. I ended up using the stock exhaust from a 2000, and cutting it up to fit along with pacesetter long tubes.

I didn't really have a budget going in, but I wanted to do everything I could without having to buy things. This meant that I reworked my harness myself, machined and cut my own brackets except for the engine mount brackets. I bought my own tuning software and am learning to use it. I think all in all I am around $1k for the swap, not including the tuning software. I was able to get my engine/ harness/ computer for $180, which was the only reason I actually did the swap.

Before actually doing the swap I had toyed with the idea for around a year. I didn't start buying things until a few months before hand though. I did a ton of research to see what other people had done and ways in which I could improve upon it. This research is what lead me to finding cheaper alternatives to a lot of the parts people were using or allowing me to manufacture my own.

Don't tow.

I mainly did this as a learning experience. I think that if I could find the deal I got on my engine/ computer/ harness then I would definitely attempt the swap again. I would also benefit from having already made some parts that are expensive, and being able to save time and money on them. I'd rather go with a 6.0 over a 5.3 though, just want more power. I wouldn't do this in an attempt to create a race truck or to put a lot of money into it because, to me, at the end of the day it's still a 16 year old rusty truck.

[gagliano7]

1) I put a 2004 5.3 212/218 cam 80000 miles with a 1999 pcm in my 1992 2wd lowered pickup stepside 5 speed.

2)I did mine in a week after doing a ton of research and getting every part I needed. My one mistake was taking a wire off the oil pressure sensor that went to the fuel pump and kept me from getting fuel. I would have had my shoenfeld headers coated before I installed them. I also would have went with a 6.0 from the get go. Next spring that will happen. I also would have went with the muscle car oil pan instead of the truck pan(pan came with motor because it does hang low) even though I have had no problems. Install your cam while you have the motor on the stand.

3) I really didn't have a budget but it cost more than I expected because of the little things that added up.

4)I have only bolted stuff on ls motors before this. I have swapped sbc motors out before on other vehicles.

5) I will be buying a trailer soon but I haven't towed yet. But I have hauled 1200 lbs of concrete in my bed and I had no problems even going up hills.

6)I would definitely do it again. I had a 383 stroker before this but this is much better to drive around in. It doesn't have the torque of the 383 but there is nothing better feeling than turning the key in the morning with no foot on the gas and starts right up every time. Plus it so much nicer to cruise around.

Next spring I will be upgrading to a 6.0.

[shmiet]

Well are you swapping 89-95 or 96-98? There is quite a few differences between each setup. From what I've read and experienced, the 89-95 is easier and there are more people who have done the swap to get info from.


1) I swapped an 04 LM7 bored to 5.7l into a 98 GMC and turboed it. I kept the 4l60e and put in a shift kit, billet servo etc...
TU1 cam, .660" lift trickflo springs, 799 heads etc
LS1 intake swapped on (not worth it at all)
607hp and 638ft*lb = very satisfied

2) -I had my first engine have cracked lands between the piston rings = failed on dyno
-second engine had a weak cylinder wall and blew out to the water jacket
-First tune is critical! My basic tune(to get to the dyno only) wouldn't run at all - turned out it was too lean and i could only get it running by disconnecting the IAT sensor
-The only thing I dont have working is my fuel level gauge - I think its a bad ground but dont care at the moment cuz ive been driving it as much as i can before winter comes.
-My first 2BAR MAP sensor was junk, had to buy a 2.5BAR cobalt one when the truck was on the dyno haha $180!

3) Money Pit for me... $16,000 in swap all together. - I have a spreadsheet available if you want a cost break down
Still truck looks really good and halls ass so I'm happy with it anyways haha

4) I had never done an engine swap prior to this. My first engine building experience, my first wiring harness modification, my first time ever looking at a turbo, my first time ever doing any real major project.

5) NA

6) Yes I would do this again and I plan on it. I also plan on spending alot less cuz i know where I went wrong this time.

Check out my vid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rm_VprOaaAM

My experience with wiring was more difficult than crazy8mnky's I believe due to the fact I eliminated the 98 ecu all together. I also had a bunch of other custom wiring for fans, switches, 340 lph fuel pump etc...

TIPS: lt1swap.com - Brendan is a great guy use his website for wiring diagrams. Would have taken me forever without his help. And everyone on this site is willing to help ls1truck.com is awesome, and lots of great support!

[LS1CMCHE]

1) 1987 Jeep Comanche 4 cylinder four speed to a 2004 LS1, six speed out of a GTO.
2) Everything went well.
3) Went well over budget.
4) Worked on cars through out.
5) No towing.
6) Would do over again, nice challenge.