To swap or not to swap

[85C10]

OK. Here's the deal. I have an 85 C10 short bed sitting in my garage with a POS 305 and 700R4. I thought for the longest time I would just swap out for a Gen 1 crate. But I like to make things difficult for myself.

So...I am considering a new 5.3HO crate from GM Performance you can check it here: Pace Performance

Nothing hot but its new (I really prefer new), runs on 87, and I think it is a good deal ($2900 at Scoggin Dickey). But I am unsure about what I am getting myself into here. As you can see it is a long block and needs fuel system, manifold, front accessories, sensors, wiring harness, etc. I plan on getting these parts from a donor vehicle.

My questions are:
1) Do you think it is possible to complete this swap for less than $5500 (including cost of motor)?
2) Can I use my 700R4 with any ECU? (I already have it and 1BADC10 has me scared of 4L60E gremlins)?
3) Can I use any manifold/ECU (leaning toward 00-02 F-body/Vette) combo on the 5.3?
4) Are there any power advantages in running the LS1/LS6 manifold style over truck style?
5) Can you suggest good literature to familarize myself with the details of the LS family?
6) How do I eliminate all the AIR, EGR froo froo without firing off a code?
7) Speaking of codes is there a budget-friendly code scanner I should pick up for this project?

Sorry for the long read.

[DBYRD]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(85C10 &#064; May 27 2007, 11&#58;11 PM) [snapback]94918[/snapback]</div>

OK. Here&#39;s the deal. I have an 85 C10 short bed sitting in my garage with a POS 305 and 700R4. I thought for the longest time I would just swap out for a Gen 1 crate. But I like to make things difficult for myself.

So...I am considering a new 5.3HO crate from GM Performance you can check it here: Pace Performance

Nothing hot but its new (I really prefer new), runs on 87, and I think it is a good deal (&#036;2900 at Scoggin Dickey). But I am unsure about what I am getting myself into here. As you can see it is a long block and needs fuel system, manifold, front accessories, sensors, wiring harness, etc. I plan on getting these parts from a donor vehicle.

My questions are:
1) Do you think it is possible to complete this swap for less than &#036;5500 (including cost of motor)?
2) Can I use my 700R4 with any ECU? (I already have it and 1BADC10 has me scared of 4L60E gremlins)?
3) Can I use any manifold/ECU (leaning toward 00-02 F-body/Vette) combo on the 5.3?
4) Are there any power advantages in running the LS1/LS6 manifold style over truck style?
5) Can you suggest good literature to familarize myself with the details of the LS family?
6) How do I eliminate all the AIR, EGR froo froo without firing off a code?
7) Speaking of codes is there a budget-friendly code scanner I should pick up for this project?

Sorry for the long read.
[/b]

answers to things i know
1) Yes if u do it urself and look around for good deals(if u buy all new prob not)
3) Water pump issues with manifold from vette unless u get an ls2 truck water pump from ssr(or a diff water pump)
4) Yes(experts jump in and help him with ur"expertness")
6) CUSTOM TUNE

[GMCwantsLS1]

1. Yes. I think you can find a much better deal on a new 5.3 than that.
2. Yes but I used a 4L60E behind a LS1 turbocharged with slicks at the track and never had a problem.
3. I used the f-body intake, ECU, and accessories and they will bolt up to the 5.3l.
4. Not much if any.
5. There is lots of information here as well as all over the internet.
6. You will need tuning (Nelson is the best) to turn off all the unwanted codes as well as setting up any transmission setup you will be using.
7. I like the Scangauge II. There are lots of choices for this one.

[TxStVanWilder]

i think its Mercuno that does a 6.0 with a 4l80e for relatively cheap

[85C10]

GMCwantsLS1:

For question 1: I guess you are talking about an ordinary replacement motor? From what source? GM Goodwrench? So I guess the 45 hp and 25 lb-ft the 5.3 HO has over the LM7 isn&#39;t worth the &#036;2900 (Scoggin Dickey) price tag in your opinion? And you DON&#39;T think it is possible to get the engine running with about &#036;2600 left over.

New question: Is it on your &#39;81 that you used the f-body front accessories? Were there any frame modifications necessary for the A/C? It looks like the truck setup locates the compressor closer to the crank pulley.

Allstar55566:

For question 3: what water pump issues? Can&#39;t I swipe the water pump off the donor car I get the manifold from?

[RedHeartbeat]

You will need the water pump from which ever type vehicle you get the pulleys from. The front crank pulley has different depths depending which type of vehicle you&#39;re getting parts from. The three types are Y-body(Corvette), F-body(Camaro/Firebird) and truck. Corvette is the shortest pulley and Truck is the longest.

The amount of money you have available is plenty to do the swap. A complete swap for 4 grand is extremely reasonable in my books, especially since you don&#39;t even have to get your hands dirty.

[GMCwantsLS1]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(85C10 &#064; May 28 2007, 10&#58;49 AM) [snapback]94939[/snapback]</div>

GMCwantsLS1:

For question 1: I guess you are talking about an ordinary replacement motor? From what source? GM Goodwrench? So I guess the 45 hp and 25 lb-ft the 5.3 HO has over the LM7 isn&#39;t worth the &#036;2900 (Scoggin Dickey) price tag in your opinion? And you DON&#39;T think it is possible to get the engine running with about &#036;2600 left over.

New question: Is it on your &#39;81 that you used the f-body front accessories? Were there any frame modifications necessary for the A/C? It looks like the truck setup locates the compressor closer to the crank pulley.

Allstar55566:

For question 3: what water pump issues? Can&#39;t I swipe the water pump off the donor car I get the manifold from?
[/b]

I think your real close on the swap cost. If you really want that 5.3L, don&#39;t let me stop you. You can easily make up 45 HP with a few mods and tuning. I&#39;ve seen pull out 5.3L with 0 miles in the &#036;1500 range so just thought this might be an option.

Very minor frame mods for A/C, mostly to the parts that unbolt. I think the truck A/C compressor would be harder than the f-body because that hoses exit the side of the compressor instead of the rear.

[85C10]

Will an LS6 manifold fit a truck front accessory setup? Looks like an idler pulley might be in the way.

Also what years of donor trucks are best? I think I&#39;ll stick with a truck (easier to find, cheaper, no major A/C clearance issues). I want to avoid Drive by wire and Active fuel managment. Also did all trucks come with AIR and EGR? I thought AIR was eliminated at some point.

No suggestions on a book for the LS engine family? I know the internet is a great source of information, but its scattered information and I know I&#39;ll reach a point where I&#39;m walking between my truck and the computer about 50 times a day. Anyone have this one: How to Build High-Performance Chevy LS1/LS6 V-8s?

[RedHeartbeat]

Amazon.com ... get that one and hpbooks Chevy LS1/LS6 Performance by Christopher P. Enders.

ISBN: 1-55788-407-2 and 1-884089-84-4

[GMCwantsLS1]

As for the reading up on the LS get the LS1 kit installation guide from GM pn 88959384.

There are a few guys who use a LS6 style intake with truck accessories. They relocate the idler closer to the alternator.