[Evil67LeMans]

So i decided to get rid of my stock 326 and install a Gen III. Many people go with an LS1 because of the aluminum block, and that knocks out a couple of pounds and gives you a few extra ponies. However, that does not justify the big difference in price to me between and ls1 and a lm7. There have been dyno tests were 5.3s were swapped in place of 5.7s and with all parts the same (intake, etc) they usually made 9-10 horsepower less. This is obviously NOT a large difference. I am a full time student and got a part time job so i don't have a lot of money or time =( i am going to fabricate everything i can. Its going to be a daily driver =) i am looking to spend around 1500 with engine, conversion mounts,transmission, ecm, ls1 hardness (for injectors, different style than truck injectors),maf, o2 sensors, computer reflash, ls1 fuel lines ,rails and injectors and ls1 intake. ill keep this updated im so exited.

[vidguy]

Do it~ let us know what you do.. Interesting..

[Ollie]

After reading b-mans post, Taking the Plunge. Budget and swap do not belong in the same sentence.

[b-man]

Originally Posted by Ollie

After reading b-mans post, Taking the Plunge. Budget and swap do not belong in the same sentence.

It's not cheap that's for sure, but I'm doing mine with all new parts: GM LS3 crate engine, pro-built trans/converter, made to order custom-built wiring harness and controller, EFI-ready fuel tank with pump, etc.

Just to make the engine fit the chassis required $70 mount adapter plates, another $70 for new urethane mounts and about $90 for repro Chevelle frame stands.

The oil pan was another $450 delivered, headers were $620, again swap parts to fit the chassis. A stock F-body pan can be modified for less than half of the cost of my pan, and stock F-body exhaust manifolds can also be made to work.

Could be done for about half or even less than what I spent if you're a careful shopper. Between the engine, trans, fuel system, cooling system, exhaust and other swap- related parts I'm into mine for about 15K. Spent another 2K on top of all that for aftermarket A/C and modern floor insulation to keep out heat and noise, I want it to be luxury-car quiet and cool. All new good stuff, but you can get by for a lot less.

Trying to do it for $1500 will be a challenge, tripling that amount would be a little more realistic. The 5.3 engines can be found pretty cheap so you're way ahead with your engine choice.

Good luck.

Bart

[andrewb70]

FYI, there are aluminum block 5.3L engines. They were used in V8 Trailblazers and Envoys. They can be purchased for not much more than iron block 5.3L engines. Most salvage yards don't care one way or the other. The 2004s were still Gen III engines and used a 24 tooth crank trigger. Later engines were Gen IV and had 58 tooth crank triggers. There are benefits to using either one, just depends what sort of thing you prefer.

Andrew

[b-man]

Here's a link to the LS1TECH forums where I saw a low-budget 5.3 LQ4 / 4L60E trans swap into a '64 Chevelle, I'm sure it has a lot of info you can use:

http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/conver...lq4-4l60e.html

[Viper12873]

Originally Posted by andrewb70

FYI, there are aluminum block 5.3L engines. They were used in V8 Trailblazers and Envoys. They can be purchased for not much more than iron block 5.3L engines. Most salvage yards don't care one way or the other. The 2004s were still Gen III engines and used a 24 tooth crank trigger. Later engines were Gen IV and had 58 tooth crank triggers. There are benefits to using either one, just depends what sort of thing you prefer.

Andrew

I've got a word of warning for you on the 5.3 Trailblazer / Envoy swap... you may need to find an engine from a 2WD version, or plan to swap the oil pan. I've got a 03 Envoy XL 5.3 V8 4WD and the front transfer case is bolted directly to the oil pan... in fact, one of the front axels/CV shafts actually goes THROUGH the oil pan... really dumb design, but i'm sure it made sense to someone at GM.

As for the iron vs aluminum block... i can't really attest to which one is in these trucks for sure, but i was always under the impression it was the iron block. If you want to know for sure, i'd suggest getting more info from the guys over at trailvoy.com 's forums... it's a place dedicated to those trucks.

I've considered doing this swap myself, as the 5.3L engines are alot cheaper than the 6.0's or 5.7's... you're looking at $500-$900 for the 5.3 and probably closer to $1,000-$2500 for the higher end motors from what i've seen.

Good Luck!

[gto65lvr]

Good luck on your adventure but your budget is a little light, With much of your own fabrication alot can be saved. But all the little things ad up quick for sure.

I just started a post on my build too..

[Evil67LeMans]

i know i havent updated the status of my swap but i was caught up with school and work that i put it aside. however, i am going to be on vacations in 2 weeks then i'll be getting down to business. i wish i can install all new parts like b-man, but reality is working part time and being a full time student its going to be hard. i'll keep you guys updated.

[PunchT37]

Originally Posted by andrewb70

FYI, there are aluminum block 5.3L engines. They were used in V8 Trailblazers and Envoys. They can be purchased for not much more than iron block 5.3L engines. Most salvage yards don't care one way or the other. The 2004s were still Gen III engines and used a 24 tooth crank trigger. Later engines were Gen IV and had 58 tooth crank triggers. There are benefits to using either one, just depends what sort of thing you prefer.

Andrew

There are also ally 5.3`s in some full size z-71`s. Called the 5.3HO. It`s VIN "B" on the dash. It won`t have the pan problem that the Envoy engine has.

[Evil67LeMans]

just bought a 6.0 out of a totaled Escalade with 43,000 miles for 1100 of the wrecking yard. it came with transmission, pcm, wiring and harness. i was tempted by a 6.6 turbo duramax diesel, crazy thoughts started to run on my head for a couple of minutes. i wonder how would it run, and the power it would produced....

[bob_cat]

Originally Posted by Evil67LeMans

just bought a 6.0 out of a totaled Escalade with 43,000 miles for 1100 of the wrecking yard. it came with transmission, pcm, wiring and harness. i was tempted by a 6.6 turbo duramax diesel, crazy thoughts started to run on my head for a couple of minutes. i wonder how would it run, and the power it would produced....

Escalade.... excellent parts car. Is it an LQ9?

[Evil67LeMans]

yeah it is. while i was at it i also got the hydroboost system.

[PunchT37]

Good deal.

[drailed]

Cool, Im in the same boat as you right now se we can compare notes. After reading Bman and FBrowns threads I decided to go this route myself on my 67 LeMans. Have the motor and tranny, fuel system, waiting on the speartech harness so far. Long road ahead but should be fun.

[Evil67LeMans]

i started taking the car apart monday. After seeing how tired my suspension was i decided to rebuilt the front suspension. This is no longer a budget swap.

[RandyW]

I put an LT1/4L60E in my '75 Formula for $1500 complete, however I paid $500 for the engine/tranny, built my own harness and did it all at friend dealership at night with his help. I even have the a/c freezing cold using the LT1 compressor on the old Pontiac system with r134. Most of my "budget swaps", and I've done 4, were anything but budget when I was finished.

[RandyW]

[Evil67LeMans]

Originally Posted by RandyW

I put an LT1/4L60E in my '75 Formula for $1500 complete, however I paid $500 for the engine/tranny, built my own harness and did it all at friend dealership at night with his help. I even have the a/c freezing cold using the LT1 compressor on the old Pontiac system with r134. Most of my "budget swaps", and I've done 4, were anything but budget when I was finished.

how did you get the a/c to work. wish i had a/c. This is my first engine swap but now i know "budget and swap do not belong in the same sentence" like Ollie said.

[RandyW]

I just basically made hybrid hoses to connect the compressor to what I had and installed a low pressure switch, vacuumed and filled with 134.