Ole green truck

[GM-power]

Well I haven't been to activate on here for alittle while(life got busy). Got rid of some other projects and have finally decided this old girl needs some love. I'm mainly focusing on my drive train for the moment., I'm going for a patina hot rod/slight sleeper. It has a mild 357 in it right now, I was thinking about swapping a big block I had in. Quickly I realized that just wasn't what I truly wanted. Then I thought about forced induction on the small block, that was my plan until the other day. Today I finally pulled the trigger on making some progress. Bought a 5.3 out of 00-02 silverado. My plan is go radical. Need to pick up some 243 heads, possibly dome pistons (if it has flat tops in it now I'll just throw rings on them and let it be), a BIG stick, go through and freshen it up, check the rotating assembly. Now I've seen many swaps with doing the fuel injection. I'm gonna keep it semi old school. I'm going to carb it. Now I have a huge parts list and steady budget. So it'll be awhile before she goes in. But it'll be done right. Hopefully if work isn't busy this week I'll tear the 5.3 down. So I'll try to keep some updates coming! Hope yall find some interest in this!!!
Pics,
1st: The 79 and my old 88.
2nd:Was hauling some stuff around..
3rd:Current power plant.
4th:The future power plant.

[BCKRedBaron]

Keeping an eye on this one! I'm working on the same thing (aside from the carb setup). Looks like we're not too far apart. Nice to see another Arkansan doing a 5.3 swap.

[GM-power]

Originally Posted by BCKRedBaron

Keeping an eye on this one! I'm working on the same thing (aside from the carb setup). Looks like we're not too far apart. Nice to see another Arkansan doing a 5.3 swap.

Cool deal! How far are you into your swap? Nice to know we got Arkansas represented here!

Well got a head today.... block looks good, but thinking it maybe a 4.8 (forgot 5.3s had a slight dish). Hopefully tomorrow I'll have time to take it all down and measure a rod. But even it it's a 4.8 I'm still gonna ask all I can out of it. Gonna get some 853 heads and get them milled down .030. Now I have to rethink my cam selection. Not to bad a day, just have to rethink the plan abit, still got a good deal so I can't complain.

[BCKRedBaron]

I'm almost done buying parts and I have the donor engine/trans pulled. Currently tearing down the donor truck to sell parts/scrap. I have a build thread here somewhere, but I haven't updated in a while.

I don't think you'll be disappointed if it's a 4.8 at all. My dad's last truck was a crew cab with that motor and even it could run like a scalded dog.

[Jrgunn5150]

The flat top gives it away as a 4.8, unless it's an aluminium block, those are the "H.O" 5.3 with a higher compression ratio.

Stick a 5.3 crank and rod's in what you have and you get a cheap and easy 10.5:1 ratio.

[GM-power]

@BCK, sounds like a good start. I'll have to take a look at your build! I'm not dissapointed, just ya know; no replacement for displacement.

@Jrgunn5150, I'm not gonna fool with all that, I can get the 853s I have worked for a good price. Maybe on down the line, but heck I'll just keep a eye out for a 6.0.

So I've got it pretty much disassembled minus the crank. All the rod bearings look fantastic, and the cylinder walls look great aswell. Looking at getting Texas speeds 228r and and several of tick performance cams.

[GM-power]

Been awhile since an update. Works gotten kinda busy, but I'm still making progress on this when I can. Almost done cleaning my pistons up to reinstall. Have mahle rings to get the job done. Have my 853 heads ready to go to the machine shop, get a valve job and .030 taken off. I'm using Brian Tooley .660 lift dual springs, and have decided on a custom ground cam from Tick performance. So far I would highly recommend Tick performance for Ls needs. Super knowledgeable staff and really work to find the best parts to get the most out of your motor. Anyways, I mocked my tach up.. there's absolutely no good mounting place in these trucks, as I'm sure your aware of. So let me know what ya think of where it's at or if I should make a bracket for it haha. Hopefully I'll have way more progress on my next update.