Weekend progress - 5.3 swap - pics

[Lane]

Got the motor and 4l60E in the truck. The Early Classic tranny crossmember helped quite a bit and gave me a good point of reference to center the motor. It's a good looking piece too.

I like their adapter mounts, but didn't want to spend the $200+ for them...

I'm using the stock I6 frame mounts, got new I6 motor mounts for $15, and made my own adapter plates. It's not completed yet - I'm just test fitting and making what I need - then I'm pulling it all out, cleaning and painting - etc.

[62 short step]

Lookin good!

[suicide 63]

I put a tpi set up in mine but when it goes this is what i will do.looking awesome!

[Lane]

Thanks! I guess I can't really call it a just a 'swap' since I've never driven the truck... lol But it did come with an I6 and it is progress!

[scotts62]

Ya looks really good!

[PrerunnerRob]

What are you going to run as far as accessorys, and what are you doing for wiring it up?

[shortbed70]

WOW man thats looks good so you want to help me do one??

[Lane]

Originally Posted by PrerunnerRob

What are you going to run as far as accessorys, and what are you doing for wiring it up?

I found a good cable TB harness at a swap meet - and just need to find a suitable computer to go with it. The motor had a fly by wire TB, but I'm switching it to cable. I don't like the fly by wire TB's. Most of the trucks old wiring is in pretty bad shape.. It's old and hacked up all over the place - so replacing most of it is in order as well - then it's putting it all together. Which will require help from some good friends of mine. I can do the wiring, but it's not very pretty..

I'm going to try to run the 5.3 power steering pump with my older box. I haven't found whether that will work or not. Some say yes, some say it may be kind of 'rough' sometimes. Guess I'll find out.

I'm going to have A/C, but not sure if the 5.3 compressor will work with some of the aftermarket(like Vintage Air, etc.) A/C systems or not. It sure fit's nicely though!

If anyone has any experience in these areas I'm open to help!

This is the third LSx swap I've done, but the first 5.3 and first truck - so I'm learning as I'm going.

[ElkyRacer]

Good to see some progress! I like how the mounts worked out, thats nice and easy. Ive been worried about that for a while now. If I can ever get off my butt and get my metal for the 4 link Ill be starting on mine! Maybe one day....

Keep up the good work.

[ChiefRocka]

Nice progress man !! Lookin sweet !!

Summit has the staight t-stat neck if you need it.....Same one I used on the "Z069"
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[greg64]

Hey Lane, this is the exact swap I'm interested in doing in my burb. I have two questions for you. First, how was the clearance around the engine (PS pump, AC comp, pan)? Second, can you take some pics of the mount brackets you came up with? I can make my own, I'm just looking for ideas from a successful install. Thanks.

[72BlckButy]

Looks like the install is coming right along... nice work!

[joe231]

looks sooo sweet!!! nice work

[Iron-Butt]

Nice Work

[tomlamb]

Originally Posted by greg64

Hey Lane, this is the exact swap I'm interested in doing in my burb. I have two questions for you. First, how was the clearance around the engine (PS pump, AC comp, pan)? Second, can you take some pics of the mount brackets you came up with? I can make my own, I'm just looking for ideas from a successful install. Thanks.

+1... Thanks!

[Lane]

Originally Posted by greg64

Hey Lane, this is the exact swap I'm interested in doing in my burb. I have two questions for you. First, how was the clearance around the engine (PS pump, AC comp, pan)? Second, can you take some pics of the mount brackets you came up with? I can make my own, I'm just looking for ideas from a successful install. Thanks.

The clearance is great - it looks like this setup was made for the truck. I may run into some issues down the road finishing it out, but by eyeballing it right now it looks like a perfect fit. The 'lip' on the passenger side frame rail - to make room for the fuel pump on V8 trucks(I was told) - makes a nice little 'pocket' for the AC comp. I tried the stock exhaust manifold on the passenger side and there's no way it's going to work.. I was planning on using Mac midlengths anyway - but thought I would try it knowing someone would ask me.

The top front motor mount bolt lined up perfectly with the top front mount bolt on the block. I am going to have to weld some 1/4" spacers to get the plate away from the block. The bolts/nuts I'm using to bolt the motor mounts to the plates are hitting the block webbing. It's either do that or tap/thread the plates like S&P does on their conversion plates.

The pan hangs about 1/2" below the front crossmember - which isn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. Makes me a little nervous, but I'm raising the front some which will give it - and me - some breathing room. The front springs on the truck right now are old stockers that had a coil and a half cut out by the PO. There's no shocks on the front either.

When I finish out the brackets this week - I'll get some good pics and post. Like I said up top - line up the top front holes on the block and motor mounts(I6) - and the rest is cake. I just made the plates based off of the 4 holes on the block - and the I6 mounts sit right in the middle - as you can see in the one pic.

[Lane]

Chief - that T-stat neck looks great. I will be using the Summit radiator for sure - so that will probably be on the parts list as well.

[Lane]

Here's a pic of the AC compressor:



And the passenger side motor mount/plate:

[greg64]

Thanks Lane. Ya, I looked at the S&P mounts for ideas and saw they had drilled & tapped. I like your idea of the 1/4" spacers to the bolts to the block, and then you have room for the heads on the bolts that hold the mounts to the plates (I think I'd weld the heads to the plate to prevent future frustration). And essentially, one of your block bolts is passing right through the mount and the plate, right?

That A/C comp looks to fit right in there. Can the engine be lifted out with the compressor still attached, or does it have to be unbolted first?

Thanks for the info on the right manifold as well.

[Lane]

Originally Posted by greg64

And essentially, one of your block bolts is passing right through the mount and the plate, right?

Yes - that's how I lined it all up. Made things pretty easy.

[1974k5blazer]

looks good man, i would do this to my 63 but all the wiring just gives me a headache just thinking about it!!, is it really that bad???

[Lane]

Originally Posted by 1974k5blazer

looks good man, i would do this to my 63 but all the wiring just gives me a headache just thinking about it!!, is it really that bad???

Not at all. I've done it twice on a '67 Chevy II and a Fox Mustang/LS1 swap. It's basically four wires and you're done. Fans and fuel pump make it a little interesting, but not too bad.

Greg - the motor will go in - and come out with all the front accessories attached(including the AC compressor) no problem.

[tomlamb]

Is there any difference between the I6 and V8 frame mounts that would place the engine differently? Your engine placement looks about perfect in the bay where I thought the ECE mounts place the motor a bit more forward. I was planning on using the CPP tube mounts with a plate like yours as the PO hacked my frame mount to put in a TPI engine.

Thanks

[Lane]

Originally Posted by tomlamb

Is there any difference between the I6 and V8 frame mounts that would place the engine differently? Your engine placement looks about perfect in the bay where I thought the ECE mounts place the motor a bit more forward. I was planning on using the CPP tube mounts with a plate like yours as the PO hacked my frame mount to put in a TPI engine.

Thanks

I don't think there's a difference in the frame mounts as far as placement is concerned. The way the mounts bolt up yes, but I doubt placement is any different.

When I first got the motor in I lined it up with the top, rear engine mount hole and motor mount hole, and it looked great - but I wanted it as far back as possible, and still have room with the firewall. So I pushed it back to where the front, top engine mount hole lined up with the top front motor mount hole. It could go either way, but farther back is better weight transfer so..

[BlueJeep]

The 5.3 also does not have a distributor that has to clear the firewall, so in theory it can be mounted back a little farther than a SBC.