Budget 5.3 Swap

[chiggins]

MAIN POINT: What have you guys done for a bare bones, budget 5.3 Vortec/LS swap into your trucks?


THE STORY: While I continue to dig and do research for myself, I figured I would throw up a post to hopefully get some answers.

I currently have a '68 with a frankensteined 307 with dangerously low oil pressure, a weak saginaw 3 speed, and I believe a 3.07 rear that a PO slapped in to get a few extra mph's. The truck is a dog and just not exciting by any means of the word. Needless to say I'm looking to spice it up.

I have an L31 Vortec 350 sitting that I've already put together a pretty extensive parts list together for. I'm looking to build a rather healthy and reliable 400 HP, low-end torque little monster out of, but I'm already looking at close to $2k worth of parts plus assorted machine shop costs. While to some guys that may just be pennies, but I'm a college student that serves on weekends. When I say budget I mean BUDGET.

On the other hand, I have a complete (but disassembled) 5.3 motor out of an '02 tahoe that I picked up a couple of years ago for dirt cheap. That includes intake and fuel rails, but I don't think I have the ECM. It's been a while and I haven't been back home to take stock of what I have. I'd like to cam swap it and build as close to 400 hp as I can NA. If I can swap a 400 hp ls into the truck for somewhere between 2,000 and 3,000, I'll just spend the extra little bit and go that route instead of the 350.

Other details: I picked up an NV3500 to put behind either engine. It actually came with the flywheel set up for the LS so thats a plus. I intend on installing probably a 3.73 locker in the rear, but if you have other gear size recommendations let me know. It has a relocated Boyd tank in the rear with provisions for a drop-in fuel pump, also a plus.


So the big question is: what have you guys done for cheap LS swaps?

What did you do for Fuel/Air delivery? Carb? Stock intake and injectors? aftermarket EFI kit?

What about internals? Cam? LS6 springs? LS3 heads? All aftermarket?

And the list goes on. I'm hoping to make this into a definitive guide sort of thread that myself and others can use for our own projects. So please give as much detailed information as possible.

Cheers!