budget lsx swap help

[pwradder]

hey everyone, i'm looking for some advise-or maybe a link to a thread where someone has done this swap the way i need to do it. i'm looking to put a 5.3 in my 80 c10 and i need to do this as cheap as possible and buy the bare minimum new, so my questions are:
can i reuse my stock radiator? if so what hoses can be used?
if i buy adapter plates, can my stock engine mounts be used?
has anyone used a 700r trans behind an ls? if so what tv cable adapter can i use?
is there a cheap way to run dual tanks with this set up?
with that in mind, what would you recommend for a wallet friendly fuel system?
i've seen that 4th gen fbody manifolds fit-how about c5 or c6 corvette manifolds?
if i use the stock truck oil pan, will it clear my cross member?

i am looking for a drive by cable set up to use and i plan on modifying the 5.3 engine harness, any other ideas or insight on this is welcome as always-and just because i haven't posted one in awhile, a pic of the ol girl

[Indian113]

As far as your stock radiator I would think you could use it, I just went to my Napa and took a bunch of hoses to find which ones would work. I did put a piece of aluminum tubing in my top hose to adapt the 2 different sizes. I went to auto parts store and ordered a edlebrock carb adapter for 700 R4 and cut it off then welded it to my throttle pulley.

[Clyde65]

What are you looking to pay for the whole thing? I hear many folks say budget build for the Ls, but frankly there really isn't a "cheap" way to put in a Ls. There are inexpensive but never cheap.

You can use your motor mounts but you'll need some dirty dingo Ls mount plates. Yes a 700 can be bolted to an LSx but it's not ideal, the 4l60e is much simpler.
You can use your radiator if it's in good shape, you will need to either drill and tap the water pump for the steam port or use "jagsthatrun.com"' adapters,

Trail blazer as manifolds are the best and you can pick them up fairly inexpensive. Fuel is where you run into issues, I am not sure if you can use dual tanks, do a search here and see.

If you can do the wiring and PCM flash that would definitely save you money.

Good luck, do searches and look at the LSx FAQ section, lots of info.

[Big Port Jimmy 6]

I am using a stock radiator (87 GMC) with 5.3 truck radiator hoses 100% sure on the top 90% sure on the lower, but it may have been the big block lower hose. I am using stock mounts and stands with welder series plates on the block. The pass side stand is slide back to clear the compressor. I had bad luck on an earlier swap running the early style tank valve it never seemed to flow enough fuel. Your mileage may vary. I have also ran a Lokar style TV cable and pulled it with the throttle pedal. You have to get a spacer and special flex plate to run the early trans. I am running truck manifolds and had to notch the frame slightly. The stock truck pan sticks down slightly below the cross member, I went with the GMPP muscle car pan as my truck is low.
$151 at Jegs.
http://www.jegs.com/i/GM+Performance...FacDOgodVT8AOQ

Hope this helps Jay

[littlevictories]

doing it all again, i'd look at using as much of the fuel system from a donor vehicle as i possibly could. use oem stuff and efi clamps for least expensive route

tank, pump, lines and fittings are right around 20% of my total budget so far.

[Matt Cramer]

I'm doing a swap on a '72 Chevy, so some notes will be a bit different.

Originally Posted by pwradder

hey everyone, i'm looking for some advise-or maybe a link to a thread where someone has done this swap the way i need to do it. i'm looking to put a 5.3 in my 80 c10 and i need to do this as cheap as possible and buy the bare minimum new, so my questions are:
can i reuse my stock radiator? if so what hoses can be used?

I pulled this off on my truck using 2005 Silverado hoses. The lower one required some trimming; the upper one didn't. It appears GM didn't really move the radiator ends very much from the '60s to the present on these trucks. They were a tight fit over the radiator ends, so used some dishwasher detergent to get them to slide on more easily.

if i buy adapter plates, can my stock engine mounts be used?

Yes. I cut mine out of 4" wide, 1/4" steel plate with a drill press.

has anyone used a 700r trans behind an ls? if so what tv cable adapter can i use?

You might want to try these guys. They didn't have one for the TH350 I used, but they have one for the 700R4.

http://tvmadeez.com/

You need to call and ask for their "Vortec kit" as it's not on the website. I used an adapter from Street & Performance that was ridiculously overpriced ($50 including shipping for a piece of flat steel and a stud).

is there a cheap way to run dual tanks with this set up?

External high pressure pump like a Walbro GSL392 and a switch for the return line. Not ideal, but it should work.

Not sure on the Corvette manifolds on your chassis.

if i use the stock truck oil pan, will it clear my cross member?

It should. I had no issues on the earlier chassis.

[pwradder]

thanks for all the replies everyone, lots of good info here!

Originally Posted by Indian113

I went to auto parts store and ordered a edlebrock carb adapter for 700 R4 and cut it off then welded it to my throttle pulley.

that's a neat idea- i already have one of those brackets too, could i get a closeup pic of it?

[quote=Clyde65;6497905]What are you looking to pay for the whole thing? I hear many folks say budget build for the Ls, but frankly there really isn't a "cheap" way to put in a Ls. There are inexpensive but never cheap.

that's true- i'm trying to get this all done under the $1000 mark. i think i may have found a 5.3 with 150k on it for $400 with the accessories, computer and harness.

Yes a 700 can be bolted to an LSx but it's not ideal, the 4l60e is much simpler.

the 700r would only be staying behind it untill i can put all the parts together for a 5 speed swap after the 5.3 is dailed in.

You can use your radiator if it's in good shape, you will need to either drill and tap the water pump for the steam port or use "jagsthatrun.com"' adapters,

good catch, i forgot about that!

Trail blazer as manifolds are the best and you can pick them up fairly inexpensive.

i'll keep an eye out for those-only reason i asked about the corvette stuff is i have it hanging around. anyone used them?

[QUOTE=Big Port Jimmy 6;6497935] I am using stock mounts and stands with welder series plates on the block.

any pics of that setup? where did you buy them?

You have to get a spacer and special flex plate to run the early trans.

crap, that kind of kills that idea! so the torque converter pattern is different huh?

Originally Posted by littlevictories

doing it all again, i'd look at using as much of the fuel system from a donor vehicle as i possibly could. use oem stuff and efi clamps for least expensive route.

i was planning on using my factory feed line, the return is no biggie. i'm not crazy about the replacement cost of those stock in-tank pumps though!

with most of my questions answered, looks like i just have a couple minor thing to search out-this swap should be no problem with the collective wealth of knowledge on this site!

[Indian113]

[QUOTE=pwradder;6499694]thanks for all the replies everyone, lots of good info here!


that's a neat idea- i already have one of those brackets too, could i get a closeup pic of it?

I will take a few pics Friday in the daylight. Your right there is a lot of knowledge and help on this site. I'm running a 700R4 but I had it built up a little at a trans shop and believe me I give it a workout in my S10. I;m not easy on it and it's still shifting great and I get 21 mpgs. with a 3:42 rear end.

[Big Port Jimmy 6]

I used 1 ls150 and 1 ls104 from Welder Series. the will sell you one of each plate. Ask for DW.
http://www.welderseries.com/blog/onl...-motor-mounts/
See here for explanation.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=413855
Jay

[Indian113]

Do these 2 pictures help any?

[pwradder]

awesome guy's, thanks again! indian113, the pics were perfect-that's exactly what i needed to see. i'd really rather not do the 5 speed swap at the same time, can anyone point me to the cheapest flexplate/spacer combo they've found?

[Indian113]

I bought mine from Jeg's it cost around $50.00. I used my original flexplate. I had to elongate the holes for my torque convertor though.

[HotRodPayne]

[QUOTE=Indian113;6497894]As far as your stock radiator I would think you could use it, I just went to my Napa and took a bunch of hoses to find which ones would work. I did put a piece of aluminum tubing in my top hose to adapt the 2 different sizes. I went to auto parts store and ordered a edlebrock carb adapter for 700 R4 and cut it off then welded it to my throttle

What throttle cable did you use for your swap?

[Indian113]

I used a 2000 Silvarado throttle on my S10

[pwradder]

Originally Posted by Indian113

I bought mine from Jeg's it cost around $50.00. I used my original flexplate. I had to elongate the holes for my torque convertor though.

are there any issues with starter engagement when the flexplate gets spaced out? considering it would only cost me $50 to keep running my 700 temporarily sounds like the way to go untill the 5 speed deal gets sorted out. i scored that 150k mile 5.3 with just about anything else i could use off that truck for $400 last night, looks like the only things left for me to source are a p/s pump, maf, motor mount plates and fuel pump. i think i can make something work with either the corvette manifolds i already have or the truck manifolds that came with it, one of the other unknowns is adapting the a/c compressor fittings over. i grabbed the lines off the tahoe figuring i can cut those and the lines off my truck and have them re-crimped together. what have you guys done with you're a/c lines? so far the budget is looking pretty good- i may even get this done under $800 once the parts are all collected,i'll start up a build thread on it. know anyone who wants a good running 350?

[Matt Cramer]

Keep in mind there's two different torque converter bolt patterns for early SBC torque converters. If you have the 11.5" pattern, it's easy enough to modify the flex plate with a Dremel and hog out the bolt holes. The 10.75" one is too small - that's what I had; I ended up buying an Advanced Adapters kit as I didn't trust myself to get all the bolt holes located perfectly if I redrilled the flex plate.

Note that engines with the 4L80E had the spacer already in place.

[Indian113]

I haven't had any starter engagements problem's. But I think in the summer I'm going to put a heat shield on mine as it picks up some heat from headers and engine.

[Matt Cramer]

Originally Posted by Indian113

Do these 2 pictures help any?

I wish I'd known about this before I ordered the Street & Performance adapter; way overpriced, about as much work, and not any better looking. I do have one question - what exactly is the kickdown cable from? The TH350 cable I have is too short and I need to get a longer one.

[Indian113]

I just used the stock cable for my 700R4

[Matt Cramer]

Thanks - I wonder if the transmission end will connect to a TH350?

[Indian113]

Matt, Speedway has a Lokar cut to fit cable. Part#491-2350ht it is 36 inches long and you need to cut it down to fit. I think my cable won't work on a 350 turbo, each trans takes a different cable.

[pwradder]

Originally Posted by Matt Cramer

I wish I'd known about this before I ordered the Street & Performance adapter; way overpriced, about as much work, and not any better looking. I do have one question - what exactly is the kickdown cable from? The TH350 cable I have is too short and I need to get a longer one.

also, napa has a universal cable for that trans-its 49'' long and list's for like $27. part# atp15501