Author Topic: A 5.3L swap?  (Read 46527 times)

Online VileZambonie

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Re: A 5.3L swap?
« Reply #15 on: May 10, 2010, 08:33:38 PM »
I'll have to give you guys a lesson in VVT and DOD one day when I get a some extra time. I have some awesome animations. If you understand how it works you will appreciate it more. GM uses oil control to deactivate the lifter so the valves do not open. The off cylinders act like an air spring. If you are going to do this kind of swap for eceonomy take advantage of it.
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74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline inovermyhead

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Re: A 5.3L swap?
« Reply #16 on: May 10, 2010, 09:13:04 PM »
If it's simplicity and low cost that you are after you can't beat the LM7 5.3L engine in its carbuerated form. I however am doing the efi b/c I love remote start on those cold morning and hot afternoons.  ;D
Check this out if you haven't already seen it. Shows you the in and outs of installation although most of his upgrades are unnecassary and expensive you get the idea. http://www.sporttruck.com/techarticles/0912st_ls327_engine_swap_1973_chevy_c10/index.html
Another good resourse is Street and Performance and also Nelson Performance. A lot of guys like the Nelson tune and Alan is very helpful. Also check into BRP adaptors for some info. Hope this helps some.

Offline choptop

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Re: A 5.3L swap?
« Reply #17 on: May 10, 2010, 09:42:07 PM »
Vile, I understand the principle of it, and really look forward to the lesson. I am curious as to why I dont see any difference with the 08 and the 04. I think the 04 had more power, and it actually got better mileage. Is the 08 much heavier than the 04. I was looking forward to better economy, but didnt happen. This is west texas, we dont have very big hills, if any, and most highway speed limit is 70mph. I got 19mpg out of the 04 and have gotten 18 in the 08, but on very few occasions.
76 C10 Choptop,76 C10 Swb
85 C10, 85 K10, 85 K20,86 C10,86 K10 (all extended cabs)
86 C30 extended crewcab

Offline SUX2BU99

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Re: A 5.3L swap?
« Reply #18 on: May 11, 2010, 09:54:31 AM »
That's pretty cool that they can control the lifters too. VVT systems are a stroke of genius IMO
85 Chevy Silverado C10 short, wide, yellow, 2wd. Lowered, 60-over 350 with Dart Iron Eagle heads and Comp Cams XE268 cam, TH350 w/ shift kit, 3.40 Gov-lok 12 bolt.

Offline Skunksmash

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Re: A 5.3L swap?
« Reply #19 on: May 12, 2010, 03:32:05 AM »
As long as it doesn't have less power due to all that stuff then I'll probly just say screw it and leave it there.

Offline uptonogood99

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Re: A 5.3L swap?
« Reply #20 on: May 17, 2010, 08:40:05 PM »
The 5.3 motor comes in 4 different version. All can be figured out by the 8th dig of the vin IE "t" "Z" and sorry I forgot the other 2. The E85 motor, non DOD, has the most power, but gets the worst fuel mileage [about 15mpg]. All of these 5.3 started with "fly by wire" throttle system in about 03. If you are doing a swap, the best way would be to have a whole donor vehicle. This way you would have the engine, harness, ecm, fuel pump, fuel pump module, bcm, and most important the theft deterant system. The 06 and up vehicles also run the gm high speed lan for communications, which is going to make everything more difficult. I would suggest looking into the new crate motors GM is selling with stand alone ecms with a very simple harness. They are not cheap [about $8500] but I think a decent 08+ donor is probally going to run you about the same with more headaches. Good luck!

Offline screamin86

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Re: A 5.3L swap?
« Reply #21 on: May 17, 2010, 10:53:53 PM »
The aluminum block 5.3 I believe is the l33 the lm7 is the standard 5.3 and l59 is the flex fuel motor and the l59 is what I have in my yukon they came with 33lb injectors which is nice since I can mod a little more without worrying about needing injectors. Imo I'd stay away from any of the DOD motor for simplicity sake and if you ever mod it internaly like cams and such the DoD will be deleted anyway and lifters would need replaced. I believe the tunes for the newer motors are a little more expensive also but that's just me thinking lol. The 5.3 is a GREAT motor amd was originaly my intention for my truck but I want to do the swap on my car first so the truck got a 350. My 03 yukon has the l59 like I said and I've done some mods along with a tune frm nelson performance and in town I get roughly 14-16mpg and my personal best on the hwy is 23 and my wife drove it going to norfolk back in the fall and just barely got 25mpg on the hwy!!!! I say its not always what we get but on normal hwy trips we average 20+. I say its worth it and someday I hope to see a 5.3 between the fenders of my k10!
86 k10 lwb 4x4:350 .040 214/224 444/466 112lsa performer rpm 1406 lt's summit racing th350 2800stall
03 yukon xl:tint debadge full boltons
86 ta:lm7 hot cam boltons

Offline three8six

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Re: A 5.3L swap?
« Reply #22 on: May 18, 2010, 12:39:53 AM »
Anybody heard an aftermarket exhaust system on a DOD engine? Especially when its running on 4 cyl?

Offline screamin86

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Re: A 5.3L swap?
« Reply #23 on: May 18, 2010, 01:25:02 AM »
Ibe heard somes guys say it creates a odd drone on the hwy with it goes in to 4cyl mode.
86 k10 lwb 4x4:350 .040 214/224 444/466 112lsa performer rpm 1406 lt's summit racing th350 2800stall
03 yukon xl:tint debadge full boltons
86 ta:lm7 hot cam boltons

Offline three8six

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Re: A 5.3L swap?
« Reply #24 on: May 18, 2010, 12:56:59 PM »
Oh it sounds like a 4 cyl honda to me honestly with one of those fart cans.

Offline Koots

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Re: A 5.3L swap?
« Reply #25 on: June 10, 2010, 09:50:47 PM »
The aluminum DOD 5.3L in my parents 09 Sierra gets incredible mileage and when you need it, will throw the ECSB Z71 around quite nicely when you hit the go pedal. Compared to the older models that seemed to be riddled with torque management to save the trans, it has excellent throttle response.

If i were to swap in a new engine, that would be the one i'd go for or a 6L (i've become addicted to the growl of my 2500HD :D)