Hello from Warrenville, Illinois

[tvallaro]

Hello-

New member here.  I've referenced this site many times in the past for help with my truck, specifically for the engine swap my brother and I did this year.  Thank you 73-87chevytrucks.com and Users for all the valuable information.

The truck is a 1981 C10 Custom Deluxe Stepside with a 5.3 Vortec (LM7) engine.  I plan on sharing my experiences with the swap and hope I can be of assistance to anyone doing the same.     

[zieg85]

Welcome from down near St. Louis, Mo

[Irish_Alley]

welcome from maryland

[bd]

Hello and welcome to the site from Central California.

[djtman]

Hey man, I'm just starting the process of dropping a 2013 5.3 LS in my 1986 c10. Trying to navigate headers, fuel system, motor mounts, harness etc with my existing th400 is daunting. Lots of info, but I want things to work together, for a reasonable price.  I'm working with an old school mechanic to do it, and he's never done this swap, but I trust him. Any advice you can give to make this process as painless as possible would be great.


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[tvallaro]

Hey man, I'm just starting the process of dropping a 2013 5.3 LS in my 1986 c10. Trying to navigate headers, fuel system, motor mounts, harness etc with my existing th400 is daunting. Lots of info, but I want things to work together, for a reasonable price.  I'm working with an old school mechanic to do it, and he's never done this swap, but I trust him. Any advice you can give to make this process as painless as possible would be great.


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Nice truck! I'd be happy to give you advice on the swap.  Within the next few days I plan on creating a thread under the "Members Rides" section of this forum.  I'll probably start with a background on my truck and the plans I had for it. 

The first and possibly most important piece of advice I can give you is that the swap will cost more than just the price of the 5.3 motor you plan on putting in.   I paid $800 for my 2001 5.3 (from a 2001 Tahoe 4x4) and it came with computer and harness.  I haven't gone back and added up the cost (mostly because I'm afraid to), but plan on spending a couple grand before it's all over.  Regardless, it was totally worth it for me.

If you have any initial questions before I start posting about my build let me know. 



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[djtman]

Hey man, I'm just starting the process of dropping a 2013 5.3 LS in my 1986 c10. Trying to navigate headers, fuel system, motor mounts, harness etc with my existing th400 is daunting. Lots of info, but I want things to work together, for a reasonable price.  I'm working with an old school mechanic to do it, and he's never done this swap, but I trust him. Any advice you can give to make this process as painless as possible would be great.


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Nice truck! I'd be happy to give you advice on the swap.  Within the next few days I plan on creating a thread under the "Members Rides" section of this forum.  I'll probably start with a background on my truck and the plans I had for it. 

The first and possibly most important piece of advice I can give you is that the swap will cost more than just the price of the 5.3 motor you plan on putting in.   I paid $800 for my 2001 5.3 (from a 2001 Tahoe 4x4) and it came with computer and harness.  I haven't gone back and added up the cost (mostly because I'm afraid to), but plan on spending a couple grand before it's all over.  Regardless, it was totally worth it for me.

If you have any initial questions before I start posting about my build let me know. 



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I hear dingo motor mounts are the way to go. I'd like to get a set of headers that clear easy. What did you find out? I have a few options for harness, and fuel will be figured out once we know what we have in the fuel cell.
Psyched to get into this, and want to avoid mistakes.
Thx,
Terry


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[tvallaro]

As far as headers, I posted on the LS Swaps section of this forum. 

http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=29544.0

http://www.speed-engineering.com

The Speed Engineering headers for C10 LS Swaps fit very well.  Automatic transmission trucks only.  Dropped in with no interference. Amazing.  They do say you need the MSD wires because the headers are tucked so close to the heads. Also, one thing to note with many of the long tube headers is that the collectors aim directly at the stock trans cross member.  Because of this I purchased the scorpion fabrication trans cross member available on this website.   I could have routed my exhaust down and around, but it wouldn't have looked good. 

http://store.73-87chevytrucks.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=7&Product_Code=SCRP7387&Category_Code=73-87UHood

[tvallaro]

I have no advice regarding the dingo mounts. I've read about them, but did not use them.

The motor mounts I used are from ICT Billet.  SBC to LS Engine Swap Bracket Set.   I bought them on Amazon. 

http://www.ictbillet.com/

These mounts adapt the stock 305/350 motor mounts. 

I will post pictures once I create my build thread, but the ICT Billet website has some pretty clear pictures for reference.

[Captkaos]

I always use engine plates, although I may try Holley's stuff next as they have a complete package now.

Chris Lucas
73-87chevytrucks.com
squarebody.biz

[Tazman]

Welcome from AZ.