Costs and Parts for 5.3 swap

[84CC20]

Hey guys, newbie here to forum and LS swaps. I've searched through some of the threads (can't find answers to some questions though) so I thought I'd post up.

I have an 84 C20 4X4 with bad 350 and bad 350 th. I have a complete donor truck-2001 Z71 with the 5.3 and 4L60E still in it and running and in good shape. My questions may be redundant but I want you guys to know that I am not mechanically inclined AT ALL!

1) What can I use off of the donor truck and what will I need to buy for the conversion into the 84?
2) What expense would I be looking at for the purchase of needed parts and labor to have it converted?

I think it would be to my advantage to convert over due to the efficiency of the newer GM engines and relating gas mileage but I don't know if I would be money ahead rebuilding both the engine and transmission?

Thanks in advance guys!

 

[84CC20]

I have found that I will need the motor mounts because of where the 5.3 sits in the engine bay. With the frame of the C20 would I need a special set of headers? Can the pcm from the 01 Z71 be used in the 84 and if so can ibe flashed to take out the 02 sensors? I have a complete running 01 Z71 but not sure what I would have to buy for swap and the expense.

 

[foamypirate]

I have found that I will need the motor mounts because of where the 5.3 sits in the engine bay. With the frame of the C20 would I need a special set of headers? Can the pcm from the 01 Z71 be used in the 84 and if so can ibe flashed to take out the 02 sensors? I have a complete running 01 Z71 but not sure what I would have to buy for swap and the expense.

Dirty Dingo and Tejas Steelworks make some nice mounts. Tejas Steelworks sets the engine forward about 3 inches, which would require you to run electric fans, but allows you to retain the factory AC compressor with minimal to zero notching of the frame, if you are worried about that.

For my personal LS swap, I am running the Hooker cast iron manifolds (8501HKR). They are about $300 or so (uncoated, ceramic coated are around $400). They probably offer the best clearance. I'm not sure what fits as far as headers and factory manifolds though, you may want to do some digging on that if the $300 price tag drives you away from the Hooker option (though most headers will be more than that, to be honest).

You will need to have the ECM flashed to remove the VATS and emissions (which would include the rear O2s. You must retain the front O2s however). Brendan at LT1Swap.com offers ECM tunes for $75, which is probably the best deal out there.

You will also need a high pressure pump and an EFI sending unit. Use the sending unit from an 87' C10, and the high pressure pump from a 96-99' 5.7L Vortec truck (ACDelco EP381 is the pump). You'll need a few miscellaneous AN fittings and some Ethanol compatible rubber hose to run from the tank to the selector valve (if you retain it). I recommend Gates Barricade EFI hose for that.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

[84CC20]

I'm guessing the fuel tank in the 01 will not fit in the 84?

About what guestimate on price to complete the conversion (including labor for I am not mechanically inclined) would you assume total cost would be?

Thanks so much for your help.

 

[foamypirate]

I'm guessing the fuel tank in the 01 will not fit in the 84?

About what guestimate on price to complete the conversion (including labor for I am not mechanically inclined) would you assume total cost would be?

Thanks so much for your help.

Paying for someone to do the swap will increase the cost quite substantially. I'd estimate around $5,000 or so, with you providing the engine/trans.

 

[Old77]

I'm guessing the fuel tank in the 01 will not fit in the 84?

nope...at least not without modifications.

 

[84CC20]

Will I retain the C20 transfer case or since I will be using both the donor engine and trans will the donor transfer case work?

 

[84CC20]

After looking at all of this and doing another days worth of research, would I be better off carbing the 5.3? Would that be easier?

 

[Old77]

After looking at all of this and doing another days worth of research, would I be better off carbing the 5.3? Would that be easier?

Please don't carb the LS motor!! Yes it can and has been done but why go through all the trouble just to carb it?? Just seems very half assed but that's just my opinion

 

[84CC20]

You know, I've thought that too because that motor was designed for FI. Just trying to find a way for the 5.3 to work. And put it in with the budget I have.

 

[Old77]

If you get a complete motor that hasn't been picked over it shouldn't cost anymore to keep the fuel injection. In fact, you'd spend more for parts to make the carb work

 

[84CC20]

And that is the other thing. I have a complete running 2001 Z71!

 

[Old77]

And that is the other thing. I have a complete running 2001 Z71!

Then keep it that way. It'll be most cost effective BTW...there is TONS of info on this swap in several other threads of people making the same swap as you. Feel free to look around and make notes of things that apply to your swap. There's a wealth of info on this forum

 

[84CC20]

Ireally appreciate you guys helping!

 

[84CC20]

Myba d guys, I was thinking my truck was a C20 but realized it's a K20. To put both 5.3 and 4L60E will I need adapters for both sides of the transrer case? Easier to do this than keeping donor engine, tranny n transfer?