93 1500 w/ 5.3L & 5 speed swap

Im gonna start a build page here for my 93 Silverado. I've done a lot of work on it so far just to get it lookin decent but now its time for some drivetrain work. It came with a 305 and 5 speed but now has about 295K miles on them. I had plans on just fixing up and daily driving but I found a 5.3 cheap... so why not?!

Some brief background....truck was wrecked in passenger side when I bought it. Got for $600
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...o/IMG00049.jpg
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...10001706-1.jpg
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...0603002251.jpg
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...0628002154.jpg

Fixed all the damage myself, swapped out some things and repainted it
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...1128002214.jpg
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...0217012257.jpg


5.3L is from a 2004 silverado with DBW
Came with accessories on it but wiring was cut
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...306012014a.jpg

Parts already collected:
Transdapt motor mounts
Russell fuel rail fittings and connectors
GM EP-381 fuel pump kit
WIX fuel filter/regulator
4.8L flywheel
Pilot and throwout bearings

I plan on gathering few more parts for the swap soon and stick this thing in! Schoenfeld headers will be used and Powers AC relocation brackets.

This is my first LS swap into anything so I'm sure I'll have questions and any tips would be greatly appreciated!

The only downfall so far is this has a cracked head.. The donor truck was wrecked and pulled the manifold bolts out. Hairline crack from one bolt hole to an exhaust port.. Already have another head but its casting #706 and mine are #862. I believe they are the same though..

Where's a good cheap place to buy top end gaskets at?

I got the Felpro MLS and head bolts from Rockauto.com for around $60, not sure if thats the cheapest, but it was the easiest for me. I would look at the Novak adapters AC kit if I were you though.

Old engine is out! Gonna clean up the engine bay this weekend and possibly mate the trans up to the 5.3L

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...0310012221.jpg

lookin good man doing my swap this week should be done by the weekend and btw love those wheels i cant wait to get some for my truck

Thanks man!

Got a little work done this weekend. Sorted thru most of the old engine harness and pulled aside the things I know I wont need and the things I will. Got the motor mounts put on the engine and waiting for the new poly mounts to show up so I can test fit it in. Also cleaned up the trans cause it had a thick layer of grease inside the bell housing where there had been an oil leak at one time. Got the new fuel pump put in as well.

Then I mounted the TAC module on the firewall. FYI- It mounts perfectly where the cruise control box goes, looks factory.
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...0314010743.jpg
Also mounted up the drive by wire pedal assembly. It wouldnt fit good as it was so I modified it and made a bracket that makes the pedal bolt in like the factory OBS one. :) Seems to work out good IMO
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...313012351a.jpg
BEFORE: (the pedal was offset too far over)
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...0313012220.jpg
AFTER: reshaped and angled different, its straighter now.
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...0313012313.jpg
I mounted it where when all the way depressed, its about 1/8" off the floor.
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...0314010005.jpg

I was able to get a little bit of work done though. Got the new flywheel, clutch, and pressure plate put in and mated the engine to the trans. Cleaned and painted the trans while I had it out. This was supposed to be cast alum but came out more chrome.. Ghetto I know but it'll do. ha
Also found a battery tray and bracket at the junk yard to locate my battery to the drivers side like the NBS. And finally, got in my AC brackets.
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...0320011654.jpg
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...320011954a.jpg
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...0320011504.jpg
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...0319011121.jpg


Also put in new poly motor mounts and swapped the 2" springs for some 3" ones. This is where it sits now with no weight in the front, hopefully it'll sit at the top of the tire just like my black truck once put back together.
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...0317012307.jpg

lookin good man! did you get a battery try out of a nbs or an obs 2500?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by T-Stark

lookin good man! did you get a battery try out of a nbs or an obs 2500?

---

Thanks. This one is out of a OBS 1500. Some have the storage box there but when I was at the junk yard I found a couple with this tray, but still had the metal one on passenger side too.

did not know that thanks man looks like im going to the junk yard this weekend lol

and is that the novak ac bracket? if it is let me know what you think of it i need to get one when i have the money

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by T-Stark

did not know that thanks man looks like im going to the junk yard this weekend lol

and is that the novak ac bracket? if it is let me know what you think of it i need to get one when i have the money

---

If you cant find one let me know and I can get you one from this yard.
These are the Josh Powers brackets. I may try and mount them on the engine tonight.

Looks good Drew!

Looking good, you're going to love the 5.3.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Xlr8n

Looks good Drew!

---

Thanks

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Chevy-Art

Looking good, you're going to love the 5.3.

---

Thanks.

I hope to set it in this weekend. :) Now need to order my Schoenfeld headers and harness.

progress of the night

Got the engine and trans set it. Lesson learned- Next time cut the little metal tabs off the new poly mounts for easier install!! Other than having to massage the cups down around those everything just slid in place. The trans is about 3/4" more forward from factory though so if doing again I'd prob buy the 1" rearward mounts. Now time to start buttoning everything back up.

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...0324012115.jpg
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...0324012116.jpg
the AC brackets are just loosely fitted on there to give an idea of where the compressor will be located.

Looks good . I especially liked mounting the tac in place of the cruise control box. Great Idea!

update?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by T-Stark

update?

---

Not much of one... I'm still waiting on my harness and PCM tune. Should be here first of the week. Everything is bolted in though. I ran new power and grounds, hooked up driveshaft, starter, heater hoses, etc. All that I can while waiting on wiring. Also first of week I'm ordering the Schoenfeld headers.

nice truck dude....and killer job on the door panel

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Rene_lsx

nice truck dude....and killer job on the door panel

---

Thank man. You have some pretty slick rides yourself.

Got in the headers today along with the S&P adapters.
The headers fit great and are pretty easy to slide up from the bottom even with the spark plugs in. They do not hang down below the frame at all either. Plenty of room for the O2 sensors as well. I am impressed with the fitment but the black coating on them truly sucks though, half was already rubbed off in the box. I plan to ceramic coat them though before final install.
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...0413011534.jpg
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...0413011554.jpg
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...0413011552.jpg
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...413011556a.jpg
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...413011557a.jpg
The S&P coolant temp adapter and oil pressure adapters work great. Coolant temp for gauges is now on the pass side rear of the head and oil pressure is in same location at rear of block. However I am kinda pissed at them because they didnt give me a price for shipping but I told them I'd prefer USPS. Once I got the bill today they sent them FedEx and cost $15 for these 2 small parts! Not cool.
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...0413011711.jpg
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...0413011817.jpg
Cleaned up a little of the engine tonight and installed the intake. Also put some loom on a few wires as well. Harness and PCM should be in any day and I'll get on that fairly quick.
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...0413012344.jpg
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...413012343a.jpg
I traded off my stock radiator for a 34" one from a suv with towing package. Its like brand new so couldnt pass it up. Also scored some 06 Silverado E fans off ebay today for cheap. Great shape. Measured my 06 and they have the same size radiator as this one I picked up the other day. So thats great! :)

very nice coming along great! where did you get the A/C brackets and what compressor are you using? i want A/C in my LS swaped truck:(

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by lechez71

very nice coming along great! where did you get the A/C brackets and what compressor are you using? i want A/C in my LS swaped truck:(

---

+1

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by lechez71

very nice coming along great! where did you get the A/C brackets and what compressor are you using? i want A/C in my LS swaped truck:(

---

believe he said he's using josh powers a/c relocation bracket( believe you can p.m. him on fullsizechevy.com not sure tho ) with his factory obs a/c compressor

Drew...I'm jelly.

There's alot less crap on this thread vs your thread on FSC :lol:

hmm... that reminds me - i'm still perma-banned on FSC

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by lechez71

very nice coming along great! where did you get the A/C brackets and what compressor are you using? i want A/C in my LS swaped truck:(

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by T-Stark

believe he said he's using josh powers a/c relocation bracket( believe you can p.m. him on fullsizechevy.com not sure tho ) with his factory obs a/c compressor

---

You sir are correct. I scored the brackets off a member here that ended up not using them. I did just buy a LS1 type tensioner though because the truck one didnt seem to want to work. I am still using my factory 93 AC compressor. I did not want to crack open my lines since the AC blew nice and cold to begin with.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by silverado_lover

Drew...I'm jelly.

There's alot less crap on this thread vs your thread on FSC :lol:

---

Lol yes..Yes there is.

I have not done a whole lot with the truck lately cause I've been helping other people with their stuff and working on my paint booth. But I did pick up some 06 Silverado E fans that I'll be using. Only have a few more wires to hook up for the engine but I'm taking my time routing everything and making this look somewhat factory. I'll have some pics posted up here in the next few days cause I plan on gettin a lil work done on it soon.

You're slackin :deal:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by silverado_lover

You're slackin :deal:

---

I will not disagree with that. lol

Im trying to figure out my exhaust system also... Thinking of a Magnaflow Dual in/Dual out with pipes dumped in each corner out back?

Spintech IMO

Hey man first off awesome truck. Very clean. love the gmc grill. I have a 92 350 5 speed and i just picked up a 6.0 the other day. i know i need a 4.8 flywheel but what else would i need to mate the 6.0 and the stock 5 speed up? thanks and great job on the build.

hey man any help would be greatly appreciated. i know i need a 4.8 flywheel for my 6.0. will the stock clutch and tob work with my stock nv3500? this is the only thing thats holding me up from putting the motor in. Thanks man

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by johnmichael397

hey man any help would be greatly appreciated. i know i need a 4.8 flywheel for my 6.0. will the stock clutch and tob work with my stock nv3500? this is the only thing thats holding me up from putting the motor in. Thanks man

---

Hey sorry I havent been on here in a while. I am using the stock clutch but the throwout bearing is different. Here is the throwout bearing and pilot bearing you will need for the swap.(the 2 in the middle)
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...0413012347.jpg

I finally have been able to work on the truck again. Got it running this weekend! Seems to run fine but I still need to get an intake and mount the MAF in it. Also just have open headers so exhaust will be in the next week or so as well. Im going with SLP like I have on my 06 Silverado. Sounds good and not too loud. Will post some pics and vid here shortly.

Oh yeah, didnt post where I ceramic coated my headers. I did them myself and think they came out pretty decent for first timer.
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...0515012311.jpg
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...0521012026.jpg

Youll have to share about the headers. Did you use a kit or what?

I may have missed it, but what radiator are you going with?

I'm doing the same swap in my dad's '90 Silvy, too.

I kept my factory truck radiator.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Chevy-Art

I kept my factory truck radiator.

---

Hm... and you're not having any cooling issues? The truck came w/ a 350, so whatever radiator that is is what we still have. I just figured I needed to upgrade.

No cooling problems at all. My radiator may even be bigger than the f-body one.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ccreddell

Youll have to share about the headers. Did you use a kit or what?

---

I bought some ceramic coating from Columbiacoatings. Its sprayed thru a paint gun then baked on. Came out pretty decent if I say so. But gotta make sure you follow the directions.
Once you spray it it air dries like a chalky green, then once baked @ 500* for an hour it turns white. Just take some 0000 steel wool and wipe them down. Can be polished out with buffer for almost chrome but wasnt wasting time doing that.lol

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DANSBIRD

I may have missed it, but what radiator are you going with?

I'm doing the same swap in my dad's '90 Silvy, too.

---

I swapped out the stock 31" radiator for one I got at the junk yard. Its a like new 34" that came from a 3/4 ton silverado. Fits directly in the core support and is bigger and thicker than my stock one. I am also using 2006 Silverado electric fans that I still need to wire up.
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...412012224b.jpg
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...0419010044.jpg

I have already trimmed and fit the fans to the radiator. They fit on it perfectly as far as width but the top lip and those mounting tabs needed to be cut off cause the core support is shorter on the OBS than NBS trucks.



Also thinkin of modifying this Camaro SS engine cover to fit. Its a little short and needs to be lowered down on the engine some. If not I'll use the 3 piece Escalade covers.
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...0520010008.jpg