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Thread: My budget/ 2 week 5.3 swap into a 90 Silverado

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Posts
    3

    My budget/ 2 week 5.3 swap into a 90 Silverado

    Bought this truck 2 weeks ago. Pulled out the original engine the day I got it, thought I had a harness laying around but I didn't so that slowed me down a bit. Got it running pretty quickly...scroll down for pics and parts list and budget.

    Basic rundown:

    02 5.3 w/ 75k miles
    Stock truck harness w/ fuse panel (easy but ugly)
    Using the existing TH400 w/ GM adapter
    Stock manifolds fit fine
    1" setback CarshopInc mounts - stock trans location
    Truck accessories - steering lines worked fine
    Gonna fabricate a mount for AC compressor later
    AC/Delco pump swapped intank in place of TBI pump
    Adapter fittings at filter to 6AN - up to fuel rails
    Fbody radiator - stock truck fan




    The truck.... 1990 454SS, broke motor...kinda beat up truck, but from the south, NO rust anywhere. As I bought it...







    Up in the air, started removing stuff..











    ....and it's gone









    hmmm...which one???







    Workin on the wiring..







    .....and it's in....wiring the new 5.3 up







    more pics...

    Easiest way to do a fuel pump on a truck if ya ask me.... Check out the hillbilly driveway full of crap, but also note the rust free truck











    made a quick bracket to use the stock, CS style alternator that came with the truck since it's what I had...



    Well I have now owned the truck for 2 weeks and one day. The day I brought it home it was a complete big block truck. Today I drove it all over and it drives great, just got the exhaust buttoned up today and it even sounds great. Ill have some more pics and videos as soon as it quits raining. For now though I have my $$$ list for the swap.


    Used '02 5.3 w/ 75k miles $450
    02 Silverado harness w/ fuse box from JY $150
    AC Delco EP-381 intank pump $85
    CarshopINC 1" setback mounts $50
    Russell fuel rail fittings, 5/16 & 3/8 - 6AN $28
    GM flexplate spacer and bolts $60
    S&P coolant temp adapter 3/8NPT-12mm $24
    o2 sensor bungs (2) $8
    junkyard ECM $40
    ECM tune to eliminate VATS, etc $100
    o2 sensors # 13193 Bosch (2) $100
    Delphi MAF $94
    PCV valve $5
    Spectre air filter $25
    Heater Hoses $12
    Upper radiator hose $22
    Used Camaro radiator $40
    Used Camaro e-fans $60
    Fuel filter (factory) $7
    Fuel line & -6AN hose ends (4) $80
    adapter from metric o-rings to 6 AN (2) $22
    y-pipe fabrication from local exhaust shop $80


    Total $1542

    Things like the radiator/ fans/ heater hoses might not even be needed in your swap if your parts are good. My radiator was shot and I chose to do the electric fans, could have just used the stock 5.3 fan. I also reused the alternator from the truck by making the small adapter bracket. The stock 5.3 power steering worked fine in the truck and the lines from the truck hooked right up.

    To finish up the entire build, here's how I sit.


    Bought the truck for $1600
    engine swap cost $1542
    trans fluid $18
    new battery $60
    trans mount $22
    2000 stall converter $100

    Total: $3342

    sold off big block/ TBI/ ECM/ etc $420

    Total in truck $2922


    I'll psot up some more pics as soon as it quits raining

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Posts
    3
    and a crappy video with no exhaust

    View My Video

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    North Texas
    Posts
    12,078
    You gave a BBC away.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Posts
    3
    the big block was super broken....busted rods...full of coolant to the top...broke block. That's what started the whole deal in the first place, I bought it broken.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Austin Tx.
    Posts
    13,138
    AWESOME budget build. This is great for some of the guys not wanting to spend big bucks on an OBS swap
    1951 3100
    1984 C10

  6. #6
    ff_jeff Guest
    Quote Originally Posted by duckysbht View Post
    AWESOME budget build. This is great for some of the guys not wanting to spend big bucks on an OBS swap
    werd

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Gramercy
    Posts
    945
    man thats an awsome build! congrates. im in the process of the same thing but with an 08 5.3L so i needed a 4 bolt DBC TB and the 58t to 24t converter.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    San Antonio, TX Area
    Posts
    1,741
    That is the same swap I am working on right now. Except that mine came with the 5.7l. Nice job and welcome to the site.
    "ALisSa1 Silverado"
    1990 Chevrolet RCSB 2002 Chevrolet Camaro LS1/4L60E
    Scrimpin Ain't Easy
    ( . Y . )


  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    western ky
    Posts
    5
    Awesome build man, do mine next, lol.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    San Antonio
    Posts
    43
    Looks great, all the interior gauges and warning lights work? Which ECM is running the truck now? the 90 or 02?


    Also, I envy your driveway. 90s Mustang GT, Late 50s Chevy truck...
    1996 GMC Sierra RCSB
    4.3L V6 - 4L60E - 15" stock aluminums - 3.42s - slow weekend warrior
    2004 Chevy Tahoe LT
    5.3L V8 - 4L60E - 17" stock aluminums - 3.73s - less slow daily driver

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