1999 Crew cab OBS 5.3 Swap

[Rogerfe]

Hey guys,

I've been doing as much reading of this forum as possible in between school and a full time job, i just have a few questions that I couldnt find answers for, I would really appreciate any help with the subject,

I recently purchased a 1999 Chevy 2500 Crew cab with a 5.7 and the 4L80 transmission, the 5.7 is now toast and I would like to swap in the 5.3, my questions are,

What flex plate to use? I see that from a faq people are saying
"This means, you must replace the factory 5.3L flex plate with a flex plate and spacer from any 2002+ ¾ HD GM truck that originally came with a 4L80e transmission."
Is this true for all variants of the 5.3?
Will the stock converter from my 4L80 bolt to this?

Thanks guys

[keniff]

i cant answer this, but why not go 6.0? more hp for a big truck...just a thought.

i think you can use the spacer/flexplate from the 6.0 on the 5.3 to be able to use the 80e. i dont know for sure if they swapped converter bolt patterns but id check into it. or just have a custom stall made to the 5.3 flex plate and your 99 classic 80e.

so can we get some pics or what?
what happened to the 5.7?

[Rogerfe]

i cant answer this, but why not go 6.0? more hp for a big truck...just a thought.

i think you can use the spacer/flexplate from the 6.0 on the 5.3 to be able to use the 80e. i dont know for sure if they swapped converter bolt patterns but id check into it. or just have a custom stall made to the 5.3 flex plate and your 99 classic 80e.

so can we get some pics or what?
what happened to the 5.7?

I havent priced out the 6.0 yet, i unfortunately live in a smaller community so I was going by cost/availability, I will look into the 6.0 this week,

The truck has a solid front axle conversion, dana front and rear end, lifted.
The 5.7 is old and tired and i would like to go with a newer more fuel efficient engine.

Heres some pictures, its getting a repaint once its up and running again, canopy is gone.




Thanks for the help, i'll keep this updated once i figure more out

[keniff]

so you dont have the cowl hood anymore??? cowl hoods on OBS=SEXY.

id look into a 6.0 vs the 5.3 to help getting that monster moving. call S&P i think is who it is hotrod.cc or something like that, they did a 5.3 swap in a 97-98 tahoe/yukon i cant remember and used the stock 60e....maybe they can help more than me consideringi went with an 08 5.3, 06 60e

[Rogerfe]

so you dont have the cowl hood anymore??? cowl hoods on OBS=SEXY.

id look into a 6.0 vs the 5.3 to help getting that monster moving. call S&P i think is who it is hotrod.cc or something like that, they did a 5.3 swap in a 97-98 tahoe/yukon i cant remember and used the stock 60e....maybe they can help more than me consideringi went with an 08 5.3, 06 60e

I prefer the stock hoods, the entire truck is going to repainted a pearl white once its done, its a pretty big project at this point.

I'm debating 5.3 vs the 6.0 right now, it really boils down to availability in my area, I'd like the get the 6.0 but the yard i like dealing with doesent have any good ones, they have an 03 5.3 with 100000miles on it, complete for a good price, the only 6.0 they have right now is untested and high mileage.

Do you believe there would be a large difference between the 5.3 and the 6.0?

Thanks for the input

[ChevyLee]

Just get a 6.0L

Don't waste your time on anything else.

[el guapo2]

Hey guys,

I've been doing as much reading of this forum as possible in between school and a full time job, i just have a few questions that I couldnt find answers for, I would really appreciate any help with the subject,

I recently purchased a 1999 Chevy 2500 Crew cab with a 5.7 and the 4L80 transmission, the 5.7 is now toast and I would like to swap in the 5.3, my questions are,

What flex plate to use? I see that from a faq people are saying
"This means, you must replace the factory 5.3L flex plate with a flex plate and spacer from any 2002+ ¾ HD GM truck that originally came with a 4L80e transmission."
Is this true for all variants of the 5.3?
Will the stock converter from my 4L80 bolt to this?

Thanks guys

heres a pic of mine i used a 700r4 tho i used a 6.0 flex plate with the spacer

[flattopwill]

Just get a 6.0L

Don't waste your time on anything else.

I disagree. It depends on what you are going to use the truck for. If you are planning to do alot of hauling/towing then def track down a 6.0 but if not then just go with the 5.3 because it will already be a huge improvement over whatever you are taking out.

[ChevyLee]

I disagree. It depends on what you are going to use the truck for. If you are planning to do alot of hauling/towing then def track down a 6.0 but if not then just go with the 5.3 because it will already be a huge improvement over whatever you are taking out.

Of course you do.

Back when I had a stock 6.0 I was making more power then cammed 5.3 L and making better MPG, now I am cammed I make even better MPG and more power. Why would someone want that lol.... Just sayin

[flattopwill]

Of course you do.

Back when I had a stock 6.0 I was making more power then cammed 5.3 L and making better MPG, now I am cammed I make even better MPG and more power. Why would someone want that lol.... Just sayin

Well ya. If he isnt workin on a budget then go all out. I just dont see it being worth doubling the budget. People think 6.0s are gold or somethin. You can get 5.3s super cheap. If hes got big $$$$ and wants to go as fast as he can then get the 6.0 or hell go buy a 6.2 or wait why not an ls7 or lsx?