I can buy a base 5.3 and swap everything to a 402 shortblock?

[Jewmont3]

I am trying to find the cheapest but easiest route to my power goals. I can buy a used cheap 5.3 with high miles and swap the shortblock out with a 402, 408 or larger ls1 stroker correct? If that works buying the 5.3 with everything including harness and ECU seams like the best route. I would be replacing the heads and cam anyways and going with an LS6 or fast intake and going with a larger throttle body.

What do you guys think? They seam to be much cheaper then the LQ4, LQ9 and Fbody and vette LS1s. Also whats the deal on the AC compressor location? Does it still interfere on the 88-98 body style?

thanks,
Mike

[RedHeartbeat]

Yes, 4.8, 5.3 and 6.0 should all have the same accessories. You may get a higher amperage alternator with the 6.0L though. The 5.7 stuff will work also. What vehicle are you putting it into. A FAST intake may have clearance issues with the truck accessories. The truck water pump is up top while the LS1 pump is out the face of the pump. What's the game plan?

The A/C is always an issue with the OBS trucks. The compressor will be into the frame rail, so either notch the frame or buy a Sanden 508 compressor setup for the LSx vehicles that mount it up high on the passenger side head with idler pullies. If you end up with F-body or Corvette accessories you must have the front pulley from one, too. There are three front pullies, one for Fbodies, one for Vettes and one for trucks.

[Jewmont3]

Game plan is to buy an LSx motor and get as close to 500hp to the wheels as possible without breaking the bank. Power adders seem too expensive and would need to know that I have a strong engine. If I buy a high mileage 5.3 or even a 4.8 for cheap I could buy the 402, 408 or even 427 LS1 stroker short block and toss everything from the motor I bought over. Buy some decent priced heads and a cam and be done? I would have to buy Injectors im sure though. It is going in my 95 GMC sierra 4wd with the front drive shaft removed. I would more then likely be using the LS6 intake or variant as well.

[RedHeartbeat]

Go buy a salvage core if you're going to be building it up anyway. You could just buy a brand new 6.0L block and build it up from the ground up with all new parts. You can buy a built 402 for a lot cheaper than you can build one yourself, usually, unless you have a machine shop connection. There are many ways of getting to where you're going. The most economical depends upon your demands. 4.8s are a dime a dozen, nobody wants them. The heads would be useless on your engine but you'd have the pulleys and brackets, coils and valve covers, fuel rail and injectors, intake, front, rear and valley covers, dipstick tube, oil baffle, oil pump pickup tube and oil pan. That's easily $500 in parts. Once you strip the good parts you might get a $200-$300 for the remaining parts back when you sell the block and heads on Ebay.

Why not just ditch the transmission and transfer case if you're not going to use it? You're just eating up HP turning things that arent going to be used. Get a 2wd transmission and driveshaft to take advantage of all that HP you'll be building.

[Jewmont3]

I will be ditching the tranny for a T56 and removing as many 4wd components as possible. Buying a cheap 4.8 seams like the way to go for just a base engine. Although, I have recently seen some pretty cheap 5.7s for sale. I guess it will all depend on what I find at the time I am ready. Atleast I have a few more engine options then I realized before.

[pnhigg]

I am not trying to hijack your thread, but regarding a question from 2-3 weeks ago.
I got the engine and T56 in my '92 over the Easter weekend.
The Keisler forward shifter location allowed me to use my original shifter cutout in the floor. I had to trim about an inch, but otherwise it looks factory stock except of course for the 6 speed knob and chrome hurst shifter stick.
I will get some pictures this weekend, and if you are still interested, I can post some part #'s for the stick and knob that I used as well as some misc other stuff.
Sounds like red has given you the best advice on the engine stuff.
Patrick

[Jewmont3]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(pnhigg &#064; Apr 25 2006, 09&#58;28 AM) [snapback]51113[/snapback]</div>

I am not trying to hijack your thread, but regarding a question from 2-3 weeks ago.
I got the engine and T56 in my &#39;92 over the Easter weekend.
The Keisler forward shifter location allowed me to use my original shifter cutout in the floor. I had to trim about an inch, but otherwise it looks factory stock except of course for the 6 speed knob and chrome hurst shifter stick.
I will get some pictures this weekend, and if you are still interested, I can post some part #&#39;s for the stick and knob that I used as well as some misc other stuff.
Sounds like red has given you the best advice on the engine stuff.
Patrick
[/b]

Awesome man, good work. yes I would deff like pics and part numbers when you get a chance. Mine unfortunately is an auto and im going to have to do some cutting anyways but it would be good to know where I have to cut. I forgot to look when I changed the carpet out to see if there was an indention where the 5 speed would have been cut out.

thanks,
Mike

[pnhigg]

No problem. Right now my truck is about two hours away from where I&#39;m living at my dad&#39;s shop at the farm, but I am going home this Sunday to catch up on some stuff, and hopefully get some more work done to the truck and I&#39;ll be glad to measure and get some pics to post early next week.
Of note. I used adapter plates I bought off ebay, used stock 350 motor mounts and had to move the tranny crossmember about an inch and a half, and otherwise it went in without a hitch.
I get cha some pics and #s early next week.
Patrick