Questions about swapping a 99 5.3 into my 88 chevy swb truck.

[Gregarov]

Hi everyone. My name is Greg. I have found a 1999 votec 5.3 for sale in my area. Here is the link to it. http://carbondale.craigslist.org/pts/4225776075.html It is seized. I have nothing but time but I am on a budget. I was originally just going build a cammed 350ci for the time being while I finished/ learned how to the suspension for my truck. I was wondering if it would ok to buy this motor and rebuild it with a carb? I know this is oddball, but It would give me time to tear it down and learn these motors in and out if I rebuild it. While running it carbed would also give me time to hunt down EFI parts and learn more about EFI swaps and redoing a harness. How hard would it be to change over to a carb and what would it take to do so? I.E parts or specialty price and price. I know these are non distributor style motors so that being the reason I am asking about what it would take. I am pretty green with LS motors and swapping except the s10 i did with my father when I was 16. So any information from some one who has done something like this feel free to chime in.Thanks ahead of time for any information you can give me. My truck currently has a stock 305 with a new intake and a carb. Its has a lot of miles on it.

[Gregarov]

I have found this by Edelbrock. http://www.jegs.com/i/Edelbrock/350/7118/10002/-1 It seems tho like a lot of people are having problems with the MSD/Edelbrock box. Hmm back to research.

[gagliano7]

Don't bother buying that motor. You can find a running one close to that price with all the other parts still on motor. You never know how bad that motor might be when you tear it down.

[Gregarov]

Yes thanks for that. I decided not to go that way. I researched on what it took to rebuild one. It was a bit pricey. I am keeping my eye out for on C list and looking for some pull aparts and junk yards near me to see if they have some 5.3s Quick question. Though I was wondering if there was a specific year and models that are desired more then others and if there are years that should be avoided?

[88stepside]

Check out car-part.com for used auto parts, it's a database that links most auto salvage businesses together. Just pick any year Chevy truck that came with the 5.3 and it will list all the engines available by price or distance. Good luck with your project.

[Gregarov]

Thanks for the tip 88stepside. I will take a look.

[Gregarov]

Ok. I am definitely going with a carbed ls set up. I like the idea of keeping old school/hot rod. That and it would be easier for my basic knowledge of motors swaps and carbs to do it with. I plan on getting a 5.3 ls of some kind. Just not sure what years that are more desirable then others and which ones to stay away from . Also found the Edelbrock ls carb kit with 6010 edelbrock/msd ingintion box. Which I have heard mixed feelings about. I just want a cam( i have always loved the sound of a wicked cam. It will be my daily driver so I can't go over bored here) and put in and a stall to match. It will be bolted to my th350 I currently have in my truck. So if there is a cheaper/better way to go about the intake and ignition feel free to chime in. Also my carb i have on it now is 4 barrel 600cfm carb with stock fuel system (brand new fuel pump). I plan on installing fuel pressure regulator before I even get the motor into the truck to help out a bit now. I am still researching fuel systems for it, so if I can stay with my stock intank fuel pump that would be nice. Any input would be awesome. Thanks and have a great day.

[gagliano7]

I am sure the stock pump will work fine with a carb. I had a 383 425 hp 850 cfm carb before the 5.3 and the stock pump worked fine with the carb.

[Gregarov]

That is what my buddy was telling me. I just make things a lot more complicated then what it should be in my head. I will see if any one else has any thing else to say about it. I thought about making another thread with the question, but it seemed easier just to keep my quesetion in one thread. Is it possible to change my thread title on this one?