Project "El Cid"
 

Well, I started!!. Sold the 454 that was in the 72 tuck an bougt a 5.3 Vortec engine from a 2007 Chevy Silverado. Only paid $1,400 for the whole engine, harness, DBW pedal, and cruise control, MAF sensor. ALL the accesories to include, starter, power steering pump, alternator, and A/C Compressor. The engine only has 16,000 miles on it!!! Sweet!!

All I need now is the Motor Mounts, Cross member(I'll make this one), Exahust(modifying the current exhaust) Air filter, Electric fans, and ECU/PCM retuned. If anyone has sugestions or Time saving tips please forward them to me. I have been all over these Forums and have lots of information. but Kowledge s power and applying it is victory!!

Here are some pictures of what I have started!! Enjoy.

This will be dedicated to all Navy Chief Petty Officers, Past, Present and Future!!

Re: !!!!5.3 Vortec Swap Started!!!!
 

more

Re: !!!!5.3 Vortec Swap Started!!!!
 

Sweet !!!!

Re: !!!!5.3 Vortec Swap Started!!!!
 

Sweet man

Re: !!!!5.3 Vortec Swap Started!!!!
 

Nice......what you doing for a tranny?

Re: !!!!5.3 Vortec Swap Started!!!!
 

I don't plan on drag racing the truck but I want to do some bolt on performances later(supercharger/turbo's). So, with that in mind I want a tranny that will hold up to Horsepower. Maybe a 4L80-E?? Not sure, any suggestions? Gas milage is the reason for this conversion to begin with. Also the 5.3 Engine is a Flexfuel vehicle.

I will be needing some economical suggestions for headers, fuel tank/pump, tranny cooler, motor mounts, cam, and electric fans. So, If anyone has made this swap and has some suggestions please let me know.

Thanks,
Sick454

Re: !!!!5.3 Vortec Swap Started!!!!
 

98-02 F Body headers seem to fit these frames well. I picked up a cheap no-name set on ebay for $180 new, and they are stainless

Re: !!!!5.3 Vortec Swap Started!!!!
 

If you are leaving the A/C or aftermarket A/C in it's current position, cut the frame pretty much right where it is turned up in front of the passenger mount. Also, you can use the stock manifolds with just a little trimming on the frame as well. I don't have measurements, just take them off, bolt the motor up, and then mark where to cut. I did not try to go cheap on the motor mounts, I want them to last, so I purchased the ECE mounts and they work and look great.

You can kind of see where I cut and how it sits here, I need to do more trimming now that it is sitting in there.

http://photos-d.ll.facebook.com/phot...50627_8488.jpg


Orlando

Re: !!!!5.3 Vortec Swap Started!!!!
 

Thanks, Orlando. I plan to swap the exhaust manifolds for a set of headers and since the engine is out I want to replace the cam. Has anyone used the ECE mounts with headers(and what kind of headers)??
Shane

Re: !!!!5.3 Vortec Swap Started!!!!
 

Well, The weather this weekend was beautifull. So, I went for a bike ride! Instead of working on the build. I will be posting what I have gotten don't later next weekend. Sorry for not upadating you folks.

Re: !!!!5.3 Vortec Swap Started!!!!
 

I pulled a 5.3 from an 02 tahoe and later realized that headers would stick way to far out. I wasnt comfortable with trimming the frame that much. Id say i had to cut a good 3/4 of an inch in a half moon pattern with the stock manifolds. I dont know if we could raise the motor or what but im def looking for a way to stick thoughs things in there. what computer are you gonna use? i ended up using a great one from redline. I also went with a solid 700R4. I was told by many that wouldnt work but it works perfect and way more fun than the 5 speed i had.

Re: !!!!5.3 Vortec Swap Started!!!!
 

I have decided to go with the stock manifolds for now. I plan to box my frame from front to back. If the manifolds get in the way I will just notch it out. I went with the tubular motor mounts from CPP. I fabricated a plat and welded the mounts to the plate then bolted to the motor. Then I pulled everything out to smooth my firwall(still in progress) and then I will route all the wires and mountthe Computer. I got the whole wiring harness including the under dash and gauges wires. I'm going to use the stock CPU with a reprogram. I found a stock 4L60E from o early 2007 silverado with only 1600 miles on it. I have been very busy at work and with other projects to get pictures taken and updates to my uild but I will be coming soon. Thanks for the information and good luck.
Shane

Re: !!!!5.3 Vortec Swap Started!!!!
 

Hi Shane,

Where are you findinng all these goodies at that are cheap?

--$1500 for the low mileage 5.3L engine
--$500 4L60E transmission with low miles

Are you getting these from a local junkyard or what?

Thanks,

Adam

Re: !!!!5.3 Vortec Swap Started!!!!
 

Yes, I live in the Wichita, KS area and just kept checking with the local scrap yard owners until i found the ones I wanted. the 4L60E transmission came from a company in Topeka and if you have a local shop to ship it to, they will ship it for free. Here is there website.

http://www.lkqcorp.com/home/home.asp

Good luck, hope they can help you out too.

Shane

Re: !!!!5.3 Vortec Swap Started!!!!
 

more updates. with just a little progress. weather is finally good here in Kansas. Balancing good days with a chance to work on truck, or ride my bike? Which would you do?

Re: !!!!5.3 Vortec Swap Started!!!!
 

More updates I still have to notch out the frame for the stock exhaust manifolds to work you can see they are still rubbing the frame. other than that everything went in pretty easy.

Re: !!!!5.3 Vortec Swap Started!!!!
 

lookin nnice, i know all about the bike or work thing, but i normally work all day from 7 - 10 then go riding for 2 houtr at nite, my favorite time to ride, i do not sleep much, but i get the best of both worls to an extent

Re: !!!!5.3 Vortec Swap Started!!!!
 

Any new updates?

Re: !!!!5.3 Vortec Swap Started!!!!
 

Yes.... Actually the Homeowners Association for which i live in (I'm renting by the way). Has pitched a fit that my truck is an inoperable vehicle. Even thought there rules state the vehicle has to be tagged and insured, which it is. Co(K suckers!!!! anyway had to move it into the garage. So, Now i make sure I get up really early on Saturday nd Sunday mornings to get out and grind and hammer and weld and make as much noise as i can, so that everyone on my block knows that it won't be inoperative for long!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As for what has been done.

1.) motor mounts are solid and complete.
2.) Trans mount is solid and complete.
3.) frame has been notched out and painted in the area that were cut to make room for the stock exhaust manifolds and A/C compressor.
4.) researching parts for trans cooler, p/s hoses, fuel pump and possibly new tank, Electric Fans. Any help with part numbers and manufaturs in these areas would be appreciated.

I would like to keep the blazer tank that i have relocated to the rear frame if possible. just need to figure out the fuel delivery / return / pick-up. HELP !!

I'm not looking for pretty here, just effective and reliable.

Thanks,
Sick454

Re: !!!!5.3 Vortec Swap Started!!!!
 

Does your fuel rails have the fuel pressure regulator on there or not? this determines some of the options.

Re: !!!!5.3 Vortec Swap Started!!!!
 

A 4L80E is going to kill your gas mileage even with the overdrive. Get a built 4L60E if you want to still get in the 18-20mpg range.

Re: !!!!5.3 Vortec Swap Started!!!!
 

You can get a good trans cooler from the local parts store. If I remeber right I took a hose from a new model truck and cut the compression sleeve off and had the parts store put the fitting on a hose for the old steering box. Get a radiator and a set of fans from a 98-01 fbody if you want to go cheap. Get a walbro 255 inline pump and a 97 up corvette filter/regulator and you can use your blazer tank. The corvette filter/regulator is easy to make work.

Re: !!!!5.3 Vortec Swap Started!!!!
 

I do NOT have any fuel pressure regulators on the engine.

Re: !!!!5.3 Vortec Swap Started!!!!
 

I did go with the 4L60E transmission, after doing some research i did find the 4L80E does suck on gas mileage, thanks for the info.

Re: !!!!5.3 Vortec Swap Started!!!!
 

Then you will need the vette filter/reg set up.

Re: !!!!5.3 Vortec Swap Started!!!!
 

Yep, and here is one from a 99 Vette sick454. They run $34 from rockauto.com

http://info.rockauto.com/getimage/ge...%26BRAND%3DWIX

Re: !!!!5.3 Vortec Swap Started!!!!
 

I really like what your doing here I have always wondered how hard it would be to do. One thought I had years ago when I got my 1999 brand new, I wounder how hard it would be to chop it right at the cab and graft the whole frame and all to a 69 frame? I think you are going about it right.

Re: !!!!5.3 Vortec Swap Started!!!!
 

why are there two pipes on the inlet?

Re: !!!!5.3 Vortec Swap Started!!!!
 

one is the supply line, the other is the return line back to the tank

Re: !!!!5.3 Vortec Swap Started!!!!
 

How does that filter work. ive got one out on my tank. would i just run one line to the filter and two lines out to the motor?thanks jason

Re: !!!!5.3 Vortec Swap Started!!!!
 

So got the filter/reg set up from a 99 vette. Now how do i connect everythig to my fuel system. I have TWO fuel lines running from the tank, up to the engine compartment. One i had connected to the fuel pump running the old 454. The other i never used. not sure what the second line was for. I have had the tank down and it connects to the pick up assembly??? This seems to be the one think I am dreading doing. Not sure why, I'm not sure were to put the pump, cut and splice into my existing lines, remove and replace with different fuel lines. HELP me please.

Re: !!!!5.3 Vortec Swap Started!!!!
 

The one line that is coming from the tank that is actually going INTO the tank is where you put your pump and then the vette unit. and from the vette unit you will run the return line to your tank and the other one up to the fuel rail.
you want the pump probably as close to the tank as possible, I have mine mounted on the frame rail.
You will want to go to Napa or the like and get some dorman brand hard line that snaps into that vette unit and then I used rubber EFI hose and clamped it on those hard lines using the EFI clamps too.

That other line you say is going to your tank is a vent tube probably. if that is the only vent tube to the tank I would leave it alone but if you have more than one you 'MIGHT' can use it as the return line. I just ran a new line and my tank behind the seat is an emissions tank so it has a nipple on the filler neck I put the return line to.

Re: !!!!5.3 Vortec Swap Started!!!!
 

do you have to replaced the gas tank sending unit for an (inside tank) electric fuel pump?

or you just have to get the vette fuel pressure regulator and an electric fuel pump to run them on your existing fuel lines that run through the frame?

Im starting this weeken the swap, will post pics soon !

Re: !!!!5.3 Vortec Swap Started!!!!
 

I am using the stock tank and sending unit and the stock gauges.
I am using the hard line from the tank and then put the rubber EFI hose on it to the pump and then line to the vette FFPR and then more rubber line to the fuel rail.
I was going to use the lines in the rail but didnt like where it ended and how i would have to route it.

Re: !!!!5.3 Vortec Swap Started!!!!
 

Any updates ? I'm at about this point myself. I've got my engine(2005 5.3 and 4l60e) sitting in frame. Waiting on reply for headers. Still haven't done the fuel tank yet. Got to get headers, make sure they fit and then cut the drive shaft to fit. Would like to see how yours came out on the gas tank setup. LS1Tech.com has a lot of info on the gas setup as far as the corvette filter reg and fittings in their FAQ section. Good luck with yours. Jim

Re: !!!!5.3 Vortec Swap Started!!!!
 

ive gotten several low miles 5.3s and 6.0s from LKQ for a steal!

Re: !!!!5.3 Vortec Swap Started!!!!
 

Well I have not gotten very far because of the weather. been really cold here lately. I will be taking alot of pictures and post them when i do the tank and fuel pump set up. Thanks for the luck.

Re: !!!!5.3 Vortec Swap Started!!!!
 

I'm at a stand still on mine now. Ordered the headers but won't be in till next week at earliest.

Re: !!!!5.3 Vortec Swap Started!!!!
 

Looking good!
Any one have a picture of fuel pressure regulator on there 5.3 I'm not sure if I have one or not?
What did you decide on a trans cooler?

Re: !!!!5.3 Vortec Swap Started!!!!
 

if your fuel rail has 2 connections then the bigger one is the feed and the smaller is the return, that round thing on the rail is the FPR, if you only have 1 then you do not have a FPR on the rail.