5.3/6.0 swap happening!

[quickie70]

alrighty then. After a ton of reading, looking, checking, reading some more, and finally selling my old 355 SBC in the malibu (getting money today for it \/ ), I'm going to tackle a 5.3 or a 6.0 swap. I've sourced both of them. I'm haggling with 2 different yards to get the best deal right now, so we'll see what happens. Either way, it'll be a 4L60 with an icemember, and shorty headers. Planning EFI with jessie from wait4meperformance.com doing the wiring/computer, and transdapt S10 mounts with the slots to fit the engine right where I want it. I'm also planning an 8.8 ford or an 8.5" 10 bolt swap while it's apart, so I only have to cut the driveshaft once.
I followed 388bu's swap pretty closely, and am planning a CTS pan as well.

I do have a few questions. Has anyone made the A/C work with this swap yet? I'm hoping to have it. It's not totally necessary, but I would prefer it.
Also, for the truck accessories, is anyone having issues with the P/S pulley hitting the steering box? I want to plan for it just in case, and want to know what to use if it does hit.

Anything I'm forgetting?

Both of the engines I'm looking at have around 85K miles on them, but have high (145+) compression numbers so I'm not anticipating tearing into the engine at all. If I can get a good enough deal, I'll buy both the 5.3 and the 6.0, and do the swap with the 5.3, and build the 6.0 dancin_banana.gif

 

[blubaldmontess]

I used the BRP hotrod headers and the motor mounts. IMO the mounts sat a truck engine/intake a little too high so I went and bought the transdapt mounts from summit. As for accesorries, I decided to steal the front end kit off of a camaro/trans am or corvette. So far, I've had a million issues, but each one gets worked out. Wiring harness I had jesse do as well, didn't take him but 3 or 4 days, and it was back at my door. Headers, I have the BRP ones they work great, the only thing you may want to look into is swapping your steering linkage/arm, but besides that, no problems. Its a painful process finding all the right parts, aka gas tank and the right sending unit (they stopped making the sending unit you need) but if you need part numbers ect, please let me know, I've got most things written down around the house from it. BTW I swapped the 6.0 lq9 into the monte.

 

[quickie70]

I used the BRP hotrod headers and the motor mounts. IMO the mounts sat a truck engine/intake a little too high so I went and bought the transdapt mounts from summit. As for accesorries, I decided to steal the front end kit off of a camaro/trans am or corvette. So far, I've had a million issues, but each one gets worked out. Wiring harness I had jesse do as well, didn't take him but 3 or 4 days, and it was back at my door. Headers, I have the BRP ones they work great, the only thing you may want to look into is swapping your steering linkage/arm, but besides that, no problems. Its a painful process finding all the right parts, aka gas tank and the right sending unit (they stopped making the sending unit you need) but if you need part numbers ect, please let me know, I've got most things written down around the house from it. BTW I swapped the 6.0 lq9 into the monte.

ooo.... I've not heard of steering issues before. I thought using the CTS pan cleared all of the steering and the crossmember...
As far as the tank I know it's not the right answer but I'm planning on just running a t-type sender and pump assembly in my stock tank. I'm just going to make sure the sock is on the bottom of the tank, and make sure not to run it lower than 1/4 tank. I'm having issues finding a bolt in tank that is baffled. If the sender isn't available, I'll just run an external pump (not what I wanted to run, but I'll do it)
Thanks for the heads up!

 

[quickie70]

engine and trans are on the way. they'll be here thursday AM. 5.3 from a yukon and 4L60 from a 2006 silverado coming on one pallet. cool.gif

I've got an email to get an icemember on the way, and to jesse at wait4meperformance for the wiring/ecu.

Anyone have any more input about the steering/oil pan issue? I've still not heard anyone with problems with that and I want to combat it before it's an issue.

going to use transdapt mounts (on order), and f-body manifolds. I'm excited as hell! woo hoo!!!! dancin_banana.gif

 

[388bu]

I doubt you will have P.S. pulley issues assuming you are willing to slide the motor back a bit. I am willing to bet you can clear the P.S. pulley and not have to notch the A/C box in the process. But if you do, check Phillips thread about what exact pulley to use.

I have never heard of steering arm issues either. I still believe that the CTS-V pan is the very best solution for almost everyone.

Sounds like you should have yourself a relatively painless swap. Keep us posted!

 

[quickie70]

what are people using for throttle cables?
Also, what's available to run my stock malibu gauges and the 06 transmission I've got. I found a new tailhousing for $500... but for that price I'll look into an electronic speedo...

 

[388bu]

Lokar makes a LS1/LT1 throttle cable that works well.

You can do the electronic speedo otherwise someone makes a converter box to run a mechanical output, but I dont remember who that is.

 

[quickie70]

I'm gathering up parts now. I found a sender for a grand national on gparts.com but the picture looks all wrong, like three push-on hoses coming out of it and not one with a flare fitting for higher pressures... anyone seen this or know of a good stock-ish setup I can use that's not 5000000 dollars? Also I keep coming across the "vette regulator/filter"... WTF is that and where do I get one for my setup? I'm planning on running my stock fuel line, and scabbing some -6 into it for where I need to get from tank to line, etc etc etc and using compression fittings. (Unless I can find some -6 cheap... my race car has all huge stuff, no -6)

help me find this small stuff!

 

[StreetBu]

Check out Phillip's sending unit from a fuel injected Monte 4.3L v6 and the lines.

http://www.maliburacing.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=71872

and here for the Corvette fuel filter/regulator setup that some are using

http://www.maliburacing.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=76956&p=588233&hilit=corvette+fuel+filter+regulator#p588233

 

[quickie70]

ok... the corvette filter/regulator is the coolest thing ever invented!!!! wow...

as far as Phillip's fuel tank set up, I understand the setup... just this one
http://www.gbodyparts.com/product_info.php?cPath=46_21_49&products_id=912&osCsid=b8b6260ba18752709561ce7c1b8237f4
doesn't seem to be correct, unless the picture is wrong. It looks to have 3 "push-on" type of hose deals, and not a flared setup like I want/need for the higher pressures. Also, for the return line, are you guys just using the vent line going back to the tank with a compression fitting to AN adapter or plumbing into the filler neck?