Vortec engine swap

1stgenxxx

1stgenxxx

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2005
Location
Hudson
The end of September will bring a new motor for my truck. I don't want to take short cuts because I know where that has gotten me in the past. I'm thinking about a vortec 4.3 or 5.3. Both are awesome motors and that is why I want to weigh my options. I will be using a Th350 and a built Toyota transfer case.
5.3
Horsepower
310 hp (224 kw) @ 5200 rpm (L33/LH6)
295 hp (220 kw) @ 5200 rpm (LM7/L59)
Torque
335 lb-ft (454Nm) @ 4000 rpm
(LH6/LM7/L59/L33)
I looked around but didn't see the actual weight. Seems like a dry ls1 is 395 and they say the 5.3 is 85 lbs heavier.....so 480lbs.
4.3
1996–2003 4.3 L Vortec 4300 CSFI 180–190 hp (134–142 kW) 245–250 ft•lbf (332–339 N•m) X
The shipping weight for a 4.3 is 480lbs but that may include a wooden crate.
I shouldn't gain much weight in the th350 swap

The weight of a 22r is around 315.....I was really worried this swap for power would make my already heavy truck even heavier.

I know that I will need a spacer for the crankshaft with the 5.3 if gotten from certain applications. I could also need to convert it from drive by wire to cable. What fuel pump/pressure does each of the motors need? Do I need high pressure fittings/hose/pump?

What is the overall weight of the motors? I know that for the old small block v8s a body lift is needed but that might not be an issue due to the lack of a high hanging air filter.


Painless makes a nice harness for 850(ouch) I could also pay someone locally to cut down the stock harness to save money.

Motor mounts...headers...blah more stuff that I'm leaving out.

Who has done the swap and how much did it end up costing you?
 
Don't worry about the weight, the weight to HP difference will more than make up for what will be added.

Jims performance computer tune and harness cut down will run $500-600 once said and done.

Things to think about:

Tranny shifter/cooler/lines/TQ converter
Flexplate
Radiator/fan
Headers/new exhaust

All the little things will add up so be prepared before you start.
 
seriously comparing a 4.3 to a 5.3? NO comparison unless size matters under the hood. you can get Jims performance to do your harness for way cheaper. parts are easy to find / cheap if you look around ebay is your friend. find the chevy swap manual online -its your friend. making it cable driven is simple, but better yet is to find one already setup. everything Ive bought from painless sucked balls, so I would not go there. yes, high pressure pumps from any parts store will work. yes, high pressure lines. check the ls1 sticky. Ive found so much contradictory info on the flywheel dish/ bolt pattern that I just gave up and tried it - low and behold nothing that I found to be the gospel was even remotely accurate. I bought an advance unit since I had the 1 700r in the world that had a funky bolt pattern. youre just going to have to research and read up alot. depends entirely on EXACTLY you want to do. cost is also a wide open subject. heck you can spend $500 on just the intake or $20, depends on how pimp you want it. go with the 4.8 or the 5.3. you should be able to do it for <$2k and do a descent job including motor cost, I did with a 6.0.
 
Yea I know man...I want to have everything laid out before I start.
I have a new electric fan:driver:
 
Right now I have about 45hp with my 22r so any of these motors will be fine in their stock form. I think that 295hp would be enough to destroy my t case if I drive the shit out of it. The parts that are prone to break are covered under warranty and I have other spare parts as well. If I blow it up multiple times then I can look at an atlas but not until then.

Does anyone have a good line on these engines? I have heard the 5.3 selling from 500-1200 bucks.

I see that plain Jane B and M shifters are going around $100 on eBay.

Where can I get the flex plate from? I use the stock one if it comes with the motor correct.

Sorry if some of my questions display my ignorance.....the best way to learn is to ask.
 
I'd go with the 5.3 If you really want to step it up, go with a LQ4 or LQ9.

All are easy to find and are reasonably priced.

the LQ4 up to 2004 in the VAN still has the drive by cable throttle body so you don't have to swap it out. I think a lot of the 6.0 parts swap on the 5.3. How many? I don't know.

Either way, I'd go with a Gen III motor. they are fairly affordable and put out tons of power for the price. all the 4.3 will do is leave you wishing you'd done the 5.3 or 6.0 swap.

I never checked price on the 5.3 but the 6.0s I found were selling between $700 to $2000 depending on who was selling it. I got mine (2004 LQ4 with 32K miles from a van) with alternator, complete harness, tax, and delivered to me for less than $1000. Kepe in mind you'll need to have the harness and computer worked on and then do something about the big ass oil pan.

Fuel lines are cheap. I picked up a high pressure hose from Parker (made for gasoline) for cheap and the fuel pump is cheap and so is the corvette filter/regulator.

I've been doing tons of reading on the GenIII swap in my buggy, so let me know if you need some help. I don't have all the answers but I'm still searching and learning more each night. :)
 
I really don't need a 6.0 in my truck...the 5.3 is plenty for my
 
Here's how I did the motor mounts on a LQ4
IMG00204.jpg

IMG00140.jpg
 
Jim's Performance is the only way to go for the wiring harness. Its 550 I believe. Talk to him and he can get you set up with what year engine you should get and what to look out for.
 
thanks for the help
 
StretchASU said:
Go with the 5.3 Jeff, but be ready to ditch that toy case for a real Tcase soon after.
Click to expand...


It should hold up for a while...until I blow the housing apart....then I'll have a new housing plated with AL. If it happens again....It will be atlas time.
 
Yeah, Jim's Performance is the only way. There are cheaper options and more expensive options, but not any better options for the $$$. He is super nice and will help you out with whatever questions you have. I bothered him at least 20 times asking questions before I ever bought my LQ4 and he was happy to talk.

There are ways to do the harness work yourself if you have the time and have the patience (most don't). I think my harness re-work and computer flash was $500 with about $15 for shipping.

Go with the 5.3 and you'll be much more satisfied than with the 4.3 for prob. about the same cost
 
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