Swap LT1 for an 05 5.3 LS. Does it pay?

[badass88gt]

A friend has a stock 97 Firebird LT1 and found a 5.3 LS out of an 05 truck for $700. Is there any benefit to swapping? I'm thinking he could stick that $700 into his LT and get further, heads, cam, etc. Anyone have an opinion?

[GTSLOW]

I would do it. He would need a new trans plus all the wiring. No more opti should be worth it alone :goof

[SlowStee]

Stick with the LT1. The 5.3 would be pointless. Completely.

[MurphysLaw88GT]

Stick with the LT1. The 5.3 would be pointless. Completely.

why, just curious?(i really am, not trying to be a ****) it seems like a lotta dickin, but so does an opti every so often

[Poncho]

Not in this application where there is already a good, capable motor. Now tossing it in place of a tired 327 or a 265, 283, 307, 305, etc would be a decent idea.

[badass88gt]

Why does he need a new trans? Its not a simple swap I take it?

[SlowStee]

Why does he need a new trans? Its not a simple swap I take it?

No swap is for an LT1. And like I said, its pointless. The LT1 is a better base to work off of. So why would you even want to?

[badass88gt]

Thought the LS engines were much better?

[SlowStee]

Thought the LS engines were much better?

Not "better" enough to spend the time and money to put one in an LT1 car. More cost efficient to just buy an LS1 car.

Theres a bazillion and one threads out there about how much work it is, and whether its worth it or not.

[GTSLOW]

^ Def cheaper to buy an ls1 car!

[badass88gt]

Thanks guys!

[T-Bag]

It would be something different...but if he's looking to pinch pennies I don't think it would be a good idea

[SlowStee]

It would be something different...but if he's looking to pinch pennies I don't think it would be a good idea

shut up dummy

[T-Bag]

shut up dummy

I'll backhand you through a wall :banana1:

[Prince Valiant]

Engines are engines. Great heads, intakes, headers, cams out there for the LT1's...they aren't the cheapest, but neither are the same stuff for the LS based 5.3.

It would be a lateral swap. If he wants to know how much it sucks, have him pull his engine and put it back in. Viola! Same results effectively...actually with less Hassle (ECU control, trans, oil pans, etc...

There are some great LT heads out there...get some 210-215cc LT heads, LT4 intake, Get a sam in the 224-230 @ .050 range, quality replacement for the opti (there's GOT to be something out there), 1/34 headers and you should be sitting pretty...and mod for mod, ahead of that 5.3.

[FASTZ2895]

Engines are engines. Great heads, intakes, headers, cams out there for the LT1's...they aren't the cheapest, but neither are the same stuff for the LS based 5.3.

It would be a lateral swap. If he wants to know how much it sucks, have him pull his engine and put it back in. Viola! Same results effectively...actually with less Hassle (ECU control, trans, oil pans, etc...

There are some great LT heads out there...get some 210-215cc LT heads, LT4 intake, Get a sam in the 224-230 @ .050 range, quality replacement for the opti (there's GOT to be something out there), 1/34 headers and you should be sitting pretty...and mod for mod, ahead of that 5.3.

You can replace the opti-spark with Deltreq. Go to Deltreq.com

[OldSchoolSS]

Have him get a Loyd Elliot H&C package and a mail order tune. A ls1 swap in a lt1 car is only feasible if you are looking for all out power with good driveability, weight savings, or you have too much time and money on your hands.

[HP ADDICT]

The opti isnt that big of a deal. I put 82k on mine then upgraded to a vented unit when I did my cam swap. If it fails its $300 and like a 2hr job. To swap in a 5.3 would be silly. Maybe if it were a built LS2 or somthing. You need a different K member all the accessories, pcm, wire harness etc. Just rebuild it and step it up a notch.

[badass88gt]

Thats his plan, a decent H/C/I package.

[juicedimpss]

Have him get a Loyd Elliot H&C package and a mail order tune. A ls1 swap in a lt1 car is only feasible if you are looking for all out power with good driveability, weight savings, or you have too much time and money on your hands.

IMO Lloyd elliot stuff is way over rated.
if i were spending that kind of money,id go with AI

i know of a heads/cam/bolt on caprice at full weight that ran into the 11s N/A and drove over 100 miles to the track to do it.he claimed high teens for fuel mileage.id call that a nice street package.
the shortblock was pretty exotic though,came from a junkyard..seriously

[Beagle]

IMO Lloyd elliot stuff is way over rated.
if i were spending that kind of money,id go with AI

i know of a heads/cam/bolt on caprice at full weight that ran into the 11s N/A and drove over 100 miles to the track to do it.he claimed high teens for fuel mileage.id call that a nice street package.
the shortblock was pretty exotic though,came from a junkyard..seriously


AI does good work. My buddy has a heads/cam setup from them on a built 383 with a 6 speed and that car flys. But yea Lloyd Elliot is over rated. id rather have AI cnc port the heads instead of hand porting. LE stuff has proven itself but AI is the better way to go.

[juicedimpss]

LE stuff has proven itself but AI is the better way to go.

LE stuff has also proven to have problems with guide wear. i KNOW those AI heads saw over 20k of street driving and were still in nice shape.

[FASTZ2895]

LE stuff has also proven to have problems with guide wear. i KNOW those AI heads saw over 20k of street driving and were still in nice shape.


Trickflow is also a good head to purchase for the money... I would rather have AFR:thumbsup

[wrath]

If it's an aluminum 5.3L (L33) or a flexfuel 5.3L (L59) I'd consider it. If it's a plain-jane LM7 I'd probably think twice. Mostly due to the throttle by wire nightmare.

If it's a complete motor with engine harness I'd probably buy it anyway though. I know I would, at least.

[forest]

IMO Lloyd elliot stuff is way over rated.
if i were spending that kind of money,id go with AI

i know of a heads/cam/bolt on caprice at full weight that ran into the 11s N/A and drove over 100 miles to the track to do it.he claimed high teens for fuel mileage.id call that a nice street package.
the shortblock was pretty exotic though,came from a junkyard..seriously

I heard that thing was slow and got $hit for mileage....... haha BTW I met jason yesterday.....

[juicedimpss]

I heard that thing was slow and got $hit for mileage....... haha BTW I met jason yesterday.....

its a car from appleton,not my old car.

jason told me he met you last night. he thinks you are gay.
:rolf

[forest]

its a car from appleton,not my old car.

jason told me he met you last night. he thinks you are gay.
:rolf

sweet, just send him on over to lick my a$$ later and we can all spoon after, you down?

[juicedimpss]

sweet, just send him on over to lick my a$$ later and we can all spoon after, you down?

sorry,scotty will need to take my place.

[forest]

sorry,scotty will need to take my place.

mmmmmm yummy haha

[GHOSST]

Screw it, buy a beater lightweight truck and toss it in there, lol