Thread: So it starts...Gen III 5.3 Vortec into 51 Chevy

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Alright just got me a new powerplant and tranny to replace my current 350/350 setup in my 51 Chevy Coupe.

Got me a nice 5.3/4l60e setup w/ only 10k miles to swap in
Now starts the madness, I will try to keep the thread updated with any new info and if anybody has done a similar swap or know someone, feel free to chime in with some advice as this will be my first motor swap with something this new

The May issue of Car Craft has an article on installing a Gen-III engine in to an A body (they're using an early El Camino), along with some identifying info for the various LS-2 / LS-6 stuff. There may be some useful information there.

Alright I know for this motor I will need a high pressure pump, I found out that the 5.3 needs 55-62 PSI to run and that a S-10 Blazer with the 4.3 needs 60-66 PSI.

With that said I am assuming I should be able to use the S-10 tank for my swap, but don't know for sure since I am still kind of learning about all this fuel Injection stuff

If anybody is good with FI, feel free to chime in w/ some opinions

I just added this thread to my subscriptions. Sounds like something I have been kicking around for mine.

Alright well just ordered me some parts, got me a new monte carlo tank, sending unit, and an edelbrock high pressure in tank pump.

Motor mount adapters got here yesterday and sent off the computer and wiring harness to be reworked and reprogrammed to take off any excess emmissions or anything else I will not be needing.

going to be an interesting build up... With the price of fuel going so ridiculously high, anything for the street that can add both horsepower and economy is going to be the coming trend in Hot Rodding..... Who did you get to redo your harness?????

I am going to have Wait4me Performance do the harness and program the ECM.

Yeah and as for gas, thats whats so great about these Gen III motors, you can make 400 HP and still get 18MPG and up. Thats one of my reasons for doing this.

Theres some guys, drive their cars to the track and then drive home getting like 22MPG, thats just awesome I think.

if you don't mind my asking...what are they charging to reprogram the computer and clean up the harness?

There actually really reasonable, its going to cost $300 to have the factory harness reworked and computer reprogrammed. They seem like really nice people too and I haven't heard any complaints about them, so I'm hoping for good things.

Originally Posted by mudbog42

I am going to have Wait4me Performance do the harness and program the ECM.

Yeah and as for gas, thats whats so great about these Gen III motors, you can make 400 HP and still get 18MPG and up. Thats one of my reasons for doing this.

Theres some guys, drive their cars to the track and then drive home getting like 22MPG, thats just awesome I think.

Sounds like an excellent plan to me! Anxious to see this build in progress, be sure to keep us updated with lots of pics!!!!!

Glad to hear things are moving forward. Please take some pictures as the project progresses. Looks like you are well on your way.

Pat

Alright, well the motor is in......though they sent me the wrong sending unit for the fuel tank.......but other than that the engine and tranny is installed, I will have to make a K-member for the trans since it is longer than the Th-350, but I should be able to fab something up. Well other than that, I am waiting for my sending unit and here are some pics of the install.

All righty! Looks like it was born there! Good job! Have you got your harness and computer ready to go yet? Hopefully it won't be long now till you hear it roar

Pat

Looks very cool; I think you'll be happy with it!

No, still waiting on the computer and harness. And I'll probably hook the new fuel tank up this weekend.

Can't wait to hear it, now thats its in the car, just makes me more anxious to get it going....