V8 swap opinions
 

So I get this local classified paper and I saw an 01 5.3liter v8 out of a silverado pickup. Running and complete for $200. If I'm not mistaken, this should be the same bellhousing and motor mounts as a camaro ls1. I have a 2000 silverado with a 4.8 liter v8 and it's a cast block with aluminum heads, same as the 5.3. I always wanted to do a v8 swap and now it may be knockin on my door. I called the dude and I pretty much have dibs on it. What do you guys think? I'm thinking 5.3 in stock form with headers, 3" exhaust, and a 6 speed.

Its cast iron, so quite a bit heavier. Still pretty badass though. Now the 200, is that for EVERYTHING or just engine/transmission? I do believe you will need quite a bit more than just the two to make the swap.

I'm very intersted in Lexus v8's. You should look into those as well.

$200 for the motor complete from intake to pan. It has 178,000 miles on it. My 4.8 has 166,000 and it took a head last year. Other than that it runs like new. They are full roller engines, so that mileage doesn't scare me. I will need a trans, clutch, ecu, harness, coils, etc. I should still make out over buyin an all aluminum ls1, and should be lighter this way than a 5.0?

i ended up deciding to go v8 swap. mine will be a 4.8 iron block, bored out to make 5.1L. the iron block setup is about 100lbs heavier than the alum block. mounts and everything are identical. all LS engines (save for some early iron head 6.0's) have the crank end machined for a pilot bearing.

That's so awesome that everything fits that is LS related. My friend has a '99 SS camaro that he bought a new trans for. His stock T56 that needs mild rebuild is available to me for like $300. If I decide to do this, what rear should I use?

Plus you can always go to an AL block down the road. I have been keeping an eye on the 5.3s for awhile (among about 40 other things LOL) and they are starting to get a bit more expensive on places like ebay. 200 is a smoking deal. Do it. The heads on the 5.3s are some of the best OEMs out of the box. A lot of the LS1 guy swap them on with a mild cam and a LS6 intake for a nice budget build that will make high 300s WHP easaly.

What I want to see is someone do an LSX swap with a TKO trans rather than the T56. The T56 is so hyped up now that people are charging a premium. You can get a NEW TKO for similar cash and they will handle anything we will throw at them. I doubt I would want or need a 6th gear in a V8 Miata anyway. 5th wont be used for racing and you could make it one hell of an overdrive for a 2500LB car with 300+ WHP and still have plenty of pull with low cruising RPMs.

With a T56 for 300 though, thats pretty hard to beat:)

Some other memebers can chime in, but I would bet a 3.55 or even 3.23 gear would be great with a T56. long legs, and you wont simply smoke tires all the way to 3rd.

If you planning to register the car on the street, check your state's laws regarding engine swaps. In Ohio, for instance, you're not allowed to swap between vehicle classes, and the specific example that they give is swapping an engine from a pickup truck into a car, regardless of whether that engine family was originally offered in multiple vehicle types.

Same in many other states, Joe, though I'm sure you know that.

3rd - Have you regged up at v8miata.net yet?

sell me that T56 for $400 even.

finding a decent TKO 5spd setup is a bitch too.

i really need to get a ride in a v8 miata, so i say go for it, then meet me somewhere and scare me

They make the 5.3 in aluminum block for the Impala SS I believe. If you ever get the idea to lighten things. 5.3's are awesome engines, do it.

I am buyin this engine and that 6 speed either way, the swap is just an idea I am kicking around. I am leaning hard towards it though. I could run 87 octane, use the stock ecu from a silverado, I guess I could use my miatas oil pressure sensor? Would all my gauges work? Is there any cutting I will have to do on the cars body or chassis?

I don't think an iron block engine is a good idea in a Miata. Aluminum is 10x more expensive, but significantly less weight in front of the wheels.

my roommate bought an LQ4 (iron block ls1) for his 240z project. I give him crap all the time. he did it because it is cheap and stronger because he is convinced that he will be turboing it . . . you really need a 1000 hp datsun ??

I would never put an iron block v8 in my car.

5.3's came alum block in quite a few trucks. the one to grab is the L33. its got '799' heads and more compression. those came in ext cab 4wd 1500 trucks.

Last time I checked, the ford 5.0 that everybody swaps in there is an iron block...

Do it...I figure the more people that start V8 swaps, the better chance I'll have of picking up a half-completed project car for cheap in the future.

Ex-fucking-xactly.

And an AL block can always be swaped in with a 5.3 build. Shit take a look at the forged shortblock prices out there. They are very cheap relative to the performance you get.

I'm goin to look at / hopefully buy this engine at 8am tomorrow. Who on here thinks I can do the ls swap for under 5 grand? So far it's $200 for an engine, $50 for a 02 silverado ecu, and as soon as my comatose friend wakes up and checks his messages, $300 for a trans.

Its all in the misc. But I think its possible if you do the fab yourself.