5.3 Litre LS Conversion to a carb?

[4DSEVEN]

Ok I am totally green at this stuff and am looking for opinions.

I recently purchased a 47 pick up and a buddy of mine has a motor (free) that I can have. It is a 2002 5.3L LS 1 that came out of his Avalanche. He is also giving me the transmission which is an L60E w/ a stage 2 shift kit.

He wants to put that in my truck and convert it to a carb. I know absolutely nothing about motors but had this conversation with another friend who says it will be costly to convert it and a computer is still needed.

Now the guy giving me the motor and tranny will be doing the install but at my expense. No labour, just parts.

I realize I don't need a shift kit but it's already in the tranny.

So opnions please good? Bad? Expensive conversion? He is a licensed mechanic who owns his own garage with about 5 employees.

Is this the direction I should be going?

I also have an option for a 350 motor instead.