1970 GMC 5.3/4l60e swap - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

classic70 · 02-20-2013, 05:51 PM

After building up a pretty nice 350 and tearing up a few transmissions, I wanted to continue building my truck to make it a nice driver. I wanted fuel economy, overdrive, fuel injection, and good power. So I did some research and came to the conclusion a 5.3 vortec would be my best bet. I purchased a 2000 5.3 and 4l60e with all the accessories, harness, computer, and fuse block for $900.

classic70 · 02-20-2013, 05:57 PM

Sold my small block I have room for the new motor. The truck originally had a 250 straight six and I had the 350 in the six location. I am truing to do this on a tight budget so I wanted to keep the drive shaft the same length. So after some calculating, I made my own adapter plates to fit in the six towers and use the same drive shaft. After some cleaning and plates made I got the motor and trans in. Everything fit fine, and I didnt have to buy adapter plates or modify the drive shaft!

classic70 · 02-20-2013, 06:13 PM

The pcm is shipped off to Wait4meperformance to get tuned, my racing innovation stainless headers are bought but on back order, and I have a high pressure inline fuel pump on the way. Hopefully I can get it plumbed in this weekend when I am home (going to college and can come home a few times a month to work on it).

classic70 · 02-20-2013, 06:15 PM

I am modifying my harness myself, and I am going to move the battery to the drivers side because that is where the harness wants it and I can use the existing intake tube, plan on just adding a cone filter.

classic70 · 02-20-2013, 06:26 PM

I should't have to much more to buy, other than trying to hunt down a power brake setup at a reasonable price. Attached is a spreadsheet of my cost thus far. Well I guess I can't upload spreadsheets.
engine and trans 900
Motormount bolts 5
motormounts 15
starter 35
Power steering box 50
0bd2 connector 2
intake gaskets 36
exhaust manifold bolts 3
torque converter bolt 6
headers 207
fuel pump 95
pcm tune 88
1442

classic70 · 03-17-2013, 11:46 AM

I have got a lot of work done lately, I got the transmission cross member modified and got the engine wired and plumed. Brake booster in (thanks drew67) and power steering lines in. Headers in and I fired it up.

78bronzechariot · 03-17-2013, 11:28 PM

Looking nice! Where did you get those headers? that is a GREAT price!

classic70 · 03-18-2013, 06:46 AM

I got the headers from racing innovations. They are excellent quality but did not come with collectors so I have to find some 2 1/2 that are not reduced to tie in with my exhaust.
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classic70 · 04-14-2013, 10:15 PM

Got the exhaust tied in today and drove it about 125 miles with no problems. Great power and 18 mpg! I love it so far.

ddubbs · 04-14-2013, 10:28 PM

Truck looks awesome. Like the swap.
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**67cheby** · 04-15-2013, 09:52 AM

Sweet, cant wait to do the LS swap myself !

Xeen · 04-15-2013, 02:33 PM

What did you use for a battery tray since you had to move the battery to the drivers side?

classic70 · 04-15-2013, 02:37 PM

I just modified my old one to the drivers side.

classic70 · 04-22-2013, 10:41 AM

Need to clean up some wiring but it runs and drives great.

smoky02 · 04-22-2013, 05:19 PM

What air intake is that? Or did you just fab something up?

classic70 · 04-23-2013, 09:09 AM

It is a cheap cold air intake for a silverado that is on ebay for like 60 bucks, but I picked it up on craigslist second hand.

LowLifeS10 · 05-13-2013, 06:29 AM

Looking great, beautiful truck! Looking for some options to swap myself
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khan1369 · 05-13-2013, 10:31 AM

Great job.

I am planning on doing this swap myself. Going to be a while though, the budget is pretty much non-existent.

Can you give more detail in the fuel system?

classic70 · 05-14-2013, 09:25 AM

I am using the stock tank with a inline fuel pump, used steel line and for connections used gates fuel injection hose with fuel injection clamps. I am using a return fuel system, which I just put a return port in my stock tank. Works great and is the cheapest way to go.

khan1369 · 05-17-2013, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by classic70

I am using the stock tank with a inline fuel pump, used steel line and for connections used gates fuel injection hose with fuel injection clamps. I am using a return fuel system, which I just put a return port in my stock tank. Works great and is the cheapest way to go.

What inline pump did you use? I am inspired and am hoping to get my hands on a 5.3L soon.

**AMERICAN PICK-UP** · 05-17-2013, 09:44 AM

looks great!!!

classic70 · 05-19-2013, 01:27 PM

I used a walbro inline 255 pump,

502ms · 05-19-2013, 08:17 PM

Very nice...loving this!
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classic70 · 05-20-2013, 06:12 PM

Stock intake cleaned up the look some.
Posted via Mobile Device

classic70 · 08-14-2013, 10:15 AM

Just a update on the truck, filled the tank up and drove it easy and got 21 mpg! Love the swap.

02-20-2013, 05:51 PM	#1
classic70 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Columbus IN Posts: 91	1970 GMC 5.3/4l60e swap After building up a pretty nice 350 and tearing up a few transmissions, I wanted to continue building my truck to make it a nice driver. I wanted fuel economy, overdrive, fuel injection, and good power. So I did some research and came to the conclusion a 5.3 vortec would be my best bet. I purchased a 2000 5.3 and 4l60e with all the accessories, harness, computer, and fuse block for $900. Attached Images

02-20-2013, 05:57 PM	#2
classic70 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Columbus IN Posts: 91	Re: 1970 GMC 5.3/4l60e swap Sold my small block I have room for the new motor. The truck originally had a 250 straight six and I had the 350 in the six location. I am truing to do this on a tight budget so I wanted to keep the drive shaft the same length. So after some calculating, I made my own adapter plates to fit in the six towers and use the same drive shaft. After some cleaning and plates made I got the motor and trans in. Everything fit fine, and I didnt have to buy adapter plates or modify the drive shaft! Attached Images

02-20-2013, 06:13 PM	#3
classic70 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Columbus IN Posts: 91	Re: 1970 GMC 5.3/4l60e swap The pcm is shipped off to Wait4meperformance to get tuned, my racing innovation stainless headers are bought but on back order, and I have a high pressure inline fuel pump on the way. Hopefully I can get it plumbed in this weekend when I am home (going to college and can come home a few times a month to work on it). Attached Images

02-20-2013, 06:15 PM	#4
classic70 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Columbus IN Posts: 91	Re: 1970 GMC 5.3/4l60e swap I am modifying my harness myself, and I am going to move the battery to the drivers side because that is where the harness wants it and I can use the existing intake tube, plan on just adding a cone filter.

02-20-2013, 06:26 PM	#5
classic70 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Columbus IN Posts: 91	Re: 1970 GMC 5.3/4l60e swap I should't have to much more to buy, other than trying to hunt down a power brake setup at a reasonable price. Attached is a spreadsheet of my cost thus far. Well I guess I can't upload spreadsheets. engine and trans 900 Motormount bolts 5 motormounts 15 starter 35 Power steering box 50 0bd2 connector 2 intake gaskets 36 exhaust manifold bolts 3 torque converter bolt 6 headers 207 fuel pump 95 pcm tune 88 1442

03-17-2013, 11:46 AM	#6
classic70 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Columbus IN Posts: 91	Re: 1970 GMC 5.3/4l60e swap I have got a lot of work done lately, I got the transmission cross member modified and got the engine wired and plumed. Brake booster in (thanks drew67) and power steering lines in. Headers in and I fired it up. Attached Images

03-17-2013, 11:28 PM	#7
78bronzechariot Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Red Bud, IL (Home) Newton, IL (Shop) Posts: 301	Re: 1970 GMC 5.3/4l60e swap Looking nice! Where did you get those headers? that is a GREAT price!

03-18-2013, 06:46 AM	#8
classic70 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Columbus IN Posts: 91	Re: 1970 GMC 5.3/4l60e swap I got the headers from racing innovations. They are excellent quality but did not come with collectors so I have to find some 2 1/2 that are not reduced to tie in with my exhaust. Posted via Mobile Device

04-14-2013, 10:15 PM	#9
classic70 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Columbus IN Posts: 91	Re: 1970 GMC 5.3/4l60e swap Got the exhaust tied in today and drove it about 125 miles with no problems. Great power and 18 mpg! I love it so far.

04-14-2013, 10:28 PM	#10
ddubbs Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Alaska Posts: 461	Re: 1970 GMC 5.3/4l60e swap Truck looks awesome. Like the swap. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ LIFTED OR LOW THE ONLY WAY TO GO!!!! Check out my build thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=517346 Projects 56 Chevy pickup Porterbuilt FR/RR dropmembers

04-15-2013, 09:52 AM	#11
67cheby 67cheby Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: siloam springs ar 72761 Posts: 17,890	Re: 1970 GMC 5.3/4l60e swap Sweet, cant wait to do the LS swap myself ! __________________ Check out Slosh Tubz, bolt-in inner fenders for frame laying C-10's Slosh Tubz Introductory Price $559 67 Cheby's Dropmember Build Thread Slosh Tubz on Facebook http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=554172

04-15-2013, 02:33 PM	#12
Xeen Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Topeka Kansas Posts: 2,655	Re: 1970 GMC 5.3/4l60e swap What did you use for a battery tray since you had to move the battery to the drivers side? __________________ Please call me Brian. Check out My 1972 SWB Fleetside 5.3L Vortec Restomod Build

04-15-2013, 02:37 PM	#13
classic70 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Columbus IN Posts: 91	Re: 1970 GMC 5.3/4l60e swap I just modified my old one to the drivers side.

04-22-2013, 10:41 AM	#14
classic70 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Columbus IN Posts: 91	Re: 1970 GMC 5.3/4l60e swap Need to clean up some wiring but it runs and drives great. Attached Images

04-22-2013, 05:19 PM	#15
smoky02 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Sunny, Florida, some might call it South Alabama Posts: 834	Re: 1970 GMC 5.3/4l60e swap What air intake is that? Or did you just fab something up? __________________ Just sold my C10...sad day... Looking for a 1972 Blazer to hopefully fill the hole in my heart.



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04-23-2013, 09:09 AM	#16
classic70 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Columbus IN Posts: 91	Re: 1970 GMC 5.3/4l60e swap It is a cheap cold air intake for a silverado that is on ebay for like 60 bucks, but I picked it up on craigslist second hand.

05-13-2013, 06:29 AM	#17
LowLifeS10 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Sweden Posts: 165	Re: 1970 GMC 5.3/4l60e swap Looking great, beautiful truck! Looking for some options to swap myself Posted via Mobile Device __________________ GMC C15 -68 project: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=526059 Front/back Porterbuilt dropmember, Accuair, LS1/4L60e Chevrolet C20 -72 C20 to K10/20 conversion, LS power.

05-13-2013, 10:31 AM	#18
khan1369 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Oak Harbor, WA Posts: 63	Re: 1970 GMC 5.3/4l60e swap Great job. I am planning on doing this swap myself. Going to be a while though, the budget is pretty much non-existent. Can you give more detail in the fuel system? __________________ "Live, Love, Build cool s***" Jesse Chapman, 2013 My Truck.. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=567219

05-14-2013, 09:25 AM	#19
classic70 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Columbus IN Posts: 91	Re: 1970 GMC 5.3/4l60e swap I am using the stock tank with a inline fuel pump, used steel line and for connections used gates fuel injection hose with fuel injection clamps. I am using a return fuel system, which I just put a return port in my stock tank. Works great and is the cheapest way to go.

05-17-2013, 09:44 AM	#21
AMERICAN PICK-UP Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: paragould,arkansas Posts: 856	Re: 1970 GMC 5.3/4l60e swap looks great!!!

05-19-2013, 01:27 PM	#22
classic70 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Columbus IN Posts: 91	Re: 1970 GMC 5.3/4l60e swap I used a walbro inline 255 pump,

05-19-2013, 08:17 PM	#23
502ms Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 1,523	Re: 1970 GMC 5.3/4l60e swap Very nice...loving this! Posted via Mobile Device __________________ Best Regards, Leon M. Instagram: @TheDirtyDianah Bagged \| 6.0L LS \| T-56 (6-Speed Manual) \| Turbo Burnout/Rolling Video: Chevy C10 Stepside 6.0L LSx & 6-Speed Manual

05-20-2013, 06:12 PM	#24
classic70 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Columbus IN Posts: 91	Re: 1970 GMC 5.3/4l60e swap Stock intake cleaned up the look some. Posted via Mobile Device Attached Images

08-14-2013, 10:15 AM	#25
classic70 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Columbus IN Posts: 91	Re: 1970 GMC 5.3/4l60e swap Just a update on the truck, filled the tank up and drove it easy and got 21 mpg! Love the swap.

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