5.3 LS Swap

[Car'n'Guitars]

Okay I have a couple of questions. First will the newer LS motors bolt up to an old style transmission such as a th350 without any problems? Can the LS have a carb conversion done to it? And last are there any oil pans made for this bodystyle truck in 4wd applications?

[SamsAutoParts73-87]

I'm Know you can use a carb on an LS, you will still need an ignition system though.

Here is one thread I fond on the topic.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=324644

-Sam

[Blackpony]

You will need a set of 1" setback plates for it to bolt up to the th350 and the trans stay in its factory place. Yes you can put a carb on msd offers a solution to the ignition. I am not sure about the oil pan as I am not familiar with how they are setup on the 4x4
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[bbbc10]

if I run the 1" back plates an since the trans stay in same spot could I use the stock ddriveshaft

[79Betty]

Don't see y not
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[Jonboy]

I bought the Dirty Dingo adjustable mounts to be able to put the engine where I want it, to be able to use the original driveshaft. If your truck has a TH350 with a 9" tailshaft, a 700 or 4L60E will go right in place just by moving the crossmamber.

[Car'n'Guitars]

No plans of going to a 700 or 4l60e. I just need to know if the housing will bolt to the block with no problem.

[Car'n'Guitars]

Also can I run the motor without a any electronics if the ignition system is changed? Sorry for all the questions I'm new to LS motors used to the traditional Chevy gen 1 motors.

[wingnut78]

Both MSD and Edelbrock make timing controllers for the LS engines so you wouldn't need the factory harness or computer. It's been a couple of years since I did my conversion on another car, but I went with the MSD 6LS controller since it was able to have timing adjusted via laptop or use the included timing pills with preset timing curves. The Edelbrock at the time only had the option of the preset pills.

With either of those controllers the factory coil packs are still used.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/msd-6010/overview/

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/edl-7118/overview/

Another way, if you're looking to run a distributor, a conversion is made that the timing cover is replaced and a distributor is installed where the coil packs are no longer used.

http://www.jegs.com/p/GM-Performance...60437/10002/-1

[Car'n'Guitars]

Originally Posted by wingnut78

Both MSD and Edelbrock make timing controllers for the LS engines so you wouldn't need the factory harness or computer. It's been a couple of years since I did my conversion on another car, but I went with the MSD 6LS controller since it was able to have timing adjusted via laptop or use the included timing pills with preset timing curves. The Edelbrock at the time only had the option of the preset pills.

With either of those controllers the factory coil packs are still used.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/msd-6010/overview/

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/edl-7118/overview/

Another way, if you're looking to run a distributor, a conversion is made that the timing cover is replaced and a distributor is installed where the coil packs are no longer used.

http://www.jegs.com/p/GM-Performance...60437/10002/-1

Thank you that is very helpful exactly what I needed. Do you have anything about changing to a carb set-up?

[Car'n'Guitars]

What intake did you use if you went with the MSD ignition?

[Blackpony]

Originally Posted by bbbc10

if I run the 1" back plates an since the trans stay in same spot could I use the stock ddriveshaft

Yes it will fit just fine. I recently did a 4l60 swap and was able to reuse the stock ds again.
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[wingnut78]

Originally Posted by Car'n'Guitars

What intake did you use if you went with the MSD ignition?

I used the Edelbrock victor jr for LS1 because I'm running a larger cam and wanted to utilize the higher rpm abilities of this manifold. They also make performer rpm intakes as well as super victor. There are quite a few options for the LS1s now.

[bbbc10]

what mounts did you use

[wingnut78]

Originally Posted by Car'n'Guitars

Okay I have a couple of questions. First will the newer LS motors bolt up to an old style transmission such as a th350 without any problems?

Yes the bell housing will bolt to the block with no problem. I do think you will need to enlarge or slot the holes on the flexplate though to allow the different pattern of the TH350 converter to bolt up. I'm not exactly sure how much they need to be slotted. I know it's something I've read somewhere on another forum about LS swaps.

[Car'n'Guitars]

Okay thank you for the help, I may wait to do the LS swap on my truck on a later date, I plan on using my 305 out of my Camaro and put the LS in my Camaro before summer ends. Then also buy a LS for the truck before the end of winter. I can pick up running 5.3 LS for $440-$550 range.