Hey everyone. I just picked up a 1978 camaro of Craigslist for 500 bucks. I bought the car since it needed a head gasket job, but as I started the car I notice it had a knock. So that's when I decide to either swap the engine or do acarb*5.3 swap. I've decided to to a*carb*5. 3 swap.*

To start of I've never done anything like this before. I've read a lot online on what I need as parts to do this swap but I was wondering if anyone has any tips or specific parts I need for this swap? I want this to be a simple and yet affordable swap.*
Is this swap possible to do with a budget under 2500? Any tips or I deas will help me alot. I will be starting a youtube channel to show you guys the process of the engine swap and keep you updated

 

It all depends on what you want and can do. It would be cheaper and easier to swap in the fuel injection if you can find someone in you area that can tune out all the stuff you do not need. I am pretty sure you can buy the motor mounts on ebay. You are going to need some custom work on the exhaust.

If you go with the car you are going to need a carb, intake, pump and controller for the spark. If you stick with the stock system and you buy and engine with harness and PCM you just need the fuel pump and some that knows how to tune it.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NOVA-Impala-...af2367&vxp=mtr



Check out sloppymehanics on you tube and their website.

 

If you already had the engine and trans, then I would think you could do the swap yourself for $2500. If that figure includes buying a good 5.3 and trans, then I'm not so sure you can finish under $2500. Trying to do the swap without an engine/trans combo will create a lot of issues. And I'd personally want to use the computer and fuel injection also, as it's cheaper, and simpler than swapping to a carb and distributor.

 

Is a distributor even an option? The Carb conversions I have seen use this.

MSD Ignition 6012, MSD Ignition Controller for GM EFI/Carbureted LS Engines | MSD Ignition

And this for the trans.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/msd-2760/overview/

By the time you buy all that stuff I don't think it would be worth it for just a stock 5.3. Maybe a 6.0 LQ9 but you are going to have $3500 in a decent 6.0 and trans.

 

Yes, a distributor is definitely an option! They make a water pump kit that mounts a distributor to the front of the new housing, and uses a factory distributor from another type of car. It includes a drive gear that hooks to the front of the cam also to drive it. Last time I looked the kit was under $400, but I see they're up to $425 now at Summit. Sold by GM Performance.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/na...FROTfgodLYwA8A

It uses a SBF distributor, and mechanical fuel pump, so it allows you to go to a carbed intake, and not need an electric fuel pump either. I'd probably go to a T56 trans myself, and save the $600 for making a late model automatic work.

 

You would need a T56 out of LS1 Camaro?

At this point I am asking more for me then the Original poster . I have a spare Lt1 T56 setup I am not sure what to do with.


It sure seems like it is a lot cheaper to keep everything stock and maybe add a cam and pay the money to get it tuned.

 

The LT1 T56 can be used, but you'll need to remove the factory bell and replace it with the bell that fits an LS engine. You can get numerous aftermarket, but they are steel and run $500. You can find the aluminum bells from '98-'02 cars, and they run around $250-$300 used usually. As usual, Ebay seems to be a good place to look.