Not having much luck with a 5.3 swap thread search. With the possibility of needing a head gasket on my 95 Z28 ($800 labor + parts) I'm thinking I would be better off swapping in a newer motor. I've found a 06 5.3 with 19K miles for $1300 and a LS1 with 6 speed for $2500. Thoughts on what is a better route (ease of job) I've seen a few post claiming the 5.3 to be pretty much a direct bolt in. I'm debating on the LS1 cause my 95 needs a clutch to so I could be up and running in 1 fell swoop. I could also rebuild the LT1 with 6 speed and put it in my Cutlass (1st car) that I'm restoring. If anyone has time to link me to some swap threads it would be greatly appreciated.

 

A 5.3 swap?

Edit: Never mind. I guess people have actually done this.

 

There all over you tube, trying to find a project thread and see what route I wanna go.

 

I've seen these swaps done in mostly non-GM cars, namely the RX-7.

5.3L V8 RX-7 - YouTube

 

5.3L Camaro - YouTube

 

IMO if had blown the head gasket on my motor I wouldn't swap it. It would just be an opportunity for me to build my car or at least start some building. I would build my car if i blew my heads thats what my buddy did with his mazda RX7 he blew a coolant line in his apex seal so he built it now its pushing 400rwhp I saw the dyno it was pretty amazing

 

How many miles are on the car? I think I'm with supafly on this one.

 

163K, Time and budget is my concern. Like to get it back up and running within a $2300 budget. Give or take a few.

 

a 5.3 and an LS1 are essentially the same thing (minus an aluminum block)

that means, anything for an LS1 swap, you'll need for a 5.3 swap. The 4.8, 5.3, 5.7, 6.0, 6.2 and 7.0 engines are all considered part of the LSx family, so if you're considering any of these engine swaps, you'll need a wiring harness/ecu, engine, trans, coils etc etc etc

If you're planning on doing it, its a worthwhile swap, these LSx engines are absolutely amazing and even a highly modded LTx motor will still only run even with a midly modded LSx.

 

Why is there labor charges on the headgasket? You don't think that and engine/tranny swap and custom harness is simpler then a head gasket job?

Level of difficulty LT1 head gasket "4" (1-10 Scale)
Level of difficulty of swaping a different engine/tranny/computer system "8"

If my back was not bad I could for a head gasket in about 8 hours. I would want about 25 hours to change over Kmembers and install LS1 style motor & tranny

Are you thinking of doing this yourself?