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5.3LS vs 5.7 vortec swap??

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Old Feb 1, 2014 | 06:01 PM
  #11  
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nice man good choice, the 6.0L's are a beast. GL with the swap.
 
Old Feb 1, 2014 | 07:01 PM
  #12  
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I wouldn't even consider a SBC swap again. The LS engines are better in every measurable way. Perhaps a 6.2?
 
Old Feb 11, 2014 | 05:58 AM
  #13  
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I'm having the same situation here as I can buy an LS 5.3 or even the LS 6.0 for a LOT cheaper than I can the older 5.7 that's either the LT1/L98 or the Vortec.

I'm also considering this situation as I'm in SERIOUS debate and need to make a decision in the next couple of days as to which engine I'm wanting to do. I'm also looking at it as a better horsepower and gas mileage, although I DO have a set of LS1 heads and cam I bought a couple of years ago dirt cheap.
 
Old Feb 12, 2014 | 08:38 AM
  #14  
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Wow that's crazy! Up here you could by two 5.7's for the price of a 5.3 alone ... then you still need the electronics to run it. Actually you could buy the entire vehicle for less than a 5.3! Then part the rest of it out for more $$$ . Everything's expensive up here in the northeast anyway, so not really surprised.

I know where to look now for an engine when my '07 Silverado takes a crap.
 
Old Feb 13, 2014 | 05:24 AM
  #15  
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Originally Posted by Smitty Smithsonite
Wow that's crazy! Up here you could by two 5.7's for the price of a 5.3 alone ... then you still need the electronics to run it. Actually you could buy the entire vehicle for less than a 5.3! Then part the rest of it out for more $$$ . Everything's expensive up here in the northeast anyway, so not really surprised.

I know where to look now for an engine when my '07 Silverado takes a crap.
I'm in north Texas, near the DFW Metroplex and same thing here, can actually buy a WHOLE truck or SUV for cheaper than buying 5.7 Vortecs or even an LT1/L98 engine.

I just picked up an LS 5.3 with 87,000 on the clock for $450 and then spending another $200 for a wiring harness and the ECM from a different salvage yard. I've got a pre-96 radiator as well as a pre-96 bracket setup so I can keep my AC in the correct place and still clear my hood although I'm going to be doing a 2" lift on it today, so shouldn't be an issue anyway. Have been chatting with a guy on Facebook in the S10/Blazer/Jimmy SAS'd Group and he did a 6.0 LS AWD Bravada and has been helping me with exactly what I needed for "other" parts and has been a godsend to me on this swap.
 
Old Feb 13, 2014 | 07:35 AM
  #16  
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Originally Posted by KM346
nice man good choice, the 6.0L's are a beast. GL with the swap.
i got the wiring harness dumbed-down as some people would say, but im in the process of finding a engine noise i have, when i start it cold or warm it knocks. not the normal sound for these when cold but it knocks for about 3 seconds then it will build oil pressure. so im just gonna rebuild it. so that knocks me back 800$.. but i got the engine mounts in and i got the truck in. its a 2002 Chevy blazer with 170K on it. its a 2x4 truck so its gonna be a lot easier to do IMO i got the truck for 400$ with a bad fuel pump, bad spider injectors and some inside work that needs to be done.
BUT the 4.3 in the blazer runs pretty damn good for having low fuel pressure and bad spider injectors. im gonna be starting the swap in 5-7 months. im having a late start on it because of some family issues.... but its GOING to be done. the big-ole 6.0 is gonna go in the small blazer. hahaha
 
Old Feb 13, 2014 | 07:40 AM
  #17  
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Originally Posted by HotRodHearseGuy
I'm having the same situation here as I can buy an LS 5.3 or even the LS 6.0 for a LOT cheaper than I can the older 5.7 that's either the LT1/L98 or the Vortec.

I'm also considering this situation as I'm in SERIOUS debate and need to make a decision in the next couple of days as to which engine I'm wanting to do. I'm also looking at it as a better horsepower and gas mileage, although I DO have a set of LS1 heads and cam I bought a couple of years ago dirt cheap.
well i know here in mississippi the 5.0-5.7's are pretty damn rare. (just dont see the truck's at scrap yards much here) the 4.8-6.0's are like a dime a dozen. i payed 900 for a complete 6.0 drop out. (engine, manifolds, front acc. computer, wiring harness. ect) so ill say there cheap here. haha
i figured it out with the blazer i have and the set-up ill be running ill be getting about 21 city and 25-29 highway. so it should be fun.
 
Old Feb 13, 2014 | 07:47 AM
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Originally Posted by Smitty Smithsonite
Wow that's crazy! Up here you could by two 5.7's for the price of a 5.3 alone ... then you still need the electronics to run it. Actually you could buy the entire vehicle for less than a 5.3! Then part the rest of it out for more $$$ . Everything's expensive up here in the northeast anyway, so not really surprised.

I know where to look now for an engine when my '07 Silverado takes a crap.
haha, ya. the 5.3's in Michigan (where i'm from) are about 1200$ for a 200k engine. the 5.3's here in Mississippi are about 500$ for a 120k engine. so there cheap. haha. i priced out the entire swap for my blazer for a 6.0 and its only gonna be 1,500$ for engine, computer, manifolds, computer, oil pan ect. so its not all that bad. i already got a complete drop out 6.0L engine out of a 01 truck for 900$ so its not bad. i already had the engine running on the stand with the harness striped down and ready for the swap.
 
Old Feb 13, 2014 | 07:49 AM
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Originally Posted by HotRodHearseGuy
I'm in north Texas, near the DFW Metroplex and same thing here, can actually buy a WHOLE truck or SUV for cheaper than buying 5.7 Vortecs or even an LT1/L98 engine.

I just picked up an LS 5.3 with 87,000 on the clock for $450 and then spending another $200 for a wiring harness and the ECM from a different salvage yard. I've got a pre-96 radiator as well as a pre-96 bracket setup so I can keep my AC in the correct place and still clear my hood although I'm going to be doing a 2" lift on it today, so shouldn't be an issue anyway. Have been chatting with a guy on Facebook in the S10/Blazer/Jimmy SAS'd Group and he did a 6.0 LS AWD Bravada and has been helping me with exactly what I needed for "other" parts and has been a godsend to me on this swap.
keep us up updated on your swap!! haha. i wanna see more swap's before i attack mine. haha, im only 17 so its gonna be a few more months before mine will get done due to family problems (i have my engine mounts and the manifolds for the swap so im ready) but i still wanna see more people do the swap before i do mine.
 
Old Feb 15, 2014 | 03:21 PM
  #20  
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The LS motors are hard to beat, you get power and fuel economy. You will love it no matter 5.3,6.0, or 6.2.
 



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