1998 tahoe LS swap

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orange57

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any more update?

I've been doing some research on this as well, and debating what I may want to do. I've been looking at the 5.3 as opposed to an LSX. The 5.3 shares a lot of the same characteristics, but is Iron instead of Aluminum. Also read that some run the 5.3 heads on their LS1's for better flow.

Just a thought :)
 
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2drhoeon4s

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Im thinking im going to go with a 5.3 unless I can score a decent ls1 for a good price...

Got the motor pulled.. but nothing else done yet.. waiting on my bonus so I can get me some parts...
 

orange57

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I was taking a look on car-part.com, you can get a 5.3 for 4-500. however i'm not sure what all comes with those.
 

Nak

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Thanks for posting this. I'm looking forward to watching your build progress because I'm planning on a similar swap down the road a bit. The 10 bolt rear end is coming out of my '92 Blazer this weekend to be replaced by a 14 bolt semi floater. After that I won't have to worry about going too big! Ideally I'd like to go with a 6.2 and a 6L80e, but it all depends on what's available when I'm ready. Anyways, I'd really appreciate you posting any issues you come across and how you solve them.
 

orange57

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i think I also saw him on ls1truck . com also, with a little more detail on his build/swap.
 
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2drhoeon4s

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been a little bit... didnt get anything done until last week.. TAX RETURN!!!

Anyhoo... picked up a 2002 5.3L with 120k.

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Dirty Dingo adjustable motor mounts

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and a spacer for my flexplate.. This gets a little confusing.. but basically if your 5.3 comes with the dished flexplate and you are using your old model 4l60e 96-99 i think, then you have a torque converter that has a shorter center hub on it... in order to use it you have to use GM spacer 12563532 and use the longer bolts 19257940. You have to install the spacer after the flexplate so that it cradles the TC. There is a great writeup here... http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/11065304-post1.html
You will also need to elongate the holes where the flexplate bolts to your TC... the bolt pattern for the TC is about 1/2" smaller than the FLexplate.

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---------- Post added at 12:00 AM ---------- Previous post was Yesterday at 11:55 PM ----------

Painted my valve covers
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Also built a bracket to mount my LS ECM on the passenger fender well.
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2drhoeon4s

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got my flexplate bolt holes elongated...

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Got some fuel line parts in...
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Also got my engine in the bay today..... almost.... the motor mounts are in but for some reason it doesnt want to slide back enought to allow me to easily mount my bellhousing.. the pass side slides back but the drivers side seems bound somehow... Nothing is obstructing it but it wont move... I am about an inch off...

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FVC

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Great build looks great . What parts do you have for sale ? Looking for a nice condition cold air kit .
 
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2drhoeon4s

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motor is in!!!!!!! Turns out there was a ground bolt in the way keeping me from sliding it back to the trans.... anyhoo... got my intake today and I threw it on there to see how it fits.. Its coming together...

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