I just found a reasonably priced 327 (5.3 vortec) near that is a drop and run engine. Now I have a few questions to ask that will be easy to answer -


Do I buy the headers for a 79 Camaro when I am ordering, or a 2001 Silverado? Because the silverado ones would be too long, right? But will the 350 headers for my year Camaro bolt up?

Then also I want to put in the HP cam. I found that 327/350hp cam kit on ebay, and was wondering if that would work in this engine, or just the old skool ones? (I think it may have said pre-87 or something??? I dun remember now.

We are gunna convert it back to the carb. version, and add the Edlebrock RPM intake, and a 4 bbl carb that we have available.

And we are putting a new rear end under it, which will hopefully be a 3:73 posi trac unit.

I have to know before I buy this engine these answers, because if I dun like the way they sound, I might have to hunt a LT-1 without the computer and wiring and stuff, and take advantage of the deal, seeing as I won't use it newayZ.

 

Whoa man! Be careful what you're getting into here While a swap can be done (cause guys have put LS1's into 1st and 2nd gen cars before), the parts are not interchangeable between Gen-I and Gen-III engines, ie: intakes, cams, headers, etc.

I'm not too sure how you'd go about headers, but I suspect you may have to get custom fit ones. Unless the bolt pattern is the same on the heads for both Gen-I and Gen-III engines (which I don't believe it is) then you need a set of headers that will bolt to an LS1/Gen-III head, but that fit's in the 2nd gen Camaro chassis.

In regards to the intake & carb, you can't bolt an RPM intake on a Gen-III block (not unless they make an intake that will fit the Gen-III and also take a carb?? ), but why would you want to go that route anyway?? The fuel injection on the new engines is way more efficient than using a big carburetor...............now I know that carbs work great on the old SBC's, but if that's the way you want to go, don't use the 5.3L, just build an old 350 or 327. Also, I don't believe the wiring from an LT1 would work either...............you'd have to use the wiring from either the truck, or maybe from an LS1 car (since they are the Gen-III style).

I think you need to do a little more research before you dive into this................I'm not saying that using the 5.3L is a bad idea, but I think if you're going to use it, it's best left in its original configuration (with the exception of a cam, which you could order for an LS1, since they should be the same).

HTH.

 

This brings me to my next question... Will the 5.3 bolt up like a sbc as far as motor mounts or is it like the odd-ball LS-1?

 

Your Gen III motor has Vortec heads, so youre gonna need a Vortec compatible intake manifold. I know that much. Isnt it an aluminum block? The same as the LS1? If thats the case youre going to need new motor mounts.

I think summit sells LS1 headers that fit second gens. If they do, thats what you need.

I would keep it fuel injected if I was you, and get a over drive tranny to drop in it. Thatll get you the most streetable car.

I have a buddy who dropped a 5700 Vortec in his Monte Carlo. I'll try to get in touch with him and tell you what you need.

 

Aluminum block?? No. The 5.7L LS1 is an all-aluminum engine, however, the 4.8L, 5.3L, and 6.0L truck engines are cast iron blocks, although they do run aluminum heads AFAIK.

And "extreme79z", I do believe that the motor mounts will be different..............I'm sure someone here know how to get around that though.

EDIT: a 5700 Vortec in a Monte Carlo?? What year of truck did it come from?? I think it's probably a Gen-I style, just a late model, because while the newest version of truck engines are still called "Vortec", they're in the 4.8, 5.3 and 6.0L versions, whereas you could get a 5.7L until ~'98 I believe, then they switched to the Gen-III engines.

 

Yeah, that 5.7 vortec has to be special order now... I know of one truck around here that had one, but they used it as a farm truck... Needless to say, I dun think it made it too far.

BTW: Thanx for the help.

 

Well I talked to my buddy and this is what he told me. His engine is a 96-98 era gen I block. Therefore his block bolted right up, the new 5.3 however will not. Youll need motor mounts.

As for the cam you found, it wont work either. Old school motors (gen I and II) have a E-I-I-E-E-I-I-E valve configuration (e – exhaust, i – intake) while the gen 3s have a E-I-E-I-E-I-E-I valve configuration. You’ll need a Gen III specific cam.

As for headers he didn’t know of any on the market, but suggested if you decided to go with this motor, run the Z06 manifolds. They are small and flow well.

If you decide to go with the 5.3, keep it EFI… itll be a lot more streetable, otherwise youd be better off with a LT1 or similar motor. The project would be less complex and expensive that way.