well, im facing a very tough decision at this point. I am in college, am rather broke, have a broke car at the parents house that they are nagging me about, and have no motivation to do anything with it at this point in time.

So, here are my options
1) rebuild the LT1 (at least 2k for just the engine rebuild)
2) switch everything over to a 5.3

now, with option 1)
get to keep my new(er) trans - less than 1000 miles on it, heavily built.
I know it like the back of my hand
I could not afford to go boosted at this point, so It would more than likely end up a N/A 355 with canfield heads and a massive cam

option 2)
Cheaper
I would have to sell my trans and find an LS trans or a th350/400
Set me up PERFECTLY for a boosted setup down the road

I eventually want to go boosted again (once I graduate more than likely).

I'm just lost as what to do with it at this point, so figured I would ask you all what I should do.

No poll because I want to hear reasoning behind it, not just a "vote"

 

option 2 you dont have to get rid of your trans....it bolts up to an LS with a TCI flexplate.

Jay

 

yeah, i found that out after searching for like 2 hours
every place i read before said that it absolutely would not work, so i was like....wtf

 

What are you going to do about the computer, wiring, k member, accessories, etc...? None of the LT1 stuff will transfer over unless you want to reuse the lifters.

What's wrong with the LT1?

 

Quicker cheaper solution would be to find a used shortblock if your bottom end is toast and rebuild it with some forged pistons and rods for good budget build that will hold some boost or nitrous. If your bottom end isnt shot, then **** just get the rods and pistons and clean the rest up and put it back together!

 

Options 2 if you know for a fact you will not lose interest in it before you get out of school. Otherwise Option 1.

 

I've tossed the same idea around. I run megasquirt so changing to the 5.3 would not change my computer at all. In the end I think it would be easier just to stick with the lt1 for myself.

 

already talked to a machine shop, im looking at 1400 for a "stock" style rebuild. I am picking up an ls1 k-member today for $50. Than I am getting a 5.3 this weekend for $450. buddy has an ls1 intake manifold and rails he'll sell me for $50, than all i need is an oil pan, and i'm good to go.
Just going to run stock manifolds/y pipe for now. Maybe spring break i'll pull it apart and put in a cam and what not, we'll see.

 

what about a harness and pcm? you still need these items. I had a perfect opportunity when we had the cash for clunkers program to ****** alot of the conversion parts, but my boss is a douche and wouldnt let us scavenge them. I had a whole 5.3 setup staring me in the face. I almost cried when we seized the engine and watched it get loaded on the wrecker and off to the junkyard. But what hurt even more was the 2 vortec 5.7's and the 454 suburban, which by the way did NOT want to die even with the engine seize compound in it! CHEVY FTMFW

 

stay LT

 

Fbody oil pans are not cheap - don't know about your electronics either.

$1400 sounds a little high unless they are doing everything. Was your old lt1 completely stock? CNC motorsports have their eagle/srp kits for a ton cheaper than you can get them for an ls setup - I bet if you called them they would do the srp's with dished pistons too - still srp but better than stock cast 5.3 I think.

Cam only 5.3 is not that impressive imho.

 

Hell just buy my shortblock, new rings/bearings, and you could have a 100% fresh motor for less than $500!

 

i tried the whole new rings/bearings. fidlers wants 1400, absolute wants 1250.

Already have everything for the 5.3 justin

and your right, the oil pans ARENT cheap, freaking $225 for a used one

 

all forged internal from my previous turbo build, 503 cam, mildly ported heads/intake. I have almost everything sold too, so it'l make doing the 5.3 cheaper

 

$1400 for what? I can hone the block, new rings are ~$100, bearings $130, $200 for my block(no spun bearings or anything wrong), cam bearings are fine(or of you really wanted to replace, I think its $36), thats less than$500 for a fresh shortblock.