I recently purchased a 63 Lark. The stock engine is ruined. I plan to document in this thread the process I go through in doing a LS swap.
The donor engine is a 5.3 Vortec from an early 2000s Chevrolet pickup. I also purchased a used 4l60e transmission to go with it.
Expenditures so far.
5.3 Vortec $500.00
4L60E $1,100
I have ordered a couple of parts that should be here by midweek.
66 Studebaker engine mounts. ( I understand these are the mounts that Studebaker used to put SBC engines into late model Studebakers)
GM LS Flexplate For All LS Series Engines with 6 Bolt Crank $56.69
GM LS Series Bellhousing Bolts Grade 10.9 (150,000 psi rated) $14.99
Flexplate Bolt Set [GM LS 6-Bolt Crankshaft Engines] $19.99
Billet Motor Mount Adapters $38.99 ( SBC to LS mount adapter)
Oil Pan Gasket $45.99
Valve Cover Gaskets $23.99
Torque converter Bolts $15.98
MLS Head Gaskets $75.98 ( I have had 2 of these engines need head gaskets between 180 and 220k miles. Might as well put on a new gasket while it is out and easy. )
On the list for future Purchases
Starter
Alternator
Water pump ( The 5.3 has one on it but it is a little bunged up. And as I know from personal experience this engine tends to need a new water pump at about 150,000 miles. Might as well replace it now while the engine is out and it is easy to do.)
Fuel Pump ( My father has one he thinks will work. Might steal it from him. )
Fuel Filter and Regulator. ( I understand that the Corvette fuel filter has a built in regulator will probably use that.)
Head bolts ( Chevy used 2 different head bolt packaged on the Gen III LS engines. Not quite sure which package I need until I pull the heads. I have the block casting number so maybe I can figure it out.)
Exhaust Manifolds. These might be tricky. There isn't a lot of room on the driver's side due to the steering and some linkage. I think that either Hedman 68520 block hugger headers or Patriot PTE-H8006-B headers will work but I need to set the engine in first and take a few measurements. If anyone has LS swap experience and can point me at a working solution I would be grateful.
Transmission Cooler and Lines
Electric Fan + Shroud. (Going computer controlled so might as well go electric fan. Will save me some space up front.)
Computer ( Can get a programmed stock computer for around $200 maybe a little more not gonna put in a Holley Terminator-X as I am not building a hot rod and the Terminator-X is just a little spendy. )
Wiring Harness ( Not going to try to use the hacked up wiring harness that came on the engine. A new harness might be a little spendy but it will save a lot of time and headache)
Engine Paint. ( Might be blasphemy but the valve covers are gonna be yellow.)
Belts
New Tensioner (Another 5.3 part known to blow up at about 200k miles.)
Exhaust Pipes. (Once I have the exhaust manifolds figured out and the engine placed I will need to fabricate a custom dual exhaust system.)
Once I get the new engine and transmission placed I will be able to take measurements for the drive line and figure out exactly what to do there.
Looking at the block I am guessing the Casting number is 12551358. This puts the engine as a Gen III 2003 or 2004. I think this is the longer head bolt package but I am not sure.
Planning Ahead.
I need to pull the heads and inspect the pistons and cylinders. I am not planning on a full rebuild but I want to look at what I have.
Pull the Oil pan and replace the gasket.
Pull the old engine and transmission. ( Will pull of the hood and possible the front grill and radiator to give me some more room.)
The donor engine is a 5.3 Vortec from an early 2000s Chevrolet pickup. I also purchased a used 4l60e transmission to go with it.
Expenditures so far.
5.3 Vortec $500.00
4L60E $1,100
I have ordered a couple of parts that should be here by midweek.
66 Studebaker engine mounts. ( I understand these are the mounts that Studebaker used to put SBC engines into late model Studebakers)
GM LS Flexplate For All LS Series Engines with 6 Bolt Crank $56.69
GM LS Series Bellhousing Bolts Grade 10.9 (150,000 psi rated) $14.99
Flexplate Bolt Set [GM LS 6-Bolt Crankshaft Engines] $19.99
Billet Motor Mount Adapters $38.99 ( SBC to LS mount adapter)
Oil Pan Gasket $45.99
Valve Cover Gaskets $23.99
Torque converter Bolts $15.98
MLS Head Gaskets $75.98 ( I have had 2 of these engines need head gaskets between 180 and 220k miles. Might as well put on a new gasket while it is out and easy. )
On the list for future Purchases
Starter
Alternator
Water pump ( The 5.3 has one on it but it is a little bunged up. And as I know from personal experience this engine tends to need a new water pump at about 150,000 miles. Might as well replace it now while the engine is out and it is easy to do.)
Fuel Pump ( My father has one he thinks will work. Might steal it from him. )
Fuel Filter and Regulator. ( I understand that the Corvette fuel filter has a built in regulator will probably use that.)
Head bolts ( Chevy used 2 different head bolt packaged on the Gen III LS engines. Not quite sure which package I need until I pull the heads. I have the block casting number so maybe I can figure it out.)
Exhaust Manifolds. These might be tricky. There isn't a lot of room on the driver's side due to the steering and some linkage. I think that either Hedman 68520 block hugger headers or Patriot PTE-H8006-B headers will work but I need to set the engine in first and take a few measurements. If anyone has LS swap experience and can point me at a working solution I would be grateful.
Transmission Cooler and Lines
Electric Fan + Shroud. (Going computer controlled so might as well go electric fan. Will save me some space up front.)
Computer ( Can get a programmed stock computer for around $200 maybe a little more not gonna put in a Holley Terminator-X as I am not building a hot rod and the Terminator-X is just a little spendy. )
Wiring Harness ( Not going to try to use the hacked up wiring harness that came on the engine. A new harness might be a little spendy but it will save a lot of time and headache)
Engine Paint. ( Might be blasphemy but the valve covers are gonna be yellow.)
Belts
New Tensioner (Another 5.3 part known to blow up at about 200k miles.)
Exhaust Pipes. (Once I have the exhaust manifolds figured out and the engine placed I will need to fabricate a custom dual exhaust system.)
Once I get the new engine and transmission placed I will be able to take measurements for the drive line and figure out exactly what to do there.
Looking at the block I am guessing the Casting number is 12551358. This puts the engine as a Gen III 2003 or 2004. I think this is the longer head bolt package but I am not sure.
Planning Ahead.
I need to pull the heads and inspect the pistons and cylinders. I am not planning on a full rebuild but I want to look at what I have.
Pull the Oil pan and replace the gasket.
Pull the old engine and transmission. ( Will pull of the hood and possible the front grill and radiator to give me some more room.)
Comment