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My 5.3 swap thread!

there is a coolant vent line at the 4 corners of an engine that eliminates steam or air bubbles that runs coolant constantly into the radiator. I'm assuming he didn't buy a gen 3 radiator so he has to tap/drill the thermostat housing
 
I guess that might work. Why don't you just have the radatior modified like I did?
 
xpndbl3 said:
there is a coolant vent line at the 4 corners of an engine that eliminates steam or air bubbles that runs coolant constantly into the radiator. I'm assuming he didn't buy a gen 3 radiator so he has to tap/drill the thermostat housing
Click to expand...

Yea im using the original 90 radiator. Its pretty much new so i really didnt want to buy a new one.

Teck said:
I guess that might work. Why don't you just have the radiator modified like I did?
Click to expand...

I would say this is how most folks are doing it. Really i just dont like the coolant line running all the way over there for whatever reason. I just think this appeals to me more somehow. Slightly cleaner look in my eyes. Others may think another way is better but i just think this is the way for me. That BD Turnkey engine guy on pirate does all of his this way. As well as lots of other folks on ls1tech and so on. I just chose to do it on the t-stat housing for a few reasons. One, that i wouldnt risk fking up the water pump and having to buy a new one, two that i could have it completely free of chips and debris before i install it, and three that i could do it on the bench rather than in the truck. On a buddys jeep we T'ed into one of the heater hoses which worked pretty good.

BD's way,

P1010050.jpg


P1010002.jpg
 
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So, another thing that i have on my mind is the cooling fan spacing. Its a little too far away from the radiator and needs to be moved forward about 3". Seems that no one makes a fan spacer for the threaded style. But, What they do make is these adapters. With this, i could stick my old 350 clutch fan on there and space it out as needed with the commonly available universal fan spacers. Not sure if thats how im going to go that rout yet but something im thinking about.

http://www.4wheelparts.com/Heating-...dium=froogle&utm_campaign=product&emlprox=out

images.ashx


EDIT: Not sure if thats the actual one i need, but its close. Just not sure the pilot of my old fan and whatnot.
 
I just have not seen it done like that before.
And the steam hose attaches on the front passenger side crossover tube on a Gen IV, also the water pump is cast different, they don't have that flat round spot on the front.
 
Hate to post up here, but its the only LS thread i can find. Its impossible to search for them, as you can't search for LS or 6.0 cause its too few characters. Maybe we turn some sort of LS swap directory into a sticky?
 
Also, i too have always hated that its impossible to search 5.3 and 6.0! Rarely does anyone title anything searchable like LM7 and LQ4 and whatnot.
 
Things are going good so far this morning. Got the new thermostat drilled and tapped and put the new fitting in and got it installed. Lengthened my maf wires that for whatever reason were too short. And now I'm about half done mounting the air box! When that's done, the swap will be "complete"! Here's a pic so far.

IMAG0614.jpg
 
y5mgisi said:
I know they have a really nice one setup on 67-72chevytrucks.com.

Here is their LSx section,

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/forumdisplay.php?f=206

Here is there build thread index. I really like this format.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=457939
Click to expand...


Anyone have the CK5 ones bookmarked? At least we can quote the links in this thread. There were a few i posted in, let me see if i can find them that way...

Here we go!:

http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=293452

http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=293457
 
I have some info on mine
And can go back and mark some of the one I have followed
Also have consedered doing a better write up on what all I have done when I'm done.
 
Same here. An actual "just the build" type thing with details. And yea, at this point, CK5 should have a ls swap section and an ls swap index.

Anyway, i ran out of time for today to actually play with the truck but its pretty well ready for the road! Cant think of anything that would keep it from making it across the country tomorrow. So, tomorrow i plan on just starting the truck and refilling the radiator and just running it. I plan on letting it run for at least a half hour to make sure everything is good. Cruise it up and down the road a few times. If all goes well then next week i'll get some tags and insurance so i can actually start driving it! Granted there is tons still to do on the truck, sometimes getting a little seat time is good for the motivation!
 
Searching lsx swap turns up some good results. Another REALLY good couple sights is ls1truck.com and ls1tech.com.
 
My main frustration is not being able to find the thread on CK5 that i know are there, and that i have already read!
 
Welp, took the day off from work to work on the truck! Cant say i have done any work to it tho! Filled up the radiator and away i went! Still has bad tags so up and down my little street is all i get. But i let the thing run for at least an hour! All is well! Runs really good! Cant wait to get the dang exhaust done so i can stop hearing the exhaust leaks! As usual, videos to follow!
 
Your Sub has my gears a-turnin'. I just found an ad on CL where a guy has a 2000-ish Yukon that looks like it rolled at some point with a 5.3 for $800 for the entire truck. He needs it gone ASAP and Debb and I are getting our taxes back soon too........:thinking:
 
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