What have I done?!

[Russell]

Dang it, what have I done! I just opened a whole can of worms....











Just made the downpayment on a complete 5.3L

However, don't expect any more progress than pulling it out and putting it on the engine stand for now.... I have zero intention of putting it in until next fall when the wiring is done and ready to go.

I plan to take a crapload of pictures, and do a very in-depth writeup of what exactly has to be done to install the 5.3L into my 80 GMC 3/4 ton 4x4, so my thread can be used as a reference for anyone who is interested in a GenIII engine swap in the future

First, time to get the TPI running for this summer! Bring on the head and cam swap!

 

[4X4HIGH]

RyanB has been doing these swaps for a while now. He may have a write up already done.

 

[Russell]

He has a lot of nice little tid bits, but so far I haven't come across any writes that truely go into detail of everything that is involved... I'll have a lot of figuring to do :P

 

[HarryH3]

This article may have some useful info:

http://www.hotrodlane.cc/PDFFILES/Lisa Tahoe.pdf

 

[Russell]

Yep! I've got that one saved for the torque patterns on the intake and such

What seems to be most lacking is what is involved with taking a factory electrical harness, and making it tango with everything in your truck...

 

[HarryH3]

I'm sure that's because they want to SELL that stuff to you.

 

[Russell]

Well, hopefully it'll be a slighty easier swap once I get my article written up. I personally hate to pay for free information

 

[Russell]

Well, the 5.3L is here!

The TPI is sold, and is coming out within the next two weeks

 

[dyeager535]

hah!

I kept telling myself I'd be going to the LS motors one of these days, but I just got a cheap Vortec short block as a spare, so I think I'm sticking with TPI and old tech engines for awhile.

Good luck, are you going to start installing once the TPI is out?

 

[Russell]

Not quite, my first priority is getting my bodywork done. The guy who is buying my TPI will be fixing my truck's cab, and getting the truck in primer in exhange for wiring his TPI up. He is a professional bodyman, but has no clue about EFI or engines, lol

Once my cab is done, I'll get the cab painted, and get it's bottom and the inside coated with box liner as rust preventative. Then I can re-install it, and start the 5.3L swap while he works on my box, front clip etc.

Box will also get box liner inside, and down underneith, painted stock blue and white, front clip will get box liner on the under-side of the inner fenders, but the firewall, inside of the fenders, and top side of the inner fenders will get painted with satin black.

Hopefully have the engine running by the time I am ready to drive it to the paint shop for the final top coat.

Aye, I better get a full time job and start saving my pennies...

 

[Cricket]

Keep us updated, sounds like a very interesting project.