Truck 5.3 into 85 t/a....what am i in for?
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Car: 85 Trans Am
Engine: 416 headed LG4 (i think)
Transmission: auto
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt, unknown ratio
Truck 5.3 into 85 t/a....what am i in for?
I know the truck acc. Oil pan and intake won't work in our cars and that I will need to source f body or corvette pieces instead. Truck has computer and wiring harness still in it. (buddy of mine is junking it, I can get it for near nothing just have to pull it myself) it's 4wd but will the 700r in my car now bolt up? I thought the torque converters were different. Thanks.
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Car: 85 Trans Am
Engine: 416 headed LG4 (i think)
Transmission: auto
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt, unknown ratio
Re: Truck 5.3 into 85 t/a....what am i in for?
Yes. From what I've read the reds in our cars are pretty stout? Besides a bigger rad or bigger fan... Or both is an easy fix.
What I'm asking is the actual job of getting it in the car and running. Bugs can be worked out later
What I'm asking is the actual job of getting it in the car and running. Bugs can be worked out later
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Car: 92 Firebird, 77 Trans Am SE, 86 Z28
Engine: 5.7 HSR, T/A 6.6, empty
Transmission: T-5, TH350, T-5
Axle/Gears: 3.08 posi, 3.23 posi, 3.23
Re: Truck 5.3 into 85 t/a....what am i in for?
I *think* the converter in your 700r4 will bolt up to the truck flywheel. I think the lockup won't work without a separate controller though...someone with more expertise may chime in....or keep searching, the answers are out there. Why not just put a matching transmission in there since you're doing the work to put in a 5.3? If your answer is budget then you're already heading down the wrong path. No offense, but this isn't the swap nor the hobby to be in if you don't want to spend more money than you planned.
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Car: 85 Trans Am
Engine: 416 headed LG4 (i think)
Transmission: auto
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt, unknown ratio
Re: Truck 5.3 into 85 t/a....what am i in for?
I understand that, doesn't mean you need to **** money away frivolusly. The 5.3 is from a buddy and would be nearly free and come with computer and harness etc. I'd use the trucks trans but it's a 4wd. And if i recall correctly is the t-case not married to the trans on those. So if the 700r that's inn the car already will mate up that would be the best route rather than attempting to find a 4l60e to swap in
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#8
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Re: Truck 5.3 into 85 t/a....what am i in for?
I put a 5.3 in my 87 formula 350 with TA body kit.
Not hard at all. Get setback LS engine mounts ($50 eBay) and reuse all your stock engine mount stuff. You'll need an Fbody oil pan with pickup/windage tray and dipstick (less than $300 new). 700r4 will bolt to the engine no prob (won't use one bolt) you need a $30 converter pilot adapter that slides right in the back of the crank and allows the 700r4 converter pilot to center itself in the crank. You will need to elongate the flex plate converter holes like 1/8" outward on each hole (700r4 converter bolt spacing is a hair larger than the LS flex plate holes).
Thats about it to get it in.
Convert the LS stock harness to standalone, costs about $30 to do it yourself but will take a weekend if you good with electrical. You will need 2 40amp relays, relay block with fuses and terminals, google is your friend.
Cooling system will be fine. LS motors are more efficient than SBC's in just about every aspect. Your stock rad will work with the stock motor heat generated... cooling fans might be adequate but good fans are cheap nowadays. Just need to connect the steam port to the water pump or rad and your good.
I just got my stock 5.3 to clear the stock power bulge hood. All you need is a small case alternator. Large case alt will work as well but you need to cut underwood bracing. Mine uses stock accessory brackets and I run a supercharger and it all fits. Do it... you won't regret it.
Not hard at all. Get setback LS engine mounts ($50 eBay) and reuse all your stock engine mount stuff. You'll need an Fbody oil pan with pickup/windage tray and dipstick (less than $300 new). 700r4 will bolt to the engine no prob (won't use one bolt) you need a $30 converter pilot adapter that slides right in the back of the crank and allows the 700r4 converter pilot to center itself in the crank. You will need to elongate the flex plate converter holes like 1/8" outward on each hole (700r4 converter bolt spacing is a hair larger than the LS flex plate holes).
Thats about it to get it in.
Convert the LS stock harness to standalone, costs about $30 to do it yourself but will take a weekend if you good with electrical. You will need 2 40amp relays, relay block with fuses and terminals, google is your friend.
Cooling system will be fine. LS motors are more efficient than SBC's in just about every aspect. Your stock rad will work with the stock motor heat generated... cooling fans might be adequate but good fans are cheap nowadays. Just need to connect the steam port to the water pump or rad and your good.
I just got my stock 5.3 to clear the stock power bulge hood. All you need is a small case alternator. Large case alt will work as well but you need to cut underwood bracing. Mine uses stock accessory brackets and I run a supercharger and it all fits. Do it... you won't regret it.
#10
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Re: Truck 5.3 into 85 t/a....what am i in for?
Yup, have a thread on it here...
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/ltx-...ercharger.html
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/ltx-...ercharger.html
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