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  1. #1
    Erect Member. badass88gt's Avatar
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    Swap LT1 for an 05 5.3 LS. Does it pay?

    A friend has a stock 97 Firebird LT1 and found a 5.3 LS out of an 05 truck for $700. Is there any benefit to swapping? I'm thinking he could stick that $700 into his LT and get further, heads, cam, etc. Anyone have an opinion?

  2. #2
    R.I.P. BCM Jawashoot Champion Toby and Kiki Champion GTSLOW's Avatar
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    I would do it. He would need a new trans plus all the wiring. No more opti should be worth it alone
    All posts from the above author are expected to be 100% BS. Thank you and have a nice day.

  3. #3
    Ol' School SlowStee's Avatar
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    Stick with the LT1. The 5.3 would be pointless. Completely.
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  4. #4
    Dusting off my knick knack... MurphysLaw88GT's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by FoRmuLa_DiVa View Post
    Stick with the LT1. The 5.3 would be pointless. Completely.
    why, just curious?(i really am, not trying to be a ****) it seems like a lotta dickin, but so does an opti every so often

  5. #5
    Danielle... times change. Poncho's Avatar
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    Not in this application where there is already a good, capable motor. Now tossing it in place of a tired 327 or a 265, 283, 307, 305, etc would be a decent idea.
    Well, at the very least, I have an interesting back story.

  6. #6
    Erect Member. badass88gt's Avatar
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    Why does he need a new trans? Its not a simple swap I take it?

  7. #7
    Ol' School SlowStee's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by badass88gt View Post
    Why does he need a new trans? Its not a simple swap I take it?
    No swap is for an LT1. And like I said, its pointless. The LT1 is a better base to work off of. So why would you even want to?
    94 Formula A4, ALL the Basic Bolt-ons. Best Time before Drag Radials and a Tune = 13.3 @ 104mph ( SOLD)
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  8. #8
    Erect Member. badass88gt's Avatar
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    Thought the LS engines were much better?

  9. #9
    Ol' School SlowStee's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by badass88gt View Post
    Thought the LS engines were much better?
    Not "better" enough to spend the time and money to put one in an LT1 car. More cost efficient to just buy an LS1 car.

    Theres a bazillion and one threads out there about how much work it is, and whether its worth it or not.
    94 Formula A4, ALL the Basic Bolt-ons. Best Time before Drag Radials and a Tune = 13.3 @ 104mph ( SOLD)
    00 Maxima, SE 5-Speed, ( SOLD)
    2011 Subaru Impreza WRX - WR Blue, Stage 1 Tune ONLY ( SOLD)
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  10. #10
    R.I.P. BCM Jawashoot Champion Toby and Kiki Champion GTSLOW's Avatar
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    ^ Def cheaper to buy an ls1 car!
    All posts from the above author are expected to be 100% BS. Thank you and have a nice day.

  11. #11
    Erect Member. badass88gt's Avatar
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    Thanks guys!

  12. #12
    Too legit to quit T-Bag's Avatar
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    It would be something different...but if he's looking to pinch pennies I don't think it would be a good idea
    -Tyler

  13. #13
    Ol' School SlowStee's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by T-Bag View Post
    It would be something different...but if he's looking to pinch pennies I don't think it would be a good idea
    shut up dummy
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    00 Maxima, SE 5-Speed, ( SOLD)
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  14. #14
    Too legit to quit T-Bag's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by FoRmuLa_DiVa View Post
    shut up dummy
    I'll backhand you through a wall
    -Tyler

  15. #15
    A regular know-it-all Tetris Champion Snake Champion Lasagna From Heaven Champion Mac Man Champion Mahjong. Champion Mini Putt 3 Champion Plastic Saucer Champion Ratman Ralph Champion Prince Valiant's Avatar
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    Engines are engines. Great heads, intakes, headers, cams out there for the LT1's...they aren't the cheapest, but neither are the same stuff for the LS based 5.3.

    It would be a lateral swap. If he wants to know how much it sucks, have him pull his engine and put it back in. Viola! Same results effectively...actually with less Hassle (ECU control, trans, oil pans, etc...

    There are some great LT heads out there...get some 210-215cc LT heads, LT4 intake, Get a sam in the 224-230 @ .050 range, quality replacement for the opti (there's GOT to be something out there), 1/34 headers and you should be sitting pretty...and mod for mod, ahead of that 5.3.
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  16. #16
    Quote Originally Posted by Prince Valiant View Post
    Engines are engines. Great heads, intakes, headers, cams out there for the LT1's...they aren't the cheapest, but neither are the same stuff for the LS based 5.3.

    It would be a lateral swap. If he wants to know how much it sucks, have him pull his engine and put it back in. Viola! Same results effectively...actually with less Hassle (ECU control, trans, oil pans, etc...

    There are some great LT heads out there...get some 210-215cc LT heads, LT4 intake, Get a sam in the 224-230 @ .050 range, quality replacement for the opti (there's GOT to be something out there), 1/34 headers and you should be sitting pretty...and mod for mod, ahead of that 5.3.
    You can replace the opti-spark with Deltreq. Go to Deltreq.com
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  17. #17
    Have him get a Loyd Elliot H&C package and a mail order tune. A ls1 swap in a lt1 car is only feasible if you are looking for all out power with good driveability, weight savings, or you have too much time and money on your hands.

  18. #18
    LT1 POWER HP ADDICT's Avatar
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    The opti isnt that big of a deal. I put 82k on mine then upgraded to a vented unit when I did my cam swap. If it fails its $300 and like a 2hr job. To swap in a 5.3 would be silly. Maybe if it were a built LS2 or somthing. You need a different K member all the accessories, pcm, wire harness etc. Just rebuild it and step it up a notch.
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  19. #19
    Erect Member. badass88gt's Avatar
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    Thats his plan, a decent H/C/I package.

  20. #20
    RTCTTFMF juicedimpss's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by OldSchoolSS View Post
    Have him get a Loyd Elliot H&C package and a mail order tune. A ls1 swap in a lt1 car is only feasible if you are looking for all out power with good driveability, weight savings, or you have too much time and money on your hands.
    IMO Lloyd elliot stuff is way over rated.
    if i were spending that kind of money,id go with AI

    i know of a heads/cam/bolt on caprice at full weight that ran into the 11s N/A and drove over 100 miles to the track to do it.he claimed high teens for fuel mileage.id call that a nice street package.
    the shortblock was pretty exotic though,came from a junkyard..seriously
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