[Dylanic_350]

Hello I have a 75 camaro that i plan on putting a 5.3 or 6.0 into. I'm leaning towards the smaller engine because of mileage and that i can do a simple cam swap and head work and have 400+ horses. I plan on getting the ls1 MSD controller and intake to run a carb on the engine so the fuel system can be simple and cheap.

My question is buying the controller, intake, carb, electric fuel pump, and regulator will it be close money wise to running the stock efi??

I'm a beginner with efi and these new engines so has someone done a swap like this who would email me step by step swap deatails??

I would appreciate any help!

[crussell85]

I am sure you can find a book somewhere from amazon or summit that will cover a lot of this.

[Dylanic_350]

Thanks, just looking for someone with some hints and tips on the swap as well

[nskeeter99]

http://paceperformance.com/lookup.ht...tSearch=carbed ls1
this should give you some idea

[bigdog7373]

The whole point of doing and lsx swap is because of all the new advancements the lsx series has to offer, including a great fuel injection system. If you already have all the computors then youre good to go. If not, then find then on ebayor at a junk yard, craigslist, pick n pull, wherever. I wouldnt be surprized if a simple injector upgrade could get it up around 400 hp with headers and a good exhaust. The 5.3 is good for mileage and is a smaller size. The 6.0 is a monster, had one in a truck, but doesnt get such great mpg and is larger. 5.3 should be easier to find anyway, and cheaper. Stick with the fuel injection though. You easily tune it with a computer vs tuning a carb and timing. The reliabilty of these engines is amazing. Ive seen trucks with these engines go 300,000 miles and still have no problems. Easy starting in any weather would be a major plus, well for me it would be.

[Dylanic_350]

I'm just not sure what to do as far as wiring the whole system in but i'll buy a book and of course listen to all of you! I do want to keep the fuel injection so down the road i can slap a 67mm turbo on her for easy tuning and reliability. I'm still trying to decided what "manual" transmission to run behind this set up though. I have a t-5 that I can have built for alot cheaper than a richmond or tremce 5 speeds but i'm not sure yet.

[bighotroddin]

Bang for the buck go with the 5.3. In all reality if you take a 5.3 and a 5.7 LS1 and do the same mods the 5.3 will be about 10-15 hp lower than a 5.7.

You can buy a 5.3 for pennys compared to a 5.7 or 6.0 and the cast block is alot more durable. A 6.0 you are lucky to get 13 mpg in a truck and with a 5.3 18 to 20 mpg is realistic.

[Blazin72]

Originally Posted by bighotroddin

Bang for the buck go with the 5.3. In all reality if you take a 5.3 and a 5.7 LS1 and do the same mods the 5.3 will be about 10-15 hp lower than a 5.7.

You can buy a 5.3 for pennys compared to a 5.7 or 6.0 and the cast block is alot more durable. A 6.0 you are lucky to get 13 mpg in a truck and with a 5.3 18 to 20 mpg is realistic.

You can certainly do better than 13 mpg with a 6.0. I've had my 3/4 ton Silverado for 5 years and have averaged 15 mpg and at times managed as high as 17.5 over 50,000 miles. That's an extended cab, long bed 4x4 with 3.73 gears and a 5 speed manual. It's a great engine and tows well.

Dylanic_350, if you can get the 6.0 and don't mind getting the newer style engine to fit in your car then go for it. The early 6.0s had iron heads but they switched to aluminum heads around 2003.

[Dylanic_350]

All i know is my dad has a 06 crew cab short box 4x4 and he gets around 20 and one time 28 on the highway. Thats in a 6,000 pound truck so in a 3,500 pound camaro with 3.55 rear gears and a five speed that 5.3 has to easily get 20 with a slightly bigger cam! If a 04 vette z06 can get 24 on the highway and it weighs 3,200 pounds and also has a hotter ls6 version.

If i can find a aluminum headed 6.0 for a good price thats around the 5.3 i'll will go with it but as far as my budget i can get a 5.3 with computer for around 500-750 bucks with 50,000 miles or less

I'm so excited to sell my pickup and start building my camaro up!

I'd like to know what years of 5.3 and 6.0 engines to avoid or to get?

[bighotroddin]

With a 5 speed and 3.73 gears you probley can get 17.5 mpg. I have 01 2500 HD with 4.11 gears with a 4L80 and 14 mpg is pushing it on the highway. The automatic transmission alone robs 100 hp.

O1 was the first year for aluminum heads on the 6.0.

The T5 will never live behind any Gen 3 motor or even a lighly built 350 for that matter.

A T56 or a Tremec is the only thing that will. My friend had a 02 Camaro SS with a 6.0 and a turbo put down 900 hp at the wheels with a stock 6 speed in it but that was about the limit for one. One other friend has a six speed 01 Trans Am with a Pro Charger that makes 650 hp and the stock bottom end and transmision has held up for four years.

I have a 02 5.3 that I'm putting into a 51 chevy pickup and I bought the GMPP carb intake and the 6LS ignition controller but not sure what I am going to do. A carb looks cool but the EFI makes alot of power and I may end up using a stock LS1 intake, cam, and MSD ignition. Going with a custom Comp Cam for the carb to work properly is about $800 by the time you get the cam and valve springs.

[Dylanic_350]

Well i'm going the efi route with my set up. I'll run 3.55 rear gears. I'll look into getting a t56 out of a fourth gen camaro. I'm thinking i should be close to 20 mpgs for a 3,600 pound car...I think i'm going to make it a road course car with wider wheels and make it handle abit better than stock

[bigdog7373]

Originally Posted by Dylanic_350

I'm just not sure what to do as far as wiring the whole system in but i'll buy a book and of course listen to all of you! I do want to keep the fuel injection so down the road i can slap a 67mm turbo on her for easy tuning and reliability. I'm still trying to decided what "manual" transmission to run behind this set up though. I have a t-5 that I can have built for alot cheaper than a richmond or tremce 5 speeds but i'm not sure yet.

C'mon! Supercharger would be better. The wine of a supercharger just seals the deal in my book. So intimidating. Leave the turbos for the china cars. Real muscle wants a blower.

[Dylanic_350]

To procharge a 5.3 I need a to the alternator and use 07-11 corvette one and that thing cost 600 bucks at a parts store! I've always liked blowers and what not but a turbo set up can make crazy power and the blow off valve with a manual...oh boy she'll be a screamer! hahaha. Cheaper too in my opinion

[bigdog7373]

Think about all the oil plumbing, exhaust work, and intake ducting. You dont have to buy oe parts all the time. There are alternator relocating brackets available for supercharging.

[Dylanic_350]

I've been reading all of car crafts articles on the newer engines and to procharge one you have to get a 600 dollar alternator or machine a new bracket in order to use a more common one. Headers are easy to make and theres no exhaust on the car so exhaust won't be bad. All you need is oil from the pan so thats not hard. The only expensive part is the turbo, wastegate, and blow-off valve...It'll be over 3 grand for a procharge set up easily!