First gen 5.3 swap.

horsepwraddict · 11-16-2007, 02:48 PM

Dropped the motor in today to mock up some stuff and check all clearances.
I made the notch a litte bigger than i had to but whatever, nothing with this truck has ever been the same as other v8 dimes so maybe you shouldn't use mine as an example LOL

Look at all this room i made in the tunnel. You v8 s10 guys will appreciate it.

horsepwraddict · 11-16-2007, 05:50 PM

finished the last hole on the firewall too.

jeffrobaum · 11-16-2007, 09:10 PM

When you get the carb/air cleaner and the hood on will ya give me an guestimate of how much clearance there is from the bottom of the hood to the air cleaner please?? I just got a 1gen and thinking of going this route also..

horsepwraddict · 11-16-2007, 10:43 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by jeffrobaum

When you get the carb/air cleaner and the hood on will ya give me an guestimate of how much clearance there is from the bottom of the hood to the air cleaner please?? I just got a 1gen and thinking of going this route also..

sure, i will slap it on tomorrow and rest the hood on to let ya know. It didn't fit with my old 355 and i dont think it will with this motor either....but i will check.

camaro1 · 11-17-2007, 12:00 PM

you should have plenty of hood/air filter clearance, i have a 14" x 3" airfilter on mine and the stock hood closes fine

did you mock up the engine/trans together so you can keep your original driveshaft length?, i dropped in the engine/trans, hooked up the driveshaft and where ever the engine ended up is where i bolted it down

also a 99 or newer malibu brake booster will give you way more clearance for the drivers side valvecover/ coil packs, check out the space between the brake booster and coil pack now

horsepwraddict · 11-17-2007, 12:44 PM

I didn't have the tranny in, but because of the two piece driveshaft, i have room to play. Between where the yoke goes into the tranny, and the slip joint behind the carrier bearing i should have enough room to get my driveshaft to work. If not....i will just have to get it lengthed or shortened accordingly.

I was wondering about the coils. Its a damn tight fit in their. Does the malibu booster bolt right up? Its not neccesary though is it? I know others who have been able to fit the truck coils in without a different booster.

I still have to figure out what im going to do for accesorie brackets. Im not running power steering and i dont want the alternator on the driverside so i dont know what im going to do. Any ideas?

camaro1 · 11-17-2007, 01:18 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by horsepwraddict

I didn't have the tranny in, but because of the two piece driveshaft, i have room to play. Between where the yoke goes into the tranny, and the slip joint behind the carrier bearing i should have enough room to get my driveshaft to work. If not....i will just have to get it lengthed or shortened accordingly.

I was wondering about the coils. Its a damn tight fit in their. Does the malibu booster bolt right up? Its not neccesary though is it? I know others who have been able to fit the truck coils in without a different booster.

I still have to figure out what im going to do for accesorie brackets. Im not running power steering and i dont want the alternator on the driverside so i dont know what im going to do. Any ideas?

without changing the brake booster you will have to re-locate the rear coil,, the malibu brake booster is almost a bolt in swap, just have to put the s-10 rod on the malibu booster(cut off and re-weld 15 min job)

easiset set up is like mine, truck bracket with the bottom 1/2 cut off(manual gear box here also), why do you not want the alt on the drivers side

camaro1 · 11-17-2007, 01:27 PM

another thing i just noticed, you are missing a dowel pin on the back of your engine,, make sure you get a new one in there or you will have major trans issues

horsepwraddict · 11-18-2007, 06:15 PM

did some wiring removal. Only left the wipers, headlights, brake lights and blinkers,

This is all thats left.

outtowinpahc · 11-18-2007, 10:53 PM

Nice progress, it looks much better

THEKING · 11-21-2007, 04:33 PM

now that was a rats nest holy crap

horsepwraddict · 12-13-2007, 11:52 PM

removed the bed. ground off the second bed mount pedestals, bump stops and rear cross member. Going to make a new, more compact crossmember. Will do the same for the front gas take cross member.

Got my Fuddle Racing Converter

245mm
ls1 pilot
3k stall

Got some new shoes too.

Centerline Warriors. 15x4 up front and 15x8 in the rear with ET Streets

horsepwraddict · 12-15-2007, 03:14 PM

made this to stiffen up the rear frame rails.

m007gunit · 12-16-2007, 02:03 PM

Looking good so far. I am curious to see what it is gonna run.

horsepwraddict · 12-16-2007, 04:00 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by m007gunit

Looking good so far. I am curious to see what it is gonna run.

me too...hopin for mid 12's if i can pull a respectable 60'

s10-den · 12-16-2007, 05:37 PM

you doing the blazer gas tank conversion?

camaro1 · 12-16-2007, 10:43 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by horsepwraddict

me too...hopin for mid 12's if i can pull a respectable 60'

you will have no problem running that number,,

wlsmoku · 12-17-2007, 10:15 AM

good work man, keep the pics rollin in!

horsepwraddict · 12-17-2007, 05:19 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by s10-den

you doing the blazer gas tank conversion?

fuel cell.

horsepwraddict · 12-29-2007, 01:18 PM

the hollidays are over so time allows again. Got a bunch of parts ready to go in.
Summit -6 Pushlock hose
fittings
Quick-fuel regulator
Moroso fuel filter
Holley Blue pump
Sport comp Oil pressure and water temp gauge
Autogage Tach
Moroso switch panel
Russel carb inlet fittings
Holley 650dp

twisselman1968 · 01-09-2008, 02:00 AM

looks good man how much ground clearence does it look like your going to have I looked into doing a LS1 swap but my trucks full drop and I was afraid with the LS1 pan I would have to hog to much cross member and with the truck pan I'd bottom out all the time

horsepwraddict · 01-09-2008, 11:29 AM

i have alot, mainly because i dont run a low truck though. The oil pan sticks about an inch below the crossmember, maybe not even that much. You could always build a small skid plate for the oil pan.

horsepwraddict · 01-10-2008, 02:21 PM

got the dash in the other day, got the switch panel in and took my locker out.
Got an 1998 Explorer 8.8, 3.73's, track lok or whatever ford uses, 31 spline axles and disc brakes for 100 bucks. Im pretty happy.

horsepwraddict · 01-11-2008, 02:19 PM

cut the swaybar and shock mounts off the rear.

horsepwraddict · 01-13-2008, 03:08 PM

Made my own distribution block and started wiring up the panel.

horsepwraddict · 01-24-2008, 02:45 PM

got my springs and ordered a big 'ol aluminum radiator.
made my own spring tool, insteead of paying 100+ dollars for the same thing, had the springs done in 45 minutes tops.

slam · 01-24-2008, 06:38 PM

I like that! lol Nicety the mother of invention.

2500avalanche · 01-24-2008, 07:54 PM

When you took the dash out, where were the main bolts to take it out? any hints that might help me (I have to take mine out...)

Quote: Originally Posted by horsepwraddict

did some wiring removal. Only left the wipers, headlights, brake lights and blinkers,

This is all thats left.

horsepwraddict · 01-24-2008, 09:45 PM

their are 4 or 5 small screws along the top at the base of the windshield and two large ones on the bottom of the dash, one on each side. Sometimes its still a pain to take it out, just make sure everything is unplugged and be patient. It may take some persuasion.

In this picure you can see a tab above the e-brake pedal, thats where one of the larger bolts goes through on the bottom, its in the same location on the other side.

slam · 01-24-2008, 10:01 PM

There is one hidden around the steering column to... Its on the side kind of....You should be able to find it pretty ez tho.

horsepwraddict · 01-25-2008, 10:55 AM

got my tranny cooler this morning. This thing is badass.

horsepwraddict · 01-27-2008, 06:08 PM

Got a big 'ol radiator too. This thing is massive (for an s10 anyway) measuring in at 19x31. Im going to have to cut the bottom of the core support out and notch the frame rails.
Its a summit brand radiator but it says Northern right on it, so its a really nice piece for the price.

horsepwraddict · 02-01-2008, 05:04 PM

Here's the broken spring.

Picked up a brand new set of leafs from a friend, returned the polyurethane bushings as these came with new ones in them.

it looks empty, picking up u-bolts tomorrow morning. Should have the rear end in tomorrow morning, then i need to make shock mounts.

11-16-2007, 02:48 PM	#51
horsepwraddict s10 newb Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 606 Location: Princeton MA User is: OffLine	Re: First gen 5.3 swap. Dropped the motor in today to mock up some stuff and check all clearances. I made the notch a litte bigger than i had to but whatever, nothing with this truck has ever been the same as other v8 dimes so maybe you shouldn't use mine as an example LOL Look at all this room i made in the tunnel. You v8 s10 guys will appreciate it.
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-16-2007, 05:50 PM	#52
horsepwraddict s10 newb Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 606 Location: Princeton MA User is: OffLine	Re: First gen 5.3 swap. finished the last hole on the firewall too.
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-16-2007, 09:10 PM	#53
jeffrobaum Registered User Age: 32 Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 56 Location: Conroe TX User is: OffLine	Re: First gen 5.3 swap. When you get the carb/air cleaner and the hood on will ya give me an guestimate of how much clearance there is from the bottom of the hood to the air cleaner please?? I just got a 1gen and thinking of going this route also..
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-16-2007, 10:43 PM	#54
horsepwraddict s10 newb Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 606 Location: Princeton MA User is: OffLine	Re: First gen 5.3 swap. Quote: Originally Posted by jeffrobaum When you get the carb/air cleaner and the hood on will ya give me an guestimate of how much clearance there is from the bottom of the hood to the air cleaner please?? I just got a 1gen and thinking of going this route also.. sure, i will slap it on tomorrow and rest the hood on to let ya know. It didn't fit with my old 355 and i dont think it will with this motor either....but i will check.
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-17-2007, 12:00 PM	#55
camaro1 Registered User Age: 35 Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 300 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: First gen 5.3 swap. you should have plenty of hood/air filter clearance, i have a 14" x 3" airfilter on mine and the stock hood closes fine did you mock up the engine/trans together so you can keep your original driveshaft length?, i dropped in the engine/trans, hooked up the driveshaft and where ever the engine ended up is where i bolted it down also a 99 or newer malibu brake booster will give you way more clearance for the drivers side valvecover/ coil packs, check out the space between the brake booster and coil pack now Last edited by camaro1 : 11-17-2007 at 12:14 PM.
	[Reply w/Quote]


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11-17-2007, 12:44 PM	#56
horsepwraddict s10 newb Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 606 Location: Princeton MA User is: OffLine	Re: First gen 5.3 swap. I didn't have the tranny in, but because of the two piece driveshaft, i have room to play. Between where the yoke goes into the tranny, and the slip joint behind the carrier bearing i should have enough room to get my driveshaft to work. If not....i will just have to get it lengthed or shortened accordingly. I was wondering about the coils. Its a damn tight fit in their. Does the malibu booster bolt right up? Its not neccesary though is it? I know others who have been able to fit the truck coils in without a different booster. I still have to figure out what im going to do for accesorie brackets. Im not running power steering and i dont want the alternator on the driverside so i dont know what im going to do. Any ideas? Last edited by horsepwraddict : 11-17-2007 at 12:52 PM.
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-17-2007, 01:18 PM	#57
camaro1 Registered User Age: 35 Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 300 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: First gen 5.3 swap. Quote: Originally Posted by horsepwraddict I didn't have the tranny in, but because of the two piece driveshaft, i have room to play. Between where the yoke goes into the tranny, and the slip joint behind the carrier bearing i should have enough room to get my driveshaft to work. If not....i will just have to get it lengthed or shortened accordingly. I was wondering about the coils. Its a damn tight fit in their. Does the malibu booster bolt right up? Its not neccesary though is it? I know others who have been able to fit the truck coils in without a different booster. I still have to figure out what im going to do for accesorie brackets. Im not running power steering and i dont want the alternator on the driverside so i dont know what im going to do. Any ideas? without changing the brake booster you will have to re-locate the rear coil,, the malibu brake booster is almost a bolt in swap, just have to put the s-10 rod on the malibu booster(cut off and re-weld 15 min job) easiset set up is like mine, truck bracket with the bottom 1/2 cut off(manual gear box here also), why do you not want the alt on the drivers side
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-17-2007, 01:27 PM	#58
camaro1 Registered User Age: 35 Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 300 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: First gen 5.3 swap. another thing i just noticed, you are missing a dowel pin on the back of your engine,, make sure you get a new one in there or you will have major trans issues
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-18-2007, 06:15 PM	#59
horsepwraddict s10 newb Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 606 Location: Princeton MA User is: OffLine	Re: First gen 5.3 swap. did some wiring removal. Only left the wipers, headlights, brake lights and blinkers, This is all thats left.
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-18-2007, 10:53 PM	#60
outtowinpahc Electronics Guru Age: 25 Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 111 Location: Philly User is: OffLine	Re: First gen 5.3 swap. Nice progress, it looks much better
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-21-2007, 04:33 PM	#61
THEKING More Go then Show Age: 23 Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 1,134 Location: Scottsdale, AZ User is: OffLine	Re: First gen 5.3 swap. now that was a rats nest holy crap
	[Reply w/Quote]

12-13-2007, 11:52 PM	#62
horsepwraddict s10 newb Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 606 Location: Princeton MA User is: OffLine	Re: First gen 5.3 swap. removed the bed. ground off the second bed mount pedestals, bump stops and rear cross member. Going to make a new, more compact crossmember. Will do the same for the front gas take cross member. Got my Fuddle Racing Converter 245mm ls1 pilot 3k stall Got some new shoes too. Centerline Warriors. 15x4 up front and 15x8 in the rear with ET Streets
	[Reply w/Quote]

12-15-2007, 03:14 PM	#63
horsepwraddict s10 newb Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 606 Location: Princeton MA User is: OffLine	Re: First gen 5.3 swap. made this to stiffen up the rear frame rails.
	[Reply w/Quote]

12-16-2007, 02:03 PM	#64
m007gunit Registered User Age: 30 Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 478 Location: Rochester NY User is: OffLine	Re: First gen 5.3 swap. Looking good so far. I am curious to see what it is gonna run.
	[Reply w/Quote]

12-16-2007, 04:00 PM	#65
horsepwraddict s10 newb Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 606 Location: Princeton MA User is: OffLine	Re: First gen 5.3 swap. Quote: Originally Posted by m007gunit Looking good so far. I am curious to see what it is gonna run. me too...hopin for mid 12's if i can pull a respectable 60'
	[Reply w/Quote]

12-16-2007, 05:37 PM	#66
s10-den takes 2 balls in our game Age: 36 Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 3,284 Location: florida User is: OffLine	Re: First gen 5.3 swap. you doing the blazer gas tank conversion?
	[Reply w/Quote]

12-16-2007, 10:43 PM	#67
camaro1 Registered User Age: 35 Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 300 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: First gen 5.3 swap. Quote: Originally Posted by horsepwraddict me too...hopin for mid 12's if i can pull a respectable 60' you will have no problem running that number,,
	[Reply w/Quote]

12-17-2007, 10:15 AM	#68
wlsmoku Registered User Age: 32 Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 358 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: First gen 5.3 swap. good work man, keep the pics rollin in!
	[Reply w/Quote]

12-17-2007, 05:19 PM	#69
horsepwraddict s10 newb Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 606 Location: Princeton MA User is: OffLine	Re: First gen 5.3 swap. Quote: Originally Posted by s10-den you doing the blazer gas tank conversion? fuel cell.
	[Reply w/Quote]

12-29-2007, 01:18 PM	#70
horsepwraddict s10 newb Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 606 Location: Princeton MA User is: OffLine	Re: First gen 5.3 swap. the hollidays are over so time allows again. Got a bunch of parts ready to go in. Summit -6 Pushlock hose fittings Quick-fuel regulator Moroso fuel filter Holley Blue pump Sport comp Oil pressure and water temp gauge Autogage Tach Moroso switch panel Russel carb inlet fittings Holley 650dp
	[Reply w/Quote]

01-09-2008, 02:00 AM	#71
twisselman1968 Registered User Age: 26 Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 2 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: First gen 5.3 swap. looks good man how much ground clearence does it look like your going to have I looked into doing a LS1 swap but my trucks full drop and I was afraid with the LS1 pan I would have to hog to much cross member and with the truck pan I'd bottom out all the time
	[Reply w/Quote]

01-09-2008, 11:29 AM	#72
horsepwraddict s10 newb Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 606 Location: Princeton MA User is: OffLine	Re: First gen 5.3 swap. i have alot, mainly because i dont run a low truck though. The oil pan sticks about an inch below the crossmember, maybe not even that much. You could always build a small skid plate for the oil pan.
	[Reply w/Quote]

01-10-2008, 02:21 PM	#73
horsepwraddict s10 newb Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 606 Location: Princeton MA User is: OffLine	Re: First gen 5.3 swap. got the dash in the other day, got the switch panel in and took my locker out. Got an 1998 Explorer 8.8, 3.73's, track lok or whatever ford uses, 31 spline axles and disc brakes for 100 bucks. Im pretty happy.
	[Reply w/Quote]

01-11-2008, 02:19 PM	#74
horsepwraddict s10 newb Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 606 Location: Princeton MA User is: OffLine	Re: First gen 5.3 swap. cut the swaybar and shock mounts off the rear.
	[Reply w/Quote]

01-13-2008, 03:08 PM	#75
horsepwraddict s10 newb Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 606 Location: Princeton MA User is: OffLine	Re: First gen 5.3 swap. Made my own distribution block and started wiring up the panel.
	[Reply w/Quote]

01-24-2008, 02:45 PM	#76
horsepwraddict s10 newb Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 606 Location: Princeton MA User is: OffLine	Re: First gen 5.3 swap. got my springs and ordered a big 'ol aluminum radiator. made my own spring tool, insteead of paying 100+ dollars for the same thing, had the springs done in 45 minutes tops.
	[Reply w/Quote]

01-24-2008, 06:38 PM	#77
slam What to put here? Age: 68 Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,215 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: First gen 5.3 swap. I like that! lol Nicety the mother of invention.
	[Reply w/Quote]

01-24-2008, 07:54 PM	#78
2500avalanche Registered User Age: 30 Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 133 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: First gen 5.3 swap. When you took the dash out, where were the main bolts to take it out? any hints that might help me (I have to take mine out...) Quote: Originally Posted by horsepwraddict did some wiring removal. Only left the wipers, headlights, brake lights and blinkers, This is all thats left.
	[Reply w/Quote]

01-24-2008, 09:45 PM	#79
horsepwraddict s10 newb Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 606 Location: Princeton MA User is: OffLine	Re: First gen 5.3 swap. their are 4 or 5 small screws along the top at the base of the windshield and two large ones on the bottom of the dash, one on each side. Sometimes its still a pain to take it out, just make sure everything is unplugged and be patient. It may take some persuasion. In this picure you can see a tab above the e-brake pedal, thats where one of the larger bolts goes through on the bottom, its in the same location on the other side.
	[Reply w/Quote]

01-24-2008, 10:01 PM	#80
slam What to put here? Age: 68 Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,215 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: First gen 5.3 swap. There is one hidden around the steering column to... Its on the side kind of....You should be able to find it pretty ez tho.
	[Reply w/Quote]

01-25-2008, 10:55 AM	#81
horsepwraddict s10 newb Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 606 Location: Princeton MA User is: OffLine	Re: First gen 5.3 swap. got my tranny cooler this morning. This thing is badass.
	[Reply w/Quote]

01-27-2008, 06:08 PM	#82
horsepwraddict s10 newb Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 606 Location: Princeton MA User is: OffLine	Re: First gen 5.3 swap. Got a big 'ol radiator too. This thing is massive (for an s10 anyway) measuring in at 19x31. Im going to have to cut the bottom of the core support out and notch the frame rails. Its a summit brand radiator but it says Northern right on it, so its a really nice piece for the price.
	[Reply w/Quote]

02-01-2008, 05:04 PM	#83
horsepwraddict s10 newb Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 606 Location: Princeton MA User is: OffLine	Re: First gen 5.3 swap. Here's the broken spring. Picked up a brand new set of leafs from a friend, returned the polyurethane bushings as these came with new ones in them. it looks empty, picking up u-bolts tomorrow morning. Should have the rear end in tomorrow morning, then i need to make shock mounts.
	[Reply w/Quote]