getting started on 5.3 swap! Step 1: purchaseing

[ivdusmc]

My 60 has been down with a bad 2f for many months. Been waiting for a friends Garrage to become availible after Thanksgiving.

So now i need to start getting parts. Not worried about finding an engine, have some ideas on that. I also live in CA but fj60 not registered here so not to worried about smog requirments but would like to install most items in case i need to make a change.

I need to be as prepaired as possible on parts so once garrage is availible we can make swap quickly. So with all that being said i have a few questions for those of you that have done this swap.

Header sugestions?
Should i convert the steering also?
Painless wire harness are expensive, how hard will it be to work with older wire harness and computer?
Engine mounts from AA ok?
4l60 will be used!

Also any member's in the bay area interested in helping swap would love to hear from ya.

 

[ivdusmc]

I remember reading other swaps somewhere about the expense or pain the fuel system can be for the vortec swap....but having trouble finding info on that today, so if anyone is interested in chiming in on parts needed for that issue, i would love to hear about it.

 

[workingdog]

First thing we need to know is what vintage 5.3l you are looking at.

If you can find a 'take out' 5.3 with everything, it is possible to use the stock harness - just requires some fiddling.

You can keep the FJ60 steering.

You'll need a high pressure fuel pump to feed a modern 5.3l.

The requirements to get a 5.3l conversion smog legal in CA are difficult. Both 02 sensors in the right place, fully operational check engine light which includes a Chevy fuel level sending unit to make the ECM happy, EVAP canister fully functional, etc. If you can avoid it - your life will be a lot easier and a lot cheaper.

Peter

 

[mcmain0121]

PM Sent.

 

[Elbert]

first job would be to read through some of the engine swap threads dealing with 5.3. You will need an adapter to adapt from your GM auto trans to your toyota transfer case. Check out the AA web site.

Yes aa mounts work fine.

you don't have to change the steering... but will need a p/s hose made that will work with gm pump and toyota steering gear.

I would use manifolds rather than headers...

good to vist the howell eng web site. for info on a stand alone wiring harness plus ECM mods.

Your best bet is to get a entire engine plus everythign under the hood from the same truck.

 

[CudaJimmy]

So are you doing a transmission swap, too? This is the first swap thread I've gotten into on the FJ's, so forgive me if I'm out of line in asking.

 

[ivdusmc]

Trans swap will be the Chevy automatic 4l60. Not sure about using a 2wd or 4wd, i know the 2wd can be converted using a aa adapter.

 

[ivdusmc]

I didnt even know there was a difference between the 5.3 and 5.3l, so is the 5.3 easier to get smog ready? what vintage would you recomend?

 

[ivdusmc]

First thing we need to know is what vintage 5.3l you are looking at.


The requirements to get a 5.3l conversion smog legal in CA are difficult. Both 02 sensors in the right place, fully operational check engine light which includes a Chevy fuel level sending unit to make the ECM happy, EVAP canister fully functional, etc. If you can avoid it - your life will be a lot easier and a lot cheaper.

Peter

Was looking for 2001 to current, but most likely for price reasons between 2001-04 engine. have found many under 100k. Not likely a full take out, but have seen wire harnesses on ebay among other places. Also saw someone recomend taking old harness to wait4meperformance to update the old harness to plug and play ready. Would like to be ready to install all smog equipment needed to pass smog in most states because i do move around alot. so i would like it at least 80% smog ready. Functional "check engine" at a min would be good. O2 and cat not really important right now. the state i am currently reg. doesnt require smog.

 

[workingdog]

If you can, get the harness with the engine and get it modified. Don't buy a harness off ebay - the odds of there being small difference (flexfuel versus straight gas, etc) that will drive you crazy is too high.

 

[dbleon]

Witht the 5.3 engine chevy fixed the piston slap in 2002 or 2003 so best bet is newer than that. also no EGR on 2002? and up.

Get a 2wd trans if ya want to use the AA-splitcase adapter. 4wd will not work.

I think stock harness is pretty easy lots of guides on the net.

Headers... I used LS3 headers off a C5 vette. There center dump, and have 02 boss built in. Plus they're smog legal if that matters.

There's tons of small stuff involved, so if your on a time limit, you'd better make sure you got everything.

Check my thread... I will be posting up how to run an in tank GM fuel pump in the toyota tank (in tank is the way to go)

 

[Finnyfam60]

I'm in the far east bay and would love to come help, but since I have never done a Chevy into Toyota swap, I may just end up passing you tools and beer... I can def help with tear down and be extra hands...

 

[esh]

That place in Oklahoma that does super clean take outs on trucks with 10 - 1000 miles has great prices on 5.3s. Now if I could remember the name of it... good place to find 6.0s and some 5.7s once in a while. I think I was looking at a complete motor with harness and everything for 1200, 10 miles on it 2002 5.3, couple years ago.

 

[MANUCHAO]

My 60 has been down with a bad 2f for many months. Been waiting for a friends Garrage to become availible after Thanksgiving.

So now i need to start getting parts. Not worried about finding an engine, have some ideas on that. I also live in CA but fj60 not registered here so not to worried about smog requirments but would like to install most items in case i need to make a change.

I need to be as prepaired as possible on parts so once garrage is availible we can make swap quickly. So with all that being said i have a few questions for those of you that have done this swap.

Header sugestions?
Should i convert the steering also?
Painless wire harness are expensive, how hard will it be to work with older wire harness and computer?
Engine mounts from AA ok?
4l60 will be used!

Also any member's in the bay area interested in helping swap would love to hear from ya.

Parts, get the engine/tranny & mate it to the AA adapter and TC first.
Get the harness from a trusty source.. specially if you are not good with wiring.
I would shoot for CA emissions, what do you have to loose by trying ??
If it does not pass you loose nothing. If you pass you can sell it for whatever you thinks is worth in CA.

If time is the name if the game.. get everything mated first.. then you can pull the old and in with the new in less than a couple of days...

Headers are nice but it usually means more work. as stated above go with corvette E. manifolds.

Convert the steering ? Why. it works great on stock form..!!

Painless harness = fast-er swap.

Engine mounts... look around there are better mounts than AA outthere.. try using the stock motor mounts that come with the engine and fab up the frame mounts...
Check this link out:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wagons/518347-engine-mounts-them-doing-engine-swaps.html

Try something like this instead of the AA mounts..

4L60E is good but make sure its in good shape.. it needs to be opened up to put the right shaft in.. try to upgrade servos and 3rd and 4th clutches

Good luck and post pics...

 

[ivdusmc]

Awsome info guys. Thank you.

 

[ivdusmc]

Interested in knowing three things?

Part number for in tank fuel pump that people used for stock tank?

Are all 4l60e 2wd transmisions created equal?

c5 vette headers seem really price; any good hookups?

If not c5 vette headers, does AA headers inside rails work?

 

[ivdusmc]

will the ls3 ls6 manifold from a vette work on the 5.3?
eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices

 

[MANUCHAO]

no.....

but these might

http://www.ebay.com/itm/22091163316...:VRI&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2661#ht_2589wt_1353

or

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Corvette-LS...ies&vxp=mtr&hash=item1e6949f6db#ht_500wt_1368

This might work too

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2004-2006-P...ies&vxp=mtr&hash=item41605655da#ht_500wt_1368

 

[ivdusmc]

i guess i am a little confused then. i have been looking for vette manifolds as recomended; but the c5 mainiford as sugested are labeles as ls3 ls6

 

[mwalls54]

all of the manifolds will work with a 5.3. its just going to depend on how you run the exhaust.
LS3s came in C6 vettes and Camaro's