5.3L Planning and budget question

[UncleMike]

I have an 89 FJ62 in pretty good overall condition, but am anticipating the need for an engine replacement in the next few years. From reading other posts, I am thinking the 5.3L vortec with 4l60E is my best option. Low mileage complete engines are abundant, decent mileage and plenty of power. My intended uses will be primarily as a daily driver, but will see moderate offroad use during hunting, fishing and campiing trips. Also will occassionally pull trailers, boat, etc...I'll eventually install mild lift, but don't see running larger than 33" tires.

First question....does this sound like a good selection? Why or why not?

Second, what do I need to plan on spending overall and what parts do I need to start accumulating? I understand i need minor modifications to the transmission crossmember and an adaptor for t-case, and wiring harness? What about fan shroud, radiator, PS and AC hoses, etc...?

Once I settle on an engine, I'd like to keep my eyes out for parts at good deals and opportunities to keep the costs reasonable and be able to set aside plenty of cash to keep my wife from killing me.

Any advice you can offer will be greatly appreciated.
Mike

Also...I am a fairly competent shadetree mechanic and can do mild fabrication, so will do the work mostly myself with occassional help from mechanic buddy.

 

[Str8Razor]

Excellent selection....sounds like you have your head wrapped around everything involved...I'm not good with budget, usually the one I need is the one that costs the most...I have learned it almost always costs more and takes longer then I thought...good luck with your swap...

 

[norsk]

Very good choice yes.

I went with a Gen I SBC and rebuilt from ground up because I always wanted to do that. I have learned HUGE amount of good info and some bad choice (but that is good as well because I won't do that again). Thread in my sig.

My machine work on my short block was $1500 by itself. For that, I could get 2 (read that two) 5.3L engine if I were hunting well.
When I do my FJ40 project, I will be doing the 5.3L (325 cu in), from around 2004 for the power plant, most likely with a NV4500 5 speed (I like manuals)

Search and read all 5.3L threads and learn from others - it really helps in your design. Doing a WRITTEN design/goals for the rig, helps layout the requirements, and then add to it your solutions. Documenting all that in my thread has helped (and others I am told) me to continue on without forgetting stuff


dougbert

 

[dbleon]

Sounds like a great choice to me but Im a little biased ...

Are you going to do it yourself? It will require some welding, so plan for that.

The little things really add up. You have a good list going, but dont forget about ECU tuning, gauges, fuel delivery, air intake, shallow oil pan, new driveshafts, exhaust, just to name a few.

Then there is the "while I'm in there" stuff that can snowball this type of project.

 

[Shebamacalla]

Sounds like a great choice to me but Im a little biased ...

shallow oil pan

Hey Dbleon. I have been thinking about this shallow oil pan I have heard about for my 6.0 vortec. do you have a part number? My driveshaft to pan clearance is tighter than I would like.

 

[dbleon]

I believe several people use the camaro pan. I didnt.... I used stock pan, body lift gave me just barely enough clearance.

 

[Shebamacalla]

thanks! @dbleon

 

[FJ60Cam]

Hey Dbleon. I have been thinking about this shallow oil pan I have heard about for my 6.0 vortec. do you have a part number? My driveshaft to pan clearance is tighter than I would like.

12628771 - F-Body Oil Pan
12558251 - Pick Up Tube
12551577 - Dipstick Tube
12551581 - Dipstick
12558253 - Windage Tray (or cut down the old one)

The cheapest I've found these is at Super Chevy Performance.

 

[FJ60Cam]

To @UncleMike -

I'm about to start that exact swap (5.3/4L60E.)

So far I've accumulated most of the big ticket items to get the motor in the truck.

I've got a super clean 50k mile, gen iv 5.3/4L60E takeout, new oil pan, new exhaust manifolds, Lokar shifter, T-case adapter, motor mounts, new wiring harness, got the ecu re-programmed, new DBW pedal, twin stick t-case shifters and a few more odds & ends.

I've spent $5400 so far and I predict it'll take another $1000-$1500 to finish.

You could shave a bunch off from that if you go with a cheaper motor and did your own wiring harness.

As mentioned, there are several good threads on 5.3 swaps. Check the 40 and 80 sections, too.

Take lots of notes and keep a running parts list. As I'm finding, there are a lot of nickle & dime parts that go in!

 

[OGBeno]

Man, I think I have $5400 in just the engine components for my 2F long block rebuild not including the machine work for the crank and the block.

 

[FJ60Cam]

I know I spent more than $5400 having my 2F rebuilt by the Cruiser Whisperer and having a shop do the remove/install labor.

 

[gregnash]

So dumb question, why is the Tundra V8 swap so uncommon? Doesn't it give a comparable amount of power to the 5.3l?

 

[norsk]

In post #2 of my build thread (in my sig), I list all the components to build a Gen I SBC powertrain from scratch, Quadrajet carb. My total is for the complete power train, which includes the new engine, a New Ranger Overdrive 2x transmission, my existing 4 speed and a rebuild on the transfercase. Totally the BOM there, comes to $8696. Not counting tools, rags, misc bolts, and other small stuff.

For just the engine itself:

$8696
- $1400 for the ranger
--------
$7296
- $250 for transfercase rebuilt
--------
$7046

Now I went with retro roller cam and rockers (CAM and rocker related stuff totaled some $1400) and some other 'good' items. I did go with a set of GMPP Vortec heads ($1050 for the set) which are stronger/bigger than the standard vortec heads.

My machine work on the short block was $1500 for 1973 chev SBC

For comparison

dougbert

PS: My next build on a FJ40 will be a used 5.3L - I think it will be cheaper.

 

[gregnash]

dougbert

PS: My next build on a FJ40 will be a used 5.3L - I think it will be cheaper.

LOL famous last words!

 

[norsk]

LOL famous last words!

ya think?

 

[gregnash]

Only time will tell. I am sure that after having done one already you will have a better idea of some of the pitfalls but then again I am an analyst so I always plan for at least a 10%-15% cost overrun.

 

[woytovich]

So dumb question, why is the Tundra V8 swap so uncommon? Doesn't it give a comparable amount of power to the 5.3l?

Swap parts, and parts in general are not as easily available and are more $$$.
The 5.3 has been done a million times.
Wire harness is more of an issue.
Chip tuning is not as easily done.

That said, I am planning a 2UZ v8 > H151 5 speed > part-time converted transfer case in my 66 FJ45LV... There will be a thread in the 45 section someday...

 

[UncleMike]

To @UncleMike -

I'm about to start that exact swap (5.3/4L60E.)

So far I've accumulated most of the big ticket items to get the motor in the truck.

I've got a super clean 50k mile, gen iv 5.3/4L60E takeout, new oil pan, new exhaust manifolds, Lokar shifter, T-case adapter, motor mounts, new wiring harness, got the ecu re-programmed, new DBW pedal, twin stick t-case shifters and a few more odds & ends.

I've spent $5400 so far and I predict it'll take another $1000-$1500 to finish.

You could shave a bunch off from that if you go with a cheaper motor and did your own wiring harness.

As mentioned, there are several good threads on 5.3 swaps. Check the 40 and 80 sections, too.

Take lots of notes and keep a running parts list. As I'm finding, there are a lot of nickle & dime parts that go in!

Thanks Cam...I picked up a hitch from you a while back! I'd love to see a parts list if you ever fully compile one. I am hopeful that my 4.0L has a couple of years left in it, so will start prepping for this in the next few months to allow me to sneak stuff into the shop without anyone noticing....

 

[UncleMike]

So...seems like about $8k is in the ballpark, but likely on the low side....

 

[FJ60Cam]

I forgot about the hitch! That was part of selling everything I could get my hands on to fund the swap.

I think you should be able to stay at or below the $8k mark.

$3k of my expenses was the motor/transmission combo (w/ECU). Many folks spend a LOT less. But I felt it was worth it for a clean, low mileage specimen.

I also bought a new harness. You could save by DIY. The harness was way out of my comfort zone and I knew I couldn't make it as clean as a new one though. ($750 for a harness, $150 for ecu re-program.)

The motor mounts and t-case adapter are another grand or so.

$270 for the oil pan and parts. $250 for the shifter.

That's the big stuff.

I've got a stalled build thread over in the MS clubhouse. Hopefully I'll start back up in a week or two with some updates.