99 up vortec to manual trans (5.3L in this case)

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May 22, 2003
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I have a 5.3 bolted to a bell in mockup in a rig, having one hell of a time finding parts and information on what Flywheel, clutch and pressure plate would work.

5.3 has the option of manual trans, but far as i can tell nobody lists it.

I found a 4.8 flywheel, but so far no information if that is the same? I assume it is.

Will older clutch disc, work with new pressure plate? need 10 spline disc for a 420. or What other options?????


Take suggestions on clutch linkage/hydraulic bellhousings etc....

yes i searched, here and pirate, found older stuff pre 99, but nothing new with anything other then a auto trans.
 
that's a good question. i just looked in the 2005 LUK catalog and they do not list anything for the 5.3 V8. you might want to call them and see what they say.tech hotline 800-274-5001 or 330-273-5227. tell them you are a "transtar customer" (that's the company i work for and i believe we're one of their biggest customers).
i would assume that if there is a manual option behind the 5.3, then the input of the accorfing transmission will be fine spline, somewhere in the 30 count. this means that the oe clutch disc for that application will not work with a 420 since they're 10 spline units. i would also assume that the late modes standard will have an internal slave cylinder which means that the pressure plate won't work either due to finger heigth differences.
but, most of the gm clutch bolt patterns on the flywheel have been very consistent over the years so you should be able to use the early clutch and bell housing in combination with the 5.3 engine.
try to find a reman flywheel at a good auto parts store and then see if the LUK clucth kit # 04-064 will bolt up. that clutch kit is the early 12 inch diaphram style clutch with the 10 spline disc and works perfect on the 420s.
hope that helps and makes sense.
georg
 
Yep nv3500 in the 1500 series 4.8 or 5.3, but looks like the 4.8 to nv was more the norm, so i had assumed it would be a fine splined.

good point internal slave, didnt think anyone used those POS anymore. I guess labor charge on changing them made it a no brainer for them to use them.

clutch pattern i hope are the same, and that is what i was kind of wondering. Havent been able to find any info or lay my hands on a flywheel :(

Looking for reman fly but so far NONE, with one possibly in the U.S somewhere and i am suppose to get a phone call back (right). pricing for a reman, core was 3 times the cost of the fly, LMAO. Need to try a bit harder, but man this sucks.

ALL of this and its not on any of my rigs, got the engine for pennies, buddy engine is dieing so out
of my kindness i decide he could do it, now all this crap. Things i get myself into.
:)

Thanks think i hear the tech line ringing.
 
Chevy part number

12561755 flywheel for a 4.8L (LR4) with a 5 spd manual
12561757 flywheel for a 6.0L (LQ4) or (LQ6) denali

NO LISTING FOR A 5.3L. WHAT? why would a company make a truck engine
that never was mated to a manual trans?? no wonder why they cant sell anything.

I have three sources that said a 5.3L and 5 spd manual are optional, and they are still
offered that way today. So i guess it is a could have, but might never happend??????

Nobody has any idea as of right now. Checking to see if the Numbers for both the 4.8 and 5.3 flexplate is the same. They use the same blocks and such different stroke. What a pain already.
 
and i'll say it again :" AUTOS RULE!!!!!" :flipoff2:
 
just talked to my buddy at gm. he could not find a listing either but he did say that the flexplates for the 4.8 and 5.3 were the same, so they should accept the same standard flywheel. is'nt it interesting that the 4.8 and 6.0 flywheels use consecutive numbers with one missing between them????? hmmmmm. how about asking the dealer for a price on the missing part # and a part description just for s***s and giggles?!
 
George....


are you a parts guy?

:rolleyes:
 
automatic transmission, wise guy!!! and yes, i'm a hell of a parts guy! :censor:
 
lol, dealers were closed here so i didnt get to check on that flexplate. Thanks.

Auto trans has been discussed, but would involve stretching approx 8-14 inches, and more
then likely change transfer, and rear axle as well ( just cause). But if the auto that came
with the engine is sold, it paid for this setup, :) and $$$$ is tight, buddy work is free.

I will fab all day but not huge fan of custom finish sheetmetal work.

i think the number in between is for the late 5.7? i look in the morning.
 
just put a 5.3 into a truck .we used a 4l80e tranny but had to get a special fexplate from advance adapters .the computer we were able to reprogram though ! good luck!
 
Sunray is currently mating a manual tranny (H42) to a GM 5.3. They are using a Mark's 350 adapter and have run into some interesting issues.

One such issue is the mark's adapter on the 5.3 rotates the tranny and transfer where the AA transfer case crossmsmber is not horzontal with the frame.....it is off, way off!

Anyway, there have been some other issues that they told me and I have forgotten. PM Lanzg and he can help with what they have seen so far.
 
I hope you keep the forum posted on how this goes. I have been contemplating putting a newer 5.3 into my FJ40 too.

I was wondering what trouble I would run into. I originally wanted to the 6.0L but found that the horsepower and torque numbers made the 5.3 a no brainer over the 6.0.
 
LOL,

I am still looking at things, but have to finish a rush job in my free time, complete trans through doubler in 5 days, including custom hydraulic clutch stuff. not fun.

From what i have gathered so far, for this application, custom hydraulic clutch stuff, reports say a spacer is needed to mount up the clutch assembly, but i have not had a chance to mock and measure.

Lanzg?? will do.

why 5.3 over 6.0??? only reason this 5.3 is being used as it was purchased for pennies.

did a bit of mockup, exhaust on driver side is SUCKY, looking at different manifolds.

BTW this is not going into a cruiser, but similiar.
 
Well for me a no brainer anyway. Others might have different opinions.

I can get a 5.3 from the Junk Yard for about 600-800 bucks from a 2001 or so Truck locally. a 6.0 is harder to find and they cost easily 4 times what the 5.3 costs.

in stock form.
5.3 295 HP 335 Lb. Ft
6.0 310 HP 360 Lb. Ft

15 horses and 25 Lb Ft isn't worth the extra coin to me. Those numbers are already WAY higher than what the FJ40 came with and more than enough to make me happy (I think). Of course by that same logic a 4.8 would work great too. They are even cheaper and easier to find.

I drove a 12 passenger van with the 8.1 in it though.... Man that would rule in the cruiser. Don't know if it would fit, but that would be so awesome. That thing had so much freaking torque. I bet my Land Cruiser has never accelerated faster than it did on the trailer behind the van.
 
call Turn Key engine supply in Oceanside, CA. IIRC, Kolby runs that company, and his father runs Standard Clutch and Flywheel a few buildings over, so they should have something figured out. BTW, they have a number of machining centers there and make their own flywheels. maybe they can help you out?
 

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