Slippery slope from that visit to the North Rim Pig Party wasn’t it?
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
RUSH55
SILVER Star
- Thread starter
- #1,583
Got it from a guy down in Phoenix who sells engines on the side for one of the big wrecking yards. Calls himself an “engine broker”. Been keeping track of about 4 guys selling LS engines in the Phoenix area via FB Marketplace. It’s the only place I could find a regular supply to choose from.
This is a 2003 5.3 with ~130k. Has everything from fan to flex plate, including harness, ECM, and drive-by-wire throttle pedal.
PabloCruise
SILVER Star
Strong work on labeling the harness!
RUSH55
SILVER Star
- Thread starter
- #1,585
More Cruiser related fun today. Went up to U Pick It to give a thorough looking over of all the 03 and up LS equipped vehicles currently in stock that I can start hoarding parts from. Most were picked over. There might have been three or four rigs with engines still sitting between the rails. Found an extra DBW pedal and PCM and a few other little odds and ends. Funny the things people tear apart engines for....
Came home and pulled the valve covers on this engine. All looks pretty normal. Also mocked up the aluminum bellhousing that came with the NV4500/34mm split case combo just to verify it will work. Looks like a go. I’d heard that the LS blocks were missing a bolt hole for the bellhousing - this is true. The boss is there, but no threaded hole. It still catches 7 bolts and 2 large dowels.
Came home and pulled the valve covers on this engine. All looks pretty normal. Also mocked up the aluminum bellhousing that came with the NV4500/34mm split case combo just to verify it will work. Looks like a go. I’d heard that the LS blocks were missing a bolt hole for the bellhousing - this is true. The boss is there, but no threaded hole. It still catches 7 bolts and 2 large dowels.
RUSH55
SILVER Star
- Thread starter
- #1,586
Finally decided to stop hym-hawing on this potential project and just do it already. This idea originated from brother Craig,
@fj55tlc . It’s an excellent utilization of space, but not a project for the purist or faint of heart. Such a struggle to get over that fear.
Here we go....
Step One -
@fj55tlc . It’s an excellent utilization of space, but not a project for the purist or faint of heart. Such a struggle to get over that fear.
Here we go....
Step One -
Pigeaten
GOLD Star
gotta see this
I was a little nervous about that, too. Everybody said to not worry about it.
RUSH55
SILVER Star
- Thread starter
- #1,590
Ron, I’m looking through SLOW71 trying to find where you mounted your TAC module for the drive-by-wire, as well as how you mounted the pedal. Looks like the pedal used some common bolt holes with the steering column bucket. It looks like two are common with one above. Is that an existing bolt hole in the firewall or did you have to drill it?
The TAC and computer are on the pass. side. I remember doing some fabbing on the pedal and it's mounting, but I'll take a look tomorrow and get a better idea of what and how. I know I bent the pedal straight and shortened it to work.
I believe I used one of the existing holes for the pedal.
I believe I used one of the existing holes for the pedal.
PabloCruise
SILVER Star
Step 1, get a box.
Step 2, cut a hole in the box...
Step 2, cut a hole in the box...
Ok, I used the bottom bolt off the steering column bracket and drilled the top hole through the firewall in order to mount the gas pedal. Here's where I mounted the TAC on the pass. side firewall. I modified the pedal a lot to fit, but easy to do.
If you're maintaining the stock heater and ducting, firewall mounting might be touch and go. I mounted my ECU on the passenger side kick panel. Figured less change of damage from errant feet, etc.
03 with DBW. Does it have a fuel return? It sounds like you got a late 2003 so it has the bigger cam bearings. Bigger outside diameter but the same inside to receive any cam. Do yourself a favor and just rebuild it. I didnt plan on doing it in the beginning but I feel better now that I did.
RUSH55
SILVER Star
- Thread starter
- #1,598
@Megadoomer , it has a return line. Been trying to find a fuel rail with only the supply. From what I gather, that truly began in 07 with the Gen IV engines.(?) According to LS1swap.com they supposedly eliminated the returns in 04, but several 04/05 rigs I found at the scrap yard had returns
The engine is on the stand ready to be gone through. At the very least it’s gonna get a timing chain, gaskets, and sensors. Gonna wait and see what the cylinders and bearings look like before making any decisions on a rebuild.
The engine is on the stand ready to be gone through. At the very least it’s gonna get a timing chain, gaskets, and sensors. Gonna wait and see what the cylinders and bearings look like before making any decisions on a rebuild.
My late 03 is returnless fuel. It may have been pioneered in certain vehicles. Is yours e85? Mine is not and it does not have afm or dod.
My 04 is returnless. Weird.
