Author Topic: 5.3L engine swap/ supercharger (Read 50559 times)

Helios · « **on:** February 27, 2015, 08:20:07 AM »

I'm going to finally jump over and do a 5.3L engine swap into Gwyneth. Not sure if I'll do most of the work on my own or have a couple friends help me out at a small shop they own. It'll depend on the quote they send me to do the work. Anyway, I've been looking around for superchargers. I really like the looks and sound of the Whipple, but there are others from Magnuson, Edelbrock, Eaton, Procharger, etc. I'm wondering if I will have enough clearance under Norm's viper hood for clearance of a SC and which SC is best for the engine? I'm also taking into consideration the pricepoint. I've seen the Eaton M112 and M90 on eBay for a steal. I don't like the looks of the Edelbrocks nor am I really interested in a Procharger. I want to keep that SC whine. Will the Eaton MP62 that DDM uses on our 2.4L work in this application? Anything else I should be looking at?

POS VETT · « **Reply #1 on:** February 27, 2015, 08:48:22 AM »

Please enlighten me. Why 5.3l instead of 6.2l? Is this 5.3l with iron block that came in GMT800 & GMT900?

Dave@DDMworks · « **Reply #2 on:** February 27, 2015, 09:05:54 AM »

Depends on the power that you want to make with the supercharger, but unless you are looking to make the same power as you are now, the MP62 is going to be too small for your application. The MP90 or the MP112 will work, but once again depends on the power you are looking to make with them.

Helios · « **Reply #3 on:** February 27, 2015, 09:19:38 AM »

Quote from: POS VETT on February 27, 2015, 08:48:22 AM

Please enlighten me. Why 5.3l instead of 6.2l? Is this 5.3l with iron block that came in GMT800 & GMT900?

The 5.3L is inexpensive, under $1k, $2k tops if I have to piece meal everything for a full rebuild, and readily available for swap budget of $5k. I'm looking to use an L33 (a LM4 will work), but will use an iron block if I have to. It's only approx. a 100 lb. weight penalty for the iron block. I'll source the L33 from a 2005-2007 Silverado/ Sierra as those were the only vehicles to get that engine. If I have to use an iron block then the 5.3 can come from any number of model Chevy or GMC SUVs/ trucks.

Helios · « **Reply #4 on:** February 27, 2015, 09:21:58 AM »

Quote from: Dave@DDMworks on February 27, 2015, 09:05:54 AM

Depends on the power that you want to make with the supercharger, but unless you are looking to make the same power as you are now, the MP62 is going to be too small for your application. The MP90 or the MP112 will work, but once again depends on the power you are looking to make with them.

I'll be close to the target 500 HP with just cams, heads, and intake (supposedly). I want to run a mild 8PSI.

TomatoSoup · « **Reply #5 on:** February 27, 2015, 10:14:14 AM »

Really interesting take. V8 sound and (I assume) much lighter engine than an LS. Only big issue I would see is integrating the electronics - a lot of work has been done on the LS builds, but you'd be starting from scratch.

REALLY interested in this. Please update us at every stage

Helios · « **Reply #6 on:** February 27, 2015, 01:13:18 PM »

Quote from: TomatoSoup on February 27, 2015, 10:14:14 AM

Really interesting take. V8 sound and (I assume) much lighter engine than an LS. Only big issue I would see is integrating the electronics - a lot of work has been done on the LS builds, but you'd be starting from scratch.

REALLY interested in this. Please update us at every stage

From what I've read (and I've been reading a lot lately for this build) is that an LS3 is around 418 lbs and an LS1 is just under 500 lbs. Again, the engine weights weren't exact reading from multiple sources and varied + or - 50 lbs. But in general, the L33 is approx. the same weight as an LS1.

I'm not sure what an LE5 engine weighs plus the weight of the stage 3 SC kit. I will assume that since the LS3 engine swaps front bias weight distribution from 50/50 to 52/48, that an L33 swap will be similar and an iron block 5.3 will bias it a little more than that. I am curious though. If I have the money, I'll eventually weigh it at a truck scale to get an official weight distribution figure.

Critterman · « **Reply #7 on:** February 27, 2015, 01:38:34 PM »

Dave @ DDM has the weight plates to get the distribution

Helios · « **Reply #8 on:** February 27, 2015, 03:51:09 PM »

Did more reading. Looks like the M112 will be the best choice later down the line when I add it to the setup.

elff · « **Reply #9 on:** February 27, 2015, 09:15:43 PM »

Sounds like a cool idea. Take lots of pics and keep us informed

tazz · « **Reply #10 on:** February 27, 2015, 10:03:53 PM »

Do a Cog setup.

Helios · « **Reply #11 on:** February 28, 2015, 08:42:52 AM »

Quote from: tazz on February 27, 2015, 10:03:53 PM

Do a Cog setup.

Was thinking of that, too.

Sting Ya · « **Reply #12 on:** February 28, 2015, 09:38:35 AM »

LE 5 306-331 lbs / 5.3 450 lbs. /LS1 430 lbs . /5.3 w Magna Charger supercharger & 4L60 E Trans 779.4 lbs .

Helios · « **Reply #13 on:** March 04, 2015, 08:15:57 AM »

Well, I knew this wasn't going to be a quick swap as I have never done one before. It's going to take even longer now. The boss says she wants to save money for our honeymoon since we didn't go on one after the wedding last year. Oh, well. That gives me time to work on other projects I've wanted to do to the car. Ah, marriage...isn't it grand? Happy wife; happy life as they say.

Sly Bob · « **Reply #14 on:** March 04, 2015, 11:01:52 AM »

Quote from: Helios on March 04, 2015, 08:15:57 AM

...Happy wife; happy life as they say.

Yeah most us here know what that's like. I tell people that I wear the pants in the family and that I'm the boss but only after I make sure my wife's not around.

Lot's of time for the project. Funny how life sometimes gets in the way of projects like this we want to do.