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Author Topic: Diving in head first! 5.3L LS into 88 Convertible!  (Read 5804 times)

Offline TruckerBomb

Diving in head first! 5.3L LS into 88 Convertible!
« on: November 05, 2013, 08:50:41 PM »
Well, I've been reading through this forum for a few months, and have used it to guide my purchases thus far.  What I'm looking at is a 76k mile 88 convertible that I'm putting a 5.3 out of an 02 silverado into it.  I'll be mating it to a 4l65e out of an 06 GTO.

Here's a rundown of parts I have and prices:

Car                                    $1000
5.3L                                   $350
4L65e                                $400
Motor mounts                    $140
Tranny mount                    $75
Harness                             $100
ECM                                   $40

I know I still need the harness redone (DigitalSolo will be doing) and an ECM reprogram.  I know I'm missing a few other small details to get this put together.  Can I get some guidance from those of you who have done this before on what I'm missing?

Offline AKINA FC

Re: Diving in head first! 5.3L LS into 88 Convertible!
« Reply #1 on: November 05, 2013, 08:57:07 PM »
Looks like a good start! Just the small things left. What are you using for cooling and fuel system?

Offline digitalsolo

Re: Diving in head first! 5.3L LS into 88 Convertible!
« Reply #2 on: November 05, 2013, 09:03:46 PM »
Yep, cooling system, exhaust, fuel system.   Gauges, shifter, etc, also.   Power steering?  A/C (guessing not in a convertible).
Blake MF'ing McBride
1988 Mazda RX7 - Turbo LS1/T56/ProEFI/8.8/Not Slow...   sold.
1965 Mustang Coupe - TT Coyote, TR6060, modern brakes/suspension...
2007 Aston Martin V8 Vantage - Gen V LT4/TR6060, upper/lower pullies, headers, tune.
2021 Tesla Model 3 Performance - Stock...ish.

Offline TruckerBomb

Re: Diving in head first! 5.3L LS into 88 Convertible!
« Reply #3 on: November 05, 2013, 09:20:28 PM »
Looks like a good start! Just the small things left. What are you using for cooling and fuel system?

Yep, cooling system, exhaust, fuel system.   Gauges, shifter, etc, also.   Power steering?  A/C (guessing not in a convertible).

Cooling : car CAME WITH http://www.frsport.com/R0181-53mm-Aluminum-Racing-Radiator-86-88-RX7--FC3S-early-_p_1724.html  This is adequate, correct?
Power steering : The power steering in it leaks, depending on issue, might remove altogether? Advice?
A/C : Not worried for the time being, it is a functional convertible
Exhaust : already has dual 2 1/2 or 2 3/4 all the way back.
Fuel system : Dropping in a walbro 255 for starters.  Should do for now, Advice?
Shifter : IDK yet, prolly a junk yard pull outta something.  It's a 5sp right now, going auto. Suggestions?
Gauges : Psssh... foot to the floor til I run outta room. (lol, will do integra speedo)

Offline WannaBeFast

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Re: Diving in head first! 5.3L LS into 88 Convertible!
« Reply #4 on: November 05, 2013, 09:39:16 PM »
Nice vert.

Offline TruckerBomb

Re: Diving in head first! 5.3L LS into 88 Convertible!
« Reply #5 on: November 05, 2013, 09:44:37 PM »
Nice vert.

Thanks!  When I get a chance later, I'll go look at yours!

Offline WannaBeFast

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Re: Diving in head first! 5.3L LS into 88 Convertible!
« Reply #6 on: November 05, 2013, 10:33:39 PM »
You 'll be better off not to - trust me - you got a good plan going on - stick with it.

Offline TruckerBomb

Re: Diving in head first! 5.3L LS into 88 Convertible!
« Reply #7 on: November 05, 2013, 11:17:24 PM »
Wow, you're right. lol.  Cool though.

Offline mech-head

Re: Diving in head first! 5.3L LS into 88 Convertible!
« Reply #8 on: November 06, 2013, 01:39:37 PM »
Cooling : car CAME WITH http://www.frsport.com/R0181-53mm-Aluminum-Racing-Radiator-86-88-RX7--FC3S-early-_p_1724.html  This is adequate, correct?
Power steering : The power steering in it leaks, depending on issue, might remove altogether? Advice?
A/C : Not worried for the time being, it is a functional convertible
Exhaust : already has dual 2 1/2 or 2 3/4 all the way back.
Fuel system : Dropping in a walbro 255 for starters.  Should do for now, Advice?
Shifter : IDK yet, prolly a junk yard pull outta something.  It's a 5sp right now, going auto. Suggestions?
Gauges : Psssh... foot to the floor til I run outta room. (lol, will do integra speedo)

I don't think your stock location radiator will clear the bottom pulley on the LS motor.

I have AC in my vert, but I don't use it that often.  The verts are not nearly as fun to drive with the top up.

Double check your exhaust.  If it is still the rotary exhaust, you will have to add a lot.  Are you using headers or stock exhaust manifolds?  Headers are expensive, so stock exhaust manifolds are the budget approach.

Fuel sounds good, there are plenty of variations of plumbing that people have done.

Going from manual to automatic shouldn't be difficult.  Look at what others have done for shifters, and an Automatic pedal assembly should be easy to find, not that you really need to remove the clutch pedal.

Good luck with the build, give me a shout if you have vert questions.

Offline KCDAN

Re: Diving in head first! 5.3L LS into 88 Convertible!
« Reply #9 on: November 06, 2013, 01:58:17 PM »
I saw this car on CL.. looked like a decent platform to swap.

Offline TruckerBomb

Re: Diving in head first! 5.3L LS into 88 Convertible!
« Reply #10 on: November 06, 2013, 05:24:41 PM »
Cooling : car CAME WITH http://www.frsport.com/R0181-53mm-Aluminum-Racing-Radiator-86-88-RX7--FC3S-early-_p_1724.html  This is adequate, correct?
Power steering : The power steering in it leaks, depending on issue, might remove altogether? Advice?
A/C : Not worried for the time being, it is a functional convertible
Exhaust : already has dual 2 1/2 or 2 3/4 all the way back.
Fuel system : Dropping in a walbro 255 for starters.  Should do for now, Advice?
Shifter : IDK yet, prolly a junk yard pull outta something.  It's a 5sp right now, going auto. Suggestions?
Gauges : Psssh... foot to the floor til I run outta room. (lol, will do integra speedo)

I don't think your stock location radiator will clear the bottom pulley on the LS motor.

I have AC in my vert, but I don't use it that often.  The verts are not nearly as fun to drive with the top up.

Double check your exhaust.  If it is still the rotary exhaust, you will have to add a lot.  Are you using headers or stock exhaust manifolds?  Headers are expensive, so stock exhaust manifolds are the budget approach.

Fuel sounds good, there are plenty of variations of plumbing that people have done.

Going from manual to automatic shouldn't be difficult.  Look at what others have done for shifters, and an Automatic pedal assembly should be easy to find, not that you really need to remove the clutch pedal.

Good luck with the build, give me a shout if you have vert questions.

The radiator is mounted vertical already... Still an issue?
Gonna go with Camaro manifolds, i hear the 02 are the common ones... Know if the 2010 ones work?

Offline TruckerBomb

Re: Diving in head first! 5.3L LS into 88 Convertible!
« Reply #11 on: November 06, 2013, 05:54:51 PM »
Actually, radiator is still tiled... What mount works with this radiator?

Offline mech-head

Re: Diving in head first! 5.3L LS into 88 Convertible!
« Reply #12 on: November 06, 2013, 10:54:31 PM »
Actually, radiator is still tiled... What mount works with this radiator?

If the radiator is angled like the stock one, there just isn't enough room for the LS (crank pulley will hit).  You will have to go with the JTR, Hinson, or a custom arrangement.  Some used ones come up once in a while.

I have not heard of anyone using a Camaro Gen 5 exhaust manifold.  The 2002 manifolds work well, and probably the cheapest route to go.  I have some F-body shorty headers in mine that fit great.

Offline TruckerBomb

Re: Diving in head first! 5.3L LS into 88 Convertible!
« Reply #13 on: November 06, 2013, 11:50:05 PM »
Actually, radiator is still tiled... What mount works with this radiator?

If the radiator is angled like the stock one, there just isn't enough room for the LS (crank pulley will hit).  You will have to go with the JTR, Hinson, or a custom arrangement.  Some used ones come up once in a while.

I have not heard of anyone using a Camaro Gen 5 exhaust manifold.  The 2002 manifolds work well, and probably the cheapest route to go.  I have some F-body shorty headers in mine that fit great.

I can pick up stock 5th gen's for $40... I'm gonna do it just 'cuz!  I'll let you all know the results!
« Last Edit: November 07, 2013, 12:00:22 AM by TruckerBomb »

Offline atli126

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Re: Diving in head first! 5.3L LS into 88 Convertible!
« Reply #14 on: November 08, 2013, 07:01:00 PM »
http://www.norotors.com/index.php?topic=456.0

read this and use his list (its what i did and my car is on the road and awesome  :drive:)
-Bret
87 RX7 5.3/t56 TII Check it out >>>>http://www.502streetscene.net/forum/showthread.php?t=181938&page=4

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