Simple question about 5.3 vs 5.7

[Cpt Asce]

I am totally green when it comes to something as intense as a swap. I do understand that the 5.3 swap, when done correctly, can cost far less than a 5.7 swap. I also know that the marginal difference in power isn't worth the price differences. Furthermore the fact that the 5.3 is iron and has a lower displacement means it'll handle boost better if that is the route I decide to go.

My question is building a 5.3 out of my league and buy the full ls1 with the t56?

[quinns]

A 5.3 is available in an aluminum block. Swap whichever you can get a better deal on a good running motor.

[Dr1ft1ng0wns]

I've never understood how people get away with 5.3 swap cheaper. I mean by the time you spend 800-1000 on a 5.3, and buy the intake, injectors, rails, plugs. oil pan, windage tray, accesroy mounts, and a water pump to convert it to a ls1 style exterior, you may as well have bought an ls1/t56 combo already bolted together and not worry about sourcing a flywheel and clutch. As far as being out of your league, if you can handle a motor swap then dropping a 5.3 in over a ls1 isn't even a challenge. It's really just changing the bolt ons.

[digitalsolo]

Why would you spend 1000+ on a 5.3?   A buddy of mine picked up an aluminum long block at the yard for $130.00 last month.

[Covert5150]

A 5.3 doesn't do anything better than an LS1 could do. Later model 5.3's may have gen IV rods which are slightly stronger than LS1 gen III rods. The fact that it is a iron, and less cubic inches will make it less expensive - But in my mind, those are both negatives. With good fuel, and a good tune - any LS engine will handle a good amount of power.

[mattster03]

I think it's simply not the case that getting a 5.3L/T56 in an RX7 is any cheaper than a 5.7L/T56 setup.

[spacevomit]

If you're green on doing anything as intense as a swap, then that IMO means you should definitely get save up for an LS1 or better. 5.3s are just more plentiful and often cost less to do all at once, but potentially could cost more in the long run.

[gc3]

i think if you find the right deals, 5.3s have the potential for a cheaper overall cost.
mainly from the quantity of them available, plus them being "vortecs" some people on craigslist think they are only worth pennies.
notice all the "vortec 5.3"s are several hundred dollars cheaper than any of the "LS1 5.3"s on craigslist for no reason at all.
as for budget swaps, no need to swap intakes or injectors.
oil pan, water pump, accessories etc can be had for good deals if you look in the right places.

if you are rushing the swap, just get a pullout ls1. if you have time to burn to save money, get whichever comes up as a better deal.

[Cpt Asce]

Alright guys thanks for the input! I'll definetly go with the full ls1/t56 pullout and bolt that right up. Thanks for the info! 

[mattster03]

i think if you find the right deals, 5.3s have the potential for a cheaper overall cost.
mainly from the quantity of them available, plus them being "vortecs" some people on craigslist think they are only worth pennies.
notice all the "vortec 5.3"s are several hundred dollars cheaper than any of the "LS1 5.3"s on craigslist for no reason at all.
as for budget swaps, no need to swap intakes or injectors.
oil pan, water pump, accessories etc can be had for good deals if you look in the right places.

if you are rushing the swap, just get a pullout ls1. if you have time to burn to save money, get whichever comes up as a better deal.

Yeah, but what about buying the T56?  Clutch, flywheel, hydraulic throwout bearing?  Starter? Are you really going to modify the truck harness or are you going to buy an LS1/6speed harness?  How much is the tuning going to cost?  I just named $2500-$3000 worth of stuff...

So many things people forget when talking about putting a 5.3L/T56 into an RX7...

[MPbdy]

i think if you find the right deals, 5.3s have the potential for a cheaper overall cost.
mainly from the quantity of them available, plus them being "vortecs" some people on craigslist think they are only worth pennies.
notice all the "vortec 5.3"s are several hundred dollars cheaper than any of the "LS1 5.3"s on craigslist for no reason at all.
as for budget swaps, no need to swap intakes or injectors.
oil pan, water pump, accessories etc can be had for good deals if you look in the right places.

if you are rushing the swap, just get a pullout ls1. if you have time to burn to save money, get whichever comes up as a better deal.

Yeah, but what about buying the T56?  Clutch, flywheel, hydraulic throwout bearing?  Starter? Are you really going to modify the truck harness or are you going to buy an LS1/6speed harness?  How much is the tuning going to cost?  I just named $2500-$3000 worth of stuff...

So many things people forget when talking about putting a 5.3L/T56 into an RX7...

And it's all that work to wind up with a smaller displacement.  I could see the effort if you were gaining 25 cubes not losing them.

[gc3]

i think if you find the right deals, 5.3s have the potential for a cheaper overall cost.
mainly from the quantity of them available, plus them being "vortecs" some people on craigslist think they are only worth pennies.
notice all the "vortec 5.3"s are several hundred dollars cheaper than any of the "LS1 5.3"s on craigslist for no reason at all.
as for budget swaps, no need to swap intakes or injectors.
oil pan, water pump, accessories etc can be had for good deals if you look in the right places.

if you are rushing the swap, just get a pullout ls1. if you have time to burn to save money, get whichever comes up as a better deal.

Yeah, but what about buying the T56?  Clutch, flywheel, hydraulic throwout bearing?  Starter? Are you really going to modify the truck harness or are you going to buy an LS1/6speed harness?  How much is the tuning going to cost?  I just named $2500-$3000 worth of stuff...

So many things people forget when talking about putting a 5.3L/T56 into an RX7...

i ended up with a t56 with bellhousing and flywheel for about 1200, starter came with the 5.3, modding the truck harness is easy if you have time, no need to tune anything aside from dropping the auto stuff and vats, so anyone with hptuners can do it.
used clutch isnt all that expensive.

I really still think my 5.3 swap ended up a whole lot cheaper than a lot of people think is possible.

[largeorangefont]

^ I agree. You can make a 5.3 swap cheaper if you hunt for deals, and can handle a little more work/legwork.

If you could save $1000 (you can) over a comparable LS1 setup, a 5.3 is compelling.

If you wanted everything for your 5.3 swap right now, and didn't search around, you'd probably save very little.

That said you can find deals on LS1s too occasionally.

[mattster03]

^ I agree. You can make a 5.3 swap cheaper if you hunt for deals, and can handle a little more work/legwork.

If you could save $1000 (you can) over a comparable LS1 setup, a 5.3 is compelling.

If you wanted everything for your 5.3 swap right now, and didn't search around, you'd probably save very little.

That said you can find deals on LS1s too occasionally.

In my experience, and it costs the same when its all said and done.... and in the end you end up with a heavy, low compression engine, smaller displacement engine.  Id on't think there's $1000 to be saved.  Now that being said, this was a car that retained the stock hoodline which meant no truck intake sticking out the hood, which I believe is what 99% of swappers want judging by the one or two guys total on this forum that actually use a truck intake.  If you say there's money to be saved by waiting around for deals, you'd have to also say that you could probably find a good deal on a full LS1/T56 pullout if you had time to wait for a deal. 

In my opinion the real best way to save some money buying a LS1/T56 is to buy a full donor car, snag the engine and trans for yourself and part out the rest.

[MPbdy]

It just seems to me like this discussion was more relevant a few years ago.

Haven't ls1 prices dropped quite substantially?