5.3 in a s10 blazer

[Hotwire]

Turns out $140 will fit in 1/2 qt of oil.


Getting there. I'm done trying to make it look good, it's go time. Seems like I've had more side work since I've been trying to get this thing together. I'll work on making it look nice when I have more time.

[Hotwire]

Engine is just about ready to throw in and got trans done tonight!

Forgot to mention that I did a mild porting job on the oil pump to increase flow and shimmed the relief valve spring .110" to bump up the pressure. Hoping that will keep it happy for a while.

On to the pics.

Little engine stand porn :bigpimp:



Trans is beefy!! Can't wait to feel it go through the gears!

[Hotwire]

Funny pictures happen when paint and degreaser fumes are rolling



Getting the job done. Got valvetrain set, crank pulley installed, primed the engine. The dayum hummer pan takes 6 point 1 frigging quarts!! Painted the valve covers, torqued them down, finished cleaning/painting fasteners too. Now I just got to clean/paint the water pump, clean the engine bay on the blazer and start stuffing! Radiator came in today as well, vent under cap is snapped but easily replaceable.



Hoping next pictures I post will have the engine surrounded by sheet metal. :bigpimp:

[Hotwire]

Got the engine bay somewhat cleaned, don't really want to pressure wash it until I get all the wires hooked up. Firewall, brake lines, fenders, rad support degreased. Got all the wires pictured and off the support, is ready to be removed but waiting until I get the garage clear to push the blazer in.

AND! Got the drivetrain mated finally!! Went pretty smooth, had to grab a trans stud of the 4.3, but is ready to go!


Used the last drop of hammered silver to coat the water pump. Cleaned the last of the fasteners I found and sprayed them, can see them cooking in the upper left.

Cleaning up and arranging the garage tomorrow night, removing trans build table and engine stand. Might have enough time to stuff the blazer.

[Hotwire]

Got to clearance the heater box for pass head and tag the frame with the bfh to clear the ac compressor a little better. Went in pretty smoothly and oil pan tucks up nicely behind cross member.

[Hotwire]

Everytime I get out to the garage something comes up and it's pissing me off. BUT, finally got the rad support done. Everything is pushed forward and very secure. Sat it back in the blazer last night and started checking clearances. It's going to be very tight. Got to clean the garage and up and rearrange so I can get the blazer in, then it's settling the engine, checking clearances, and notching the frame. Once that's complete my bud is coming out to weld, then cleaning everything up, painting, and getting it all back together.

Here's how the condenser looks. close to the frame rails, but fits perfect:


Here's the backside. I'm concerned about the lack of room, might have to swap out fans to a different config / change accy, but going to try and make it work with what I got, the nickel and diming has GOT to STOP!!



Here's how it sits this morning on my way out to work. Can't wait to clean it up and make the water bead off that thing the way it should.

[Hotwire]

Wish I could figure out a way to tastefully add lights to it, get the mad max vibe and make prius drivers pull over when I roll up on them. :bigpimp:

Measured 3 times and cut once, got plenty of clearance for the compressor. Also rolled the firewall pinch weld to give more room on the trans bolts. Pulled the outer skin off the AC box and looks like I don't have to mess with it, just have to add some heat reflective material. Only downside tonight is I am going to have to dimple the primaries on the drivers side.





This is with the engine all the way forward and slid towards the passenger side.







Enough room to get the belt on.



Going to get fittings and use the 4.3 fuel lines for a cheap solution.



Talked with inspection station on the way home when I dropped off some oil. I need evap and 2 cats to pass emissions. very doable. The only bad thing is the guy said I need to keep my vin on the new ecm. That's means another $150 to ls1 edit for another license. Fock me. Calling dmv tomorrow to see if there's some way around that. Guy said the state would think they were trying to fool the state computer when they plugged it in..

[Hotwire]

Got some things done today. Blew a wad on grade 8 hardware for the motor mounts and leaf springs.

Started with a little of this:



Added a little this:


Add spray paint, then deciding to pressure wash, ended up with this:



Waiting for the frame to dry, going to hose everything down with gloss black rustoleum then get the motor back in for hopefully the last time. Then swapping pumps, wiring, figuring out connectors I need for the fuel lines, and cooling.

Also sprayed the core support after my buddy welded the latch support:

[snkmug]

Why did you swap the front suspension parts over from the truck? Are they not the same?

[Hotwire]

Alright and now you're up to date. Got the transmission plugged in, stock fuel lines modified to mate with the 5.3 fuel rails and started labeling wires in the harnesses so I can start hacking and rerouting to clean the engine bay up.

Hoping to have wiring done this week. Then have to get the driveshaft cut and balanced, fuel pumps swapped, and get rad hoses.

[Hotwire]

Originally Posted by snkmug

Why did you swap the front suspension parts over from the truck? Are they not the same?

They are the same, just had all newer ball joints and pst poly graphite bushings installed. Worked my butt off but saved me from having to purchase all that and redo the work.

[65impala383]

Great project! S10 blazers with the 5.3 are fun to drive!!!

[chevymec]

Lookin good!!

[Hotwire]

Preciate it! Hoping to have it turning over real soon.

[rb280zx]

Nice!

[Hotwire]

Thanks man! After all the friggin money, time, and parts invested, taking a step back and making a small change in direction.

[urslow]

Swap looks good. I have a 93 s10 I am planning to do the same swap on. I do not have the skills to do what you are doing. I will have to fork out the money to have someone do it. Good luck!

[Hotwire]

Thanks man, got a nice, cleaned, cammed engine for sale now if your looking for one. picked up a low mileage L33 aluminum 5.3 last night. it's the same weight as the 4.3 I pulled out, has flat top pistons and LS2 heads.

[urslow]

Thanks I would love to have it but I have one, but I am seriously thinking about not doing the swap anymore, the cost of it is going to be too much. Still deciding...

[Hotwire]

Check out s10forum.com , you can usually find parts for the swap cheap from people who stop projects midstream.

[urslow]

I am on there all the time. Parts is one big cost but the labor is another huge cost. Plus I need to redo my interior. I am thinking it is not going to be worth it in the end to have so much money in the truck.

[Hotwire]

Understood, that's why I'm using the 02 blazer. Still new enough to get attention if I do decide to sell it. Has tilt cruise, AC, power everything, etc etc.

[urslow]

I am still deciding, but I think I am going to fix with I have for now. Good luck on the project. Maybe one day I can check it out when you finish it.

[urslow]

Do you have a list of parts you used like headers, mounts, radiator etc..

[Hotwire]

I don't have an in depth list, but know most of it, cpw (current performance wiring) poly mounts for the engine, Ebay stainless headers, Ebay radiator.. I can go more in depth if you want.

Got everything lined up last night and dud some wrenching tonight:



I'm a lucky sob tonight guys. I think my gambling is coming to an end as I cannot continue this streak.

I bought this engine with the knowledge that it's a 68k mile warranty take out with a ticking noise. The guy said his boss thought it was a lifter but no one knew.

Pulled the top end down to see what I had and am as happy as anyone could ever be. They were correct. Looks like #3 intake was about to let loose. Not sure what caused the damage, looks like the roller let loose. Hoping to find the extra pieces in the pan or pickup tube. The cam lobe looks ok, but won't know for sure until I get it out.



Little bit of carbon build up on the flat top pistons, but everything looks really good. I'm not pulling the oil pan till I get another gasket so I won't have the engines exposed for too long.



Putting my grocery list together and ordering bolts/ gaskets tomorrow.