Just another 5.3 IROCZ swap

[1quickirocz]

well my swap has begun! Its a 88 IROCZ originaly 350 TPI auto no T-tops. I am swapping in an 07 alluminum 5.3 with a built 4l60E. I removed the DOD stuff and drilled and tapped the block for the LS1 knock sensors. Im using a PCM and wiring harness from a 2000 Camaro SS. The trans also came from the same vehicle. The only mods to the engine are comp cam, comp 918s , and pushrods. The transmission is built pretty much bullet proof (I Hope!) for what i will be putting to it. The converter is a custom built 4000 stall. The car now has a 9 bolt 2.77 disc rear in it so it will have to go. I have a stock 7.5 disc brake rear out of a 99 formula so I will either be building that rear or getting a used mosier 12 bolt from the same Camaro SS if I can come up with the funds. I am doing this on an extemely low budget while still trying to do things correctly and cleanly so it will be a long lasting project I am sure. This past weekend I removed the old engine and trans and installed the 5.3 with the 4l60E. The swap went very well. On tuesday I removed all of the old TPI harness and ECM. Also removed all of the AC lines. Still need to take out te condenser and remove the AC blower case. I will be installing a heater only blower case too clean up under the hood alittle. The car is at the shop where I work right now but I will be towing it home this weekend where the rest of the work will begin. Im trying to get some pictures i took off of my camera so there should be pics up tomorrow I hope. Any input or ideas are welcome throughout this build. Thanks!

[1nasty86]

doing the same swap but a turbo 5.3/4l65e and im using an 8.8. your car should be sick. gotta love an all aluminum block.

[1quickirocz]

Thanks! Turbo will be cool. You can tell the weight difference between the old and new. the car doesnt even look like it has an engine in it right now. May have to go to the V6 springs but i dunno i kinda like it. May help at the track you never know. anyways thanks alot.

[1quickirocz]

Old engine setup alot of wires to go through. trying to conserve the old engine harness. would like to sell the old setup as a complete setup but we will see how bad i destroy it.

[1nasty86]

yeah. im using the 2.8 springs right now and it sits LOW!!! and weight transfers awesome.

[91ZLS6]

Almost a 2 years since my 5.3L swap in my iroc-z. Definately learned a ton with it, and that car hauled ass plus amazing fuel milage to boot!

[1quickirocz]

any of you guys used the hawks long tubes. if so how is the fitment with them. ive heard of a few issues but others say they work great. They are alot of money but unfortunatly they are the only choice for third gens.

[91ZLS6]

Originally Posted by 1quickirocz

any of you guys used the hawks long tubes. if so how is the fitment with them. ive heard of a few issues but others say they work great. They are alot of money but unfortunatly they are the only choice for third gens.

Since its only a 5.3L i used Hedman 68460's and modified them. 5.3L responded extremely well to the 1 5/8" primary.

Ive actually got my set of modified headers chillen in my garage lol interested?

[1quickirocz]

Originally Posted by 91ZLS6

Since its only a 5.3L i used Hedman 68460's and modified them. 5.3L responded extremely well to the 1 5/8" primary.

Ive actually got my set of modified headers chillen in my garage lol interested?

I also have a 6.2 L92 engine that i will be building for the car after this swap is dont but that is a long time out. I may be interested in the headers. PM me a price and pics if you have any. thanks!

[NemeSS]

how much power u plan on making? over 500rw n/a?
u wont necessarily need lt to go fast.
for the 800$ u spend on the hawks, u can make your own lt and 3in exhaust for the same $ range

[1quickirocz]

Originally Posted by NemeSS

how much power u plan on making? over 500rw n/a?
u wont necessarily need lt to go fast.
for the 800$ u spend on the hawks, u can make your own lt and 3in exhaust for the same $ range

I have no idea how much power to expect out of it. Im hoping somewhere around 400 or so at the wheels but that could be alittle of a high expectation i dont know. I thought about making my own headers and exhaust. Ive never built headers but im pretty good at fabbing up stuff so i could probobly handle it.

[1nasty86]

Originally Posted by 1quickirocz

any of you guys used the hawks long tubes. if so how is the fitment with them. ive heard of a few issues but others say they work great. They are alot of money but unfortunatly they are the only choice for third gens.

stage20 on the site has them on his 408. he said he has had no proplems with them.

[teblmb]

ive always loved the irocs. looks sweet.

[1quickirocz]

Originally Posted by teblmb

ive always loved the irocs. looks sweet.

Thanks. I should be taking the car to my house this weekend where i can get going on some of the other stuff like modding the trans cross member and working on getting the new wiring harness in. need to find a good spot to mount the pcm also. May have time to get the radiator out so i can remove the condenser this weekend also. we will see what happens though.

[1quickirocz]

a few more pictures with the factory wiring harness removed and ac lines out. couldnt believe how much it really cleaned out under the hood. im sure it will look alot better with a heater only blower case