Cascade Crew

[jchaussee]

So I found a 2000 5.3 that runs but has high miles as in 200k. Also has truck intake and accesories. But price is 300. I have never rebuilt a motor before, but I need to learn. Also would,be a good winter project. My question is , is 300 a decent deal or is that average, or high. ?

[QwkTrip]

Does it come with wiring harness and engine controller?

[jchaussee]

No. that was first thing I asked. . If I ran it carbureted for a while, do I still need ecm?

[QwkTrip]

ECM and wiring harness is a $300 value by itself.

LS engine doesn't have a distributor so you need something to fire the ignition coils. Running a carb is generally more expensive then using factory fuel injection because of the cost to get the stand-alone ignition system. You're better off staying fuel injected for cost and driveability.

Truck intake is too tall unless you have a large cowl hood. You'll need to install a car intake instead (Camaro / Corvette). Problem is the truck accessories don't work with the car intake so now you'll need different accessories and water pump. And your truck accessories and intake aren't worth much money because most other people need to toss theirs too.

[jchaussee]

So basically Id be in it 600 for a rebuildable motor, plus cost of ls intake. Perhaps ill wait.

[QwkTrip]

And you'll need a Camaro oil pan, too. And a trasmission that will bolt to the engine.

[jchaussee]

For tranny,ill go with a t56. Forgot about pan. Also will need to figure out accys

[QwkTrip]

Camaro accessories if you want air conditioning. Or you can use Corvette accessories if you don't use air conditioning.

Camaro accessories are out of production and ridiculously expensive used because they fit well in many types of cars. If you see a nice set just buy it or it will be gone when you make up your mind. Water pumps are fairly cheap.

Corvette style can be bought new or used. Needs a special water pump that is extra expensive for some reason. Factor that in to the total price.

[QwkTrip]

Title of your thread says, "or opinions"

My opinion is stay with traditional small block Chevy unless you have $5,000 or more to throw around. Nothing wrong with a good old Chevy 350, 383, 400.

[aaron_sK]

[jchaussee]

Id spend 1500 for good motor also. I was wanting a cheap project for winter but after tuping a bit it does seem high for a 200k motor. I plan way in advance, so I would, if I did go the ls route, way untill I got a good deal on a t56. such as someone needing money now, or buying a wrecked z28 or something. I am mever in a hurry so much that ill pay the going rate. Thats why I was asking if the rebuildable ls was a good deal or not.

[aaron_sK]

[QwkTrip]

I've got a broken T56.

[aaron_sK]

I broke mine repeatedly.

When I sold that car only three gears out of seven worked correctly.

[jchaussee]

Learn something new everyday. I thought only difference was the block material and displacement.so I had to read up. But do the ls hads and mabifold bolt up? And what manual tranny then woukd be better on a semi budget?

[aaron_sK]

Block material, displacement, compression; all those seem like pretty big differences to me.

There is no budget LS transmission. You can put a T5 behind them but I would not think it would last too long in a heavy car like a fully-optioned V8 Camaro.

[QwkTrip]

A lot of these 5.3L truck pull outs have automatic transmissions attached to them. Why not just use that transmission? It's cheap and it can be awesome with a good tune and torque converter.

[jchaussee]

I was thonking of it, but unless the wife buys the c5 vette shes been talking about I really think the fun factor of a six speed would be fun.

[aaron_sK]

Quit talking people into your old-man transmissions, Jon!

[QwkTrip]

Quit talking people in to..... ...... what is it that you're talking him in to anyway?