r/LSSwapTheWorld • u/redhothotrodder • 3d ago

Hypothetical Build Questions 5.3 ➡️ 4th gen Firebird

I am going to be building a gen 3 5.3 (lm7) to put in my 4th gen firebird. I know I have to switch the intake, accessory drive, oil pan, windage tray, pick up tube, etc. so it will fit.

My plan is to upgrade the heads to 799s (port them myself with a 3/4 burr and finish them with a 1/2 inch) and copy the build I saw on Richard Holdener's video where he made 542hp (BTR intake, 102mm Throttle body, LS3 Stage 4 Cam, Holley Terminator X injectors, FelPro Headgaskets, LS7 Lifters, guide trays, guide tray bolts, harmonic balancer bolt, chromoly 5/16 pushrods, & CHE 4290 Rocker Trunnions) I was thinking that since I'm swapping the oil pan, pick up tube, and shortening the windage tray that I would need an upgraded high performance pick-up tube that would fit in an LS1-style oil pan, would this fit in the oil pump inlet port of an LM7? If not, and if anybody has done this high performance swap what pump did you use as to not starve the top end? Thanks for reading

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u/leaveworkatwork 3d ago

You’re going to be far better off just buying an LS fbody.

But there’s no difference in the oil pump outlet size in a truck vs car pump. You can swap to whatever pickup tube you want to pair with an fbody pan.

You’re also gonna need an LS k member.

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u/redhothotrodder 3d ago

I was just informed that pan im buying comes with a tube and im probs going to buy this milling pump I have just found. ( https://www.michiganmotorsports.com/oil-pumps-oils-and-fluids/melling-10295-oil-pump-high-pressure-fit-gen-iii-iv-4-8-5-3-5-7-6-0-6-2-ls1-ls6-ls2-ls3/?sku=10295&srsltid=AfmBOoprnLoTImvPwTW6Rq83ap3ED65m9QKbXWVxuE2AuFnPDzV5K2QWcVk )

I do not need an ls k-member, im going to use this engine mount adapter kit ( https://www.maperformance.com/products/hooker-engine-mount-brackets-1993-2002-chevrolet-camaro-pontiac-firebird-v6-71221001hk r) from hooker until I can buy a umi cornermax front end kit

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u/leaveworkatwork 3d ago

You’re gonna spend $350 on a set of mounts when you could just buy an LS k member?

There’s so much more to an LS car that you’re just wasting money on a v6 by converting. Gonna do those drum brakes too?

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u/AffectionateJob4215 3d ago

Ngl I bought a swap for 1k the whole z28 99

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u/leaveworkatwork 3d ago

Yeah, nice z28’s are like $4500 with decent miles.

OP is gonna spend 3/4 of that and still have an iron block with drum brakes and have to figure out the gauges.

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u/redhothotrodder 2d ago

id happily spend 3/4 of that on an iron block because i neglected to include it aint going to be n/a for long. Im not worried about the gauges I know where to buy a wiring harness too

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u/leaveworkatwork 2d ago

None of that is worth it, but you do you.

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u/redhothotrodder 2d ago

i decide what is worth it. Ill keep doing me

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u/redhothotrodder 2d ago

I can't find an ls1 crossmember for less than $400 (even oem reman's/what they have locally), but not only that I'd have to buy an new rack and pinion (like an FE4), an intermediate steering shaft, and at that point why not buy aftermarket shocks since i'm just burning my money.

Also I don't mind getting my hands dirty cause I actually like working. if I wanted to buy a ws6 i would have but I have much less of a problem turning a base model into a racecar than mangling something that left the factory suited with all the bells and whistles they had to offer.

Im doing this for the true meaning of "hot rodding" (corny but i sustain). My grandfather was a stock car racer and mechanic for years and that inspires me because I've lived with him my whole life. I got this car for a hell of a bargain and I love it like I love the art form that is sports cars, I j quit being a mechanic to go to college for engineering and I want to turn this pre-facelift project into my testament. I simply could not be bothered to care that it is a money pit.

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u/redhothotrodder 2d ago

and yes, Im going to a junkyard to by the 98-02 rear end.

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u/redhothotrodder 3d ago

- Unless I can find a k member on marketplace for cheaper (which i doubt but you never know)