cmb4787

im want to build primarely a new car and am budgeting out a price to do so this is what i have laid out and would like to know what problems/other costs i have and what is involved in settign up a fuel injected chevy v8(5.3)
car(1000)
paint(1000)
engine 5.3l 327*(1400)
trannyt-5(500)
granny kit(600)
radiator/fan (200)
rims/tires(800)
ecu/ misc/ random ****(500)

tell me what your all thinking

twilight slide

IBTM! you would be better off asking this in the Other Engine Conversions forum, which I'm sure is where this is going to be moved.

LT-x7

Personaly I think your about 2-3k low.
Radiator/fan seems low, I have about $350-$400 in mine after hoses.
You forgot exhaust, Mufflers, headers? I have about $800 in mine.
Clutch? Clutch hydros?
For $1000 I assume your looking into a FC? Expect to spend at least $1000 on car only related stuff, brakes, suspension, interior.

custom13B

I agree its great to budget..but expect the budget and time frame to be blown out of the water. Im still completing a 1982 first gem LT-1 swap. I already owned the car and its been painted. I sold off most of the rotary stuff and it covered about 60% of the swap so far. I did not expect several things that added to the cost. I too planned ahead. Moral is theres always unexpected costs. Two big ticket items left for me are a special low mount alternator bracket..180.00 from SMJ and a autometer electronic speedo 175.00. Adds up fast...just dont be in a super rush and you'll get it done nicely and as close to budget as possible.

cmb4787

well this is all helpful but really what im interested in is what i need to do electrical wise to install a fi 5.3l v-8

digitalsolo

iTrader: (2)

You'll need to plug some wires into some other wires, probably add some relays, gauges, and tune something.

How about a little more information then "fi 5.3l v-8".

LT-x7

To make it run, get a wiring diagram figure out which wires need power and which wires need ground, hook em up make the fuel pump run and fire it up.
Do the 5.3's have vats? If they do you'll need a Vats eliminator box, or it tuned out.
All other wiring will be gauges, fans, ect.

gnx7

iTrader: (10)

If you plan to drive the car hard that T-5 won't last long. Plan on doing a T56 with the conversion. It is the little things that will nickel and dime you to death on this project. Little costs add up fast.

ie fuel system, suspension rebuild (they need new bushings for sure at the bare minimum (they are 20 years old).

cmb4787

t-5 wont last long, i mean i plan to drive it pretty easy in general im not gonna chock something i put so muc htime into but are you sure a new t5 from like a trcuk will hold up, i just cant afford a t56

LT-x7

I hear ya bud, T56 prices are out of control!
That's exactly why my car ended up an auto. T5 was out of the question, after spending this much time and money I need a car I can beat on without a problem.

Orr89rocz

u need to get a newer T5.. the world class trannies..which are stronger than the older T5's. i believe T5 WC's came in 88 up Fbodies. not sure which ones came in the S10 pickups. but they have different bellhousings anyway.

and i'm assuming you mean 5.3 liter Gen III v8 out of a newer chevy silverado? not bad motors but a LS1 would be better, especially since you can get it with a T56 trans complete with harness for the 2-4K range. another good option is the 6.0 liter Lq9 or LQ4 motors out of the big silverados and escalades.

as far as wiring you need the complete harness and then need to figure out what things cant be run on the new motor, like emissions stuff, VATS if they have that, and other stuff. u can tune the computer to take out that stuff. then gotta figure out what gauges your gonna run to have speedometer, oil pressure, water temp, etc, etc. to have it all work together. all of small things that will add up in the end.

custom13B

Most RX-7 guys like a standard transmission..me included. But a auto isnt such a bad thing in this particular case. Heres why...youll have almost 3 times the torque the car originally came with. Youll have twice the horsepower. And last your RX-7 is lighter than the car you robbed the V8 from. So basically its going to be fast either way. Besides you can still put a B&M shift kit in the auto tranny and it will allow you to hold each gear until you decide to shift. Put a nice ratcheting shifter in the car and you can then slam it thru1st....2nd 3rd and then drive simular to a manual. Just me opinion..this is what Im working on with my V8 conversion right now,Shawn

LT-x7

Or you could get real crazy and throw a manual valve body in there and have a stick without a clutch pedal.

Orr89rocz

yep, i got a shift kit and higher stall converter and manually shiftin it is fun. sorta gives you the manual trans feel but without the great gear ratios. oh well. when you feel lazy and dont wanna shift, just throw it in drive or overdrive and cruise. its nice.

i have heard manual valve bodies make the shifts very very hard and firm all the time. that would get annoying after awhile just moving along in traffic

custom13B

I saw a trick steering wheel mounted paddle shifter like ferraris use at Jegs. It wasnt cheap but it was slick!

Orr89rocz

yeah if you have decent fabrication skills, you can pull that off.. just gotta get the shift cables worked out right.

custom13B

No this was a electronic billet aluminum paddle and has its own steering hub. So basically you install this hub onto your column and run wires to a control box that does the shifting for you. It had a up and a down paddle. Like the ferrari in Transporter2. This kit was around 500.00 if I remember correctly.