5.3l vortec vega

[72vega383]

Looking to swap in a 5.3l vortec from a 2001 chevy truck into my vega. Looking to see if anyone has done this.

I want to avoid opening up the engine because it is low mile and leak free.

Can I run a vortec intake on it and use a carb and hei?

Does the stock cam have the gear for hei?

can I use my hooker front engine mounts (bolt to water pump) like the sbc?

I would be removing all accessories except for alternator, is there a short serpentine belt to use or can I use my v belt pulleys?

I can get a killer deal on this motor and it sounds awesome so I hope I can make it work. Has anyone done this on a vega?

Ps I already have a 700r4 Trans that should mate up nicely.

[cosvega76]

There is nothing that interchanges between the LS series of engines and the traditional small block. The LS engines were never designed for a distributor, so there is no gear on the camshaft. There are companies that make a stand-alone controller for the distributorless ignition. Intake manifolds and engine mounts do not interchange, although many companies offer an adaptor plate to use side engine mounts.

There are others who have swapped in LS-series engines in H-bodies here, hopefully they will weigh in on the ins and outs.


Chuck