BryanW203

Well I am 90% sure I am dropping off my 400e to get a 5.3 installed here in the next month. I searched and did not find anything, but has anyone here done the swap? Any info would be great.

Why am I doing this?

I own the car for $500, it has the dreaded ASR/Check engine lights, the wiring harness is crap, and I can get the swap done for around $3k parts and labor.

Thanks for any help!

Bryan

ohlord

An M119 can be sourced with harness for far less then 3k.
Sticking in a vortec is no problem size wise the issue will be oil pan steering interference.Might need a custom pan but for 3k a good shop will have no hard time.Just talked with a guy the other day with a 220 installed 5.7 liter and 350 trans. used an old chevy2 reverse oil pan slipped rigth in,it was very quick.

BryanW203

Located in Kansas City, the shop that is going to do the work is very qualified.
The 119 is good, but its good old MB electronics that suck. The mod ability if the chevy motor and electronics are what is driving the project, and the ability to buy parts at orielys, and to be different.

ZedStyle

i think someone did something similar in the 190e forum, might want to do a search there, he might be of help

ohlord

smog tests should be no problems. They going to install the stand alone sensors to tie it into the car?Do all the ignition wiring etc?
Last,why a 5.3 and not an LT1 350 alum head?

ohlord

Friend of mine just finished a 190E twin cam with a c36 engine and factory 5speed kelvar clutch.His comment on how it runs"like a raped ape"
Looks factory stock,breaks traction when punched in third.Yikes

Makahveli

Good luck man!!!!! I'm going the ford 5.0 route......

cragigotgame

What shop in KC are you going to have do this??

David Hendy

Why would you not drop in a 5.0 M119 motor? A nice one from a 140 is under a grand.

Its completely bolt in, 322hp if you install a '92 LH module, swap your diff for a 2.65 (E320) or 2.82 (500E) or 3.07/3.27 (300CE), and she'll be pretty quick.

It will take you forever to get the wiring right with ASR if you install a different engine I bet, what about the electronic throttle & ASR? How about ABS?

5.0 M119

I bet it can be done for less than $3k with the diff as well.

BryanW203

Emissions - I live in Kansas as long as it gets inspected with the original motor the car never has to see the DMV again.

ASR - gone

Lt1 = opti spark no thanks.

This is basically going to be a kit car, not a concourse show car, so speed-o and tach will probably be after market along with fuel and temp gauges.

The shop I am planning on having do this is Vettes and Performance in Merriam Kansas. I should have it to them by the end of October.

David Hendy

Whats the plan for ABS? On an ASR car ASR & ABS are completely integral, with the same sensors. Are you just going to ditch ABS?

I wonder if you could fit the ABS module & pump of a non ASR car instead?

BryanW203

ABS - thats no fun!

David Hendy

But how will you make the brakes work? You will have to remove the ASR pump, and what will you put in its place? A regular pump?

Does not having the rear ABS sensors conncted affect the diff in any way?

Will you have to have different brake lines run as the ASR system has separate brake lines for the left & right rear brakes, the non asr cars don't have that.

pifcat2

3k is a low price, have they done similar conversions before? The details tend to add $...

areas to consider:
identifying / separating the non-engine electricals and vacuum
fab engine and trans mounts
adapt driveshaft joint
custom power steering lines
custom exhaust tubing
shifter location and boot seal
custom fan shroud if fan to rad distance is longer
match rad hose or use bellows type
injection or carb?
air cleaner type and hood clearance