penutbuter

Howdy folks, I am wondering if anyone in here has managed to squeeze a 5.3 with the truck intake into a 68-71 Cutlass and if so what were your obstacles?

I am starting body work so I have a little while until I drop in the motor, but would like to keep as much of the available build budget out of the motor for the time being if at all possible.

Thanks in advance for input.

jpc647

5.3 truck intake out of what?

penutbuter

This motor is a 5.3l out of a 2004 Silverado. I have a CTS-V oil pan a friend had laying around.

I don't have mounts or a set back plate yet since I have heard different ones are better for different applications.

Fun71

Isn't the starter on the wrong side of those engines?

gbledsoe3

The 5.3 is the same base block as the LS engines. Yes the starter is on the passenger side of the LS engines. I have one in my garage on a stand but saving it for my 93 Silverado sometime in the future. I suspect the truck intake will be too tall for a Cutlass.

garys 68&72

Over at LS1tech, there are some A bodies using the truck intake, so it will probably fit. When I put a 5.3 in my 72, I used an LS1 intake because it looked close....and they look better.

csouth

It will fit... I have seen some Cutlass' with them installed. LS2 intakes are cheap now though, why not swap? Lots of people with stock LS2 intakes have switch to FAST or another aftermarket intake, so there are plenty to be found.

penutbuter

I have seen a bunch floating around on ebay and even a few in the NW on CL and offerup. But they are all going for around $200-300 which I would rather put into suspension parts, a 4l60e or sheet metal at the moment. Plus my intake is from an 02 and has the regulator fuel rail.

If I can make it work for a year or two then I can have that little more to put into the car and get her on the road sooner than later. Once I build up the coffers after the resto I will look at picking up a good intake and cam.

csouth

Totally understand.... I always look before I actually need, because I usually find better deals when I'm not pressed for the part... If you were near me $200 could get you an LS2 intake with rails and TB ....

garys 68&72

With an 04, cathedral ports, 3 bolt TB, you would need an LS1 or LS6 intake. The LS2 is a 4 bolt TB.
I got my LS1 intake for $35 back when they were plentiful. Actually got 2 at $35 each. But even with that, you may need new injectors and fuel rail. That adds up.
Use the truck intake and shave off some of the mounts on top to clean it up, make it look better.

penutbuter

Yeah, when I was in TX and had people around that I knew I could get some good deals but up in WA it's apparently much more difficult.

Yeah, I was thinking about doing the shave mod agearheadforlife did where he relocated the sensors and stuff to the back and side of the intake and shaved the top smooth. I don't know that I will move everything but I will definitely get rid of all the cover risers and bolt bosses

I appreciate all the input. Hopefully I can start getting my build on track and get some pictures up.

csouth

Could use a truck TB with 3 bolt tb to 4 bolt intake adapter.

DewChugr

How about the TBSS/new truck intake. It performs very well.

penutbuter

I don't know about the TBSS intake, but I think the new truck intake is rectangle port instead of cathedral. I may be wrong though.

DewChugr

The TBSS/Rainier is cathedral for sure, they come with the 243/799 heads, there is one in my shed. The 07 and up truck 5.3 has the same intakes as far as I know. I believe the square ports are 6.0 and larger.