Looking for a 5.3 or 6.0 w/ AT trans pullout in NorCal

[MtotheIKEo]

I have a 73 Chevy truck that I inherited from my grandpa who bought it new. I want to drop in a newer FI motor to make it nicer to cruise in, just don't know where to look for the motor/trans. The few times I have looked have turned up prices all over the map for mixed bags of parts. Ideally I'd like to find a motor/trans/ECM/accessories package just to make it easier on myself. What is a realistic price range for either motor combo? Anyone in Nor Cal have a source for these?

Thanks for any help.

[John510]

there are a bunch in sac and f body salvage in san jose. pacificfab in morgan hill...craigslist....etc.

its better to buy a crate engine though. Will cost a lot more but its brand new.

[DETON8R]

I checked Craigslist for a few months and found a wrecked 1999 SLP Camaro complete with 140,000 mi for less than $3000. All the parts I needed on the engine, T-56 transmission, brackets, ECM, air cleaner set up, etc. Yeah, I needed to have the transmission and engine torn down and rebuilt, but I didn't need to lay out extra cash for accessories, pedals, air cleaner, radiator, electric fans, etc. And there is plenty of info how to tear down the wiring harness and modify it yourself for your needs, depending on your skill level and desire.

I'm not sure that I agree that buying a crate motor is cheaper in every case, or easier either. Depending on skill level, and availability of parts and whether the owner pays someone to do the installation vs do-it-yourself, it can be much less expensive for the do-it-yourself owner if they have the tools, creativity and patience to make it work.

To each his own. I'd prefer to re-purpose the parts from the donor car, even if I need to do some extra sheet meal and welding, and massaging to use those parts, and put that saved money into other parts.

[1HTBRRD]

If you are near the Sacramento area there is always the auto dismantlers in Rancho Cordova. The Chevy/ GM dismantler is always posting complete drop out setups on craigslist. I found my motor on craigslist ($800 including wiring harness and accesories) and my transmission ($300 including torque converter).

I have about $4,000.00 into my entire swap with upgrades and made a reliable and streetable 333 rwhp.

[MtotheIKEo]

Thanks, I'll give the dismantlers a call. Not in a big hurry so I'll keep checking craigslist as well. Thanks for the info.