[NickLeding]

Hello, I have recently been thinking about swapping the 3.6l LY7 for a 5.3l Silverado motor out of a junkyard. I would definitely be going through the engine are refreshing the bearings, checking tolerances etc. I would also like to add a cam to the motor and possibly some pistons and such to better suit it for a single turbo on the car.

I was wondering if anybody out there has done anything similar to this and also what they were able to do with the wiring harnesses and such. I would be open to putting a Holley dominator or terminator in the car if the OEM computers wont work any longer.

Thanks!

 

[acstudios]

@Big_kid is the only one we know of. I think you would want to find a gen 4 engine with an aluminum block as you wouldn't want the extra iron block weight up front.

Hello, I have recently been thinking about swapping the 3.6l LY7 for a 5.3l Silverado motor out of a junkyard. I would definitely be going through the engine are refreshing the bearings, checking tolerances etc. I would also like to add a cam to the motor and possibly some pistons and such to better suit it for a single turbo on the car.

I was wondering if anybody out there has done anything similar to this and also what they were able to do with the wiring harnesses and such. I would be open to putting a Holley dominator or terminator in the car if the OEM computers wont work any longer.

Thanks!

 

[Long]

+1 on this ^^^
We need more of these LS swaps being completed.

 

[NickLeding]

@Big_kid is the only one we know of. I think you would want to find a gen 4 engine with an aluminum block as you wouldn't want the extra iron block weight up front.

Okay awesome I’m starting to really want to do this haha.
I feel like it’s gonna become full race car pretty fast even though I need it as a street car as well.

 

[Big_kid]

Big_Kid here,
A LS swap is totally do-able as I have done it successfully. It’s actually not that difficult as some factory parts can be used from the CTS-V. I see the CTS-V engine brackets are becoming hard to locate, so try to find those used first. Check out my engine swap post and keep your engine choice in the same era (2008/2013ish) for communication purposes, unless your gonna go FULL stand alone and hard wire everything. The iron block is only about 100LBS more than the aluminum and if you run boost you might need iron anyway. try To get EVERYTHING from the donor vehicle, engine, trans, harness, ECM, MAF, etc....

 

[Long]

My first performance mod - engine swap

First, Please keep negative comments to your self. Any negative comments will ruin it for everyone else. So, it was time to let my 2004 CTS-V go. Mainly because my wife and daughter can't drive a stick and I don't have the patience to teach them, I was actually getting tired of shifting it...

www.cadillacforums.com

 

[acstudios]

aluminum gen 4 blocks can handle immense boost. 100 pounds extra up front is a lot of weight.

Big_Kid here,
A LS swap is totally do-able as I have done it successfully. It’s actually not that difficult as some factory parts can be used from the CTS-V. I see the CTS-V engine brackets are becoming hard to locate, so try to find those used first. Check out my engine swap post and keep your engine choice in the same era (2008/2013ish) for communication purposes, unless your gonna go FULL stand alone and hard wire everything. The iron block is only about 100LBS more than the aluminum and if you run boost you might need iron anyway. try To get EVERYTHING from the donor vehicle, engine, trans, harness, ECM, MAF, etc....

 

[tinman]

.......I see the CTS-V engine brackets are becoming hard to locate, so try to find those used first.......

Creative Steel has them for the Genll V.

 

[Big_kid]

Creative Steel has them for the Genll V.

they stock part #1 in this photo ??

 

[acstudios]

I linked you the wrong part.

 

[tinman]

Cadillac Archives

creative-steel.com

I've been drinking too much to answer.

 

[AAIIIC]

they stock part #1 in this photo ??

Cadillac Archives - Creative Steel

If you were trying to answer Big_kid's question, it would've been easier to just type "No".

 

[acstudios]

Ahhh, I see that now. I was looking at the wrong part it seems.

If you were trying to answer Big_kid's question, it would've been easier to just type "No".

 

[acstudios]

I see these, but it doesn't specify where to acquire that bottom mount. CTSV to Truck Engine Block Mount Adapter CTS-V Swap Plates Billet Bracket ICT | 551921 - ICT Billet

If you were trying to answer Big_kid's question, it would've been easier to just type "No".

 

[NickLeding]

@Big_kid thank you for the information it is refreshing to hear that this can be done, I am starting to dream of a 5.3 turboed cts haha. My question i currently have is about the engine mount. Does the non v cts have the correct front subframe to mount the CTS-V motor mounts to or is it completely different?

 

[Big_kid]

@Big_kid thank you for the information it is refreshing to hear that this can be done, I am starting to dream of a 5.3 turboed cts haha. My question i currently have is about the engine mount. Does the non v cts have the correct front subframe to mount the CTS-V motor mounts to or is it completely different?

Have you read my post about the swap ?

the CTS-V and CTS RWD V6 subframes have different part numbers, although the RWD CTS V6 subframe will work. I believe the only difference is where the ABS pump mounts onto the subframe. i Believe the CTS-V starts life out with an AWD chassis. There are no bolt holes in the RWD chassis for the CTS-V transmission cross member but they are present in the AWD chassis. Also, there is more room in the AWD chassis for the CTS-V exhaust on the right side (where the X-FER case and prop shaft would be on the AWD).

 

[Big_kid]

I see these, but it doesn't specify where to acquire that bottom mount. CTSV to Truck Engine Block Mount Adapter CTS-V Swap Plates Billet Bracket ICT | 551921 - ICT Billet

These adapters won’t be needed. The CTS-V1 engine brackets are different than CTS-V2
the V1 brackets use 3 bolts (one bolt is aluminum block specific)
the V2 bracket uses 4 bolts (same bolts on aluminum or steel block)

 

[NickLeding]

Have you read my post about the swap ?

the CTS-V and CTS RWD V6 subframes have different part numbers, although the RWD CTS V6 subframe will work. I believe the only difference is where the ABS pump mounts onto the subframe. i Believe the CTS-V starts life out with an AWD chassis. There are no bolt holes in the RWD chassis for the CTS-V transmission cross member but they are present in the AWD chassis. Also, there is more room in the AWD chassis for the CTS-V exhaust on the right side (where the X-FER case and prop shaft would be on the AWD).

I have been very busy lately and haven't had time to throughly go through your build. I will absolutely read it in the near future though.

Thank you for the subframe information, It seems like the first thing I need to get my hands on is the CTS-V2 engine brackets then.

 

[Big_kid]

15234761 mount bracket
15234762 mount bracket

 

[Long]

15234761 mount bracket
15234762 mount bracket

Do it. Do it now.
#LSswapsaretheshizzle