5.3 Scout II

[BO185]

Originally Posted by Iwishiwasamechanic

the engine i plan to swap in is a 5.3 from a 2002 silverado.From AA i saw the gen 3 engine mounts, and was wondering if that was the best option. As for the power steering i am having some issues with wobble and i am wondering if i should just rebuild or if i could swap in something else that would be "better" considering the new engine. Thanks a bunch.

That's the same year as my 5.3 was but now I got a 6.0L.

You could always get the AA ones and try them. I like mine but like I said they are the old style made to fit the new engine. I did that cause I was to lazy to make my own from scratch!

Are you running A/C or not. And what exhaust manifold do you plan to use? you need to figure those things in when making the mounts fit.


The wobble is more a problem with the steering setup as far as the linkages are. DO you have a SOA? Post in tech talk about the steering problems you will get more answers for that there.

The only thing with the engine swap gives you is a different steering pump but it's still a GM pump like the stock IH one was. There's not very many options as far as steering set-up. IE rack and poinion is out of the question!

[Iwishiwasamechanic]

When i purchased the scout, the previous owner had taken the ac off. So for now i would not be running ac. For exhaust i want to go to headers at some point, but i dont know how feasible they are for the new engine. I could go with the F body ones that u speak of in the beginning of the thread, but would headers be better for fuel efficiency? I am going for as high a fuel economy as possible, so i plan to eventually go to a aftermarket mass air flow sensor and throttle body spacer as well. I am going to purchase the Gen 3 mounts from AA and see how they work out. Thanks again.

[Scout21972]

I run the AA gen I mounts also. I had a 350 boefore so I had the mounts and I modified them to work the same way BO185 did. As far as headers, I run corvette Z06 mainoflds and have been very happy with them. My odometer doesn't work but I feel like I get way better gas milage now and it run a lot better.

A picture of my motor mounts

[BO185]

Originally Posted by Iwishiwasamechanic

When i purchased the scout, the previous owner had taken the ac off. So for now i would not be running ac..

Just make the mounts to clear the A/C compressor. I know that the F-body compress will work better than the trucks cause the lines exit in the rear of the compressor vs the truck which exits on the side and may hit the frame rails.

Originally Posted by Iwishiwasamechanic

For exhaust i want to go to headers at some point, but i dont know how feasible they are for the new engine. I could go with the F body ones that u speak of in the beginning of the thread, but would headers be better for fuel efficiency?

There are no headers made for scout II and this engine. So long tube headers would be the way to go for milage and more power, but they would have to be custom made! The C5 ZO6 header is the best flowing stock manifold. But the f-body will work as well (cheaper).

Originally Posted by Iwishiwasamechanic

I am going for as high a fuel economy as possible, so i plan to eventually go to a aftermarket mass air flow sensor and throttle body spacer as well. I am going to purchase the Gen 3 mounts from AA and see how they work out. Thanks again.

Get a custom tune and remove the EGR and canister purge system. The aftermarket Mass airflow and thottle body spacer are a waste of money IMO! The TB spacers are worthless on these motors they don't need them! The stock mass airflow will work just fine! If you what best milage get a overdrive transmission!

But how is your scout set, up tire size, soa?, and what trans are you running? All these things effect milage.

[Iwishiwasamechanic]

Im running 3.73 gears , with 33s. I plan on running a 4L60E also. I actually am unaware of the lift right now because the previous owner didnt know but i believe it has a 1" shackle lift, and some sort of non stock leafs cuz they dont look flat like other scouts ive seen around. For fuel economy would it be better to go to bigger gears? I dont know exactly how all that would work. Thanks

[BO185]

Originally Posted by Iwishiwasamechanic

Im running 3.73 gears , with 33s. I plan on running a 4L60E also. I actually am unaware of the lift right now because the previous owner didnt know but i believe it has a 1" shackle lift, and some sort of non stock leafs cuz they dont look flat like other scouts ive seen around. For fuel economy would it be better to go to bigger gears? I dont know exactly how all that would work. Thanks

With 33s and 3.73 you should be alright. With that set up you should get 18 MPG. If you keep your foot out of it! But don't get you hopes up the Scouts are heavy! The 33s even out the 3.73 I would not go to a tall numerically lower gear (3.31 or 3.55) cause with those gears you would lose milage with the 33s.


With 33s it's more than likly got lift springs.
But is it a Spring over axle or stock under axle springs?


Also What transfer case are you running?
A NP241 pass. drop with a (VSS) Vehical Speed Sensor is the easiest option a NP208 will work but you will need a VSS for the trans to shift gears. and the PCM

[Iwishiwasamechanic]

Unfortunately the exact lift of my truck is in question. When i purchased it the previous owner didnt know either so i am trying to figure it out but really have no clue. It has a shackle lift of an inch and a half or so, also the the springs are not flat like other scouts i have seen so i believe that they are not stock. the springs are under axle still. It is not a huge lift, for the 33s barely fit in the back.

I have yet to purchase a transfer case. I saw that u suggested the np 241 in previous threads for the vss that it would provide. I am kinda confused though cuz i got the AA catalog today and they had info about the vss and they said that with a computer controlled engine and transmission that the vss would be a plug in to the transmission. So i dont know what transfer case to buy.

my gen 3 engine mounts from AA came today, so i am trying to figure out all the logistics for a shop to build me what i need to get that engine in. Thanks for all your thoughts.

[BO185]

Originally Posted by Iwishiwasamechanic

Unfortunately the exact lift of my truck is in question. When i purchased it the previous owner didnt know either so i am trying to figure it out but really have no clue. It has a shackle lift of an inch and a half or so, also the the springs are not flat like other scouts i have seen so i believe that they are not stock. the springs are under axle still. It is not a huge lift, for the 33s barely fit in the back.

It may be a 2'' lift spring. But post some pictures or E-mail to me and I'll post for you. Bo185@yahoo.com

Originally Posted by Iwishiwasamechanic

I have yet to purchase a transfer case. I saw that u suggested the np 241 in previous threads for the vss that it would
provide. I am kinda confused though cuz i got the AA catalog today and they had info about the vss and they said that with a computer controlled engine and transmission that the vss would be a plug in to the transmission. So i dont know what transfer case to buy.

DON'T listen to those guys on the phone their just salesmen! The VSS on stock GM 4x4 is in the transfer case and in the transmission on the 2x4s! You want the vss at the end of the works so it will get a correct reading.
That VSS they sell mounts in the transmission to transfer case adapter ands is worthless in 4x4 low! I used the NP241 out of a 90 to 91 blazer or suburban. And it cost me a pretty penny (350 buck) and had to wait 2 weeks for the wreckin yard to order it in!
I went with the NP241 cause I wanted the Slip Yoke Eliminator for the rear out put shaft to run a CV rear out put cause I got a SOA with 2" lift springs. And the NP241 already has the VSS. An option would be a NP208C and get a
http://www.jagsthatrun.com/
Jags that Run VSS to adapt to it. Personally I would get a NP241 cause it has a Lower low than the NP208. And specify that it has the electric speedo (VSS).

Originally Posted by Iwishiwasamechanic

my gen 3 engine mounts from AA came today, so i am trying to figure out all the logistics for a shop to build me what i need to get that engine in. Thanks for all your thoughts.

I mocked my engine up to were it would clearthe hood and the front axle. And moved it far enough back to give a better weight dist. front to rear.

[Iwishiwasamechanic]

I think it was a 4 inch rancho lift, because i bought the 4 inch skyjacker lift and the springs are pretty close. The transfer case is still being located, its taking some time, so i bought a new dana 44 front with discs and am currently putting that in. I also bought the heavier duty rear drums and backing plates from a 74 so those are going in the rear. Now i have come to a issue. I was planning on redoing the gearing, and now that i bought a front the stock 3.73 and the new 3.54 front will need to be redone the same. I want to go gas mileage, and i have gotten a few answers about what to go for. i have heard 3.91s and 4.10s and am wondering if anyone in here has any ideas bout it. thanks

thanks for the offer on pics, its pretty rough right now, but when i get some stuff done ill take the pics and post em on here.

[BO185]

Originally Posted by Iwishiwasamechanic

Now i have come to a issue. I was planning on redoing the gearing, and now that i bought a front the stock 3.73 and the new 3.54 front will need to be redone the same. I want to go gas mileage, and i have gotten a few answers about what to go for. i have heard 3.91s and 4.10s and am wondering if anyone in here has any ideas bout it. thanks

I'll say post this question in tech talk, you will get more feed back and answers. I want to try and keep this thread movin in the Vortec swap direction, so anything related to that ask here. And post standard question stuff in tech talk. Thanks.

Oh well I guess I give my opinion anyway since asked!

Depends on one thing if you want to save money just get a set of 3.73 for the fronts, and get some type of locker.

The differance of 4.10 and 3.73 isn't enough for me to buy new gears (4.10) all around, just stick with the 3.73.

Personnally I would go 4.56 cause you will have an overdrive, and can plan on bigger tires later.

But the 3.73 will be ok and save you money cause you already have the rear set. And get a locker in the rear and LS up front.