I am looking at putting a 5.3 with heads and cam backed by a t56 tranny in my 92 chevy. I am wondering if anyone can point me into the right direction for conversion parts. I am taking a shot in the dark with this but this is what I want to achieve, the truck is a 92 scsb step side with the Silverado package power locks and doors, cruise, and A/C which I would like to retain. I plan on using electric fans, headers, cnc'd heads, and a stout streetable cam and of course the t56 and some 3.73 gears. I have a thousand questions but let me ask these few. What accessories can I use, the ones to match the motor? I would assume I need the new style alternator but what A/C can I use? What long tube headers can I use? Any Idea on the tranny mount? How do I use a stand alone wiring harness for the motor and tranny but keep the factory options and gauges? ( I would love nothing more than being able to update the very uncool factory cluster, mainly speedo and tach)
Sorry for all the question but this is something I really want to do and since it is my daily driver I need to buy as many parts before I tear into it. I do not mind driving my 02 but I work in the chemical plants in my area doing soil and concrete testing and my 02 is a little low to be in some of the areas and I just like it to much to put it through all the crap in these plants. So the least amount of down time possible is what I am shooting for. Thanks for any help you guy can provide.

 

I did an LS1/Auto into a 1990 454SS & My truck has an LT1 style T56:

I don't know much about the 5.3L other than the basic short block is the same as an LS1 (of course in cast iron). Mounting of the A/C compressor will be too low and will contact the crossmember. We used Street & Performance's Accy bracket set, motor mount brackets, Gbody headers, and had the fuel rail modified for a return-style system. Everything else on the motor was stock ('99 Camaro 325 hp).

The T56 is easy. Pedals & master cyl from a '88-'98 C/K, Slave cyl from the Fbucket that the trans comes from (LSx style T56 uses a hydraulic t/o bearing instead of slave cyl), adapter from advance adapters to mate the 2 together (not sure on this for the LSx style trans), stock crossmember (needs hole oval'd out), minor massaging of floor around shifter, do not hook up skip shift selonoid or reverse lockout, speedo will be reading approx 1/2 of actual speed (this can be fixed by reprogramming your DRAC module), have a driveshaft made.

EDIT: I just noticed you have a 5spd truck. Half the T56 work is done for you. The 3.73s are not going to be enough gear with the T56, unless your motor makes around 500ft-lbs or more.