While at Desolate Motorsports, we spied this hot rod project that Desolate's been involved with.
This '60's Caddie was infused with a 5.3 Vortec and a 4L60-E. Desolate made the motor mounts, and shaved and re-plated the oil pan to get the tall-ish truck-style engine to fit with the hood closed.
The motor was picked up for about $1,500 complete with the tranny and wiring harness.
From what I've heard, the 5.3 Vortec makes good power and it delivers good fuel economy. I don't have the numbers to back that up, but I'll find them.
For now, I'll just say that I've also seen a 5.3 Vortec swapped into an Early Bronco, and I understand that Chris Wrublevski of C&D Fabworks is swapping a 5.3 Vortec into his Ranger.
Could this be the new engine-swap favorite?