5.3 Combo help....

[nicke]

Hey Guys,
I picked up a 5.3 from a 2002 Sierra that has low miles and has already had a cam swap to 220/220 on 114 LSA. The heads are stock, and it has the stock intake. I plan to keep this a mild build, but I want to get the correct intake for this setup. Should I be looking at an LS1 intake, or possibly LS6 intake?

I will be running headers, and haven't made a decision on the injectors/TB yet.
Car is 4000lbs with a OD trans and 3.73 gears.

I want to get it completed to put in the car to get tuned.
What would you guys go with for intake? Can I use the stock 5.3 TB and injectors?

Thanks
Nick

[Z06vet]

If it fits under the hood, I'd run the truck intake on it. It makes decent power & would be good fit for heavy car. The cam, trans, and rear gears are very good match of parts. Should run well. Scott

[TheJakeLSX]

If you're running the stock truck front accessories then you won't be able to use a car intake cause they hit the idler pulley by the alt. I've seen brackets on eBay that move that pulley if you really wanted a car intake. But like z06vet said the truck intake would work just fine. Good luck with the build!

[nicke]

Awesome, thanks guys.
I still need to figure out what front accessories I will use, as none came with the engine. Good point on compatibility though!
-Nick

[SparkyRnD]

A lot of people run the ls1 car intakes to clean things up, as the truck intakes are taller and more bulky / unsightly. But, they do have great torque on the low end. so something to consider. Let me know if you need an LS conversion radiator too ;)

[nicke]

A lot of people run the ls1 car intakes to clean things up, as the truck intakes are taller and more bulky / unsightly. But, they do have great torque on the low end. so something to consider. Let me know if you need an LS conversion radiator too ;)


Talk to me a little about why a different radiator is necessary. Currently, I run a really nice 3 core all aluminum radiator....

Thanks!

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

just put in a LS1/6 intake and be done with it.. and they are cheap.

[nicke]

just put in a LS1/6 intake and be done with it.. and they are cheap.

Looks like 400-500 is the going rate huh?

[67rally]

A lot of people run the ls1 car intakes to clean things up, as the truck intakes are taller and more bulky / unsightly. But, they do have great torque on the low end. so something to consider. Let me know if you need an LS conversion radiator too ;)

I can't think if anything uglier on an LS than a truck intake. :barf:

I'd swap it out for an LS1, or LS6 if you can afford it. Check on ls1tech.com in the classifieds, someone is always selling them. If not, keep an eye on ebay. If you're patient, an LS1 intake should go for around $150-200 and LS6 for $300-400.

[rickpaw]

I have a bare LS1 intake for sale, plus drive by cable throttle body from a truck if you're interested. Link to for sale thread.

https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/101550-Misc-LSx-parts?highlight=

[Kenova]

The truck intake manifolds are ugly, but if you smooth the early ones (one piece as opposed to the multi-piece later manifolds) and put some good paint on them they look a lot better. It will still be a big manifold though LOL.
For a mild 5.3 I would say it comes down to appearance and budget.

Ken

[nicke]

I have a bare LS1 intake for sale, plus drive by cable throttle body from a truck if you're interested. Link to for sale thread.

https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/101550-Misc-LSx-parts?highlight=

Would I be able to use the truck fuel rails and injectors on the ls 1 intake? How about the truck TB and drive components? Wouldn't I have to switch all that out?

[nicke]

Front belt drive components that is....

[rickpaw]

If you're running the stock truck front accessories then you won't be able to use a car intake cause they hit the idler pulley by the alt. I've seen brackets on eBay that move that pulley if you really wanted a car intake. But like z06vet said the truck intake would work just fine. Good luck with the build!


Would I be able to use the truck fuel rails and injectors on the ls 1 intake? How about the truck TB and drive components? Wouldn't I have to switch all that out?

I don't think the truck fuel rail work on the ls1 intake (don't know for sure though). I know the injectors work, but have different harness plugs on them compared to the LS1 injectors. As TheJakeLSX pointed out, LS1 intake won't work with truck drive accessories without additional work. If you can fit the truck intake in your Impala, that may work better as it's tuned for low end torque. Then you can use all the truck accessories.

[garys 68]

The truck intake is ugly, but performs fine. Most swap out because of clearance issues.
LS1 will bolt up fine. LS6 wont gain much in performance over the LS1 on the smaller 5.3. I've bought LS1 intake, rail, and bolts for under $40 on craigslist.
Flex fuel injectors (L59) will fit the intake but are too short to use the LS1 fuel rail. You can get the truck rail to work with mods but it's very tall. Aftermarket rails are your best bet. Non flex fuel injectors (LM7) will require the removal of the plastic tip to fit in the LS1 intake.
The truck TB will bolt up to the LS1 intake, but will require some minor mods to clear the truck accessories.
5.3, LS1 intake, aftermarket rails, truck DBW TB, modified truck accessory bracket with Kwik AC bracket.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/04/DSCN0272-1.jpg (http://s18.photobucket.com/user/rdoact/media/DSCN0272.jpg.html)

[nicke]

You guys are awesome... Thank you!

[Z06vet]

post pics of your progress. Scott

[nicke]

post pics of your progress. Scott


Will do Scott. I'll update my build thread (link in sig) with the engine progress.
Thanks

[nicke]

Guys change of plans here. Instead of the 5.3, I made a last second decision to switch and get an L92 (with VVT), with really low miles out of an 07 Denali. I have read a ton of stuff on the DOD/AFM features and how people delete or disable these when putting in a performance cam.
I dont plan to go this route, and plan to put the engine in as is, using all the original accessories.

I see that I will run into an issue when I change the oil pan over to the holley one, as they don't recommend using the stock, high flow oil pump with this pan. Is this still correct?
Can someone shed some light on this for me? Is there anything else I need to know about getting a harness put together for this setup?

I'll probably start a new thread looking for help specific to the L92.

Thanks!

[67rally]

Guys change of plans here. Instead of the 5.3, I made a last second decision to switch and get an L92 (with VVT), with really low miles out of an 07 Denali. I have read a ton of stuff on the DOD/AFM features and how people delete or disable these when putting in a performance cam.
I dont plan to go this route, and plan to put the engine in as is, using all the original accessories.

I see that I will run into an issue when I change the oil pan over to the holley one, as they don't recommend using the stock, high flow oil pump with this pan. Is this still correct?
Can someone shed some light on this for me? Is there anything else I need to know about getting a harness put together for this setup?

I'll probably start a new thread looking for help specific to the L92.

Thanks!

Check out PSI Conversions for your harness, they make one for just about every application, and they respond quickly to emails and phone calls. Here's a link to the 58x Vortec harnesses:
http://secure.ultracart.com/catalog/PSI/STANDALONE-HARNESSES/Vortec-Harnesses-58x/

You'd probably need HAR-1039 (T56) or HAR-1040 (4L60E), but they will steer you in the right direction.

[Poncho72]

iv'e been looking for an answer to the whole LS1/6 intake swap-over compatibility and what works/won't work for a while. Thanks a lot Garys 68, post #15 cleared a lot of fog for me.

[67FirebirdKiller]

I just wanted to add one more thing to this. The OP mentioned an 2002 5.3, I recommend using 03+ truck engines since 03 and newer used the stronger LS2 rods from the factory where as the 99-02 used weaker rods. It's alittle extra insurance when getting high HP/TQ from these engines and if boosting the engine as well. Just my .02

[jwcarguy]

I just wanted to add one more thing to this. The OP mentioned an 2002 5.3, I recommend using 03+ truck engines since 03 and newer used the stronger LS2 rods from the factory where as the 99-02 used weaker rods. It's alittle extra insurance when getting high HP/TQ from these engines and if boosting the engine as well. Just my .02

FYI it is the 05'-up engines with the heavier duty floating wrist pin connecting rods, like what came in the LQ9 / LS2 engine, that is why 04' was that last year for the " LQ4 "

[67FirebirdKiller]

FYI it is the 05'-up engines with the heavier duty floating wrist pin connecting rods, like what came in the LQ9 / LS2 engine, that is why 04' was that last year for the " LQ4 "


You're right my mistake, the differences between the years were:

03+ all went to drive by wire
05+ got better heads, connecting rods, and flat tops
07+ got bigger intake manifolds + 87 mm TB (or larger)

It had been awile since I looked up the differences, sorry about that.

[2yellow69]

I'm not so sure about 03+ drive by wire fact. The LQ4 I have is a 2004 and was DBC. Probably had something to do with being in a van, but they are out there. I'm pretty sure it was a late '04 because it had the dished pistons with coated skirts and full float pins. Gm must have been transitioning the engines around that time.