5.3 options

[Mike Davis]

I built a 5.3 with 4.8 pistons , Had my heads cut to 59CC, intake valves punched to 2.00 LS1 valves comp off the self cam Z06 intake. P&P TB.
36# svt injectors and made 423hp/371tq at the rear wheels. total investment was 2100 bucks including electronics
Now I just got to figure out what to put it in LOL!

Umm...You can put that in my chevelle hahaha

[daytonayellaz]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/09-GM...Q5fAccessories

No way would I buy that engine.....That truck was smoked in the front. Block could easily be cracked....crank bent...all sorts of problems could come up on that one. Plus, No accesories or anything comes with it. Just my .02

[Mike Davis]

I finally got my hands on an l33. Traded my 383 for it, also got the harness, computer, fuel tank and pump, radiator and a few odds and ends. Think that worked itself out for me! Now research, research, research! Time for some 4.8 pistons, LS1 intake and port work.

[94SNGLTURBO]

i bought a 2000 ls1, full swap, ecu, harness, 4l60e for 1500$ but ended up selling it cause i wanted a ls2 motor

[SatisTraction]

I built a 5.3 with 4.8 pistons , Had my heads cut to 59CC, intake valves punched to 2.00 LS1 valves comp off the self cam Z06 intake. P&P TB.
36# svt injectors and made 423hp/371tq at the rear wheels. total investment was 2100 bucks including electronics

Now I just got to figure out what to put it in LOL!

i bought a 30,000 lq9,ecm,harness for $1000 and swapped in a cam. $1700 total. i dont have dyno numbers yet but i expect 400 RWHP.

$$$ wise it is hard to start with a 5.3 and make the power of a 6.0.

[Mike Davis]

I plan on looking for a 6.0 throughout this summer. Right now, i want this beast to run, and i needed the engine for mock up purposes. Still need to get a tranny but found a place here in MI that i can get one for $200. With a 6.0, can i use the LS heads? is it the same bore as a LS1?

[Vicinity]

I didn't see it mentioned, the HO version is all aluminum, so it's an LS1 with a few less cubes.

[69496]

I built a 5.3 with 4.8 pistons , Had my heads cut to 59CC, intake valves punched to 2.00 LS1 valves comp off the self cam Z06 intake. P&P TB.
36# svt injectors and made 423hp/371tq at the rear wheels. total investment was 2100 bucks including electronics

Now I just got to figure out what to put it in LOL!

I have seen a couple people put 4.8 pistons in 5.3L engines, I assume to raise compression. I am looking to do a similar build. Where would I get the pistons? For the price you built this for I assume you didn't buy them new?

[70TWO NOVA]

Iam currently building a 5.3 for my dads 80 Z28. Iam using 4.8l pistons (speed pro PN; H855cp) that I bought from summit. The stock 5.3l engine has a 7cc dish in the pistons and the 4.8s are flat tops. My combo is stock 5.3 bottom end, 4.8l pistons, LS6 intake, LS6 cam, a set of 6.0 317 heads that I had milled .030", headers and a ported ls1 throttle body. Iam hoping to get close to 400hp.

[ace_xp2]

Getting the L33 provides benefits besides the aluminum block too. It has 9.9:1 compression and 799 heads, which are essentially Ls6 heads without the fancy valves.

[Mark Antrim]

I just picked up a 04 5.3 minus intake and electronics for 100.00. It was supposed to have a bad cam but everything is mint shape. The bearings still have the machine marks in them. I think I'm going to punch it out to a 346 and up grade the cam and then find something to put it in.

[2ndgenhunter]

I have seen a couple people put 4.8 pistons in 5.3L engines, I assume to raise compression. I am looking to do a similar build. Where would I get the pistons? For the price you built this for I assume you didn't buy them new?

No. They came in my motor. I got the 5.3 crank and rods from a buddy that did a forged 347 5.3. 4.8s a dirt cheap. I just bought a 03 4.8 90k miles complete drop out including harness and PCM for 200 bucks with tax. I'm going after a 200.00 5.3 this afternoon with 110k. Its a complete drop out also.

Btw not to highjack. OP, I got a used Z06 intake and P&P TB for cheap if ya need it.

[srh3trinity]

I've got a stock f-body LS1 cam if anybody is wanting to upgrade with stock parts.

[Mark Antrim]

Just found some info to pass along to anyone that is going to rebore a 5.3 to a 346. My engine that I picked up is a late 04 and has full floating rods. This makes finding pistons harder. I did find out that silvolite makes pistons for an ls6 and is set up for floating pins. They are a little pricey but the only other way I have found is find 03 or older rods. If anyone knows anything I might have missed let me know.

[Conrad283]

Is buying a 5.3 and boring it out to 5.7 worth it?

There's a 5.3 LS1 local to me that's $400 but the injectors are clogged. I'm thinkin about buying it and having it bored out

Thoughts?

[Mark Antrim]

You need to see what the machine shop is going to charge for boring it .120 or so over. That might be the deciding factor. Also if you need the full floating pins, those pistons aren't cheep at the lowest I've found 50.00 each.

[zamora7]

And if you are really patient you will finf the right deal. I found an LS1/t56 combo, pcm, harness, radiator, cooling fans, master cylinder, M6 pedal assemblies, brake booster and and tan leather seats out of a 2000 WS6 with 90k miles for $2000. Included was the whole crossmember, steerinf rack, longtbue headers and a y pipe. Got lucky I guess.

[zamora7]

Is buying a 5.3 and boring it out to 5.7 worth it?

There's a 5.3 LS1 local to me that's $400 but the injectors are clogged. I'm thinkin about buying it and having it bored out

Thoughts?

I would buy it but I dont think boring it out to a 5.7 is worth it unless you already have the necessary parts. Thats a good price for a 5.3 if its complete, and if injectord are clogged that should probably be the last thing in your mind because if you go to an ls1 style intake you will need fuel rails and injectors for it.