Tig

Just curious, I'm looking at an aluminum 5.3 short block for my swap.
What were the aluminum 5.3s used in? SSRs?
What does one weigh?

Are all parts compatible from LS based 5.3s, 5.7s and 6.0s?

Thanks

Irish350

iTrader: (14)

idk if the SSRs were aluminum.. i thought the LM33 (alum 5.3) was in a silverado 1500 HO.

Aside from size-limited parts, or gen limited parts you should be good. So no l92 heads, no vvt, etc.. but throw some ls6 heads/intake on it with whatever pan tickles your fancy and itll go!

The iron 5.3s supposedly weigh 80-90 more than the aluminum, idk if a 5.3 would weigh less than a 5.7

Tamatt27

iTrader: (4)

I believe the aluminum 5.3's came in the SSR and Trailblazer.

Tig

Is the 5.3 the same block as the 5.7 but different internals?

I'm all confused with the LS series motors.

Thanks for the info guys, I appreciate it.

1nasty86

iTrader: (63)

The l33 weighs roughly 110 lbs. It has a 3.779 bore and has a 3.622 stroke. The ls1 has a 3.90 bore along with thw same 3.622 stroke. The newer aluminum engines require a ls2/ls3 style valley cover because of tge oil towers under the valley cover. All new 5.3's come with 243 hwads installed. One will be in my s-10 one day. Hope this helps

Tig

Thanks 1nasty, I appreciate the info.
One will be in my Tahoe one day to, hah. That's only if he still has it.

I was thinking of LS6 heads and intake. What other parts would be recommended for making decent power?

Thanks again guys

Irish350

iTrader: (14)

might as well cam it while its out

1nasty86

iTrader: (63)

+1!!!! Ill be using a ls6 camshaft.

Nova 404

iTrader: (5)

I found this on another forum,good info

Irish350

iTrader: (14)

good ****

the_merv

iTrader: (88)

That chart is a sticky here somewhere.

Tig

Cam is on the list .
Looks like my 5.3 will be converted to an LS6.

Thanks for the link Nova.

How can I tell what exactly the motor came out of? The castings?

Random question. I have read a ton of different builds from Turbo to SCed and see this making well over 600.
What are the capabilities for this application if it was fully forged?
N/A? or Boosted?

Thanks again, I appreciate all the info and help.

MeanYellowZ

iTrader: (19)

As mentioned earlier there are different aluminum 5.3s. The style that came in SSR and Trailblazers is pretty much identical to the iron 5.3s. Same power, same heads. One thing to note is they are not drilled for a dipstick since it's located in the Trailblazer oil pan.

The L33 aluminum 5.3 is the one to have with the better heads, the beefier 05+ rods, etc. These have a higher horsepower rating and are drilled for an engine oil dipstick.

57Sedan

iTrader: (2)

My 5.3 LH6 from an 08 Trailblazer has a dipstick provision in the block, it was just plugged from the factory.

Jake

99ssleeper

iTrader: (98)

The L33s also came on 05/06 Silverados. They were only a one or two year engine in those.

Tig

Been searching around for parts, with some pretty good luck.

I have a random question. What or where is there a list of parts that I am going to need? Since I bought a short block. I know I need heads, cam, manifold, headers, harness, injectors, computer, MAF, but I'm stumped. While this is going to be a slow steady build, I'd like to have everything in order.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

Tig

What is the difference between LS1s and LS6 intake manifolds?
I have found a few LS6 parts but tons of parts that say LS1 and LS6.
Is there a difference internally? Different size runners?
Thanks

Irish350

iTrader: (14)

yeah an ls6 intake will outflow an ls1 and is similar to an ls2. Usually people use it as a bolt on mod just under a fast 90mm, as far as 'tape-measuring' goes . i think its good for like 15 horse over the ls1. If you can fit a truck intake, i guess the TBSS intakes are also a good 'stock for stock' contender.

As far as power goes, with good parts going forged, quadruple digits can be had (if your method of air-cramming can handle it), but somewhere around there some people swear by the 6-bolt heads/blocks, a resleeve, or at least the gen4 stuff. I had my 402 ls2 (ls3 heads) built for 500 rwtq and a 200 shot, but it could handle double that easily (fully forged). Even the stock crank can handle like 1200 hp, but the pistons/rods cant. HKE, who build my engine, and most other builders do prefer the newer blocks for new builds with high power goals.

Definitely decide where you wanna go beforehand, to save from overspending, but youve got a platform that can take it.

Oh, and i think theres a list as a sticky, but I just keep notepad open so i can update my build-list as i troll

Tig

Gatcha, what sucks is everything on thebay is listed as "LS1, 2, 3, 6, or LS1 and LS6" I cant find anything LS6 specific. Well, besides a couple of sets of heads.

On to question one = I have seen two heads listed as "LS6" heads, one with 243 and one with 317. What are the differences? Which one will make more power?
I'm almost posotive all LS based heads were aluminum. Correct?

Thats true, I have read quite a few articles on LS' making huge power. The most recent issue of Car Craft had a junk yard 5.3 making 644, they started with a cast block ans swapped to an aluminum one because it had the mouting points for the ProCharger.


^This^ is the hard part. I have no idea what they are capapble of N/A. Question two = Do you know what they are capable of N/A?
I'm planning on building the motor (forged) first then adding boost. This is also going to be a long term project, being that its my first engine build so, I'll be taking my time and asking a more than a ton of questions.

You're right, there is a sticky with the list.
Hah, I have a notebook sitting next to my computer. Actually I have had it there for a couple of years taking notes for the build that I was going to do, that was until I had finally been convinced to do an LS based swap. The deciding factor was a built and blown Vortec 5.7 making only 330rwhp, which had a marine manifold to. Not too impressed to say the least.

Question three = Is the 5.3 intake manifold similar to the TBSSs intake manifold?

Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions and for the info.
I appreciate it.

sixty4sedan

iTrader: (3)

some information that Id like to add... with the l33 It comes with the heads that are very similar heads to the 243s so dont bother with heads... do intake and cam swap but make sure that the intake will clear the accessories. From what I have read you need to modify your alternator bracket and relocate a idler pulley in order to get the car intake to fit. This is all because the car intake site lower than the truck intake