General LSX Automobile Discussion Non-technical LSX related topics.

5.3 even worth messing with??

Old 08-20-2009, 09:39 PM
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Default 5.3 even worth messing with??

ok im trying to go to an lsx style engine but i cant afford a 1k $ block...

can you take a 5.3 block and make any kind of a really stout powerplant out of it?
Old 08-20-2009, 10:22 PM
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Yes, you can.

Throw some boost and forged internals at it and you will make some decent power.
Old 08-21-2009, 01:48 AM
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For sure. You could bore it and stick LS1 pistons in it if you want. They are also great for boosting like as been stated before me.
Old 08-21-2009, 02:17 AM
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defintly
Old 08-21-2009, 01:15 PM
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in the recent camaro performers magazine they did a 5.3l build and it put over 480 flywheel hp, i cant remember the exact numbers off hand. i hoping to get 380 rwhp out of my 5.3l S10 build i am doing. my 5.3 is a gen 4 all aluminum L33
Old 08-21-2009, 05:05 PM
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well the reason i asked is i can pick up 5.3 long blocks for 100 or less. and i figured it would be better than starting out with a ls1 bare block for 1k...

i heard you couldnt bore a 5.3 to a 5.7? i might be wrong???

if you can bore a 5.3 to a 5.7 whats the biggest stroker crank you can put in it? im trying to get out of the 130k mile lt1 that i JUST got back on the road again lol
Old 08-22-2009, 03:05 AM
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A guy down here in Nebraska built a nasty Ford Fairmont. Real budget build since it was for the show Pinks, spare parts, freebies, and junkyard parts. 5.3 block and a turbo. Car ran 9s all day long. They can make some power if done right.
Old 08-22-2009, 03:30 AM
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$1k for a bare ls1 block..... since when?
you can get a complete 6.0l pull out for $1300... they usually have less than 40k miles and come with a warranty.
Old 08-22-2009, 12:55 PM
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Originally Posted by lemons12
$1k for a bare ls1 block..... since when?
you can get a complete 6.0l pull out for $1300... they usually have less than 40k miles and come with a warranty.
since people think the lsx engine are gold in kansas and on ebay. i can not find them anywhere cheap. just the 5.3 i had turned down a free 5.3 block a year ago because someone told me that you cant do anything with them they are slow you cant bore them to a 5.7 and so on and so forth. its in the junkyard now
Old 08-22-2009, 01:46 PM
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Originally Posted by 97badass
since people think the lsx engine are gold in kansas and on ebay. i can not find them anywhere cheap. just the 5.3 i had turned down a free 5.3 block a year ago because someone told me that you cant do anything with them they are slow you cant bore them to a 5.7 and so on and so forth. its in the junkyard now
if it were me i would be looking for a 6.0..
Old 08-22-2009, 02:15 PM
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you can make a 383 out of a 5.3 block
Old 08-22-2009, 02:31 PM
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you can definitely make pwoer with them. its still an LS motor basically, so of course its worth it.
Old 08-22-2009, 02:50 PM
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Yeah you can bore a 5.3 to a 5.7 then put a 4.0 inch crank in and have a 383 so your all good. Like soemeone else said. Camaro Performance made 491Fwhp with a 5.3 but it had trick flow heads. But everything else was stock.

If your on a budget. Get the 5.3, 243 or 799 heads (ported if you have the money), ARP rod bolts, ls6 intake, and something like a 224/224 cam and you should put down 360 or 370 to the wheels.
Old 08-22-2009, 02:55 PM
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truck LT's
Attached Thumbnails 5.3 even worth messing with??-img00450.jpeg  
Old 08-22-2009, 03:05 PM
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most of the things mentioned are my plans... ls6 intake ported heads ms3 cam. . . i assume it will work? and forged internals if i go with a 5.3 im going as many cubic inches as i can. the t56 will have to be changed but with a built motor i think i will want to go with a t400 trans.
Old 08-22-2009, 03:07 PM
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put a turbo on and call it a day!
Old 08-22-2009, 04:21 PM
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Originally Posted by 05 GSXR 1XXX
put a turbo on and call it a day!
Yes Sir that has worked out well for alot of budget minded racers.
Old 08-22-2009, 05:04 PM
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ys0Rg3Rqk5A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qk9uU_3VHT0&feature=fvw
All the way up to 18psi with race gas, they say the picked up 95rwhp with a Z06 cam. Total of ~630rwhp on stock heads, and STOCK BOTTOMEND!!!! They did run 110 octane.

Last edited by shawn_c992001; 08-22-2009 at 05:12 PM.
Old 08-22-2009, 05:32 PM
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I love the 5.3L its strong, look at the stock rating and compare it to a 5.7L. Mated to a T56 it would be a beast
Old 08-22-2009, 06:25 PM
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went to a few junkyards today in pcola fl and seen a few 5.3 out of 99-00 truck complete for 450 with core included. it had everything except ecm, uncut harness.

6.0 are getting easier to find also. i would start with that.

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