89camarojosh

Hello,
I recently bought a 2002 5.3l vortec, lm7, and will put a t56 behind it to eventually shove it all in my camaro. I want to make 450-500rwhp, what parts would you huys suggest?


My thoughts:
Stock bottom end
232/234 comp cam ( rpm range 2400-7200)
Comp cam valve upgrade kit
243 heads( decked about 0.010" )
Fast Lsxr 92mm intake
66 lb/hr injectors

Anything else?

redtan

iTrader: (5)

A bigger engine. You ain't getting anywhere near that number with a 5.3 and stock 243s. That's aftermarket head territory for 5.7s and 6.0s.

89camarojosh

Dont 243s come on the 5.7s?

redtan

iTrader: (5)

They do, but what's the question or what does that have to do with your goals?

softballnrd27

iTrader: (4)

Turbo.
That's a rather large number to reach with stock components.

big hammer

You'll get that number with flywheel hp

89camarojosh

What do you think my rwhp be?

big hammer

Around 400 with those parts

89camarojosh

What if i used flat top pistons and a 102mm intake?

00SlvrSS

That really depends on the money you're willing to throw at it. Usually, it's a waste of time and money after all is said and done. Will not be reliable nor will it be a friendly car to tune or drive.

00SlvrSS

So really the chances are slim to none.

Darth_V8r

iTrader: (4)

it won't be enough unless you plan to spin 8000 rpm. You look at some of the most highly optimized builds on here at 5.7 and 6.0 L, that's what it takes to hit 500 on those motors. Your parts list doesn't approach those builds and the motor is smaller. Hammers guess is a pretty good one.

blackfbird98

OP, have you thought of just having the block bored to 5.7 specs?

KingJacobo

Just run a near stock 5.3, turbo a near stock one, or build a bigger motor.

5.3s are GREAT for making big power through with boost, not so much N/A.

89camarojosh

Well i plan on boosting anyways, i just wanted at least 450 na. Yes i did think about it too, with the stock 243 ls1 heads fit without boring?

redtan

iTrader: (5)

You're going down the wrong path if that's what you want to do. An engine that's making 450rwhp out of a 5.3 is not going to work well with boost. So you would have to change alot of things before you do the boost setup. Choose one or the other, not both unless you plan on spending more money and having more aggravations.

And yes 243s fit just fine, they actually come stock on the more recent 5.3s

89camarojosh

Ok, then whats a decent boost set up?

handyandy496

iTrader: (9)

Boring helps with more flow unshrouding the valves as well as more CID. Back in the day (60's) Grumpy Jenkins got 700 horses crank with the 327/350's n/a. He said the only thing holding him back was the valve train (RPM's).

ddnspider

iTrader: (26)

Assuming from your username you have an 89 camaro, there isn't going to be a bolt in kit. If stock LS exhaust manifolds will fit, Id use those in a heartbeat with a custom hotside to connect to the turbo and cold side. 4" intercooler, 3" cold side piping, 2.5" hotside piping. T70 turbo with a .81 A/R will work nicely with some room to grow. Plenty of good stuff out there and info in the forced induction section on this site. Walbro fuel pump and 60# injectors on a stock rail. Don't touch the bottom end assuming its in good shape. I would do pushrods and springs and something like an LS6/LS9 cam as theyre cheap and will make great power with boost.

DavidBoren

I think ddnspider really laid out a pretty good list for you.

You really need little more than heavy duty pushrods, heavy duty valve springs, and new injectors/fuel pump to get started. Even the LM7 stock cam does well with boost. A LS6 or LS9 cam would be better, and they are cheap, but not necessary.