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Rebuilding my 5.3 vortec. Advice?

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Old 01-17-2017, 10:38 PM
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Default Rebuilding my 5.3 vortec. Advice?

Hello, I have a 01 silverado with 285k miles on it, bone stock. I want to rebuild the engine but have a few question. My basic plan is new pistons, rods, valves, lifters, cam, etc. My questions:

what would be the ideal cam?
I beam or H beamy rods?
How much should I bore it over?
What kind of pistons should I get?
What are the key things to replace?
General advice?

I'm looking for power and reliability. Thank you in advance.
Old 01-17-2017, 11:04 PM
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Your going to get a million different opinions on this but used low mile LS engines are quite plentiful these days. If it were me I would probably just go by a used low mile pull out, put a decent cam in it and call it good. You would be money ahead for sure. I paid $400 for my 4.8 with only 15k on it and I've been shifting it at 6800+ ever since! I'm sure you could find another 5.3 for a little more than that.

as far as cams go for a 5.3 in a heavy *** truck you can't go wrong with a low lift 212/218 cam matched with some LS6 springs. I would go no bigger than that or you'll be giving up much needed low end performance.

add a set of headers maybe a little trailblazer stall converter and of course a decent tune and you'll be ready for another 300k!
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Old 01-17-2017, 11:19 PM
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Originally Posted by stockA4
Your going to get a million different opinions on this but used low mile LS engines are quite plentiful these days. If it were me I would probably just go by a used low mile pull out, put a decent cam in it and call it good. You would be money ahead for sure. I paid $400 for my 4.8 with only 15k on it and I've been shifting it at 6800+ ever since! I'm sure you could find another 5.3 for a little more than that.

as far as cams go for a 5.3 in a heavy *** truck you can't go wrong with a low lift 212/218 cam matched with some LS6 springs. I would go no bigger than that or you'll be giving up much needed low end performance.

add a set of headers maybe a little trailblazer stall converter and of course a decent tune and you'll be ready for another 300k!
​​​​
call me crazy but I wanted to keep it numbers matching, truck is a 1 owner and kinda sentimental. I was hoping to add some more power with upgraded internals. Thank you for the advice on the cam it was very helpful
Old 01-18-2017, 06:57 AM
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Upgrading rods/pistons won't make more power, at least not anything noticeable.

If you want more compression, mill the heads. Far cheaper.
Old 01-18-2017, 01:17 PM
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So what I'm understanding is that it would be a giant waste of money to keep this block in this truck as of current? Say I replace the block...will it be cost efficient to keep the old block as donor for a turbo project if I go full forged internals?
Old 01-18-2017, 01:22 PM
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Is there a particular reason you want to rebuild it?

High mileage isn't a problem on an engine that is taken care of.
There are people putting tons of boost to engines with more miles than yours has.
Someone is attempting to break 1000whp on a stock 6.0 with mileage similar to yours.

If it needs a rebuild, I would check the walls, rehone .005 if it needs it, and then bearings and rings at the most.
Old 01-18-2017, 02:32 PM
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You can bore and stroke a 5.3 to a 383. Get TSP or Cam Motion to spec you a heads/cam setup or have TSP or AI port your stock heads and match a cam to that. There is no replacement for displacement and it's never more apparent than in the TQ side of things.
Old 01-18-2017, 02:47 PM
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Hi, I READ your request :

MY forged 4.1" crankshaft, H-Beam Forged rods, Ractech Pistons @ 98mm +003", BALANCED @ 1835 BW, FOB $1650.00.
I would the Truck Engine cam, the LS-7 camshaft.
I would use the LS-7 "single" IwIs chain
I would use the 2010 Camaro OP.
I would use my injectors(Denso) @ 450cc.
I would use my S/S valves.
I would use my HP "tuners" file.

Just ask ?

Lance
Old 01-18-2017, 02:49 PM
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Originally Posted by JoeNova
Is there a particular reason you want to rebuild it?

High mileage isn't a problem on an engine that is taken care of.
There are people putting tons of boost to engines with more miles than yours has.
Someone is attempting to break 1000whp on a stock 6.0 with mileage similar to yours.

If it needs a rebuild, I would check the walls, rehone .005 if it needs it, and then bearings and rings at the most.
I'm thinking about the rebuild because a lot of the miles on the truck are hard towing miles also I'm in the process of lifting it and putting 35s on it and I'm worried about the extra strain that will put on the engine
Old 01-18-2017, 02:50 PM
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Originally Posted by ss454327
You can bore and stroke a 5.3 to a 383. Get TSP or Cam Motion to spec you a heads/cam setup or have TSP or AI port your stock heads and match a cam to that. There is no replacement for displacement and it's never more apparent than in the TQ side of things.
wouldn't it need a new crank if I stroked it?
Old 01-18-2017, 08:30 PM
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Originally Posted by Pantera EFI
Hi, I READ your request :

MY forged 4.1" crankshaft, H-Beam Forged rods, Ractech Pistons @ 98mm +003", BALANCED @ 1835 BW, FOB $1650.00.
I would the Truck Engine cam, the LS-7 camshaft.
I would use the LS-7 "single" IwIs chain
I would use the 2010 Camaro OP.
I would use my injectors(Denso) @ 450cc.
I would use my S/S valves.
I would use my HP "tuners" file.

Just ask ?

Lance
About how much does this cost? With a stroked motor/ different crank is a different oil pan requiredo? If yes will this affect clearance or fit seeing as the truck is a 4x4? I realize this may seem like a stupid question but I've never stroked a motor
Old 01-19-2017, 08:57 AM
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The biggest thing you need to do with the 35 tires is gears. Also your tranny will go before your engine. You could get the engine rebuilt but i don't think you have to worry about # matching because i don't think there is a way to tell on the trucks.
Old 01-19-2017, 07:43 PM
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Originally Posted by ss454327
You can bore and stroke a 5.3 to a 383. Get TSP or Cam Motion to spec you a heads/cam setup or have TSP or AI port your stock heads and match a cam to that. There is no replacement for displacement and it's never more apparent than in the TQ side of things.
so i understand that 4.000" crank is necessary as well as boring it to max bore. If i chose not to bore to max would a 4 inch crank still work and what would the displacement be on that?
Old 01-19-2017, 09:54 PM
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Originally Posted by JoeNova
Is there a particular reason you want to rebuild it?

High mileage isn't a problem on an engine that is taken care of.
There are people putting tons of boost to engines with more miles than yours has.
Someone is attempting to break 1000whp on a stock 6.0 with mileage similar to yours.

If it needs a rebuild, I would check the walls, rehone .005 if it needs it, and then bearings and rings at the most.
I've been mulling over what you said about high miles not being a huge concern, could I essentiallyrics just throw a cam in, Mill the heads, run a different intake, tune it and call it a day?



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