Cecil07

For the guys who installed the 5.3L instead of the 6.0L.. does the 5.3 make enough power for you?... I am looking at putting a 5.3L in my 72 vette... but I don't want to be dissapointed with the performance... anyone have any first hand information or experience?... no turbos or supercharged comments please...

RPD_Vette84

iTrader: (30)

all depends what your going to do to it.

garys 68

iTrader: (1)

I put a 6.0 and Richmond 6 speed in my 68 vette. It will overpower the stock 7" rear wheels easily.
If you've got a 350 now and you're happy, the 5.3 will be great. Prices on 5.3s are about half of what a 6.0 will cost, so if you're on a budget, go with the 5.3.

ZONES89RS

iTrader: (25)

They can make about 350 RWHP if that sounds good enough, this is of course with cam and supporting mods to allot the engine to breathe, i installed a carbed 5.3 into my 86 TA with a patriot cam and 317 6.0 heads, have about 440$ in the long block before valve job and gaskets and i think it will make 350 or so to the ground, it is a GEN IV with flat tops so i was able to swap tot he 317s without getting compression too low. They got milled .010 to clean up, not that it matters much.

slow00gt

iTrader: (2)

Ive seen a 5.3 with small cam make 377whp. Stock heads with car intake headers and tune.

Cecil07

wow great info... thanks guys... Like I said... I was planning a 5.3 or 6.0 swap into my 72 vette with a 4L60E trans... I have never driven car...I just bought it less motor or tranny...The only dealing with the 2 motors I have had are in half tonne and one tonne trucks...plans for either motor to start would be LS1 intake, headers, and tune... as this will be my first Swap of this kind i didn't want to go too crazy like..

ZONES89RS

iTrader: (25)

They have hit 400 RWHP with a 5.3, but that was heads and the whole works, not to many have dont it. But a small cam would be wise while you are at it so you dont have to later.

Pocket

iTrader: (22)

I put a bone stock 5.3 in and was happy with it. The original engine only had 170hp when it was new. The stock 5.3 was nearly double that

RPD_Vette84

iTrader: (30)

yeah i cant wait to drop a 5.3 into my z. it was fun in my rx7.

NemeSS

iTrader: (127)

I'm putting together a 5.3 right now. But it's gonna make a lil more than 350rw

Cecil07

I'm not sure what I want now.... guess ita what I can find at the time...was kinda hoping to keep a budget for the car... but not willing to cheap out just to have to spend more later...would like 300 to the wheels..

bozzhawg

Now the issue of the 5.3..... my $.02 is we always want more power or as much as you can get with reason....(yeah right).. I would start with a 6.0 or higher platform, the difference in the motors are only a few hundred, but the possibility to make more power is there with 6.0's+..... 5.3's go for a ballpark of $500-$1000, well 6.0's $800-$1500 or so.... Now your going to spend well over a few hundred to get that 5.3 to make 480-500+ BHP...... As they say, there is no replacement for displacement....... And the 6.0's have more choices to me for heads and even aftermarket stuff plus the added benefit of being able to increase the bore of the ironblock .010,.020,.030 over, some have done .060 over and get more cubes 364-414ci....... I think the 5.3 would be great for a extreme budget build or boost....

Its up to you.....

Bozz

deuce4935

iTrader: (2)

For a mild mannered dd with good mpg, and some torque to boot, a 5.3 with a LS6 intake, cai, cam, headers and tune will put a smile on your face and get you noticed on the street.

biggeazy-e

iTrader: (2)

I LOVE THIS TOPIC! lol

Cecil07

It seems to be pretty split... lots of good points for both engines....Still can't decide....

gofastwclass

iTrader: (2)

It's quite simple...

My opinion:
If you are going to only do a cam and external (i.e bolt on) mods on a short budget, the 5.3 is the way to go. 5.3's are inexpensive, easy to acquire and readily available. I know guys who buy them in groups because of the price. I've seen complete (harness and all) selling for under $500.

If your plans or budget allows swapping heads or a complete tear down and rebuild, the 6.0 is your man for one reason only - there are more heads available for the larger bore. When you go head shopping some heads will only work on displacements of 5.7 and up due to the bore to valve clearance.

Reality:
From a power standpoint stock out of the box, the 6.0 is more powerful. However they all have nearly the same potential - with the same mods and proper tune (key element). This has been proven in several magazine articles and a buildup on Pro Touring.com.

Honestly you would be amazed how much a proper tune will wake up one of these engines... add a cam and hold on.

xvictimx26

I have a stock 5.3 with a carb in my 84 trans am, compared to the old cammed 305 h.o. it feels like a 454 so id say I'm more than happy with my stock 5.3 I can't wait to do a h/c swap tho

bozzhawg

Well said

dec010974

iTrader: (1)

just to add to the topic, which engine to choose? i vote for the lm7(5.3). lm7 gets great gas milage with good performance. how much power is really needed for a daily driver? lq4/lq9l ls2 are great performers but they are very very thirsty. also me n my bud race(lm7 vs lq9) occassionally, the 1/8 mile, our chevy c10 trucks, and its always a toss up. the results are the early bird gets the worm. the results would be prob. be diff. it the both vehicles werent so heavy. good luck with ur choice.

Buffalo

How much did this swap cost you minus the engine itself? My pops and I are thinking of swapping out the LG4 in his car for a LM7.