srbliss

Most posts here are big inch, big HP or small engine turbo setups. I am looking into building a 4.8 all aluminum engine to go into my DD. Car is a 1980 4 door Volvo sedan. Transmission will most likely be a Cobra spec T-5 and the rear end is a Dana 30, tires are limited to 215 or 225 at the most. Both the transmission and diff are 'torque challenged' hence the 4.8.
So far I am looking at a 5.3 aluminum block, 4.8 crank and rods plus stock flat top pistons. Intake will likely be LS6, exhaust manifolds will be sheet metal Vette stuff as I need the clearance and these are easy to modify. What is a good head to use on this little engine? I am thinking an LS6 cam (or something like the 'old man cam') might be nice on this setup.
Looking for something that will be happy to shift at 6500 or so when I want to have fun and be quiet and reliable.
Car is a hair under 3000 pounds and has 3.91 gears and 25" tall tires, driven at least 10K a year and probably more.

Grr

iTrader: (2)

get a complete L33 5.3, the 243s or 799s on it are the best heads for the dollar on that size motor. all you would need to buy is the intake cam and manifolds. No reason to go through all the work or building a 4.8 out of a 5.3, the tq isnt that much different

srbliss

Thanks for the tip, I was already looking at the L33. Problem is it makes enough torque to break both the trans and rear end and I don't want to deal with that. The 4.8 looks almost ideal for this swap - I just want the aluminum block to keep the weight almost stock. This car has almost 50-50 weight distribution and it handles very nicely so I don't want to mess it up. I also don't want to swap an 8.8" Ford rear end into it. I could, I just don't want to as this is a DD and what is in it is fine if I keep the torque down to 300 ft/lbs. or so, I can get a junkyard clutch type LSD and will be going that route with new clutch packs the 3.91 should really scoot.
I forgot to mention that I like to build engines and have not done one in a while and would enjoy doing one - especially an engine I have not done before.

Grr

iTrader: (2)

well good thing then the 4.8 and 5.3 use the same flat top piston, so you can just pick up rods and crank and it wouldnt have to be balanced. 4.8s are FTW BTW. stock they will take out rod bearings at 8000 though! done that

srbliss

I don't get it?

Grr

iTrader: (2)

what part? same piston different rods and crank.
Keep an eye on the rev limiter cause they rev pretty fast and 1st gear tends to go past the limiter if you have traction problems. Toasted one over 8000rpm one time, took out 6 rod bearings

srbliss

FTW? The rest I know about.