fishface

I am still in the planning stages for an LS swap in my 69 Camaro. I did some searching as well as talking to Shawn at Retro LSX about possible low mile take out engines. It seems the most economical would be the new aluminum 5.3 (not sure what the designation is??). What sort of power would be possible for this engine and what upgrades would it need to be usable in this car?? I have heard these are very durable engines as well. Any help greatly appreciated.

newschool72

iTrader: (12)

extremely broad questions ! 1000 hp ! and any # of combinations to install in a first gen camaro. LOL . might want to give some goals on what u are trying to do with your car ....ie, cruiser, roadracing, dragcar, naturally aspirated, boosted.etc..etc...etc.

fishface

Thanks for the reply. I am looking to use the car as a street only car. Hopefully about 425-450 hp range. Just want something more dependable and reasonable to drive than the current big block. Look to do some highway driving, hopefully Power Tour eventually.

newschool72

iTrader: (12)

some head work( mild porting ) . cam speced for your combo( trans , gears, stall if auto, total weight, rear gears and intended use. free flowing exhaust and i good tune should put u in the 400+hp range. I used the BMR conversion kit for my 72 camaro. i had to do some fitting and a little fab work, but it went together fairly easy. note ...pay close attention to drive line angles. installing an LS in an old chassis requires the right oilpan and close attention to driveline angles. it will make or break the end product. this site is full of good info, just do the homework BEFORE the build or u will be buying several parts twice, like i did. best of luck with your build, David

Irish350

iTrader: (14)

just think of an l33 as an ls1 in a '305' variant vs a '350'; you can slap some heads on it w a matched cam, make sure you have the supporting mods (good intake, exhaust, suspension, drivetrain) and youll definitely be happy.

stock 243s would get you over 400 at the flywheel, ported 243s can be good for upwards of 450 rwhp with the right cam combination, off the shelf and ported aftermarket heads can put out similar numbers (for example, i made 430/405 w my off the shelf afr 205s on an ls1, and had a set of way-ported 243s later good for 460 with a beefier cam).

usually when comparing these engines (barring some difference in achievable combos) the only difference in displacement is some torque. youll still be able to use almost any cathedral port head on that engine without increasing displacement, so youve got a ton of options

claytonisbob

iTrader: (1)

Not to be picky but its more like a 327 vs 350. The 305 is a dog compared to a similar 350. On that note it would be cool to put a 4.8 crank in a LQ4 to make something very much like a 327.

turbinesurgeon

I've thought that for awhile as well. Helped a buddy build a 400 sbc with a 350 crank (377 ci) 12 years back, and that was a blast in the 2nd gen camaro he dropped it in. Good luck finding someone who's actually done it to an LS, seams everyone who has the $$$ to do a ground-up rebuild just spends the extra $500 or so it takes to stroke out LQ4/9's to build a 402 instead.

Following the "no replacement for displacement" school of thought.

DirtyDirk

Has anyone used the LSX-L92 heads from GM on a 5.3? Just wandering what kind of torque you would have. Or if 250cc is to much for this motor.

newschool72

iTrader: (12)

You have to have a 4" or larger bore for those big ol valves. I think Mast is making a small bore version of the LS3 heads with smaller valves. Big money though !

DirtyDirk

They are made for 3.890 bore & have smaller valves than the standard l92. They are in the GM performance book. Around $750 a head complete with valves & springs.
2.00 intake
1.55 exhaust
250cc intake
80cc exhaust
65cc combustion chambers

Irish350

iTrader: (14)

touche! i guess thats what i meant; its more accurate for volumes sake too

^thats what i meant by 'barring some combo imitations', but there are tons of gen 3 style heads thatll bring big numbers (without the big money)

BOBS99SS

iTrader: (2)

i have a question , what are most guys making with a smaller turbo on these engines, im a newb when it comes to boost but i plan on doing a turbo 5.3 with a th400 build, any one know of any good build pages, i did search but didnt really find what i was looking for, just trying to gain a lil know how lol, thanks guys ,

BIGCOUNTRYJEFF

ok maybe you guys can also help me right now i have an 06 gmc with 4.3 but its on its last leg im looking to swap a 5.3 or 6.0 for it and was wondering what all i would need to complete and could i use my stock trans witch is a 4l60e not lookin to make it a drag truck just a daily driver that i can crusie on weekeds with