84lsvette

iTrader: (3)

Alright, I've done tons of research and just like some good discussion. So here is what I have planned for my 84 vette swap. I have a a stock shortblock 5.3 that will have (to start with) a stock ls1 intake/tb etc. I was considering porting my own heads but by the time I buy all the parts like bigger valves etc and pay to have them cleaned/checked. The $1700 for the tsp 5.3 stage 2.5 heads/cam package just seems like the no brainer way to go. I was going to stay with the stock heads but while its on an engine stand I might as well wait a month and save up and do the heads too while its out. I was thinking a 3600 stall is what I am going to go with (4l60e is getting swapped in also). I know a lot of cars around town with a torquer v.2 that are great as far as power and streetability.... but none of them are 5.3l....will a torquer v.2 be too big even though I am going to do the heads? Or should I stay with something around a 228r? stock gearing is a 3.07 or somewhere around there and no I am not going to put any more than a 3.31 or so in there. I had 4.10's in my mustang and it sux on the highway. This is by no means a daily driver but I plan on driving it every weekend and on the highway quite a bit.........let the fun begin and lmk what you guys think.

84lsvette

iTrader: (3)

ohh also how much power do you approx think a setup like this would produce at the wheels?

84lsvette

iTrader: (3)

anyone?

TKR88GTA

Idk if I can be some help but I'm pretty much in the same boat as you. Planning on doing the same engine. From what i have read is that the 228r is a good cam, depending on what you want to do with the car is the LSA you pick. It would be good with the stage 2 heads you are looking at just main thing to do is make sure you can get that exhaust out too. I don't know much about the torque converter tho sorry I cant help in that department. As far as HP numbers not quite sure but I would just assume 370 to 400 wheel horsepower till you get a better intake than the ls1 intake the ls6 should be fine with a bigger throttle body. I'm personally thinking of doing a stock 5.3l with ported heads and a XR281 cam from comp cams. I'm thinking my set up is similar to yours and should be a good all around car that should stay drivable.

charlie97z28

iTrader: (2)

I'm doin bout the same build stock 5.3 shortblock ported 241's and a v3 cam and ls2 intake and fast 92mm tb hoppfully it'll make good power on the nitrous

TKR88GTA

What are the 241s off of?

charlie97z28

iTrader: (2)

There coming off a 383 stroker

charlie97z28

iTrader: (2)

They originally came off a 00 or 01 ta

84lsvette

iTrader: (3)

I was thinking a 112lsa....something with a little lope to it. Exhaust shouldn't be too much of a problem escaping, I am going to put some melrose headers on it and custom make the rest of the exhaust here at the shop.

TKR88GTA

Well it looks like you will have a fun car. Seems similar to the exact same thing I want to do. Chevy high performance did an article on this build and they added 1.85 rockers ended up getting high 400s HP but that's crank so just multiply 1.20 since you got an automatic

84lsvette

iTrader: (3)

I called up texas speed and they said with it being a lighter car and with those heads and that big of a stall a torquer v2 should work just fine. Figured I'd share what they told me for you guys looking into doing the same or similar thing.

Street Racer

iTrader: (65)

A buddy of mine has a iron 5.3 and went with a 232/238 bullet racing cam set of 241's ported from Kieth kraft Racing through a 9" with 35 spline axles,4.56's and its a 6spd made almost 440 rwhp mid 370's rwtq on a Dyno Jet corrected! FAST intake coming soon ! looking for mid 450's with new intake set up !

TKR88GTA

So whats a cheaper route to go with the stock 5.3 heads or those t/a heads? Which would be a better flowing stock head or which is better after the stage 2 port job?