General LSX Automobile Discussion - 5.3 beginner questions

I was given a complete 5.3 motor out a 2006 Sierra/silverado. I am entertaining replacing the old school carbed 385 sbc in my Datsun 240Z. What is the max displacement you can take these 5.3's to, it's an iron block with cathedral port heads.

If I build the motor I would like to do it right with all forged internals for either a nitrous or turbo set up. I am new to the fuel injection stuff as well, can the stock injectors and coil packs be reused?

Thanks in advance,
Mike

My opinion:
Keep it the same displacement, put that extra money into a blower cam and a big turbo.
Turbo 5.3s are impressive and sturdy and if you blow it you are a 500$ junkyard motor away from back up and running.

Turbo 5.3s are impressive and sturdy and if you blow it you are a 500$ junkyard motor away from back up and running.


Cuz everyone loves swapping out entire engines everytime their old one blows up.

If he has the money and wants to do it right the first time, there's no reason not to forge the shorblock and have a reliable engine and not have to be at the scrap yard every other week looking for a new engine.

If you're going turbo, just stick with the stock displacement and get quality internals to be able to turn up the boost and make up for the lower displacement. Or take the block out to stock LS1 bore so that you have more off the shelf piston options and a few more cubes.

you can do a ls 383 stroker engine.check Texas Speed for rotating assemblies.

My understanding is they can be bored to the 5.7's 3.9" bore and stroke it to 383.

edit..
Could look into the aluminum 5.3 as well. Save a little weight in the 240.

The stock injectors and coilpacks for what?

I'm not sure what the injectors are rated at, that would be dependent upon what vehicle the motor came from. I would think you could pick up some used LS1/6/2/3 injectors cheap from people that have done superchargers or buy new based on your power goals. The coil packs could be reused..though may not look as clean under the hood as the ones for the cars.

You can get the coil packs for the cars cheap. Buy three LS9 valve covers (they look cleaner and come with 3 coils).

Valve covers (with three free coils each and have a spare coil) are $141. (check with Partstaxi and verify they still come with the covers, they did a year ago)
Or buy each coil at $71 for a total of $568.

Forged rods and pistons stock heads add head studds turbo cam good turbo run it up as far as fuel system allows and that b a mean lil 240 and still relitively budget friendly

By the way coil packs wont limit u unless u go for huge power but injectors and fuel pump or pumps are a must

Thanks for all the advice guys, I am leaning towards boring and stroking it as the parts upgrades are more plentiful than the basic 5.3. I need to get dome good heads for it but do not want to break the bank, what heads would you recommend for a budget build.

I love the AFR's 210 Ellimnators on my first gen 385 sbc but 2500 is alot to spend on a budget ls build!

I'd stay with what you have.