T/ALT1

iTrader: (3)

Well I purchased a aluminum 5.3 online last month thinking it was an 07 L33 5.3. Once I started to disassemble the engine to get it ready for the turbo setup I noticed the crank has a 58x reluctor and all the L33's are 24x so I started doing some research and figured out I actually bought the an 08 aluminum LH6 5.3 that came in the Envoys etc... It has flattops like the L33 and floating pin pistons but I haven't seen anybody build one of these yet. So are these as strong as the other 5.3's? I have a set of ported LS1 heads, head studs, LS9 gaskets, Tooley springs, S475 turbo, everything to build the hotside and I can't see how this engine is much different from the L33 that I had planned to use? It had the DOD lifters that I am replacing with the LS7 lifters, I'm changing the cam anyways and it also has a high pressure oil pump so is there anything else that would make a difference? The cam is also a single bolt so what else is needed to swap to a 3 bolt cam besides timing set? Thanks for any info guys. Later

dean85gt

iTrader: (7)

I'm in the process of doing the same thing. The heads are 799s which are also decent

quik67

The LH6 is basically a Gen IV L33.
Same pistons rods and crank , just a 58 reluctor and
D.O.D
From what I have found they even share the same cam specs.

T/ALT1

iTrader: (3)

Thanks for the info thats what i was thinking too. Aren't the Gen 4 blocks stronger?

flynbludream

iTrader: (1)

You have to get rid of the DOD stuff and need a new valey cover. Texas speed sells a kit for like $3-400

T/ALT1

iTrader: (3)

Yeah I bought an Ls2 valley cover,ls7 lifters and I'm swapping the cam so we will see how tough these are.

charlieRobinson

years later..

so, howd it go?

kainedogg

iTrader: (23)

I guess not well.

Tomhames

iTrader: (3)

It will Need a new front timing cover as well as new Cam position sensor.
24 tooth reluctor wheel and matching crank sensor will need to be installed ( ms3) on mine.
New oil pump is needed along with cam - timing chain set.
Lifters of course and top engine cover ( need to block oil passages under top cover)
It really eats into a budget.....
have one here that's going into a 86 c10.

svslow

MS3 will run the 58x.

JoeNova

That's a lot of bad info.

You can use the timing cover with front sensor on a Gen 3. Its done all of the time by people swapping to an LS9 cam. You just need to extend the wires for the cam sensor, or cut open the loom and pull them out of the harness a little to reach the front cover.

If you have MS3, switching between 24x and 58x takes a few minutes. No need to swap reluctor/sensor.

You can get away with the DoD oil pump just fine.

Lifters and top cover, yes. LS7 lifters can be had for less than $100 and you can use any non-DoD gen 4 valley cover, which might cost you $40.

Tomhames

iTrader: (3)

Joenova- let's clarify my errors- I appreciate your info- but everything noted I did. Maybe unnecessarily?
I have the Microsquirt 3 that came setup for 24 tooth, can it do the 58t?
I don't have the megasquirt.

i was under the impression it was bad mojo to use the dod oil pump?
Similar to using high volume pump emptying pan ?

svslow

Yes, you can use the Mirco on 58x. Simply use the 60-2 toothed with ignition input and verify the timing to get the correct Tooth #1 Angle. You will need the grey colored crank sensor. It can be run on 12V like the 24x sensor. Been doing that on mine all year.

Tomhames

iTrader: (3)

****- I even had the machine shop do a 2nd crank (58/24t) while I was there....

JoeNova

Yeah, switching from 24x to 58x is mainly just picking the right settings in a drop-down menu on Tunerstudio.

Timing only needs to be verified in a former VVT engine.

T/ALT1

iTrader: (3)

Actually my LH6 5.3 was sold when a guy offered quite a bit more then I paid for it and I also have a LQ9 6.0 now.

Tomhames

iTrader: (3)

And these front covers are butt ugly.....ok ok it's behind the water pump but still......grabbing one from the u-pick is worth it....