jasycz28

iTrader: (15)

First ? is are you upset you just didn't save for the LS1?

Did you really save money going with the 5.3L?

Anybody running the 5.3L with a T56?

What kind of numbers(dyno and track) are you guys getting with the 5.3L's?

I am really thinking about doing this with the 5.3L just would really like the T56. Most likey going to do that later down the road.

G-Body

iTrader: (4)

1. Not at all, I paid 1000 for the complete engine, trans, wiring, accys etc and I can`t find a LS1 for anywhere near that.

2. Yep, I don`t know exactly how much, but most of the truck stuff fits in my app, just had to change the pan and exhaust

3. ---

4. 253hp and 280ftlbs at the wheels on a dynojet. Its good for 13.8`s at 97 if you do everything right. Anyone can get in it and run 14.2`s no matter what they do, hot engine, cold, burnout don`t matter, stall the TQ up or leave off idle, if you can`t get it to run 14.2 or better you must not be able to push the pedal down and hold the wheel straight. The more you hot lap the car the faster it goes. and thats a stock motor with 120K+ on it with a stock stall convertor

nova65ss

iTrader: (2)

Wish I would of waited and got an F body pullout. After changing the intake, oil pan, pickup, windage tray and accessories I am at the cost of one. Other than that it's great!

yerny

Argh. I have a 66 Nova I want to install an LSX in this spring...now I hear this. Any advice on what to get without paying for the LS1 name? I want a T-56 to back it up. My original plan was L33 w/ T-56...now I'm not sure what to do.

Thanks,
Bryan

nova65ss

iTrader: (2)

I guess if you piece it all out and get a shortblock here, intake there, oil pan somewhere etc you might do ok. I purchased an 04 5.3 complete with trans, pedal, harness and cpu for 1900. That was not a bad deal but then I had to get all of the other stuff to make it work. The truck pan was too low and hit the crossmember in the front. Truck intake was real close to the hood. I am only using an alternator so I got an Fbody setup. I guess all in all it is still probably cheaper but it required alot of leg work tracking down parts and selling old stuff.
I guess it is not all a negative. But for a grand more I would have a bigger, lighter, higher hp motor.

68shortstep

iTrader: (1)

in short....not disappointed one bit....cost about 1/2 the cost of a ls1...im running a auto, so cant help ya on the t56 ?.... and the last truck i did with a 5.3l was a 71 that got 300HP at the rear wheels....

pnhigg

iTrader: (3)

Not disappointed in the least.
Cheap 60K engine. Mild cam, and a good tune, makes excellent power in the truck I have it in.
Also the T56 is an absolute blast behind it.
Bolts up just like to an LS1

LS1GMCTruck

iTrader: (2)

you get what you pay for.

SheldonZ28

iTrader: (4)

Ive got a 5.3L going into my iroc. Its a bit different but i do wish i had gone LS1.

the only 5.3 parts ive still got is the long block + Coil packs.

F-body:
Intake
Oil Pan
mounts
manifolds
accessories

If i had the money at the start, i would have just got an LS1. Too late now though, ill run this, then look for a 6.0L Shortblock over the summer to swap in.

Boosted1320

I got a 5.3L complete for $500. Threw 15lbs of boost at it and its holding up fine. What is 21 cubic inches?? .....nothing! Im making over 600rwhp with it. Still a stock shortblock too. Not to mention its iron and stronger.
LS1 is just a hyped up name that cost about $2000 more than it should. 5.3 has plenty of potential.

kidcamaro98

iTrader: (8)

nice to see some of this info...this comming spring I plan on dropping a 5.3 into my turbo0 v6 camaro right now....and turbocharging that since they have a lower compression ratio then a LS1 which is ideal for boost....From what i read, with a LS1 K member, motor mounts and a ls1 oil pan, it should be a direct bolt in.....Once its in I will be able to figure out if I can keep the stock TB and intake manifold on it since I have a aftermarket hood that gives me a little bit more clearence...

Boosted...what turbo have you been running at 15psi??? I have been on 15psi for a year now on my bone stock 3.8 with a T72....Hope a 5.3 can hold up as well as my bone stock v6 can....I would like to be able to get 500whp daily on a bone stock 5.3

isnt their years that they were made aluminum???

MiataLS1

I have been looking at this engine but I need to use the car intake, oil pan, and accessories. I am looking for an aluminum one and plan to use the T-56. I am wondering if I would I still come out cheeper? $500 wouldn't be worth the hassle of finding all the parts, $1,000 would have me guessing, $2,000 would have me looking for parts.

jasycz28

iTrader: (15)

kidcamaro98 if you are going turbo then I would stay with the iron block maybe even go with the 6.0L. If you have the money. I don't.

MiataLS1 If you take your time and search for parts one by one and spend every waking moment on the internet you might be able to save some money. With what you need it will probably be about the same amount of money and less of a hassle. This is the same problem I have because I really want a T-56 which will be around $1500 by its self. But look for deals you never know what you are going to find. Keeping my eyes open.

kidcamaro98

iTrader: (8)

i dont really have the money...thats why im planning on going with a 5.3 to begin with because its a budget build and i already have all the turbo stuff....is the iron block stronger?? but doesnt the aluminum block dispense heat better tho??

X88&94GT

I am not seeing the price being close like you guys make it out to be. Even with buying a 6.0 I dont see the 5.7 being close.

I have not seen a low mileage 5.7 LS1 for anywhere near $2500 complete.
I think we are all seeing 5.3's for $500-$800 complete with harness, ecu, acc, etc. With some research you can find a 6.0 for $1500.
Finding acc, an intake, and oil pan dont put you near the $1000 mark that would still be saving you. And for some of us, the truck acc and intake may fit under the hood. Dunno about oil pans but for most swaps I have seen you need the LS1 5.7 pan.

For the price diff buy a LS6 intake, a cam, and valve springs will be way ahead and have $ leftover. IMHO.

Datsun350Z

iTrader: (7)

6.0 is the way to go.

I got mine for 1000$ and have a 04 GTO T56 behind it that I got for 900$.

Wait and find the stuff for cheap. I did and it paid off.

Ackattack1

iTrader: (7)

I bought a 98 T/A for $4400 with 103k miles on it. Originally I was just going to pull the engine and tranny and use that in my 68 pickup.....then I came across a 5.3 shortblock for $500. After some wheeling and dealing I have about $1500 in the complete 5.3L and 4L60E.

Oh, I sold the T/A for a $1500 profit.....so maybe my engine was free

SheldonZ28

iTrader: (4)

You can put the 5.3L in with an F-body K-member, F-body Clamshell mounts, F-body oil pan, F-body accessories, and f-body intake.

I was looking at our 2000 T/a (Sadly being parted) and theres not enough room to fit the truck intake in. I can take a picture tommorow if you would like (theres no heads on the motor, so im basically sitting the intake in there)

Ive got a 5.3L going into my iroc. Ive got F-body intake, Truck TB(Eletronic), F-body oil pan, F-body manifolds etc.

Im going to keep my truck manifolds as their excellent for a future turbo setup.

Good luck!

kidcamaro98

iTrader: (8)

I have heard that the truck manifolds are good for F/I but how is this so??

Also, pics would be awesome...what you mean by the truck intake manifold not fitting, do you mean it doesnt fit under the firewall, or it wont fit with the hood shut??

SheldonZ28

iTrader: (4)

The truck manifolds are good, because you can turn them around, and they aim perfect for forced induction.

From what it seemed, a few of the stud's ontop of the intake would hit off the cowling under the window. One of my truck intake's has damage to the TB area, so ill try cleaning off the top of the intake to see if that makes a difference. I never actually tried closing the hood. I imagine that would be an issue for a stock T/a or Z28, but you clearly dont have that issue

Sheldon