ls1maro02

Are there any benefits to doing this? Only reason I'm asking is because a buddy of mine (with a blown up ls1) was arguing with me last night about it, saying it's an all around better motor for spray and would make more power than an ls1 would. Any input? I know this motor comes in a Silverado....wouldn't it be a better idea to swap an lq9 in?

blk/slvr02ss

iTrader: (21)

A 5.3 is good if u want to turbo the motor because of the lower compression u can boost it more but a lq9 would work also.

ls1maro02

Is this a sensible swap though? I mean for a car that's going to run a 150-200 shot max....seems like the ls1 would be a better option to me...especially if he wants to have any amount of power on motor without spray.

blk/slvr02ss

iTrader: (21)

For spray the LS-1 is better to make more HP.

PowerShift408

iTrader: (44)

That doesn't make any sense. If he's going to swap in a motor from a truck, a 6.0 would be optimal. I don't know why he would want to go 5.3. There's no replacement for displacement.

silverz28camaro

iTrader: (20)

The 5.3 is a good motor, but does not make more power mod for mod. The 5.3 is usually very close, within 15hp with bolt-ons on both motors. But the limiting factor on the 5.3 is the smaller bore. the ls1 will respond better with bigger cam, heads etc.

I guess the only advantage would be better mpgs.

If you are looking to stay N/A or make the most power with a power adder the 5.7 ftw or 6.0 even better. But I prefer the ls2 6.0 vs the lq4 or lq9 just due to compression and weight difference.

blk/slvr02ss

iTrader: (21)

U can bore a 5.3 out to a 5.7 but that would be a waste of money.

Cheatin' Chad

iTrader: (3)

He is wrong.

The smaller bore is a huge factor in ultimate power production in these engines because they use two valve heads.With a smaller bore you must use smaller valves, which means you limit curtain area, which means you limit ultimate flow.

The 5.3 is inferior for power production in every way to the 5.7

If he says something about the smaller bore meaning there is more wall thickness: it doesn't matter. The stock pistons will give up long before the block does.