Wagon 5.3ls swap
09-01-2016, 08:23 AM
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Wagon 5.3ls swap Hello everybody! I'm new to the ls world and and looking for some guidance. I'm planing to start a wagon ls build very soon and have never done this before so I have alot of questions. If anyone could help me out it would be much appreciated. I don't want to spend a ton on the build but I also want it to last so if I have to save I will. First off it will either be a 67-70 Malibu wagon, 67-70 pontiac tempest wagon or 78-79 Malibu wagon. I'm open to anything ryl just depends what I can get that the body is is good shape. I want to make around 550-600whp. I have decided on the cam and turbo already but everything els I'm looking for advice. The cam I chose was a Lil John motorsports turbo cam stage two and the turbo was a s475 borg unit 1.32ar as the 1.1.ar is just to expensive for me. I forgot to mention once it's built and the bugs are worked out I plan to daily it as my primary vehicle. Also will be using megasquirt as the harness. Intended to use the factory heads on whatever engine I get. If you all have any recommendations on springs, pushrods, gasket kit, bearing kits, trans(auto or manual), rear diff, intercooler, pistons, rods, crank, motor mounts ect please let me kno. I literally kno nothing in swapping a LS buy have many years of experience and school in automotive technology so u may have to be very descriptive for me to understand lmao. But again any help is greatly appreciated and thanks!
09-01-2016, 09:49 AM
#2
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Smaller cam, smaller turbo. Neither of those is necessary at all.
550whp is possible on a 100% stock 5.3 long block without ever removing the valve covers. 05+ have stronger rods and will handle much more.
If you want to actually finish this and do it cheap, you can skip upgrading 99% of the things you listed as long as what you do change is done right.
550whp is possible on a 100% stock 5.3 long block without ever removing the valve covers. 05+ have stronger rods and will handle much more.
If you want to actually finish this and do it cheap, you can skip upgrading 99% of the things you listed as long as what you do change is done right.
09-01-2016, 11:40 AM
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Oh nice! Good thing I asked before hand!! What would u recommend? I plan to get a junkyard engine so just do a basic full rebuild and a smaller turbo? Like a s400 turbo or even smaller?
09-02-2016, 07:44 AM
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If you buy an engine that you've never heard run, I would do the usual.
Replace the lifters, head gaskets, and possibly head bolts (your preference, I typically don't). If you want to shift the powerband around, grab a cam. I would go with something small for such a modest power goal. Something that will shift the powerband around a little bit.
Something a little closer in size to this: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/h...make/chevrolet
For me, I usually choose camshafts based on which transmission is being used. A TH350 for example will shift much earlier, so I usually go with a cam that hits harder down low.
If you want an S475, get the small wheel version. 83mm, not the 96. They're the same price. Maybe spend a few extra for the T4 version. I guess it depends on where you want it to make power.
Replace the lifters, head gaskets, and possibly head bolts (your preference, I typically don't). If you want to shift the powerband around, grab a cam. I would go with something small for such a modest power goal. Something that will shift the powerband around a little bit.
Something a little closer in size to this: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/h...make/chevrolet
For me, I usually choose camshafts based on which transmission is being used. A TH350 for example will shift much earlier, so I usually go with a cam that hits harder down low.
If you want an S475, get the small wheel version. 83mm, not the 96. They're the same price. Maybe spend a few extra for the T4 version. I guess it depends on where you want it to make power.
09-02-2016, 09:52 AM
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If you buy an engine that you've never heard run, I would do the usual.
Replace the lifters, head gaskets, and possibly head bolts (your preference, I typically don't). If you want to shift the powerband around, grab a cam. I would go with something small for such a modest power goal. Something that will shift the powerband around a little bit.
Something a little closer in size to this: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/h...make/chevrolet
For me, I usually choose camshafts based on which transmission is being used. A TH350 for example will shift much earlier, so I usually go with a cam that hits harder down low.
If you want an S475, get the small wheel version. 83mm, not the 96. They're the same price. Maybe spend a few extra for the T4 version. I guess it depends on where you want it to make power.
Replace the lifters, head gaskets, and possibly head bolts (your preference, I typically don't). If you want to shift the powerband around, grab a cam. I would go with something small for such a modest power goal. Something that will shift the powerband around a little bit.
Something a little closer in size to this: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/h...make/chevrolet
For me, I usually choose camshafts based on which transmission is being used. A TH350 for example will shift much earlier, so I usually go with a cam that hits harder down low.
If you want an S475, get the small wheel version. 83mm, not the 96. They're the same price. Maybe spend a few extra for the T4 version. I guess it depends on where you want it to make power.
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09-03-2016, 07:36 PM
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09-03-2016, 07:39 PM
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09-06-2016, 01:56 PM
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A TH350 can be built (governor re-calibration kit and such) to shift higher, so there would be no reason to limit cam options to only those that are ideal for stock shift points. Options such as a ratchet shifter can also be used for precise manual control over upshift rpm at WOT, allowing a stock shift pattern for part throttle operation via the governor, if so desired.
09-06-2016, 03:23 PM
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A TH350 can be built (governor re-calibration kit and such) to shift higher, so there would be no reason to limit cam options to only those that are ideal for stock shift points. Options such as a ratchet shifter can also be used for precise manual control over upshift rpm at WOT, allowing a stock shift pattern for part throttle operation via the governor, if so desired.
What do u guys recommend turbo wise? Since the s475 is overkill what would be more reasonable for 550-600w?
09-07-2016, 06:25 AM
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A TH350 can be built (governor re-calibration kit and such) to shift higher, so there would be no reason to limit cam options to only those that are ideal for stock shift points. Options such as a ratchet shifter can also be used for precise manual control over upshift rpm at WOT, allowing a stock shift pattern for part throttle operation via the governor, if so desired.
When that's the case, I don't dare go with something with a 115+ LSA unless I'm asked to. Usually very mild 22x/22x duration and a 111-112 LSA depending on engine. 5.3s with a TH350 usually get no bigger than the 222/225 .560/.570 112. 4.8s get the 214/220 .550/.560 112 LSA.
OP, basically, don't let the engine pick the cam, let the whole setup pick the cam.