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best bang for your buck with a 5.3l

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Old May 29, 2013 | 12:27 AM
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Default best bang for your buck with a 5.3l

I currently have a stock 5.3l shortblock block is still virgin everything is apart i also have aluminum ls1 heads no intake or fuel injection stuff.

My question is what's the best bang for my buck with out coming out to much cash i work at a machine shop so boring honing port and polish labor will be on me. I'm used to old school sbc and BBC but that's my parents generation my turn to go ape **** with this ls..sorry for the language...its time to teach the old man a thing or 2. Motor is going into a 87 Monte or 79 Malibu. Looking to build with option for turbo or supercharger later down the road or immediately ;-) lmao thanks guys looking foward to suggestions please detail replys thanks Matt
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Old Jun 12, 2013 | 05:34 PM
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Well whats your budget? You can port those LS1 heads, run a LS6 intake, etc etc. As far as internal parts its up to your decision if you are gonna boost it up soon. Saves you the hassle if you decide now than changing parts again.
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Old Apr 14, 2014 | 12:33 PM
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Easy. Best bang for the buck on these is a cam. A cam will make a big difference, and a correctly spec'ed cam will be a night and day difference. I rolled in a small by comparison cam .220/.224 .568/.586 114 with a LS6 intake and put 32xHP at the wheels with a crap trans. It might not sound great, but it was rated at 285 at the flywheel. Once the trans is fixed, and boost is introduced, that # will change dramatically.

The cam was chosen so that I can roll a turbo under the truck next year.
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Old May 13, 2014 | 11:58 AM
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I don't agree with a cam or Machine work bore/stroke etc giving you the most "bang for your buck". IMO...Leave the motor alone!

My second choice would be a 100-150hp worth of nitrous. Initial setup is cheap and easy. Filling bottles all the time gets expensive.

First choice is a DIY turbo kit. Proven to more than double the stock HP with no changes to the long block. This would be my suggestion. Can be done for about $1500-1800 if you have the tooling. Sounds expensive, but it's really not.

With a 30hp gain from a cam/springs. Your paying roughly $21 per HP.
Then figure a 325+ hp gain for $1800 and your around $5.50 per HP.

oh and go with the malibu! It's lighter...
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