fast89stang

iTrader: (2)

Got all parts back from machine shop. they said it was balanced, he paid for balance, but pisyons are still in the box, rods are in another box, no main or rod bearing. No grind marks on rods, pistons, crank, balancer or anything. Is it possible? I dont see how, but just figure maybe there is a new way I am not aware of.

ZONES89RS

iTrader: (25)

I would call and ask. Never seen a set if rods it pistons that were balanced without grind marking from making all the rods or pistons match the lightest piece. As well as the crank usually has still marks from balancing.

speedtigger

iTrader: (16)

If it has forged or aftermarket pistons, I would definitely want to know how they achieved the balance without visually modifying any of the parts.

The stunningman

iTrader: (47)

Most shops I know that balance engines want the rings, rod bearings (to weigh) as well as the balancer and flywheel even though they are supposed to be neutral balance. I honestly don't see how they could have.

Also balancing a engine is right damned expensive. I would definitely call and find out where the money went on untouched parts.

monte383sbc

iTrader: (15)

i agree with this guy

WTF?

Hmmm....you guys must still be using old school parts. I balance most of my own stuff, and the pistons, I use Mahle, or Bullet, and pretty much any aftermarket rod you will see, are +- 1 gram, or closer. 99 percent of the time, the pistons, rods, aren't touched, and you just drill a crank deeper in a factory hole, if that. I just did Playtoys, 427 sleeved ls2 block, and the rotating assembly was damn near dead nuts out of the box.

VLS1

+1

I would say 9 out of 10 balance jobs I have done in the past, only need to relieve the crank when spinning it up on the balancer.

summoner

Bit curious since we don't get the 5.3 over here in Aus.. Why is it so popular to use over in USA instead of starting with an LS1? is it cheaper? better block/heads/etc? Can it be brought up to larger capacity easily?

fast89stang

iTrader: (2)

This one is actually .010 5.7 bore in a 5.3 block.

ZONES89RS

iTrader: (25)

Because they can be had for next to nothing and they are so much stronger than a LS1 it isn't funny. Many bore them to LS1 3.9 bore and even seen some go to a 6.0 liter 4 inch bore.

Not sure how all those numbers transfer to metric and pounds for measurement and currency? Lol. Quid is it some times called there too or is it just Europe?

summoner

Makes sense haha, we never got the 5.3 so can't really find them here unless it was imported by someone. LS1's on the other hand are reasonable plentiful and getting cheaper (Mine cost me AU$500 for a complete minus ecu/trans).

haha we don't have the quid, we have the $ since some time in the 70's I think (Before my time they changed). We flick between imperial and metric for a lot of stuff in general use such as engines

ZONES89RS

iTrader: (25)

Ok, well, wonder why the 5.3 isn't native then? We have a tooooon of trucks here and that's the basic model Chevy and GMC truck power plant is the 4.8 and 5.3. So 4-500$ a pop by me. Sometimes cheaper off the craigslist.

WTF?

Most I've taken one is 3.905.....I like to use the Mahle 3.898 drop ins, and leave a little meat. An iron block 346 is a hell of an anvil.

TTur1996

Summit now offers the iron 4.8 - 5.3 blocks with a 3.780 finished bore with cam bearings installed but no freeze plugs or oil restrictors installed for $399.97

VLS1

Well you got lucky if the motor was good. Yes they are out there, but I wouldn't say plentiful. I've never seen anything under $800 on the east coast that wouldn't need a rebuild.

Just checked eBay and cheapest is $1099 AU with no accessories, probably pre-2000 model junk.

TXsilverado

iTrader: (18)

5.3 is awesome cheap and offsets the cost of a turbo....i wish i did that at this point. for as much money as i have into my heads/cam/nitrous LS2, i could have a stock 5.3 on a home made turbo kit making more power for about the same money....and if i break the 5.3, i can have another tomorrow for 4-500$.

a few years ago i got a 5.3 intake to oil pan with all front accessories, exhaust, wiring harness and computer along with the 4l60e transmission and the stock fuel pump for $800.

he even delivered it to my house

fast89stang

iTrader: (2)

My buddy gave 75 bucks for this one at scrap yard. Lol. Aluminum block. 07 model. Crank had been changed to 24 tooth, but all was good.

ZONES89RS

iTrader: (25)

Glad to see you can clearly understand why I am not going to go back NA. Lol

Quick Ranger

iTrader: (2)

That seems awful high for a stock block that had a ball hone taken to it to de-glaze the bores. You can take a $100 block and have all that done at a machine shop for $150 or less.

TTur1996

Everyone knows you can get them cheap around the states. I was letting the brother from Australia know. He said they didn't have 4.8-5.3's down there. And just because you found one for a hundred bucks, doesn't mean they are all hanging on a hundred dollar tree.