orangesicle

I've come across loads of information, but I'm having trouble sorting it all out. I'm new to this, so bear with me (and don't make too much fun if my #'s are way off). Essentially I'm trying to decide whether to use a 5.3 or a 6.0 in my 240sx/RX7 FC swap. My goal is to make a 400-450 HP daily driver in the cheapest way possible.

On either engine, I'll be using long tube headers, an LS1 intake, and getting a good tune. I need to make emissions for an early 90's car, though, so I'll have to use high flow cats.

I figure if I use a 5.3, and use the setup above, I'd probably have to get new heads or port stock ones + camshaft/valve springs/pushrods to get about 450hp, right? Guessing it would be about $1k for heads + cam here.

If I go the 6.0 route and use the long headers/LS1intake/tune, would just a camshaft/valve springs/pushrods be enough to get about 400hp? Guessing it would be about $500 for just the cam.

The different in price between the 5.3 and the 6.0 is about $700 in my area. Therefore, if my super rough math is right, then the 5.3 may be slightly cheaper than the 6.0.

Any insight is appreciated. THANK YOU!

Camaroking1996

If you plan on boost in the future go with the 5.3. Either way a good cam and some nice heads can easily get you to 425-450hp

SVTconfused

6.0 and nitrous...

dec010974

iTrader: (1)

hello ls1tech. some may disagree with me but a 6.0 can achieve 380hp just with a tune. just google some the lq4/lq9 build ups and youll see what the lsx platform can do. ive seen/read that the 5.3's can reach 340+ hp with just a tune. add a good camshaft to the 5.3 and tune it and you can achieve the 400 hp club, easy. just remeber these are reputable tuners, with a dyno, and they know how to tune. a mail order tune may get you 70 percent there, but your pushing it.

orangesicle

Thanks for the responses.

I found some other threads here too, and with all of the suggestions, here's what I think I'm going to go with:

5.3 Vortec = $500
LS1 intake/rails/injectors = $200
professionally ported heads = $250
Cam/valve springs/pushrods = $500 (still need to research what cam I want)
Sikky long tube headers = $600
high flow cats/exhaust = $300-$400
Good tune = $250

Think this should put me in the 400hp range fairly cheaply and easily.

Verz

iTrader: (21)

Ported heads, atleast good ported heads, are going to run you past the $250. Id say you're better off using that towards a nitrous kit like mentioned earlier or add more into the budget for better heads. To add to that since emissions is a concern id say go with the 6.0 since you can run a smaller more emissions friendly cam to reach your goals.

Camaroking1996

You can find an ls6 intake with rails for 300 in the classifides. A port job on 243's will run well past $200

Pop N Wood

iTrader: (1)

A pickup truck 6.0 and a new cam will easily put you near 500 HP. There are bunches of car mag articles telling you how to do it.

A stock LS2 is rated at 405 HP, 440 HP with a carb.

Your goals shouldn't be a challenge.

orangesicle

Thanks, guys. Now you've turned me around again, haha. Now a 6.0 with a not-too-aggressive cam seems like the cheapest and easiest option. On the plus side, I'll have more to work with if I decide to start adding serious power later down the line.

Agent_Orange_Shuvel

iTrader: (8)

Your goals are very attainable, I have a 2003 5.3 with 100k miles on it threw a 02+ LS6 cam, springs, pushrods in it and it dynoed 395hp at the crank. This was using the truck intake, truck cast-iron exhaust manifolds and a set of hooker mufflers. Mind you the tune was worth 15-20hp at peak.

dm79

iTrader: (2)

if this is goin in a 240 you will need to add a different accessories drive setup. the truck ones wont work. this will add to your budget.

V8Rumble

iTrader: (9)

That's EXACTLY what I was thinking. Grab a cheap 6.0L, get a basic cam & a decent tune.You'll get your 450 hp when it's 90 degrees & muggy, & more when the weather's more reasonable!!

(If you can stretch your budget a little bit, the L92 heads are just ridiculously inexpensive for how well they flow!!)

bczee

iTrader: (12)

You didn't state what your going to be using this swap car for.. ?.. Drag, Auto-x, Road, DD, etc.. might make a difference on what you want to use or start with. Also, are you taking 400-450hp Flywheel or RWHP ?

IMO, Just get a LS2 / 6.0L and your already at 405hp, if you find a pull out with all of the Accessories and intake, just add cam, springs and a tune. That way you can avoid the front accessories issue of finding and adding more cost. Might cost more up front, but will save you in the long run. (again, depends on what you doing)

Being this is for your 240 or Rx7.. I would think you would want the alum block to save weight. But if you go FI, then get a LQ4 (lower compression for the Tubro/SC).

Most State DMV rule would require you to have to pass the SMOG test for the year/model engine your swapping in.. Consider that before you find out the hardway. But that all depends what state your in and what they are looking to test for.

Just my 2 cents..

BC

sixt9er

iTrader: (2)

A stock LQ4/LQ9, 6.0l with a set of stock L92/LS3 heads and the corresponding intake manifold will easily put you past the 400-450 HP mark. You might have to do a cam change to make it efficient. All parts are stock, easy to find and will make for a great street machine. Plus, it will make an excellent foundation for you and your vehicle if you ever wish to make upgrades to the engine. Run a search on the L92 heads...you will be surprised. Good luck with the build and keep us posted...

boogiewonderland

a c5 vette didnt make 400 so if you fall short dont feel bad your still driving a pretty fast car...http://www.superchevy.com/technical/...k_build_part2/ read this and check out the entire series it show you mild to wild build ups. i would do a carb build with an msd box and a single plain and some hooker manifolds with a good cam and springs. The torque will have a good bump up and you will not have to spend money on harness and computer, reflash, ect.

tonypaul

iTrader: (2)

The little things are going to kill you on your budjet: gaskets, studs, oil, filters, fuel line, fuel line adapters, perhaps a expensive oil pan, ecu reprogramming, stand alone harness, motor mounts, exhaust, fuel pump, new plugs/wires, ect,ect........ Better up your budject atleast another $1500.00

And you havnt even started on the transmission....

Jeff Smith

iTrader: (44)

agree on all those favor in ls2. I ll go for ls2...

patooyee

iTrader: (1)

I have an LS2 that I have been thinking about cam-ing. I hear / see all these people on this site say things like "Just put a cam in it, cheap and easy." But the more I look into pricing of doing that the more I feel like I am missing something. Any cam worth having apparently needs new springs, retainers, guides, etc. Add in gaskets, studs, and all that crap and a cam swap is well over $1000, closer to $2000 in many cases. So am I missing something?

chuckd71

iTrader: (23)

Custom cam and new springs should be $700ish, pushrods are $100 or so and then studs are say $200 I'm guessing. Gaskets $60. Random stuff maybe $100 at most. That's $1200 assuming you bought stuff new. Cams pop up all the time in the classifieds, you could just get new gm bolts and PAC 1218s are aren't that expensive, so you could do it for much less than that if you are patient and buy used.

lowkee87

1998 Firebird 5.7 LS1 fuel injected WS6
Z06 243 Heads
LS6 Intake
LS6 Cam
Pace Setter Headers
4L60E Trans with shift kit and stall
Impala SS 8.5 Rearend
3.73 gears
255 lph Walboro fuel pump
Gibson exhaust 2 1/2